Banda Sea


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The Banda Sea is a sea in the Maluku Islands of Indonesia, connected to the Pacific Ocean but surrounded by hundreds of islands, as well as the Halmahera and Ceram Seas. It is about 1000 km (600 mi) east to west, and about 500 km (300 mi) north to south.

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Set in the heart of Indonesia in splendid isolation are the Banda Islands, which have arich and important history. Nowadays liveaboard divers are discovering the high value of the life beneath its waters’ surface. They are blessed with some of the finest scuba diving in the country.

The remoteness of the islands in the wide open Banda Sea, and the low levels of human population, have meant less fishing pressures, and a vibrant, natural and healthy reef system. The results of this is that you can expect reefs bursting with life, huge seafans and sponges, some monumental hard corals, and more fish than your mask can cope with.

While big fish and pelagics might be the most obvious draw card for divers at the Banda Islands, its true value is in the extraordinary variety and sheer volume of fish life, both in terms of large and small marine life.

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Two of the creatures worthy of special mention here that characterise diving in the Banda Sea are the preponderance of dogtooth tuna and mobula rays. At most sites you’ll see enormous schools of fusiliers and thousands of redtooth tirggerfish. At the other end of the size scale, there are prolific mandarinfish and the native Ambon scorpionfish.

Cetaceans are frequent visitors too, and Banda liveaboards often report sightings of spinner dolphins, orcas, and various whale species, including melonhead, pilot, blue, and humpback whales. One certainty is that you will see plenty of big stuff as well as no shortage of colourful reef life.

Diving is usually comfortable, with mild currents, good visibility and calm waters, but some of the dive sites are subject to stronger currents that make them suitable for experienced divers only.

If you have dived in the Banda Islands before then you will be planning to return already. If you have not, then now is the time to experience the splendour of the Banda Sea before the word spreads …

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El Aleph offers you the opportunity to soak up the rich and diverse Indonesian and South East Asian cultures while enjoying the finest in Asian refinement and luxury.

Even guests who have “seen it all” are amazed by the richness and diversity of the Indonesian archipelago – one of the last truly unspoiled cruising grounds on earth. A mariner’s paradise, Indonesia offers sheltered cruising in calm tropical waters. Swell rarely exceeds 1m, and there is always someplace “in season” in the world’s largest island chain, stretching from Australia to Malaysia.

You can choose one of our special itineraries, or we would be delighted to help you plan out the adventure of a lifetime – from the high-life of Bali to the wildlife of Papua New Guinea; from spectacular diving to bird-watching on rain-forest mountaintops, spa-treatments to exploration of stone-age hill-top villages, and not forgetting some of the world’s most spectacular coral reefs for diving or snorkeling, the choice is yours.

Each voyage is different and customized to best fit with your interests. Please contact us for scheduling and suggested itineries. Our Itineraries page contains examples of recent journies.

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