The Spiceries Sea Safari is a spectacular, 11-day/10-night snorkeling/diving cruise on a luxurious 'liveaboard' Phinisi vessel amongst the world's richest reefs.
We sail from the Banda Islands - the epicentre of nutmeg production in the C.16th and C.17th - to Raja Ampat - 'the Four Kings', famed for their coral reefs, superlative snorkeling and diving.
This 500-nautical mile journey takes you into the heart of the magnificent eastern Indonesian archipelago of pristine 'castaway islands' and centuries of history that once made this region the most coveted destination on Earth ... the Moluccas - the legendary Spice Islands, or, as they were known in the Sixteenth Century, The Spiceries.
Join Anna Kwiecinska and National Geographic Dive Master Graham Abbott for this tropical sea odyssey 19-29 November, 2023.
ONLY 12 BERTHS AVAILABLE, so book soon for early bird discounts and your choice of cabin.
"My understanding of our blue planet would have been so much the poorer
without Graham Abbott's passion for everything under the sea"
Anna Kwiecinska, Cruising in the Banda Sea with Graham Abbott, October 2022
OUR ROUTE
STARTING THE CRUISE: We fly to the island of Ambon, the capital, and largest island in the Maluku Islands of Indonesia.
Whilst we await flight details, we can say that this will be either Bali-Ambon or Jakarta-Ambon
We board the Amaya Explorer after a short drive from the airport to the harbour and the sailing commences.
FINISHING THE CRUISE : Our destination is Sorong, the capital and largest city of the Indonesian province of Southwest Papua.
The flight to Bali is via Makassar.
FLIGHTS These flights are separate to the cost of the cruise and once you have joined the group we will keep you informed of the flight possibilities and we will make a group booking, unless your individual pre/post-cruise travel plan requires cruise-only.
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Day-by-day itinerary >
DAY 1 - 19th NOVEMBER AMBON- departure point
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7:00 AM BALI
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8:00 AM JAKARTA GA401 (or direct from Bali, as outlined above)
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9:40 AM JAKARTA flight departure
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3.15 PM ARRIVAL AMBON
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Direct transfer to Amaya Explorer to start cruise
DAY 2 - 20th NOVEMBER BANDA ISLANDS
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cruise to Run island
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village tour and lunch
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Possible visit to the island of Ai (a volcanic island
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snorkeling and beach party
DAY 3 - 21st NOVEMBER BANDA ISLANDS
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Snorkel/Dive Keraka Fat Reef
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Banda Island tour
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Gala Dinner
DAY 4 - 22nd NOVEMBER BANDA ISLANDS
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Banda Besar Tour
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Snorkel/dive Pisang Island
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Walk and snorkel/dive Hatta Island
DAY 5 - 23rd NOVEMBER WATUBELA ARCHIPELAGO: SERAM ISLAND
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Snorkel through The Channel
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Snorkel/Dive Too Many Fish
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Beachy afternoon with fresh coconuts and crystalline waters, pristine sands
DAY 6 - 24th NOVEMBER MISOOL ISLAND
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Snorkel/dive The Lagoon ay Wajil
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Snorkel/dive Flabacer
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viewpoint trek (optional)
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Dinner on Kalig Beach
DAY 7 - 25th NOVEMBER MISOOL ISLAND
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Cave Art Tour
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Jellyfish Lake
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viewpoint trek (optional)
DAY 8 - 26th NOVEMBER PENEMU ISLAND
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Snorkel/dive Melissa's Garden
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viewpoint trek (optional)
DAY 9 - 27th NOVEMBER MANSUAR ISLAND
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Snorkel/dive the GREAT JETTIES
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visiting small villages
DAY 10 - 28th NOVEMBER SPOKRENG
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Snorkel/dive
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Bird of paradise Trek
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visiting villages
DAY 11 - 29th NOVEMBER WASAI - SORONG (cruise finishes, flights to Bali)
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Fast Ferry Wasai to Sorong (time TBC)
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11.00 am SORONG - MAKASSAR Flight 3941
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1.35 pm MAKASSAR - BALI (arrival 3pm)
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The Vessel
SPECIFICTIONS
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Length of vessel 35m
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width of Vessel 7.5m
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Hull/superstructure : ironwood, teak
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Cruising Speed :7-10 knots
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Fuel capacity: 9000 litres
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Water capacity: 9000 litres
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fresh water maker : 3600 litres
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Maximum capacity: 16 guests
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Capacity for this voyage: 12 guests
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Crew: 18
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Engine; CAT 3406 Ci
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Navigation: Furuno radar, AIS ICOM
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Communication: VHF, SSB, satellite
AMENITIES for DIVING & SNORKELING
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Two tenders powered by 50Hp Yamaha
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Compressor: Bauer
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Regular Airfills of 200bar for each dive
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Tanks that fit for INT/DIN valves
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Weights and belts for diving available
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Total of 6 guest cabins, each with en-suite
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separated wet and dry area for bathroom in Suites (2)
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Hot and cold showers
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King Koil mattresses
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Sensatia Organics bathroom amenities
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All with Air-Condtioning
CABINS
UPPER DECK
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Arun 1 and Arun 2
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2 master bedrooms with sea view 8.68m2
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Bathroom 1.93m2
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Queens size bed
LOWER DECK
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Anila 1-4
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4 Deluxe bedrooms 7.53m2
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Bathroom 2.72m2
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Bunk bed with combination of :
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lower double bed and
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upper single bed
DINING
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KRUPS Automatic Coffee maker
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NON-MSG Cuisine, fine dining
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dinner on the beach
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Indoor and outdoor dining on-board
THE AMAYA EXPLORER STORY
Amaya Explorer explores the Indonesian Archipelago expertly.
An impressive 35m Phinisi made by the skilful hands of masterful local craftsmen.
"Our ultimate mission is to introduce Indonesia's excellence in hospitality and triumphing in providing exceptional customer experience"
With an experienced and skilful crew of 18 drawn from all parts of indonesia, when it comes to service, "Amaya works from the soul".
The on-board catering is fabulous and will cater to all of your needs and requirements .
The stunning Phinisi vessel was constructed in the deep core Kampung of Bulukumba, Sulawesi, by expert boat builders whose skills have passed from generation to generation since ancient times.
With meticulous detailing, and structured for great efficiency, the Amaya Explorer was two years in the making from tropical hardwoods- ironwood and teak.
" My ten-day cruise in the Banda Islands with Graham Abbott in 2022 was one of the most life-affirming experiences ever ... and I 'only' snorkeled "