Join us in an adventure at the remote Banda Islands in the heart of the Coral Triangle. Experience the wonders of tropical coral reefs, participate in on-going research projects, learn underwater survey methods and get trained to become an EcoDiver. Get a chance to see hammerheads, blacktip reefsharks, turtles and humphead wrasses. Discover the history of the Spice Islands and become part of our friendly team. Sat, 4 Feb Sat, 4 Mar Sat, 1 Apr Sat, 29 Apr Sat, 11 Feb Sat, 11 Mar Sat, 8 Apr Sat, 5 May Sat, 25 Feb Sat, 25 Mar Sat, 22 Apr Sat, 20 May
In our marine research programme, you will first acquire the skills needed to collect data for our ongoing research and will then become a research assistant yourself. Each programme phase takes two weeks that will partly be spent on Banda Naira and partly in our field station on Hatta Island. You can expect to dive and snorkel every day while getting to see different sites around the Banda Islands. We will cater for accommodation, most meals and all the activities. At the moment, we have two ongoing research projects that you will contribute to: 1) In the Bioluminescence project we observe and count flashlightfishes (Photoblepharon palpebratum & Anomalops katopteron) at night and create a map of their habitats around the Banda Islands. Flashlightfishes are small planktivorous fish with glowing patches under their eyes. These contain bioluminescent bacteria whose light is used to attract prey and conspecifics. At night you will see them as moving lightballs from the surface or as swimming dots of light while snorkeling or diving. Seeing these rare animals in the wild is an experience that will burn itself into your memory. 2) The Coral Competitor project takes a closer look at a specific sea squirt species (Didemnum molle). We try to understand whether these little tunicates could become a serious threat to coral reefs if human impacts and rising temperatures are progressing at this pace. Leading a very similar lifestyle as corals whereas growing and spreading much faster, these sea squirts could compete with corals in some reefs. We want to understand which factors could contribute to the success of D. molle and start by assessing their abundance at sites of different degrees of human impact. For this, a lot of underwater time is needed which makes this project an ideal combination of diving and classic marine ecology research. Duration: 2 weeks Price: 750
The 1-week EcoDiver Course is suitable also for those who can only join us for a limited period of time. Being certified by Reefcheck allows you to participate in coral reef surveys throughout the Indo-Pacific region. No prior marine biology skills are required, besides dive skills just a general enthusiasm to learn more about the marine environment. Visit reefcheck.org for more information. During the EcoDiver course you will get to experience scuba diving in a very pristine underwater world, learn about marine life (corals, fish, invertebrates etc.), survey the reefs for the purpose of marine management and conservation and experience the unique Bandanese culture, history and the amazing environment of this biodiversity hotspot. The course is split into three theory and four practice sessions and is completed with a test in which your fish, coral and invertebrate identification skills are assessed. Don't worry: we will focus only on key species and families that are relevant for the reef or are indicators of human impact. You don't have to learn all 300 coral species and 500 fish species that we can find at Banda. After completing the test you will be certified as a EcoDiver by the organisation Reefcheck and your EcoDiver card will be posted to your home address. After the course, we will put into practice what you have learned and will conduct 3 coral reef surveys at different sites around Banda. Duration: 1 week Price: 480
If you are a keen diver and would like to use some of your time at Banda for fun diving, you can either extend your stay for one week or - what we suggest - come to Banda one week before the Marine Research programme starts. Banda has some of the world's healthiest reefs, beautiful wall dives and the deep surrounding sea makes surprising encounters with pelagics possible. If you are not a diver yet, you can choose our Learn to Dive programme. Within one week, we will teach you how to dive and will make sure that you acquire enough skills to be able to participate in our Marine Research Assistant or EcoDiver programme. You will first complete your SSI Open Water course and, after an additional fun dive, you will proceed with the SSI Advanced Adventurer. Visit www.divessi.com to find out more about learning scuba diving through SSI. During the courses you will also get to see a good selection of Banda's beautiful dive sites. Duration: 1 week Price: 480 (Fun Dive Week), 640 (Learn to Dive)
Learn to Dive Marine Research EcoDiver Training Fun Dives Weeks: 1 2 1 1 Dives: 10 14 7 12 Certificates: Open Water + Advanced Adventurer ReefCheck EcoDiver Price: 640 750 480 480 1150 2270 Accommodation All boat trips Tanks & weights Speed Internet Night dives Science training Breakfast, lunch & snacks Final gala dinner Friendly, inspiring atmosphere Unlimited Snorkeling All learning materials You will live in a beautiful guest house right at the water front on the island of Banda Naira with all the benefits of civilization, like electricity, speed Internet, a variety of meal options and places to explore on foot. We do not include dinners in our package while you stay on Banda Naira to allow you explore local cuisine or go for European options. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes and warungs that you can choose from and most options will cost around 2-3 per meal. During Marine Research programme you will spend one week in our field research station on Hatta Island, living in paradise right on the beach. This is a remote place with limited electricity and no internet access. All meals, including dinners will be cooked for you by a local family (and they are included in the price above). It s a unique place where you can snorkel with turtles, see blacktip reefsharks from the shore and spend all your free time on the beautiful coral reef right at your doorstep. Flights and ferries Soft drinks & alcoholic beverages Indonesian visa costs Travel & dive insurance Dive equipment (full set with BCD, reg, fins, mask, suit, etc - 70 per week)