Tourism of Indonesia
Ready to Go to The Banda Islands
Planning to go on a tour or travelling, we definitely want a smooth trip, comfortable accommodation, cheap hotels, good food, cheap plane tickets, close to everywhere, and can rent a motorbike or car.
Attraction
In The Banda Islands, there is natural beauty and unique culture of the local community. There are many uniqueness, starting from the village (desa), sub-district (kecamatan), district (kabupaten) and provincial levels.
In Indonesia, each province has different and interesting characteristics. Each province has a different and unique culture and lifestyle.
The main attraction in The Banda Islands is diving. Surrounded by crystal clears waters filled with exotic marine life, the Banda Islands are the ideal place to dive underneath the surface and explore the underwater world.
Crowds of colorful fish and other sea critters that even the most experienced diver may never have seen live in these waters. With more than 25 dive sites, you will not get bored.
Some of the most popular spots are Pulau Ai (beware during rough sea), Batu Kapal, Hatta Reef (Karang Hatta), Pulau Keraka, and Nusa Laut.
This amazing area is located about 132 kilometers southeast of Ambon, the islands are a remote and exquisitely beautiful part of Indonesia. With multi-colored reefs, warm seas and exotic marine life, the Banda’s are a heaven for divers who come from around the world to explore some of the most remote and unspoiled dive sites in the world.
Today, Banda attracts divers, sailors and cruise ships from around the world by its sheer natural beauty, both above as below the sea, which can only be matched by Raja Ampat, Papua, another location for ultimate underwater adventures.
Since centuries ago, the Banda islands have been the sole producers of the fragrant nutmeg and mace for which Chinese, Indian, and Arab ships traveled across the seas. These precious spices could be sold at enormous profit in foreign markets.
The people of Banda thrived on their natural resources, but in later years suffered at the hands of Dutch colonizers who wanted to dominate the world’s spice trade.
Regardless of such a major notoriety, the fabled Banda islands are only a tiny cluster of islands, composed of three large islands and seven smaller ones. The islands are perched on the rim of Indonesia’s deepest underwater gorge, the Banda Sea, where waters can reach depths of over 6,500 meters.
Two of the biggest islands, Banda Besar and Naira, are covered with nutmeg trees. The third island, Gunung Api or ‘peak of fire’, is an active volcano that emerges from the deep in a perfect cone, and is entirely rugged and highly volcanic.
In the waters surrounding these islands you’ll find some of the world’s most spectacular marine gardens, with bright corals and colorful fish, bustling through the crystal-clear waters, making it suitable for diving, snorkeling or even simply sightseeing.
The government is taking good care of the preservation of nature and maintaining the condition of the forest.
The environment is also well maintained.
Activity
Visiting The Banda Islands, we will witness routine community activities in unique traditional cultures. And there are special dishes and food as part of culinary tours that are delicious and yummy.
Sailing is an activity for those who see the seas as a frontier to conquer. Sail Banda is one of the most prominent events that brings hundreds to the waters amidst the lush volcanic islands.
For sailors, Sail Banda 2010 is an event you won’t want to miss. This event attracts the bravest sailors from around the world who will come to Banda to conquer the challenging conditions and windy surroundings.
Banda Neira is a charming sleepy town with tree-line streets. Take a stroll around and see the crumbling remnants of the town’s colonial past.
The renovated fort, Belgica Fort, is a 17th century fortification, where for a small entrance fee you can go inside and visit this relic from a period when the spice trade dominated the island. If you are patient and wait for the best lighting, you will be able to capture some stunning photography.
Get some awe inspiring sunrise views and on Pulau Gunung with a climb to the summit of Gunung Api. Scaling this active volcano is a challenging 90 minute hike and guides are available.
Cool off with a relaxing swim at the beaches on the south coast of Banda Besar or on the tiny Pulau Nailaka.
Other hiking trips can be booked at the Maulana Hotel to explore other attractions like traditional villages, and four-century old nutmeg groves. There is plenty to see and feel as you walk through the pages of history here.
The Banda Islands are one of the Indonesia’s most popular destinations for divers. Both experts and beginner divers will enjoy themselves here, as the diving spots vary from the shallow lagoon between Bandaneira and Gunung Api, to the vertical walls of Hatta Island.
Wherever you go here, you’ll discover stunning tropical scenery, a remarkable history, friendly locals, and some of the globe’s most pristine, biologically diverse coral reefs.
Scuba diving is still relatively new here, but pioneering divers didn’t have to work hard to find a thrill. The undersea world around Ambon and the nearby island of Saparua have top-rate dive sites.
As you explore beneath the surface you’ll see everything from sharks, enormous turtles, schools of Napoleon Wrasse, giant groupers, dogtooth tuna, mobula rays, redtooth triggerfish, various species of whales, spinner dolphins, and huge lobsters neighbors to generous schools of reef fish and endemic Ambon scorpionfish.
Come to Banda islands and visit the best kept secret in Eastern Indonesia. While flights here are not frequent, it’s worth the wait. For this ideal tropical paradise won’t remain deserted for long.
Most Popular Banda Islands Dive Sites:
- Sjahrir Island and Batu Kapal: Sjahrir Island, formerly known as Pisang Island (Banana Island) and Batu Kapal (Boat Stone) are just 20 minutes by boat from Bandaneira. These two sites combine well for a morning dive, a picnic on the beach, and an afternoon dive.
