Raja Ampat-Banda-Alor

Starting in South Raja Ampat including Misool you will be immersed in an amazing array of marine life and diving diversity.  The abundance continues with critters, sea snakes, manta rays, sharks and much more as we cross the Banda Sea.  Let our experienced crew show you these remote and almost untouched locations with wonderful reefs and stunning drop offs.  Finishing in Alor, far from the crowds, this region has fantastic macro life, stunning coral reefs, an abundance of fish, and schooling pelagic providing amazing diving.  Watch out for larger pelagic in the cooler waters of the South, including mola mola, thresher & hammerhead sharks.  During the surface interval you may even have the chance to spot dolphins or pilot whales.

Sample Itinerary 

Note:  All schedules are subjected to changes according to weather, sea, diving, & local conditions.

Day 1. (0-1 dives) 3pm trip departure day.  Our staff will meet you upon your arrival to Sorong Airport or local hotel and transfer you to the awaiting Blue Manta.  Arrivals before midday are best so we can make check dive at Red Light District (Lampu Merah) just outside Sorong before we get underway by 3pm for overnight sail. 

Day 2-3. (3-4 dives x2 days) Southern Raja Ampat, Misool: Wayil, Fiabacet & Boo area.  Then sail to Koon Island.

Day 4. (3 dives) West Seram, Pulau Koon full days diving. Wide angle diving with vibrant corals and a profusion of fish life.

Day 5. (3 dives) Wetar; excellent wall, pelagic life and fantastic drop off, sail towards Pulau Alor

Day 6-8. (3 dives x3 days) Ring of Fire: diving around Volcanic Islands and stunning seamounts in search of hammerheads, encounter many sea snakes, huge schools of fish, reef sharks, tunas, & other pelagic superstars.  

Day 9. (4 dives) Alor & Pantar Strait (Islands of Kepa, Pura, Ternate, & Buaya between Pantar & Alor); nutrient-rich adventurous currents and a diversity of dive site formations, make for an abundance of coral and fish, both big and small. 

Day 10. (2 dives) Alor: diving around the best sites: Karl’s Dream and Critters diving. Beautiful reefs in (sometimes cold!) clear blue waters, great macro and fish life.  Maybe visit local village, then sail back to Alor, where you spend last night on Blue Manta in Kalabahi Port.  Plenty of time to wash & dry equipment, rest & relaxation, and if need be, an early flight on trip departure day.

Day 11. (0 dives) 5am-12pm: Check out after light breakfast & farewells, we transfer to local hotel or airport in time for check-in & flight.  Take your pre-booked flight to Bali or Jakarta, via Kupang.

Diving days: 10 days (28 dives) 

Note: 3 dives are scheduled per diving day*.  This is due to deeper dives and long distances covered between islands.  Where possible a bonus night dive may be scheduled at the discretion of the Cruise Leader. *Except trip departure day & trip return day.

Embarkation / Disembarkation

  • Sorong (SOQ), West Papua / Alor (ARD), East Nusa Tenggara

How to get to Sorong (SOQ), West Papua

  • It is easiest to fly through to & from Sorong (SOQ) via Jakarta (CGK), Makassar (UPG Ujung Pandang), Bali (DPS, Denpasar), or Manado (MDC). 
  • Please refer to our Trip Schedule before booking your Domestic flights.
  • Domestic Airlines; Garuda Indonesia (direct CGK-SOQ & return) / Sriwijaya Air / Lion Air  / Batik AirAir Asia also offer a direct service 4 times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri, & Sun) if this fits well with your Trip Schedule.
  • International Airlines; Silk Air operates regularly from Singapore to Manado.  Garuda Indonesia fly daily from Singapore to Makassar, then Domestic flight to Sorong, then via Jakarta on way back (same day).  Lion Air also offer flights, some direct, others via Makassar.

How to get from Alor (ARD), East Nusa Tenggara

  • To Mali Airport, Alor.  From boat to airport, estimated 1hr transfer time.
  • Back to Jakarta.  Take the Lion Air morning flights (09:30-10:30) from Alor to Kupang.  You can then take Garuda Indonesia onward flight (13:40-16:55) back to Jakarta.
  • Back to Bali. Again, take the Lion Air morning flight (09:30-10:30) from Alor to Kupang.  You can then take Lion Air onward flight (13:30-15:15) back to Bali.

