Treasures of Indonesia part 2: Banda Sea and Forgotten Islands October 1-13, 2023

Once a year the conditions just right to embark upon a once in a lifetime voyage through the Banda Sea and the “Forgotten Islands”, also known as the Southeast Moluccas.

This trip is an ocean expedition at its finest. Our voyage will take us through remote islands very few have the opportunity to explore.
The Forgotten Islands are not a single destination, but rather a 1,000 km long chain of archipelagos stretching from Timor to West Papua on the island of New Guinea. Undeveloped, distant from population centers and far off any beaten path, these “Forgotten Islands” have been largely isolated from the rest of Indonesia and the world. The remoteness of these islands along with the low levels of human population means less fishing and pollution pressures resulting in a vibrant, natural and healthy reef system.

The terrain of these islands varies from forested mountainous peaks in the Inner Banda Arc of islands, with peaks as high as 2850 ft. on Damar to essentially flat islands of the easternmost Aru and Kei island groups, dominated by savannah, mangroves and broadleaf forests. The Inner Arc islands are volcanic, while the island groups in the Outer Banda Arc (Leti, Luang, Sermata, Babar and Tanimbar islands) are mostly up thrust coralline limestone, often characterized by terracing resulting from periodic uplift and changes in sea level.

Our snorkel expedition is unique not only for the sheer volume of marine life but also due to the variety of accessible marine habitats.
We’ll snorkel shallow reefs, explore dramatic walls covered with enormous fans and soft corals. We’ll check out sea mounts for majestic mantas.
Marine life may include everything from macro anemone shrimp and technicolored nudibranch to clouds of jeweled colored anthias, butterfly fish, parrot fish, swirling schools of jacks, massive bumphead parrotfish, tornadoes of giant trevalies and barracudas. Hammerhead sharks are prevalent in the Banda Sea. They tend to be deep but if we’re lucky we may see some.

The rhythm of the days on a live-aboard snorkel trip is fun, easy and flexible.
Our day-to-day itinerary will vary to make sure we are at the best site at the best time. It’s all about maximum exposure to discover a variety of marine life in the best possible conditions.

When possible, we’ll take a zippy zodiac tour through the dramatic scenery as well as time to dig our toes into a sandy beach.
There may be an opportunity for an exciting dusk or night snorkel.
Evenings are spent enjoying each other’s company and hanging out under the bright stars as we travel quietly to our next amazing snorkel site.

Best of all we’ll share this adventure with like-minded avid snorkelers and be guided by the expertise of the top notch, enthusiastic crew of the Damai liveboard.

ITINERARY:
Sorong-Saumlaki

October 1, 2023, the morning of October 1, we board the Damai1 in Sorong and begin our voyage to explore diverse marine environments throughout the Forgotten Islands. On this voyage we’ll cover a lot of territory. Our exact route will be determined once we are on board based on real-time wind and sea conditions. The captain and the cruise director will monitor conditions to guide us to beautiful shallow reefs while keeping us safe and comfortable.

We’ll head south, to the underwater wonderland of Misool. There are so many highlights of Misool but certainly the reefs covered in soft coral and the variety of fish life make it an incredible start to our trip.

Continuing south we’ll have time to explore the island of Koon. We’ll check out the snorkel site called “Too Many Fish” which is all the explanation needed! Large groupers hang out on the deep wall and there are large schools of jacks and snappers. Reef sharks and even dolphins have been seen here.

We’ll have the choice of several islands and snorkel sites to visit during our time on board. Our itinerary will be based on best sailing and sea conditions. We may even make new discoveries!

Manuk Island was a highlight of our last Forgotten Island trip in 2022. It’s often called the “snake island” because of the numerous olive sea snakes and black banded sea kraits seen here but it’s so much more than that. This water around this remote volcanic island is literally bubbling with warm volcanic action. The dramatic underwater terrain was gorgeous.  Marine life included bumphead parrotfish, gray reef sharks, cuttlefish and green turtles.

Dependent on prevailing conditions, some of our stops may include the sea mounts of Dusborgh and Nil Desparandum.
They are surrounded by very deep water so there is a chance to see large pelagics.  Massive barrel sponges and expanses of hard corals make these reefs very impressive.
If we are lucky this is where we may have a shot of seeing hammerheads.

We will have the luxury of time, when we find a spectacular site we love, we have the flexibility to stay. We can follow our hearts and the fish!

