Ambon-Banda-Ambon

 

 

New White Manta trip 8 Days / 7 Nights

Starting with muck diving we cross the Banda Sea, tracing the perimeter of islands. Let our experienced crew show you these remote and almost untouched locations with wonderful reefs and stunning drop offs. Marine life here is in abundance from the critters, sea snakes, manta rays, sharks and much more.

Sample Itinerary

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

Day 1. (0-2 dives) 2pm. Our staff will meet you upon your arrival to Pattimura Airport, Ambon or local hotel and transfer you to the awaiting White Manta.  Arrivals before midday are best so we can make check dive(s) in Ambon Bay before we get underway by 2pm for overnight sail.

Day 2-3. (3 dives x2 days) Diving around Banda Islands with excellent visibility, fantastic coral coverage and tremendous numbers of fish along with potential Hammerhead sightings, plus a visit to one of the Spice Islands.

Day 4-6. (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 7. (2 dives) Hukurila Cave & Molana.  Sail back to Ambon where you spend last night on board.  Plenty of time to wash & dry equipment, rest & relaxation, and if need be, an early flight on trip departure day.

Day 8. (0 dives) 5am-12pm. Check out after light breakfast & farewells, we transfer to local hotel or airport. Take your pre-booked flight to Ujung Pandang (aka Makassar), Jakarta, Bali, Manado, or Singapore.

Diving days: 7 days (18 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.

 

Diving days: 7 days (18 dives)

New White Manta trip 9 Days / 8 Nights

Starting with muck diving we cross the Banda Sea, tracing the perimeter of islands. Let our experienced crew show you these remote and almost untouched locations with wonderful reefs and stunning drop offs. Marine life here is in abundance from the critters, sea snakes, manta rays, sharks and much more.

Sample Itinerary

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

Day 1. (0-2 dives) 2pm. Our staff will meet you upon your arrival to Pattimura Airport, Ambon or local hotel and transfer you to the awaiting White Manta.  Arrivals before midday are best so we can make check dive(s) in Ambon Bay before we get underway by 2pm for overnight sail.

Day 2-3. (3 dives x2 days) Diving around Banda Islands with excellent visibility, fantastic coral coverage and tremendous numbers of fish along with potential Hammerhead sightings, plus a visit to one of the Spice Islands.

Day 4-7. (3 dives x4 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 8. (2 dives) Hukurila Cave & Molana.  Sail back to Ambon where you spend last night on board.  Plenty of time to wash & dry equipment, rest & relaxation, and if need be, an early flight on trip departure day.

Day 9. (0 dives) 5am-12pm. Check out after light breakfast & farewells, we transfer to local hotel or airport. Take your pre-booked flight to Ujung Pandang (aka Makassar), Jakarta, Bali, Manado, or Singapore.

Diving days: 8 days (22 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.

 

 

New White Manta trip 10 Days / 9 Nights

Starting with muck diving we cross the Banda Sea, tracing the perimeter of islands. Let our experienced crew show you these remote and almost untouched locations with wonderful reefs and stunning drop offs. Marine life here is in abundance from the critters, sea snakes, manta rays, sharks and much more.

Sample Itinerary

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

Day 1. (0-2 dives) 2pm. Our staff will meet you upon your arrival to Pattimura Airport, Ambon or local hotel and transfer you to the awaiting White Manta.  Arrivals before midday are best so we can make check dive(s) in Ambon Bay before we get underway by 2pm for overnight sail.

Day 2. (3 dives) Saparua & Nusa Laut with its pristine corals.  Sail overnight to Banda Islands.

Day 3-4. (3 dives x2 days) Diving around Banda Islands with excellent visibility, fantastic coral coverage and tremendous numbers of fish along with potential Hammerhead sightings, plus a visit to one of the Spice Islands.

Day 5-8. (3 dives x4 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. (2 dives) Hukurila Cave & Molana.  Sail back to Ambon where you spend last night on board.  Plenty of time to wash & dry equipment, rest & relaxation, and if need be, an early flight on trip departure day.

Day 10. (0 dives) 5am-12pm. Check out after light breakfast & farewells, we transfer to local hotel or airport. Take your pre-booked flight to Ujung Pandang (aka Makassar), Jakarta, Bali, Manado, or Singapore.

