MV Pindito - Dive Trip Itinerary - 17 Days - 16 Nights

This tour, which traverses more than 1,100 sea miles, crosses the Banda Sea from Nusa Tenggara to Irian Jaya (or the other way around). This cruise leads you through the diverse geological formations of Indonesia.

Uncountable Volcano-Islands will be visited, as well as the spectacular limestone island formations of “Raja-Ampat“ in West Papua. Migrating dolphins and whales escort Pindito on her journey and seabirds fly overhead. Underwater, the variety of landscapes is equally varied and impressive as creatures that few divers have seen welcome you to the "epicenter of marine biodiversity."

This tour is being offered in both directions; from Maumere (Flores) to Sorong (Irian Jaya) and from Sorong to Maumere. Depending on the weather and on the wishes and expectations of our guests the tour will be routed differently. The following description is based upon the "inner circle" tour from Maumere to Sorong.

Maumere on Flores
The harbour of Maumere is one of the most astonishing dive sites in this region. Huge razorfishes, different pipefishes and seahorses, frogfishes, scorpion fishes, colorful nudibranches, as well as barracudas and batfish, are the impressive beginning of this tour. In our “Pindito-Slang” we call this a "Blue Water Muck Dive"!

Kawula, Pantar
While the dive sites in Kawula offer splendid blue waters sites on pristine walls and drop-offs the sites around the isle Pantar flatter with unforgettable impressions by night. An interesting walk to a local village can be planed between dives.

Alor
Offers various opportunities to dive in this region. Crystal clear water, colourful hard and soft corals on overhangs, steep slopes and a sheer abundance of the reef life will fascinate even the most ambitious divers. Try to find a ghost pipefish by yourself; you will be treated for sure. At the north coast of Alor you´ll have the feeling of diving in a fish soup instead. Steep and deep walls, as well as diving with current are the scenario of the dives, during which you will see big fish and wonderful coral reefs. Don´t miss these dives!

Wetar
The west coast of Wetar offers wonderful dive sites with drop offs, colourful reefs and when there is current lot´s of fish. Every now and then some really big fish from the deep sea can be observed! Please mind that you may easily forget how far away from civilisation you are while drifting in the big blue! Cruising along the north coast of Wetar is not only a spectacular sight seeing tour, but the dolphins, that often join the Pindito for miles are an attraction of its own.

Romang
The slope, which looks like a huge terrass, that slides into the deep blue Banda Sea is covered all over with huge gorgonias, soft coralsand huge sponges. A glimpse away from this wonderful reef into the blue is often rewarded by napoleons, reefsharks or schools of tuna. Other dive sites seem pretty monotous due to the volcanic ground, but this shall change during the night dive, when some stunningly coloured shrimps crackled out of their homes, and spanish dancers give their performance only for you and the breathtaking Bobtail-Squits passes by.

Damar
Edi has discovered this fantastic region during the adventure dive tour in November 2003, and because the dives can be pretty deep here, even Edi considers not diving on NITROX. Starting from the top to deep down of the reef, everything is covered in sheer unbelievable abundance of different forms and colours. While you enjoy this natural wonder dive spot you will be observed by huge schools of fish. This show probably happens because these astonishing creatures have never seen bubble making creatures, such as divers before! A highlight is the sulphur wall close to the volcano of Damar.

Seroea
Just another volcano that rises up from the deep Banda Sea in the middle of the ocean. Even Darwin would have loved to do his evolutionary research here. Although the biological diversity is not too big, we have found interesting creatures on the drop off. Especially Saron Shrimps are a highlight of your night dive.

Manuk
The island of snakes or birds? You will not be able to decide which title fits best! Thousands of birds inhabit this place above water! And under water you will meet up with just as many Seasnakes ! Schools of jackfish, sharks, tunas and snappers are part of these dives too.

Pulau Koon
At the eastern end of the isle Seram in the Molucca Sea, a reef archipelago flows into the Banda Sea. The formation seems like a channel, which is being passed by every single creature that lives there. Orcas, dolphins, manta rays, sharks, and mobulas are only a few to be named. The visibility might not be too good due to strong currents, that bring all these fishes, but these dive sites are worthwhile every minute and belong therefore to the top ten of the Pindito list. Since these sites are so spectacular we offer several dives here, and we promise that you won´t get bored!

Misool
Southeast of Misool the diving gets a different touch. The visibilities are slowly getting worse, but the amount of different fishes and creatures is increasing! Framed in the wonderful landscapes of the Misool region hundreds of fantastic dive sites are waiting there for you! Straight away the first dive will be high light! Pygmy seahorses on huge gorgonias are there to welcome you!

Generally spoken we suppose that only few meters away from our well known top dive sites even a better one is there. This fact alone is an invitation to have some exploring dives done.

The variety of flora and fauna of the undersea world will flatter every diver’s heart. Your mind will be spoilt by the impressions of each dive. Stone coral gardens with leaf fish, ribbon eels, pipe fishes and mushroom corals are only some of the highlights. Our enthusiastic diver will be introduced to the diversity of species. A sheer unbelievable quantity of different nudibranches, flatworms, crabs, pygmi seahorses, barramundi, giant groupers, manta rays and all different kinds of coral will arouse your senses! Caves and grottoes will make your dives an unforgettable experience.

But not only is the undersea world fantastic! Don´t miss the excursions that are on the plan and will show you untouched islands with white sanded beaches. Misool is an adventure without diving too!

The tropical vegetation and the visit of different caves and grottoes are a fantastic platform to take picture above water for a change! The sunlight that breaks like in a kaleidoscope when walking into the caves is a breathtaking picture. You´ll have the real feeling of being "Indiana Jones"!

Mansuar
This is one of the show-off dive sites which stands for the diversity and abundance of fish in the region of Irian Jayas / Raja Empat’s. Schools of snappers, jackfish and barracudas are part of the characters that play in this scene. Batfish will be cruising by while the reef sharks will be patrolling around you in the district. Intact and perfect reefs from the first meters downwards!

Sorong Irian Jaya
Close to Sorong at Wai Island you will have a wreck dive on a plane from WW II, which is wonderfully covered with corals and has been transformed into part of the reed throughout the years! This dive is not a must and it depends on the group whether it will be scheduled or not.

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