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.
"My understanding of our blue planet would have been so much the poorer
without Graham Abbott's passion for history and the sea"
Anna Kwiecinska, Cruising in the Banda Sea
with Graham Abbott, October 2022
OUR ROUTE
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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.
THE PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE: Graham Abbott and Anna Kwiecinska made a voyage to and through the Banda Islands at the end of 2022. The photos attributed to Anna and Graham are from this journey.
THE 2025 JOURNEY will also start from Ambon and cruise to the Banda islands, and from here we journey into new territory (for Anna) with remote diving and pristine snorkeling destinations.
Graham Abbott specialises in finding and sharing - with the few lucky enough to sail with him - remote, pristine dive sites, avoiding those which succumb to their increasing fame by becoming over-dived.
OUR ITINERARY
DAY 1
AMBON - voyage departure point
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1:00 AM BALI .to UJUNG PANDANG by Sriwijaya Air SJ726 . It's possible to rest at the airport hotel
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8:10 AM UJUNG PANDANG to AMBON by Lion Air JT786
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10:55 AM ARRIVAL AMBON
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Direct transfer to Amaya Explorer to start cruise
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PHOTOS: Ambon Airport (photo: Anna Kwiecinska - AK; all other photos of the ' Navarra', our vessel on this voyage)
DAY 2
Run and Ai Island - A Day discovering Spice Island history in The Bandas
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Run Island
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Village tour, lunch
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Ai Island - visit the old fort (as shown in Giles Milton's book Nathaniel's Nutmeg)
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Snorkeling / diving
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Beach party dinner
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PHOTOS: 1-3 by Anna Kwiecinska; Arrivinf on the island of Run; view to island of Ai; evening on island of Banda Neira
DAY 3
BANDA - diving the islands
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Keraka
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Fat Reef
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Gala Dinner on Banda Neira
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PHOTOS: 1-3 by Graham Abbott; 4 by Anna Kwiecinska
DAY 4
BANDA BESAR
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Early Banda Besar tour
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breakfast
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Snorkel Pisang
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walk and / or snorkel Hatta
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dining on board today
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PHOTOS: 1,2,4 by Anna Kwiecinska; 2 by Graham Abbott;
DAY 5
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
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dining on board this evening
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PHOTOS: 1,2,4 -file; 3 by Anna Kwiecinska
DAY 6
RAJA AMPAT - MISOOL ISLAND
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Snorkel/dive The Lagoon ay Wajil
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Snorkel/dive Fiabacet
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viewpoint trek (optional)
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Dinner on Kalig Beach
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PHOTOS; 1-4, file
DAY 7
RAJA AMPAT - MISOOL ISLAND
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Cave Art Tour
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Jellyfish Lake
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viewpoint trek (optional)
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dining on-board today
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PHOTOS: 1,2- file; 3 by Graham Abbott on our 2022 voyage; 4 by Anna Kwiecinska
DAY 8
RAJA AMPAT - PENEMU ISLAND
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Snorkel/dive Melissa's Garden
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viewpoint trek (optional)
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dining on-board today - gin mixology evening
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PHOTOS; file
DAY 9
RAJA AMPAT - MANSUAR ISLAND
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Snorkel/dive the GREAT JETTIES
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visiting small villages
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dining on-board today
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PHOTOS 1 and 2 by Graham Abbott
DAY 10
RAJA AMPAT - SPOKRENG
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Snorkel/dive
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Bird of paradise Trek
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visiting villages and cultural performance
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dining on-board today
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PHOTOS: All by Graham Abbott;
DAY 11
WASAI - SORONG (cruise finishes, flights to Bali)
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11.00 AM Fast Ferry Wasai to Sorong
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12:05 AM SORONG - UJUNG PANDANG - BALI
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BALI 15:25 PM
Our Vessel
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SPECIFICTIONS
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Length of vessel 45m
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width of Vessel 9.3m
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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: 17 guests
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Capacity for this voyage: 14 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
CABINS
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Total of 7 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
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
YOUR VESSEL IS A BEAUTIFU PHINISI
Explores the Indonesian Archipelago expertly on an impressive 35-40m Phinisi made by the skilful hands of masterful local craftsmen, similar to that shown here.
"Our ultimate mission is to introduce Indonesia's excellence in hospitality and triumphing in providing exceptional customer experience"
With an experienced and skillful crew of 18 drawn from all parts of Indonesia,
The on-board catering is fabulous and will cater to all of your needs and requirements .
Our stunning Phinisi vessel is constructed by expert boat builders whose skills have passed from generation to generation since ancient times.
With meticulous detailing, and structured for great efficiency, phinisis are typically 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 "
Our Divemaster
Graham Abbott lives in Bali and works internationally as a dive master with more than 25 years' experience guiding diving adventurers, explorers and film makers.
Graham is an Expedition Consultant with extensive experience leading photographic and filming projects with professionals such as BBC, National Geographic, IMAX 3D crews and science teams crews as well as directing adventures on super yachts.
He's "explored more of Indonesia than most" and his underwater photography features in this site as 'Diving for Images'.
From Anna's experience: "Graham is extraordinarily enthusiastic, precise-but-easy-going, and someone who, rather unusually, values the snorkeling side of underwater adventure as highly as hefting a tank and disappearing meters below - although, for those on our October 2022 trip who scuba dived, Graham led a tireless and exhilarating program !"
OUR EVENING PROGRAMS include:
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Spice islands history overviews by Graham and Anna
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underwater photography tutorial by Graham
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gin mixology session with the gin expert himself - Graham Abbott!
Cuisine
Dining is one of the highlights of the journey, with special requirements catered for.
Fresh produce, delicious food in abundance prepared by our chefs, with 'first breakfasts' for those who wish to take advantage of an early morning snorkel/dive, a full hot breakfast post-dive, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea,
pre-dinner snacks and a full evening meal.
Seafood, beach BBQ, fine dining at our gala dinner on Banda Neira at a historic venue frequented by the likes of Jacques Cousteau ... just some of the memorable dining which awaits you on this Spice Voyager The Spiceries adventure.
The Region in Detail
Cost of this Journey
Until the full details are published, we will be happy to place your name on a Priority List for first refusal once prices are published.
Included:
- Transportation to and from the airport or a hotel on the day embarkation or disembark (flight details may alter)
- Full accommodation in an air-conditioned double/twin cabin, in bathroom shampoo, shop, towel, etc.
- the onshore activities/excursions organized by Anna, Graham and Amaya Explorer
- the shore activities/excursions according to the program (including gala dinner on Banda Neira)
- All meals onboard, snack, barbeque party, soft drinks
- Naturalist guides
- Stand Up Paddle, snorkeling, trekking and sightseeing
Not Included:
- Port clearance & contribution (USD 150/pax)
- Diving Insurance/Travel Insurance
- Airplane tickets (3) : Bali to Ujung Pandang IDR 1,174,620 + Ujung Pandang to Ambon IDR 1,260, 300 + Sorong to Bali IDR 2,774,600
- Hotel / On land accommodation (there is no hotel accommodation in this itinerary)
- Alcohols
- Crew and guide tips
NOTE: ALL DIVER MUST HAVE VALID DIVE INSURANCE POLICY. NB: flight costs subject to change