- Sonegat: The nearest site for a decent dive is just five minutes by boat from most hotels. It is in the sonegat-sea arm- between Banda Neira and Gunung Api, just offshore from a Des Alwi’s little seaside house. The drop off here is steep and the wall extends down 25 meters to a grey, sandy bottom. There are plenty of good sized dogtooth tuna cruising by and some beautiful blue girdled and emperor angelfish.
- Keraka Island: Pulau Keraka or Crab Island is just a few minutes further out, and protects the north entrance of the Neira – Gunung Api sea passage. A nice sandy stretch on the north coast is perfect for a picnic. At the south shore, 18 meters down you will find a mini-wall covered with hundreds of large blue-and-yellow tunicates. To the east shore, there are a good assortment of reef fish and a school of half meter long barracudas.
- Lontar Island: The outer edge of Lontar Island, which represents part of the rim of a sunken caldera, offers several good dive sites.
- Batu Belanda: On this site, you will find many barrel and tube sponges and small caves and cracks. The fish are varied and plentiful, including a school of snappers, large emperor and blue-girdled angelfish, wrasses, a large pinnate bat-fish and numerous bannerfish.
- Ai Island: Together with Hatta Island, this island offers Bandas best diving. Both the north coast and the southwest of Ai are ringed with flawless coral walls, which are rugged and full of caves, the kind of habitat that harbors fish.
- Hatta Island: This island is about 25 km by sea from Banda Neira. Skaru atoll, is a barely submerged reef a few hundred meters off the southern point of Hatta. On a coral outcrop, watch the passing parade of Unicornfish, Fusiliers, Jack Fish and Rainbow Runners, Whitetip Sharks (almost 2 meters long) and Dogtoothed Tuna, Napolean Wrasse, and Hawksbill Turtles.
In this place there are also regular events or activities held every year, both national and international.
Accessibility
The journey to The Banda Islands is now very easy. We can enter through various modes of transportation.
The condition of the infrastructure is getting better. Starting from highways, airports, trails, ports, bridges, stairs, even some places can be reached by toll roads.
Access to go to The Banda Island:
The most practical way to go to the Banda’s is to first go to Ambon. Ambon is the capital city of Ambon island, located 132 km north of the Bandas.
To get to Ambon you can fly either directly from Denpasar Bali, or transit in Makassar. Garuda Indonesia flies from Jakarta (CGK) transiting in Hasanuddin Makassar airport, or Denpasar Bali (DPS) transiting in Ujung Pandang (UPG) to Ambon’s Pattimura Airport (AMQ).
Other flights are from Langur-Central Maluku (LUV), Juanda Surabaya (SUB), and Jeffman Sorong, Papua (SOQ).
Lion Air serves flights from Ambon to Jakarta, with transit in Makassar or Surabaya.
Alternatively, you can cross the Banda Sea by ferry. Pelni provides a twice weekly ferry by KM Ciremai liner from Ambon to Bandaneira. Make sure you double check the schedule for and unforeseen changes.
In Bandaneira, most people get around on foot as most tourist essentials are in the town and within walking distance. Alternatively, ojek and becak are available for a longer daytrip.
To get from one island to another you will need to hire a boat. The price may vary depending on the distance but normally ranges from IDR 120,000 to IDR 500,000.
We can visit by plane, car, ship, bus, motorcycle and bicycle. At some point, we can take the train. We can also walk freely.
Amenity
In The Banda Islands, as technology getting better. We can easily find locations for mini markets, shops (warung kedai), ATMs, Bank BRI BCA BNI Mandiri, BTPN Bank Nagari BJB, supermarkets, and restaurants. So we will not starve or lack the necessary items.
Suggestion before visiting The Banda Islands:
- Diving is possible all year round, but during the monsoon season (July – September) you may be restricted in your choice of dive sites.
- Further information is available at the official website for Maluku (the Moluccas) regional government – www.malukuprov.go.id and the phone number is +62 911 352 180 or +62 911341 611
- Tourist Information Office: Jl. Raya Pattimura 1, Ambon Phone +62 911 52471 or +62 911 97126
- Beginner divers are recommended to pay strict attention to their safety since the current can be strong in several spots.
- Diving is usually comfortable, with good visibility (15-30 meters) and calm waters, however some dive sites are only suitable for experienced divers so check with your dive master.
- Depths of the diving spots range from 5 meters to over 40 meters, with temperatures from 26 to 29 degree Celcius.
- Try to hire diving and snorkeling equipment from larger firms as these tend to be more reliable, but remember the responsibility of checking the equipment is ultimately yours.
- Bring a bathing suit and extra clothing.
If you are sick and need help, you can also visit clinics, drugstore pharmacies (apotek), practice doctors, hospitals, and health centers (puskesmas).
In this place we can also look for places of worship such as mosques, churches, and others.
Accommodation
Finding place to stay in The Banda Islands is very easy. We can stay at homestays, hotels, inns, hostels and other places.
To get lodging at a cheap and definitely comfortable price, please see below:
Booking.com
Experience and Reviews
There are already many visitors have visited The Banda Islands, there are many interesting stories that are told. Like feeling satisfied, happy, wanting to come again, sleep well, and almost no one is disappointed or complains to come here.
So, visitors will find out on how to find the best hotels, where is exactly located, why it is amazing, how much is the fare and rate, who are the people, whom to ask, and when is the best time to visit.
We can visit these tourist attractions from Tanjung Pinang, Tanjung Redep, Tanjung Selor, Tapak Tuan, Tarakan, Tarutung, Tasikmalaya, Muara Bungo, Muara Enim, Muara Teweh, Muaro Sijunjung, Muntilan, Nabire, Negara, Nganjuk,
That’s all the information we provided, hopefully useful.
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