INDONESIA LIVEABOARDS - TRIPS ON SMY ONDINA

A small gallery from our previous SMY Ondina trip to Komodo: Komodo Gallery

Sea Snakes, Volcanos & Spices Liveaboard Itinerary - Maumere - Banda - Ambon

This trip is a sampler of some of the best diving Indonesia has to offer.

Maumere: It is extremely interesting to dive in waters that once were considered exceptional, the headquarters of the most reputed World Championship of Underwater Photography, until in 1992 an earthquake followed by a tsunami wave hit with anger all the area. Ten years later the walls that surround these islands have managed to recover in their totality from that natural disaster to the scientists surprise and they actually offer excellent dives in mild currents, with a healthy population of gorgonias and sponges, with big groupers lurking in crevices, antias and butterfly fish. In the blue big tuna and carangids patrol the depths seeking for their prey.

Straits of Alor: Like Komodo and Rinca, the straits between the islands of Pantar and Alor, East of Flores, are simply superb. The currents are not for beginners, but with good chase boats taking care and our well trained crew, we will dive with security through these beautiful and deep straits home of the greater biodiversity of the planet. The macro lovers will enjoy the colourful chromodoris nudibranchs, the curious shrimps and strange crabs, while those of you watching the blue will frequently make out large groupers, rays, and black tip sharks, as well as occasionally grey tips, silver tips and at times even Whale Sharks. In the anchorages of the islands of Adonara and Lomblen great dives at less depth and in more protected waters can be done, with the classical exuberant coral gardens and schools of tropical fish. The straits are also the place to see large whales in transit. In this area we have sighted dolphins of various types, pilot whales and even killer whales.

Wetar: The small Island of Reong off the coast of Wetar is alive with Sharks ,Barracuda & Schools of large pelagics, very few ever visit this area.

Lucipara and Penyu Island: Dramatic wall dives with huge sea fans and colorful soft corals, pristine hard corals at the top, incredible giant sponges, turtles, many overhangs, swim throughs and caverns. Not much to see topside but often schooling fish and sharks. A rarely visited destination due to its distance from any major island.

Gunung Api : Sea snakes by the thousands. This tiny remote island is heavily populated by birds, booies and frigate birds nest on the island. The snakes are friendly and curious, often looking over the shoulder of a photographer, or shadow stalking with a diver's fins. Two days are allowcated for this remote, highly unusual and exotic experience.

Banda Islands : Full of history, volcanos, forts & spices. The nine small, jewel-like volcanic islands of the Banda Group, became world famous from the 17th to 19th centuries as the original Spice Islands of the Dutch colonial history. These were the islands Christopher Columbus was heading for in 1492 when the American continent got in his way. On a plateau above Bandaneira is pentagonal-shaped Fort Belgica. Built in the 1620s, this massive fortress has survived numerous earthquakes and is in fairly good condition. Visit the information room and climb up to one of the towers for a sweeping view over the town, the sleepy harbor, nutmeg groves and looming volcanos. Diving is good and varied in clear water. The harbor holds an excellent Mandarianfish dive. Frogfish, nudibranchs and all manner of small creatures lurk about on the walls and sloping reef of these historic islands. Especially interesting is a dive under the volcano which was completely cover with lava about 15 years ago. Amazing to see the density of life on it now.

Ambon: Ambon was one of the mecca's of Indonesia's diving until the mid-90's when conflict in the area foced out tourists and the only dive operation. Things have calmed down. The near- mythical Twilight Zone, king of the Muck Dives in Ambon will be one area to check. Previously this site was filled with devil scorpionfish, strange octopus, boxer crabs, leaf scorpionfish, nudibranchs galore, weird frogfish, shrimps, stargazers.. the list goes on. Reef dives here are also spectacular with good coral coverage, schooling fish. An easy flight takes us back to Sulawesi connecting on to Bali or other destinations in Indonesia.

Banda Sea Liveaboard Trip Details

Raja Ampat Details - Sorong - Sorong

Raja Ampat Liveaboard, SMY Ondina - artcle by Deb Fugitt - X-Ray Magazine

Raja Ampat Diving - artcle by Deb Fugitt -ScubaGlobe Magazine

Banda Sea Details

Dragons Liveaboard Itinerary - Komodo

Komodo Rocks - artcle by Deb Fugitt - fiNS Magazine

Bima - Komodo & Rinca National Park – Bima

The Komodo & Rinca National Park in full with a liveaboard who can hardly be beaten in knowing the best dive sites in this really unique place in the world. An Indonesian Must!

