Destinations
KEPulauan Seribu & Ujung Kulon (NOT AVAILABLE)
September — November
During the pandemic era, Amaya Explorer will hover in Jakarta and will be ready for Pulau Seribu & Ujung Kulon destination. Private charters will be available all year long tailored to guest's preferred activities. All trips during the pandemic will adhere to strict protocols and established safety regulations for everyone onboard.
Pulau Seribu has many interesting sights to offer and better yet it is near from Jakarta, a perfect trip for those who wants a quick getaway. Amaya Explorer ventures to Pulau Genteng, Pulau Kotok, Pulau Dua Barat, and Pulau Bira. Exclusive to Amaya, Pulau Kotok is a private island and only Amaya Explorer can solely dock there. We intentionally search for private islands or less travelled routes away from heavy tourist sites during this time to ensure the safety and health protocols in the New Normal.
Primary Destinations
Banda Sea
Photo by Andre Talahatu
Drone by I Wayan Suartana
September — November
The Banda Sea surrounds the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. This volcanic archipelago is both rugged and beautiful and the dives are often wall-based sites packed with thriving marine life. The number one marine attraction here is surely the abundance of schooling Hammerhead Sharks, however the dive sites are rich with a myriad of both reef based and pelagic species.
During the trip across from Ambon to the dive sites, you may see a bait-ball being attacked by dolphins and tuna, breaching from below and by diving birds from above. We are regularly blessed with close contact with whales on this trip (incredibly including Blue Whales and Orcas), we send the drone up to help identify and film them.
The main island we visit, Banda Neira, was once the epicentre of the Spice Trade which started as far back as the 1600s. Shore visits to the villages, forts and plantations are truly memorable experiences, steeped in often turbulent history.
Komodo
Photo by Andre Talahatu
June — September
The Komodo Islands are world renowned for the largest lizard species on planet earth, the Komodo Dragon. The seas and dive sites are some of the World’s best and most abundant. Strong currents pass through the area making for challenging yet rewarding dives within a healthy ecosystem which lives off what the currents bring. The main marine attractions here are Manta diving/snorkelling, exceptional coral and reef life, Pelagic fish, Dolphins and Whales. Komodo is also awesome for tiny marine creatures, nudibranch, crabs, Mantis shrimps and Blue Ringed Octopus to name just a few.
Komodo is home to pristine and deserted beaches including Pantai Merah (Pink Beach), land excursions are available to trek and visit the wildlife of the Islands, including the dragons on Komodo and Rinca. Great views of the Islands are a feature when trekking to Padar. The Komodo trip includes a night in Labuan Bajo on Flores which is a gem of a town within the Indonesian Archipelago.
Batu Bolong dve site video by Andre Talahatu
Alor
Photo by Andre Talahatu
August - September
The lesser visited and pristinely clear waters of Nusa Tenggara Timur are packed with marine life. Immaculate visibility and currents make for thrilling diving, in terms of wildlife, expect the unexpected! Sometimes even dolphins show up on a dive! Passionate dive photographers will find an abundance of both macro and pelagic wildlife, whilst advanced divers have access to a variety of dive sites such as sandy bottomed muck dives.
Attractions on this trip include exceptional coral, the elusive but beautiful Mola Mola, schooling Eagle Rays, Thresher Sharks, Dolphins, Barracuda, Whales and the majestic and peaceful Dugong.
On land we visit and get acquainted with the Takpala Tribe high up in the hills of our shore visit.
Alor video compilation by Andre Talahatu
Raja Ampat
Photo by I Wayan Suartana
December — March
Raja Ampat is known to many as the Mecca of Scuba diving. This is Indonesia’s premier place to discover, dive and just be in awe of all creatures great and small as they appear in front of your eyes. Amongst the endless reefs, spectacular coral gardens abound, rich with diverse marine life in a way which is simply not seen elsewhere. Attractions here include some of the best coral beds found anywhere, including huge fan corals complete with pygmy seahorses in residence. We also see Mantas and various species of shark including Wobbegongs and reef Sharks. You can also see Barracuda, Jacks, Big Eye Trevally, GTs, Bumphead Parrotfish and almost everything else you can imagine.
On top of this, the topography of the dive sites is a major attraction for the region, there is so much to see.
Raja Ampat video by Andre Talahatu
Raja Ampat is a vast wilderness of impressive scenery above sea level, bursting with green forests, bird life and geologically impressive rock monoliths. Raja Ampat is an assault on the senses, this is perhaps the jewel in the crown of Indonesia’s Coral Triangle.