NORTH FORGOTTEN ISLANDS

SAMPLE ITINERARY "NORTH FORGOTTEN ISLANDS"

13 Day/12 Night Saumlaki - Ambon Cruise

Day 1 Embarkation in Saumlaki

Day 2-6 Forgotten Islands

The Forgotten Islands are part of a remote archipelago in the southeast corner of the Moluccas (Maluku
Tenggara). Despite the remote feeling in other parts of Indonesia (such as Alor or Banda), the Forgotten
Islands are isolated even by Indonesian standards, covering a 1,000 km long chain of islands staring at
Timor and extending up to West Papua. The Tanimbar group of around 65 islands that separate the Banda
Sea from the Arafura Sea include the island of Yamdena where the capital Saumlaki is where this cruise
begins.

There are many groups of islands in this area and the Forgotten Islands are relatively undiscovered and
still being explored. The exact itinerary around these islands will depend exclusively on the weather and
current conditions. Also due to the big distances between island groups some of the days will include
three day dives before heading off in the afternoon and travelling overnight. When the next location is
closer and there are anchorage spots in sheltered bays we will offer a fourth dive, usually a night dive.
Dive sites in the Forgotten Islands are characterised by endless reefs and spectacular deep walls covered
in soft corals, sea fans and huge sponges. These islands usually experiences amazing visibility and warm
water around 27-30C (81-86F).

Here are the names of the islands we may visit (weather permitting) during your cruise:

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Dai Island (3-4 dives)

This small island in the northern part of the Babar group of islands is our first stop from Saumlaki. The
villagers on this island still practice traditional hunting with bow and arrow. Steep slopes provide hunting
grounds for schooling barracuda and trevally. Large sea fans on the reef are surrounded by very healthy
reef fish life. The diving in this area is so good we may even stay an extra day.

Pulau Damar/Nusleur/Terbang (4 dives)

Close to the big island of Damar the small islands of Nusleur, Terbang Utara and Terbang Selatan are
surrounded by pristine beaches that stretch out to coral reefs that then drop down to the most beautiful,
untouched walls. From top to bottom, the reef is an explosion of different colours and forms and seems to
be in constant motion from the swarms of fish darting about. You may find yourself floating in the midst
of a huge school of fish as the sea creatures here appear quite curious, perhaps because they are generally
not used to seeing many divers. Another unique attraction in this area is the wall of sulphur formed as a
result of its proximity to the volcano on Damar. There is a possibility to visit a village on Damar where
there is also a black sand night dive.

Teun/Nila/Nil Desperandum (3-4 dives)

Teun, Nila and Serua, often referred to as TNS, are all small, very remote volcanic islands only accessible
by liveaboard, located just east of Damar. You will feel as if you have reached the ends of the earth and
that may be why there is a growing interest in diving in this zone. Although the sites here remain
relatively unexplored, experiences so far have revealed tremendous diving potential and splendid coral
reefs.

Close to the small island of Nila are two atolls Dusborgh and Nil Desperandum. Weather permitting we
will spend two days in this area, making a small bay on the east side of the island of Nila our base. There
is also a night dive opportunity here.

Nil Desperandum means “don’t despair” possibly referring to a ship wrecked here centuries ago. It is a
big atoll with very deep drop offs. Schooling sharks have been spotted in the deep here with a chance to
see hammerhead, silky and grey reef sharks.

Nila/Dusborgh (3 dives)
Dusborgh is a submerged atoll with a surrounding reef that reaches all the way up to the surface. The reef
then slopes steeply to deep walls. As with all of the Forgotten Islands the walls are covered in huge
sponges and sea fans. With the amazing visibility keep an eye into the deep for passing pelagics.

Manuk (3 dives)
The island of Manuk is the eastern-most volcano of Indonesia and presents two very unique highlights
above and below the water. Topside, it is possible to revel in the spectacle of thousands of seabirds,
including comical yet beautiful frigate birds and boobies. The sight is unforgettable. One of the few
phenomena able to rival that display is the vision of a dozen sea snakes undulating and swimming
underwater. Some divers have even been lucky enough to watch them hunting in a pack. It is thought that
the warm geothermal vents present in these waters attract these cold-blooded creatures in large numbers.
In addition to these singular wonders, the island’s reefs are also stunning and there is a good mix of coral-
covered walls and slopes in all colours and sizes. Besides an outstanding variety of reef fish, you may
also see some tuna, jacks and sharks.

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Days 7 and 8 Banda Islands (3-4 dives)

Most widely known as one of the main stops along the old spice route, the Banda Islands are an isolated
group of islands in the midst of the wide expanses of the Banda Sea. The remoteness of these islands has
given it a fascinating, colourful history, including the fact that it was once the only place in the world
where nutmeg grew.

The diving here is usually fairly relaxing with mild current, good visibility and calm waters, but there are
spots with strong currents. However, our experienced dive guides will of course properly brief you on the
conditions to be encountered and will plan the dives according to divers’ experiences. Here is a list of
possible dive sites:

Little Manhattan
On the island of Nailaka next to the island of Run is the dive site Little Manhattan. The reason for the
name of the dive site is that in 1667 the English traded the small island of Run for Manhattan, giving the
Dutch full control of the Banda archipelago. White sandy slopes interspaced with large coral heads and a
healthy reef makes this dive site very beautiful. A resident school of Bumphead parrotfish may be spotted
here and look out into the blue for a passing eagle ray.

Batu Payung
Meaning Umbrella Rock this dive site is on Ai Island so called because there are many overhangs along
the walls of the island. Drift along the walls with great visibility and enjoy the view of thousands of tiny
reef fish darting in and out of the cracks and crevices.

