12D Banda Sea & the Lucipara Islands Expedition Cruise, Oct/Nov 2027
12 days
Please note, trip price starts at USD7000 (-10% for non-divers), plus extras. Australian dollar prices are estimated based on USD0.65 = AUD1.00. Actual trip price will be adjusted for exchange rate at the time of final
payment. Alternatively, we can accept USD payments on enquiry.
Banda Sea with the Lucipara Islands, Manuk, Spice Islands, & Blue Whales
The Luciparas are a simply stunning staging post for large tuna and other big marine fish like Napoleon Wrasse. It is remarkable to see big intact reefs so far out to sea and so remote, as to be quite protected from people.
Many of these islands remoteness is the reason they are in good condition. Manuk Island, despite rat infestation, is a powerful place. You get this impression as you’re surrounded by frigatebirds. Then we continue to Banda Neira, which is lovely. There is chance to swim over the flourishing plate corals and staghorns of the lava flow reef, a reminder of the incredible resilience of coral reef, as the eruption only happened in 1985.
Of course Blue Whales are a highlight. Simply to float in the company of a dozen of the largest animals that ever lived on Earth, is amazing. There is nowhere on Earth you can have this experience. Watching these whales doing their thing day in, day out, gives you a real impression of their sheer importance. These are animals that have been present on Earth for millions more years than people.
The Banda Sea is a place of myths and legends, pirates and sea monsters. It was the centre of a bloody spice trade for thousands of years. Oceanic processes drive climate worldwide, with sweeping currents emanating from depths that challenge the height of Everest. From the bottom of the Weber Deep to the summit of Mount Binaiya, the highest peak on the island of Seram, is an elevation of over 10,000m.
On each trip we will visit the ‘forgotten’ Spice Islands to learn
about the colonial history we share with them and explore some
spectacular snorkel-dive locations nearby. It was the centre of the spice trade for thousands of years. Archaeologists may have found recent evidence of villages from long before Dutch rule, where Bahasa Tana (language
of the Earth) may have been spoken. It is a sacred language only sung in rituals. Sadly this ancient culture was all but lost
at the hands of the Dutch East India company.
About the trip
On
this expedition cruise we will live aboard the luxurious Pindito with
one of the region's most experienced crews. You will see and experience
marine life like you’ve never done before. Winds are traditionally low during this, the doldrum season. Also, it’s at the peak of Blue Whale activity, before they begin their migration south to Australia.
Itinerary
Departure day
Pick up before 9AM to board Pindito. If harbour clearance has been given, we depart immediately.
Expedition Cruise
We deliberately leave itineraries unpublished as trips tend to unfold a little as we go. Our guests don’t want to leave incredible wildlife encounters and stick to a strct schedule. So we cover shorter overall distances, which gives us scope for real discovery and adventure.
This is why Pindito never has a set itinerary and every cruise is slightly different. We plan our trips and water activities based on weather, tides, currents and what you want to do. Maybe you'd like to visit a village or go paddle-boarding? We have four zodiacs, more than enough for our maximum 16 guests to do what they want to. We even spend some evenings with a cocktail on a remote beach or exploring the stunning scenery, caves and bays. In our opinion, there is no better or more sustainable way, to explore this amazing region.
The trip starts and ends at the locations specified. In the ten full days in between, we will maximise your experience to visit some of the best places to snorkel / dive, and see the region's unique wildlife.
Disembark
We reached our final destination the night before and after a final farewell dinner, awake in the morning for transfers to our hotels and flights.
Gallery
About the Host
Simon Mustoe, Wildiaries
Simon Mustoe is an ecologist, artist, expedition leader and naturalist with a passion for connecting humans with the natural world. He’s tumbled in boats amid frigid north Atlantic storms, trekked solo into Madagascar’s remote dry forests and sailed the archipelagos of West Papua. As a teenager he helped produce BBC nature documentaries and as an adult he has worked with some of the world’s leading conservation, wildlife and ecology organisations. His first book, Wildlife in the Balance, received critical acclaim from the likes of Dame Joanna Lumley and Ian Redmond OBE. He lives in Melbourne, Australia.
Location
Destination
Departure
Things to keep in mind
from per person
All prices in AUD