Dive Site Information(Raja Ampat)

  • Water Temp:  27-30 degrees Celsius
  • Air Temp: 27-32 degrees Celsius
  • Visibility: 15-30 meters
  • Current: mild to strong
  • Level: Intermediate to Advanced,
  • Best Time to Dive: October to April (less rain & much less wind; perfect for diving) mid-March to end-April, & mid-September to early December

Dive Site Information(Banda-Alor)

  • Water Temp:  26-28 degrees Celsius, however deep water upwelling’s & thermoclines especially in Sept-Nov can mean temps as low as 25C. Alor Water Temp; 22-26 degrees, it can be cold in the waters around Lembetta & Alor and we do recommend you bring extra exposure suit for this section of the cruise.
  • Air Temp: 22-31 degrees Celsius
  • Visibility: 20-30 meters
  • Current: medium to strong
  • Level: Intermediate to Advanced,
  • Best Time to Dive: mid-March to end-April, & mid-September to early December

What's included?

  • Round trip transfer local Hotel/Airport - Boat
  • All nights' accommodation on Boat
  • All meals (Western & Indonesian) snacks, hot beverages, coffee, tea, Milo, soft drinks
  • Towels, toiletries, & cabin services
  • FOC replacement if equipment breakdown
  • Warm towel & drink after every dive
  • Regular Air Tanks, weights, belt, 5 dive guides (1x instructor, 4x dive Masters)

What's excluded?

  • All flights & hotels stay
  • Marine Park & Harbour fee  
  • Fuel surcharge. Please see our Booking Information page 'Fuel surcharge' section for more details and fees per person.
  • Dive & Travel insurance
  • Massage services
  • Laundry services
  • Nespresso coffee, alcohol; beer & wine
  • Satellite Wi-Fi 
  • Diving gear; dive computer, torch, large tank rental, BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins mask.  
  • Nitrox Enriched Air fills
  • Note; Nitrox & Diving gear Items priced per diving day and are subject to availability.
  • Note: Exposure suits; 3mm shorty wetsuits available ONLY.   

Trip Schedule

  • Departure: 3pm, 1st day, Sorong, West Papua. Or earlier if everyone arrives before and all trip preparations have been completed.  Free pickup upon arrival from Domine Edward Osok Airport, Sorong or from local hotel (10am) to Blue Manta on trip departure day (transfer time 20-30 mins). 
  • Return: 5am, last day - Alor, East Nusa Tenggara.  After a light breakfast and fond farewells, we take you to local hotel or Mali Airport, Alor in time for check-in & flight or local hotel (transfer time around 1 hour).  Note: Latest BM check-out, midday, trip return day.
  • Last dive ends: 12pm, penultimate day. Plenty of time for R&R while we sail back to Alor where we spend last night on Blue Manta.  This also allows for your minimum 18 hours’ surface interval/ No Fly Time (as recommended by PADI) before flying next day.

Blue Manta Reminders

Travel Documents

  • COVID-19 requirements & protocols in Indonesia and on your trip.  Please see our COVID-19 Travel & Visa Information page to help prepare and plan in advance for your travels and entry into Indonesia, as detailed by the Government of Indonesia.
  • Guest Info. We MUST receive guest’s details well in advance in the trip Note: Late receipt of passport details may very likely lead to delayed departure & significant changes to the itinerary.
  • Visa On Arrival (VOA), single entry is now available for many countries and Visa Exemption Arrangement (VEP) for some ASEAN countries for stay up to 30 days. VOA cost: IDR 500,000 (approx. EUR 32 / USD 35). Payment can be done by: Visa, Mastercard or Debit Card or Cash Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Note: Please check here for eligibity. If you are from one of countries not on the VOA or VEA lists, or if you simply wish to get a visa in advance, you MUST apply for an eVisa (B211A) online PRIOR to arrival before entering all other airports.
  • Passport. Please ensure your passport is in good order, has enough pages, is valid for at least 6 months, and that you are able to enter Indonesia. Check with your local Embassy of Indonesia if unsure.
  • Departure Tax. Indonesia Passenger Service Charge (IPSC) has changed (Mar-2015) to be included in your flight ticket price. Please check though as previously it was 200,000IDRp to leave Indonesia, & up to 75,000IDRp for Domestic flights. Carry small bills, Indonesia Rupiah preferred, as often no change given.

