Top Rated

Amaya Explorer

Ten nights at Indonesia's last great frontier

4.9(12 reviews)

All-inclusive
Nitrox included
18 guided dives
Long-range expedition

Pelagic encounters: hammerheads, thresher sharks, whale sharks
Volcanic crater dive sites found nowhere else on Earth
Dense schooling fish at every site — fusiliers in the millions

Duration: 10 nights
Next departure: 05 Jul 2026
Group size: Up to 12

From$2,950/ person

General information

About Amaya Explorer

Amaya Explorer is a 36-metre traditional phinisi built in 2016 for long-range Banda Sea expeditions. Six en-suite cabins carry up to 12 divers, supported by a crew of ten who have run these remote routes for years. Generous deck space, a dedicated dive area and an indoor lounge make weeks at sea feel close to home.

Choose your departure

Available sailings

14 Jun 2026
→ 24 Jun 2026
Banda Neira / Manuk / Lucipara Atoll
Itinerary11 days / 10 nights
Departs Ambon, Maluku
Only 5 left
Lowest price
$2,950
/ person

✓ Book now, pay later · Full refund up to 60 days before, 50% up to 30 days, none after.

What's covered

Inclusions & extras

Included

All meals — three daily plus Indonesian snacks and fresh fruit
18 guided dives across 14 remote Banda Sea sites
Full dive equipment hire (regulator, BCD, fins, wetsuit)
Nitrox fills for certified divers
Banda Neira historic shore excursion with local guide
Soft drinks and filtered water throughout
WWII wreck dive entry permit
24/7 crew and emergency support

Required extras

Dive insurance
Fuel surcharge$184
National park fees$258
Park & port fees$258 per trip

Optional extras

Gratuities
Airport transfer
Hotel transfer
Local transfers
Alcoholic beverages
Nitrox$10 per day
Private dive guide
Rental gear
Scuba diving courses
WiFi internet$46

Book now, pay later. Place your booking online and we'll hold your spaces for you — confirm later with a payment.

* Extra fees are shown per person.

On board

Boat features

Free WiFi where signal allows
Air conditioning throughout
Spacious shaded sun deck
Indoor saloon & lounge
Camera charging & rinse station
Hot-water showers
Dedicated dive deck
Towels & linens provided

Galley

Food & drinks

All meals freshly prepared on board
Vegetarian & dietary options
Free soft drinks & filtered water
Tea, coffee & snacks all day
Local & international cuisine
Fresh fruit daily

Languages spoken

EnglishIndonesian

On board

Cabin types

The vessel

Boat spec

Year built: 2016
Length: 36 m
Beam: 8.5 m
Hull: Ironwood phinisi
Deck area: 28 m
Top speed: 10 knots
Cruising speed: 8 knots
Engines: 2× 380hp Mitsubishi
Max guests: 12
Cabins: 6
Bathrooms: 6
Crew: 10
Tenders: 2
Water capacity: 9 tonnes
Fuel capacity: 13 tonnes
Freshwater maker: Yes

Equipped for

Navigation & safety

Radar & GPS navigation
Life rafts & life jackets
Emergency oxygen (O₂)
First-aid kits & AED
Fire extinguishers & alarms
Satellite phone & VHF radio
Tender / chase boat
Crew trained in first aid

Know before you go

Expedition FAQ

Very remote. Some dive sites are 12+ hours from the nearest hospital. All guests must carry comprehensive travel and medical evacuation insurance. We carry a defibrillator, oxygen, and a trained first-aider on every trip.

Advanced Open Water minimum. Rescue Diver recommended. This is not a beginner destination — the currents at Manuk and Lucipara are powerful and the sites are genuinely remote.

The wreck sits in 28–35m. Advanced certification required for the wreck penetration section. External wreck viewing is possible from 18m and suitable for Open Water divers.

Between June and August, whale shark aggregations have been documented at the Banda Arc site on 7 of our last 8 trips. Outside this window, encounters are possible but less predictable.

Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, and up-to-date Tetanus. Consult your travel medicine clinic 6 weeks before departure. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for Banda and Kai Island stopovers.

Yes. Solo travellers are welcome. We can match you with a same-gender cabin partner for the Standard twin at no solo supplement, subject to availability. Superior and Deluxe have a solo supplement of 40%.

Your operator

Amaya Ocean

Operating since 2015 · 11 years of expeditions

Verified

One of the original Banda Sea expedition operators. Every guide holds PADI instructor ratings and has personally dived each site hundreds of times. Known for impeccable trip organisation, genuine care for the remote ecosystems they visit, and a commitment to working with local communities throughout the Banda Islands.

PADI 5-Star

SSI Partner

DAN Training Partner

Coral Triangle Initiative Member

From

$2,950/ person

10 nights · all-inclusive

Departure date

Only 4 spots left on this departure

Adventurers

Max 12 per expedition

Reserve this departure

Choose your cabin next · No payment now

Standard cancellation policy

Guest reviews

4.9Exceptional

12 verified reviews

Vessel: 4.8
Crew: 5.0
Food: 4.5
Diving: 4.9
Value: 4.7

R
Rafael D.
🇪🇸Spain
Exceptional
Best dive trip of my life
Best dive trip of my life. The Banda Sea is utterly otherworldly. Manuk Island — diving with sea snakes while hammerheads circle above — is an experience I won't forget.
Recommended forManuk IslandPelagicsRemote diving
March 2026
M
Mia T.
🇨🇦Canada
Exceptional
Ten nights felt too short
Ten nights felt too short. Hammerhead encounters every morning at Lucipara. The Amaya crew's knowledge of these remote sites is extraordinary.
Recommended forHammerheadsCrew knowledgeLucipara
January 2026
O
Oliver K.
🇳🇿New Zealand
Exceptional
The most remote reefs I've dived
The most remote destination I've ever dived. Completely pristine reefs, world-class pelagic encounters, and not another boat in sight. Genuinely life-changing.
Recommended forRemote sitesPristine reefsPelagics
November 2025
F
Fatima A.
🇦🇪United Arab Emirates
Exceptional
Eight whale sharks in one dive
The whale shark aggregation at Banda Arc was the single greatest thing I've ever seen underwater. Eight individuals in one dive. The Amaya team knew exactly where to position us.
Recommended forWhale sharksBanda ArcCrew positioning
August 2025
L
Lukas B.
🇨🇭Switzerland
Exceptional
Faultless from start to finish
Everything ran like clockwork — briefings, boat logistics, dive timing. The crew anticipated what you needed before you asked. I'd book again without a second thought.
Recommended forOrganisationCrewBriefings
April 2026