AMBON - MAUMERE
ALILA PURNAMA SAMPLE ITINERARY AMBON MAUMERE 12 Days / 11 Nights Journey Embark on a 12-day adventure on the Flores Sea to Banda Sea, from Ambon to Maumere, leisurely cruising the seas and islands. Cloaked in tropical rainforest, Ambon Island is a fertile, mountainous island that lies off the southwest coast of Seram Island on the north side of the Banda Sea. It is part of a chain of volcanic islands on the northern side of the world famous Banda Islands a region of Indonesia that is the subject of many books, stories and songs. For a long time the Banda Islands were renowned for their richness and their strategic position for the spice trade. Today they are well known not only for their history but also for their breathtaking landscape, incredible marine life and astonishing coral reef. With their mix of history and natural beauty, these islands are the perfect place to enjoy diving, snorkeling, beach barbecues and sightseeing a remarkable setting for unforgettable moments.
AMBON MAUMERE 12 Days / 11 Nights Journey
DAY 1 & 2 AMBON NUSA LAUT Arrive in Ambon where you will be met by the Alila Purnama crew and be transferred by car and speedboat to the vessel. Once on board, let your voyage to relaxation begin! Following a general briefing by the Cruise Director to familiarise you with the vessel and its safety procedures, we cast off and cruise towards Nusa Laut Island. Say goodbye to land as you enjoy cocktails in the breeze on the upper deck.
DAY 3 & 4 BANDA NEIRA Banda Neira, once the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company, is now a colourful town facing the stillsmoking Gunung Api volcano. Here you will have the chance to visit an old and still operational nutmeg plantation; walk around colonial buildings, Banda Fortress and rusting cannons; and go for an incredible mug dive in the bay or Batu Kapal - a submerged rock, or just outside the bay to see the corals, gorgonian fields, marbled rays and groupers that populate this area. You will have the time to not only dive and snorkel in the beautiful water, but also take a walk into the village to experience the magic of this archipelago and small islands of Suanggi where thousand of sea birds nest. Alila Purnama will sail through a stunning passage of green trees, rocks, white beaches, volcanos, colourful local boats and houses A spectacular panorama that will stay with you forever.
DAY 5 NIL DESPERANDUM 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.
DAY 6 & 7 ROMANG & TERBANG Romang and Terbang Islands offer unspoiled reefs for a great diving experience. At Romang, rainbow-coloured soft corals and a myriad of hard corals dominate the landscape, while sandy slopes feature soft corals and plenty of tiny creatures such as ghost pipe fish. Bumphead parrotfish may also be seen here.
DAY 8 WETAR Diving around the Wetar islands and Ring of Fire are absolutely amazing with perfect visibility. Meet big Napoleon wrasse and hammerhead sharks, and at around 10 metres the sea is covered entirely with table coral garden.
DAY 9 ALOR STRAIT The straits of Alor are rated by all divers to be amongst the best dive destinations in the world. All the dive sites in the area have an outstanding underwater biodiversity. There are a great number of different coral species with strong currents that attract big fish like white tips, huge grey reef sharks, tuna, grouper, sunfish, manta rays, and whale sharks to be seen if you are lucky. Also, snorkelling with pilot whales that are often found in the waters between Pantar and Alor is possible. Visibility is excellent and water temperature can drop to 22 C.
DAY 10 LEMBATA Lembata Island is known throughout the world as the home of traditional whaling but what is not known is that the people of this Island are especially rich in cultural tradition. The beautiful rich ikat weavings are entirely made from homegrown cotton, spun and dyed by the weaver. These cloths are still important as they are exchanged during marriage for ivory tusks between the two families. The scenery throughout the island is breathtaking, from the imposing Ile Ape volcano and the palm-fringed bays to the colourful, bustling local markets; beauty and excitement are everywhere.
DAY 11 KOMBA Komba Island is a small isolated, uninhabited island located in the Banda Sea, home to Batu Tara volcano. Clear water, fish-filled walls and diving beneath Komba's active volcano round out this great dive spot.
DAY 12 MAUMERE Maumere diving can deliver many interesting topographical formations. Pretty gorgonian fans and swarming fish life within the chimney make this a really unique dive. On the last day, activities will depend on your next flight and it will be time to bid farewell to Alila Purnama and her crew who will escort you until Maumere airport and assist with your departure.