Batu Kapal
Here there is a submerged pinnacle next to the main dive site which has a rock breaking the surface that is
in the shape of a boat, hence the dive site name Batu (rock) Kapal (boat). Fish are present here in
incredible numbers along with huge gorgonians and some truly monumental sponges. Look out for
Napoleon wrasses in the deep and a very special fish only seen in the Banda Sea area, the soap fish.

Pohon Miring
At most sites in the Banda Islands, you will see enormous schools of fusiliers, thousands of redtooth
triggerfish and hundreds of schooling pyramid butterflyfish. At this dive site there is a large crack in the
reef that creates a deep swim-through. Drift through the hole and then enjoy the wall covered in sponges
on the other side. On the top of the wall see many moray eels and perhaps a school of Bumphead
parrotfish munching on the rocks.

Princes Reef
Princes Reef is just outside the bay of Banda Neira. It is a long reef covered with a myriad of sponges,
usually decorated blue with hundreds of fusiliers. Ribbon eels can be found in the sandy patches and
pygmy seahorses have been found on the sea fans here.

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Banda Jetty
The sunset dive in the harbour can prove to be one of the best sites in the world to see Mandarin fish. In
the very shallow water, among the stones from old, collapsed sea walls and jetties live many Mandarin
fish. We will jump in just before dusk and they will ‘walk’ around on the rocks right in front of you
preparing for the nightly mating ritual. Be patient, you may get lucky and see them flutter up off the reef,
cheek to cheek. If you’ve had enough of the Mandarin fish the rocks and volcanic sandy bottom are also
covered in other macro critters.

Day 9 Banda Neira Tour/Banda Islands (1 dive)

Intriguing remnants of the old lucrative spice trade are still present in Banda Neira and give a taste of
colonial times. Explore Pulau Neira and spend the morning walking through its historic little town. The
town is full of interesting houses dating back to the Dutch and English periods. There is also the well-
preserved Fort Belgica with its fantastic views overlooking the waters around the island. We’ll visit a
traditional nutmeg plantation where you will see nutmeg, cinnamon and clove trees nestled around the
plantation farmer’s house. Enjoy a plantation tea under the shade of cocoa trees and try nutmeg jam,
candies, cake and cinnamon biscuits. Take a look at our Banda Islands photo album here.

After the tour we will do one more dive in the Banda Islands before heading north to Nusa Laut.

Lava Flow
A famous dive site in the Banda Islands it is at the bottom of a lava flow coming down from the peak of
the Banda Api volcano. Underwater be amazed by the growth of hard coral when you take into account
that the lava flowed into the sea in 1988, not so long ago. Staghorn coral gardens stretch off into the
crystal blue water as far as the eye can see. One usual coral formation to look out for here is table corals
that have collapsed on to their sides but continue to sprout mini table corals off its flat edges.

Day 10 Nusa Laut/Pulau Molana (4 dives)

Amet Reef
Even though it is located only a few hours away from Ambon, Amet Reef at Nusa Laut presents quite
different scenery and is the best example of the positive effects of a village taking care of its reef. The
reef remains as unspoiled as it was hundreds of years ago. The locals have taken steps to protect it and the
result is an outstanding site that is the favourite of many dive enthusiasts. There are white tips and grey
reef sharks patrolling the depths and playful turtles can be spotted as well. Look out for the big group of
bumphead parrotfish munching on the reef. For the very lucky hammerhead sharks and dugongs have
occasionally been spotted here.

Molana Wall
After two dives at Amet Reef we move to the island of Molana for the third dive and night dive. This
shallow wall breaks in places where you can find ribbon eels in the sandy slopes. On the wall look for
small pipefish and moray eels. On the top of the reef turtles might be seen feeding in the beautiful coral
gardens.

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Day 11 Ambon Island (4 dives)

Hukurila Cave
Hukurila Cave is a dive site located underneath two rock arches. These natural formations can be seen
from the surface and lead to a swim-through covered in sponges and soft corals making for a great
descent into your dive. This site is quite popular because of the thrills to be had making your way through
twisting passages and caverns and canyons swarming with life.

Pintu Kota
Pintu Kota, which means “gate of the city”, is located between the villages of Airlouw and Seri off the
southern coast of Ambon Island. It gets its name from the fact that it is a massive rock pointing seawards
with an opening at its bottom. Through this “gate”, you can actually see the island’s coastline off in the
distance. Underwater there is a huge archway mirroring the rock formation above water. The healthy reef
that surrounds the archway encourages colourful populations of reef fish too.

Hukurila Bay
This bay lies off of a tropical beach and features a profusion of fish life and nice healthy coral reefs. The
night dive may be here or depending on the weather conditions we may head into Ambon Bay for the
night dive.

Day 12 Ambon Bay (1-2 dives)

There are many terrific dive sites and even a shipwreck with massive quantities of fish and nice corals
around enchanting Ambon Bay, a perennial favourite destination among divers simply for the staggering
array of creatures that can be found here. There are even new discoveries of species still being made here
such as the recently named psychedelic frogfish.

Some of the critters encountered here are wunderpus and mimic octopus, frogfish, zebra crabs and dozens
of different nudibranchs. It seems as if all the members of the scorpionfish family are gathered here
including spiny devilfish, stonefish, lionfish leaf fish and even Rhinopias. Another family group well
represented here are moray eels and you can generally find snowflake, fimbriated and curious white-eyed
morays residing in crevices or even gliding among the reefs. A close look in the sand can reveal crocodile
fish while a careful study of the gorgonians might surprise you with the sight of a pygmy seahorse. This
area is also a good spot for catching a glimpse of ornate ghost pipefish and the extremely rare halimeda
ghost pipefish.

On this, the last full day of the cruise there will be one or two dives depending on the flight times out of
Ambon the next day.

Day 13 Disembarkation in Ambon

Total dives: 33-36 dives

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