Komodo & Rinca National Park:

The narrow straits between these two islands connect the Flores Sea with the Indian Ocean. Their tide currents provide a continuous exchange of water and nutrients between the inner sea and the ocean creating a unique ecosystem, favoring the biodiversity and the proliferation of peculiarities like the frog fish or endemic species that can only be observed here, like the sea apple. The depths are densely populated with life, a great underwater variety of landscapes, from diving in vertical walls covered with soft corals resembling the Red Sea gardens to stone structures resembling the cold water reefs of the North Sea. Due to the high degree of protection that this National Park enjoys, it is also an area of great abundance of fish, with thick schools of carangids, sweet lips and butterflies, as well as frequent encounters with manta rays and reef sharks.

Very few operators dive the whole Komodo area like SMY Ondina!!

LAND EXCURSIONS: in addition to the traditional fish barbecue on the beach, expect the following land excursions in the Komodo area:

• One of the main attractions of this route is the mandatory visit to the Komodo & Rinca National Park for the observation of the famous Komodo Dragons, a carnivorous variety of lizard (Varanus Komodiensis) which can grow up to 3 meters of length. Due to the strong currents of the straits surrounding these islands, and in spite of the fact that the dragons can swim, they have remained isolated in these two remote islands of prehistoric look. The visit is a two - three hours walk in one of the two islands, Komodo or Rinca, accompanied by a National Park guide, depending on how lucky we would be that day we will see, apart from the dragons, deer, wild boars, water buffalos, parrots and fowls. Wooden dragons carvings of different sizes and pearls from nearby farms can be bought to the natives of the island.
• During the cruise we will disembark in desert islands and secluded bays where we will see the flying foxes fly at dusk and also visit some fishing villages during our sail through this incredible and unique place on earth.
  

Volcanos Liveaboard Itinerary - Maumere - Alor - Maumere

Maumere - Maumere Bay, Lomblen, Adonara & Pantar Straits & Alor – Maumere

The mysterious and isolated far east. East of the island of Flores the straits between the islands resemble the Komodo Strait with a great variety of places to be discovered.....and on top of that Maumere Bay where you can muck dive for rarities, wall dive, drift dive and wreck dive all in one single day!!

Bay of Maumere: It is extremely interesting to dive in waters that once were considered exceptional, the headquarters of the most reputed World Championship of Underwater Photography, until in 1992 an earthquake followed by a tsunami wave hit with anger all the area. Ten years later the walls that surround these islands have managed to recover in their totality from that natural disaster to the scientists surprise and they actually offer excellent dives in mild currents, with a healthy population of gorgonias and sponges, with big groupers lurking in crevices, antias and butterfly fish. In the blue big tuna and carangids patrol the depths seeking for their prey.

Straits of Alor: Like Komodo and Rinca, the straits between the islands of Pantar and Alor, East of Flores, are simply superb. The currents are not for beginners, but with good chase boats taking care and our well trained crew, we will dive with security through these beautiful and deep straits home of the greater biodiversity of the planet. The macro lovers will enjoy the colourful chromodoris nudibranchs, the curious shrimps and strange crabs, while those of you watching the blue will frequently make out large groupers, rays, and black tip sharks, as well as occasionally grey tips, silver tips and at times even Whale Sharks. In the anchorages of the islands of Adonara and Lomblen great dives at less depth and in more protected waters can be done, with the classical exuberant coral gardens and schools of tropical fish. The straits are also the place to see large whales in transit. In this area we have sighted dolphins of various types, pilot whales and even killer whales.

LAND EXCURSIONS: in addition to the traditional fish barbecue on the beach, expect the following on this route:

• 
  Climbing of the Lewotolo Volcano of 460 m of height in whose skirt there is an abandoned village which was inhabited by merchants who traded with the sailors of these seas. In this village we can still find the remainders of that commerce: Chinese porcelains, elephant ivory and old tusks, a cannon from an old Portuguese schooner, drums and spears. The excursion takes some 3 hours, and has some magnificent views on the surrounding bay.
• 
  Lamalera is a village dedicated to the traditional hunting of sperm whales and other whales. This hunting is carried out from small rowing boats with a small and simple sail. The harpooner literally jumps from the bow digging the harpoon in the whale with his weight. The villagers make good use of every single part of the whale body and their culture is completely impregnated with rites and superstitions. Whale's teeth, harpoons forged by hand and fabrics with marine motives, like whales, manta rays and turtles can be bought directly to the artistic villagers.
  