Domestic Flights

  • Please book BEFORE confirming your International flights to ensure you make your connection to Sorong & from Alor. 
  • Travel agent: If you require assistance with your itinerary: obtaining an e-visa, booking domestic flight tickets, hotels, transfers, and additional land arrangements etc, we can recommend local Indonesian Travel agents, our friends at Come2Indonesia.  Contact Rendy & the team here tour2@come2indonesia.com.. Note: If booked with credit card please ensure the card is with you upon check-In or have an official Airline form filled in & signed by card holder authorizing the use of.
  • Our ticketing agents are not responsible for any flight delay or cancellation, luggage lost or delay. In any case, please contact our ground staff in Bali for assistance for flight delay issue.
  • Domestic Airlines normally have 20Kg allowance, although you may pay for 10Kg extra when booking, if needed (around US$3/kilo). With an additional 7kg carryon.

Health & Insurance

  • Dive Insurance; compulsory for this trip.  We also strongly advise you get adequate travel insurance. Please check your travel insurance policy for your diving needs.  If not covered then we recommend DiveAssure for their single trip policy cover.
  • Dive Computer; compulsory on this trip.  We have rentals onboard if you do not have.
  • Follow Safe Diving Practices at ALL times plus No Deco Diving and No Solo Diving.
  • Travel insurance is compulsory for our trips. Our trips are not inclusive of any form of insurance. White Manta Diving cannot be held responsible for any trip disruption or cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control or any flight / hotel expenses. This includes any costs related to COVID-19 issues, resulting in delay/ medical/ extraction/ quarantine/ or trip costs incurred due to potential positive testing / refusal of admittance to the country or your trip, before, during or after. We strongly recommend all guests purchase adequate travel insurance, as such an occurance will affect all guests on trip. Please see our Booking Information page 'Travel Insurance' section for more details and recommended insurers.

Internet/ Mobile

  • Satellite Wi-Fi
  • Mobile signal; local Telkomsel is best local card to buy.  Not long after you leave port we have has intermittent/ limited mobile signal until we return.
  • Telkomsel prepaid card is the best value. Plus can add credit to top up!!!

Trip Extras payment onboard

  • By Credit card comes with 4.5% additional handling fee.
  • By Cash we accept US Dollars, Euro, Singaporean Dollars, and Indonesian Rupiah.  Please ensure ALL bills are in good order; NOT worn or torn and unmarked or we are UNABLE to accept.  Exchange rates differ for USD100/50 bills and USD20/10 bills. Current Exchange rate. ATMs available in town.

Trip Extras

  • Marine Park & Harbour fee; US$250 per person
  • Fuel Surcharge fee; US$200 per person.
  • Massage US$35/ hour, Laundry services (US$10/ basket)
  • Nespresso coffee: US$2, beer US$4, wine US$30-50
  • Satellite Wi-Fi US$50 for trip per person.
  • Nitrox; US$20/ diving day or US$7/ fill.

Equipment rental

Diving gear: Full Set US$50/ diving day (except large tank & torch) or if individual items then following rates apply per diving day*

  • BCD US$15
  • Regulator US$15
  • Dive computer US$15
  • Wetsuit US$5
  • Fins US$5
  • Mask US$5
  • Large tank US$15
  • Torch* US$10 per sunset/ night dive.

Diving gear items priced per diving day*. Please provide sizes in advance of the trip, as all gear is subject to availability. If not known then provide your height, weight, shoe size, where applicable.

  • Note: Torch rental* price is per sunset/ night dive.
  • Note: Exposure suits: 3mm shorty wetsuits available ONLY.    
  • Note: Large tank AL100, 100 cu ft (13.2 liters)
  • Note: Gear included: Regular air tank AL80, 80 cu ft (11.1 liters), weights, belt.
  • Note: Additional tank US$15/ day