Diving days: 9 days (26 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.

New White Manta trip 11 Days / 10 Nights

Starting with muck diving we cross the Banda Sea, tracing the perimeter of islands. Let our experienced crew show you these remote and almost untouched locations with wonderful reefs and stunning drop offs. Marine life here is in abundance from the critters, sea snakes, manta rays, sharks and much more.

Sample Itinerary

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

Day 1. (0-2 dives) 2pm. Our staff will meet you upon your arrival to Pattimura Airport, Ambon or local hotel and transfer you to the awaiting White Manta.  Arrivals before midday are best so we can make check dive(s) in Ambon Bay before we get underway by 2pm for overnight sail.

Day 2. (3 dives) Saparua & Nusa Laut with its pristine corals.  Sail overnight to Banda Islands.

Day 3-4. (3 dives x2 days) Diving around Banda Islands with excellent visibility, fantastic coral coverage and tremendous numbers of fish along with potential Hammerhead sightings, plus a visit to one of the Spice Islands.

Day 5-9. (3 dives x5 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 10. (2 dives) Hukurila Cave & Molana.  Sail back to Ambon where you spend last night on board.  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. Take your pre-booked flight to Ujung Pandang (aka Makassar), Jakarta, Bali, Manado, or Singapore.

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

  • Ambon (AMQ) / Ambon (AMQ)

How to get to Ambon (AMQ)

  • You can fly from Bali, via Makassar, or Manado with Lion Air. And the same airline has early morning flights to Jakarta, as does Batik Air & Garuda Indonesia. We shall be there to collect you upon arrival to Pattimura Airport and transfer you (10 mins) directly to the waiting New White Manta.
  • Note: This trip is scheduled to start 2pm, trip departure day.  If your domestic flight arrives to Ambon after 13:00 then we request you arrive the day before NOT on trip departure day?
  • Note: If staying in Ambon please review our ‘Ambon Hotels’ section in the Banda Sea Fact Sheet for included pickup from local hotel to Laha Bay.  If NOT local then OWN way from hotel.

How to get from Ambon (AMQ)

  • Early morning flights, you can fly back to Bali, via Makassar, or Manado with Lion Air. And the same airline has early morning flights to Jakarta, as does Batik Air & Garuda Indonesia. The latter should give you best chance of making connecting international flights (flight time around 3 hours).
  • Note: If staying in Ambon please review our ‘Ambon Hotels’ section in the Banda Sea Fact Sheet for included drop offs from Laha Bay to local hotel. If NOT local,  then we can help arrange a taxi (at own expense) to hotel.

Dive Site Information (Banda-Ambon)

  • Water Temp:  26-28 degrees Celsius, however deep water upwelling’s & thermoclines especially in Sept-Nov can mean temps as low as 25C.
  • Air Temp: 22-31 degrees Celsius
  • Visibility: 15-30 meters
  • Current: medium to strong
  • Level: Intermediate to Advanced,
  • Best Time to Dive: October to April (less rain & much less wind; perfect for diving)

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
  • Dive & Travel insurance
  • Fuel surcharge (if applicable). Please see our Booking Information page 'Fuel surcharge' section for more details and fees per person.
  • 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.  Torch rental based on sunset/ night dive.  
  • Note: Exposure suits; 3mm shorty wetsuits available ONLY. 

Trip Schedule

  • Departure; 2pm, 1st day - Laha Bay, Ambon.  Or earlier if everyone arrives before and all trip preparations completed.  Free transfer from local hotel or Pattimura Airport, Ambon to White Manta on trip departure day (transfer time 10 mins).
  • Return; 6am, last day - Laha Bay, Ambon.  After a light breakfast and fond farewells, we take you local hotel or Pattimura Airport, Ambon in time for check-in & flight (transfer time 10 mins).  Note; latest WM check-out midday, trip return day.
  • Last dive ends; 12pm, penultimate day, then sail back to Ambon where we spend last evening onboard.  If you have booked an early flight then you may have to skip 1 or 2 dives to allow for your minimum 18 hours' surface interval/ No Fly Time (as recommended by PADI) before flying next day.

White 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 & from Ambon. 
  • 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$35 for trip per person (USD50 for trip per person 10+ days).
  • 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