• A third excursion will be decided on the spot depending on the group likings, but it will probably be a walk through one of the quiet Christian villages in the area to see their interesting crafts or a visit to some hot water springs in Alor.

* Before or after the charter an optional excursion can be organized to the National Park of Kelimutu in the Flores island, one of the most visited natural wonders in Indonesia. The Kelimutu is a volcano situated some 85 km from Maumere. This drive can take several hours along the narrow and winding roads of Flores. The spectacular view at dawn on the three lakes in the crater, each one of different colour, one black, one red and one green, is not only one of the greater tourist attractions of the region, but also a very important region of myths and legends.

Volcanos & Dragons Liveaboard Itinerary

Bima (Sumbawa)- Maumere (Flores)

Komodo Rocks - artcle by Deb Fugitt - fiNS Magazine

Bima - Komodo & Rinca National Park - Riung - Maumere Bay - Maumere

Every single kind of different dives in one single cruise: drift dives, coral gardens, muck diving, wrecks, walls......satisfaction guaranteed!!

Komodo & Rinca National Park:

The narrow straits between these two islands connect the Flores Sea with the Indian Ocean. Their tide currents provide a continuous exchange of water and nutrients between the inner sea and the ocean creating a unique ecosystem, favoring the biodiversity and the proliferation of peculiarities like the frog fish or endemic species that can only be observed here, like the sea apple. The depths are densely populated with maine life, with great underwater variety of landscapes, from diving in vertical walls covered with soft corals resembling the Red Sea gardens to stone structures resembling the cold water reefs of the North Sea. Due to the high degree of protection that this National Park enjoys, it is also an area of great abundance of fish, with thick schools of carangids, sweet lips and butterflies, as well as frequent encounters with manta rays and reef sharks.

Very few operators dive the whole Komodo area like SMY Ondina!!

Pulau Paloe: North of Flores, this volcanic island is surrounded by deep waters and offers interesting diving in deep walls with caves and overhangs where large groupers, lobsters and moray eels live. All around, bat fish, white and black tip sharks and big tuna swim in the open waters. Large formations of black coral, gorgonias and barrel sponges decorate the seascapes during the dives in this exceptional island

Bay of Maumere: It is extremely interesting to dive in waters that once were considered exceptional, the headquarters of the most reputed World Championship of Underwater Photography, until in 1992 an earthquake followed by a tsunami wave hit with anger all the area. Ten years later the walls that surround these islands have managed to recover practically in their totality from that natural disaster and they actually offer good dives in mild currents, with a healthy population of gorgonias and sponges, with big groupers lurking in crevices, antias and butterfly fish. In the blue big tuna and carangids patrol the depths seeking for their prey.

LAND EXCURSIONS: in addition to the traditional fish barbecue on the beach, expect the following on this route:

• One of the main attractions of this route is the mandatory visit to the Komodo & Rinca National Park for the observation of the famous Komodo Dragons, a carnivorous variety of lizard (Varanus Komodiensis) which can grow up to 3 meters of length. Due to the strong currents of the straits surrounding these islands, and in spite of the fact that the dragons can swim, they have remained isolated in these two remote islands of prehistoric look. The visit is a two - three hours walk in one of the two islands, Komodo or Rinca, accompanied by a National Park guide, depending on how lucky we would be that day we will see, apart from the dragons, deer, wild boars, water buffalos, parrots and fowls. Wooden dragons carvings of different sizes and pearls from nearby farms can be bought to the natives of the island.
• We will arrange an excursion to the Kelimutu National Park in the island of Flores, one of the most visited natural wonders of Indonesia. We will disembark in a small coastal village at 5 o'clock in the morning for a drive in minivan till near the top of the volcano, to be at the summit with the sun rise, the best moment of the day to enjoy the magnificent view of the three different colour lakes, black, red and green. This excursion is not only one of the greatest tourist attractions of the region, but also a very important area of myths and legends. We will return to the SMY Ondina in time for lunch and 2 dives that day.
• During the cruise we will disembark in desert paradise beaches and fishing villages that we will find while sailing in this incredible area.