As we cruise south to the volcanic inner archipelago, we’ll see the scenery change from clusters of limestone islands to dramatic isolated volcanic peaks.

At Nyata the reefs are very healthy, especially the hard-coral formations in the shallows. Incredible fish action is the big attraction.
Nus Leur is a small atoll that has a steep sloping reef and a beautiful shallow coral garden.

At Dawera, it’s common to find schools of jacks and batfish, schooling pyramid fish and triggerfish. In 2022, highlights of our snorkel here included a blue spotted ray, napoleon wrasse, sea snakes and the ever-cryptic stonefish.

Our journey through the remote and remarkable Forgotten Islands come to an end in Saumaki, in the Tanibar Islands on October 13th.

OCTOBER 13, 2023
Disembarkation in Saumlaki. The Damai will transfer us to the Saumlaki airport in time for our onward flights.

The Damai 1 Liveaboard:
Our expedition takes place on the intimate and elegant Damai I liveaboard that holds a maximum of 14 passengers. The elegant wooden vessel 130 ft long, 26 ft wide. The professional and experienced crew of 18 will make sure we have the most exceptional expedition possible. The vessel has been designed with three large deck areas for relaxing in sun or shade and enjoying rejuvenating massage and spa treatments.  The camera room has separate workstations, and an integrated 110v and 220v charging station for each photographer.

There are 2 custom designed high speed tender boats used to transfer guests to and from the snorkel sites safely and comfortably.

The Damai has 7 spacious and luxurious cabins. All offer individual air conditioning and an en-suite bathroom complete with a hot water shower, a separate toilet cubicle, hand basin, mirror, hairdryer, towels and toiletries. Amenities include body wash, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and hand soap. All have a desk, chair and reading lights.

The comfortable well-appointed standard cabins have a port hole or window and can be configured with a double or twin beds.
Cabin size ranges from 161 to 237 Sq. ft.

The spacious master cabins have panoramic windows and king size bed that can also be set up as two single beds.
Cabin 5, on the lower deck is massive at 430 Sq. ft.  Cabin 6 on the main deck is 377 Sq. ft. and has a private balcony.

Cabins come equipped with round twin plug 220/110V outlets- adaptors are available.
The vessel is equipped with an antenna booster linked to a 3G hotspot so there will be opportunities to stay in touch during your adventure at sea.

We won’t go hungry. The Damai offers 3 gourmet meals a day all Chef prepared. Snacks are provided between snorkels as well. Any food restrictions and requests can be accommodated. There is indoor and outdoor dining. On a clear evening we can dine under the stars.
The Damai offers complimentary beer and soft drinks and one glass of table wine with dinner.

“The coral and marine life made me never want to get out of the water. So many new species I’d never seen and beautiful hard and soft corals” – Judy Lambert, Forgotten Islands 2022

” The Forgotten Islands was such a wonderful trip with so many memorable snorkeling outings and the fellow snorkelers were a great group. One of the many cool things that I enjoyed was feeling so remote and away from civilization – kinda like on the edge of the world”.  – Ruth Mackay-Shea Forgotten Islands 2022

FORGOTTEN ISLANDS EXPEDITION COST:
$7575 per person in a standard cabin based on double occupancy.
$8275 per person in master cabin 5 or 6 based on double occupancy.

This departure is sold out. To waitlist contact: Wendy@Snorkelingetc.com  

Trip costs include:
♦ Transfers to/from the Damai from airport or hotel on first and last days
♦ 12 nights on board the Damai 1 liveaboard
♦ Harbor fees
♦ All meals, snacks, coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer and drinking water on board the Damai
♦ One glass of wine with dinner
♦ All water-based and land-based activities while on board the Damai 1
♦ One complimentary spa treatment
♦ Laundry

Trip costs exclude:
♦ International and domestic airfare
♦ National Park Fees. To Be Determined and to be paid on board
♦ Crew Gratuities
♦ Trip cancellation and medical insurance (essential)
** Dive Damai reserves the right to impose a fuel surcharge if the price of fuel rises above $130 a barrel

I hope you will be able to join me on this exceptional journey to experience the beauty and wonders of the Forgotten Islands of Indonesia.

Contact:Wendy@SnorkelingEtc.com

 

 

 

 

Wendy Simon
CEO/and Fellow Snorkel Addict
Snorkeling Etc. Inc.
Santa Cruz, CA.
831 254-5001
Wendy@SnorkelingEtc.com