Banda SeaSeptember 19 – October 2, 2020

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Photos: Napolean Wrasse, Hammerhead Sharks

There was a time when the Molucca Islands, in Indonesia’s Banda Sea, were the

center of the colonial universe, causing diplomatic havoc over their rare and

coveted spices. But then it seems this corner of the world was “forgotten,”

left to the indigenous islanders and magnificent flora and fauna, both above and

below water. Lucky for you, because to dive in the Moluccas is to experience a

pristine, and ecologically vibrant, paradise. Join Apex on this 14-day adventure

to the deep Banda Sea. Muck dive off Ambon Island, then move to a liveaboard

vessel and venture to the most remote reaches of the archipelago, seeing

massive coral gardens and swarms of brightly-colored fish. Swim with hulking

pelagic predators like Dogtooth Tuna, and visit “Hammerhead hot spots,”

frequented by schools up to 200 strong. See dolphins, whales and sea turtles as

you explore off smoldering volcanic islands of such staggering beauty, it is hard

to believe they could ever have been “forgotten” on the global stage.

Expedition Over view

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Saturday, September 19: Arrive Ambon, Maluku Province This afternoon, arrive in the capital of Maluku Province, which encompasses the southern Molucca islands, and transfer to your resort on secluded Baguala Bay, away from the bustle of downtown Ambon. Get to know your fellow travelers and expedition team at a welcome dinner and briefing this evening. Dinner and overnight at Maluku Resort and Spa.

Sunday & Monday, September 20 & 21: Ambon For the next two days, immerse yourself in one of the world’s premier muck diving locations. Muck diving, a type of Macro diving, has advantages over clear water diving because mucky areas are rich in both nutrients and hiding spots, providing the perfect habitat for some of the rarest and most unusual underwater creatures. What’s more, the black sand in these diving spots makes great photographic backgrounds. Long in the shadow of the more famous Lembeh Straits, newly “discovered” Ambon now holds its own in terms of both overall marine diversity and in the likelihood of encountering such well-known “muck superstars” as Mimic and Wonderpus Octopus, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Harlequin and Coleman Shrimp, Ambon Scorpionfish and Cockatoo Waspfish, even exceeding Lembeh in sightings of the gaudy Paddleflap Scorpionfish, in the genus Rhinopias, the extraordinary White-spotted Stargazer, and the endemic Psychedelic Frogfish. Maluku Resort’s diving outfit offers three dives a day in Ambon Bay. Since many of these muck sites are relatively shallow, free-diving snorkelers can also enjoy many of these muck attractions, or commence the fish-listing in earnest at a wide variety of coral-rich sites. Sightseeing in Ambon City, visits to Waai Waterfall and Tulehu Hot Springs, or birding for Ambon White-eye, the single avian endemic, are other possibilities. Dinners and overnights at Maluku Resort and Spa.

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Photos: Blue Manta, Seafan, Saron Shrimp

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Tuesday, September 22: Ambon / Embark Blue Manta Today, transfer to the exquisite Blue Manta, your luxurious liveaboard vessel for the next ten nights, and your ticket to some of the world’s most remote dive and snorkel sites. With diversity to rival Raja Ampat but none of the crowds, settle in and head east, on the ultimate marine adventure through the Banda Sea. Dinner and overnight aboard the Blue Manta.

Wednesday, September 23: Lease Islands—Saparua & Nusa Laut The Lease Islands lie on the northern side of Maluku Province. Diving sites dotted around Saparua and Nusa Laut are rich and varied, offering a multitude of coral gardens and steep slopes that provide a first taste of the area’s famous marine diversity. Clouds of damsels dance over reefs coursing with a kaleidoscope of butterflyfishes, wrasses and parrotfishes. Both Blacktip and Whitetip Reef Sharks, and Green and Hawksbill Turtles, are plentiful, while encounters with Banded Sea Kraits are no rarity. Bottlenose Dolphins and Minke Whales have also been found in the area. With extreme luck, spot Dugongs feeding on the seagrass flats. Enjoy three dives or snorkels around these islands, then return to the Blue Manta for dinner and an overnight sail south to the Banda Islands.

Thursday & Friday, September 24 & 25: Banda Islands Located 110 miles southeast of Ambon and surrounded by the 16,000-foot-deep Banda Sea, the Bandas were once the center of the Spice Islands. Coveted for their bountiful nutmeg and mace, the Dutch traded Manhattan for one of these remote specks of land. Spend two full days snorkeling and diving around the Bandas, known for their excellent visibility and fantastic coral coverage. Because of the depth of the Banda Sea, these eleven islands are a meeting point for pelagic predators. Three of the most noteworthy are Dogtooth Tuna, Giant Trevallies and Mobula Rays. At most sites, you’ll see enormous schools of fusiliers and Redtooth Triggerfish. At the other end of the size spectrum are Ambon Scorpionfish and the elusive Mandarinfish. The Bandas are also home to the largest known Napoleon Wrasse population in Indonesia, with sightings on almost every dive. Cetaceans are frequent visitors too, with divers occasionally reporting sightings of Spinner Dolphins and Humpback Whales. Orcas, Melonhead, Long-finned Pilot, and even Blue Whales frequent the deep, and may be seen while cruising. Enjoy three dives or snorkels each day and a visit to one of the Spice Islands for a taste of local culture.

Saturday–Wednesday, September 26–30: Ring of Fire Known as Banda Sea’s “Forgotten Islands,” the Barat Daya Islands lie in the southern portion of the Moluccas. Part of the Inner Banda Arc, these islands are volcanic and form an active part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Spend a full five days diving and snorkeling around this extremely remote archipelago. See every color of soft coral; schooling barracudas, snappers and trevallies; immense “herds” of grazing Bumphead Parrotfish; and incredible smoking seamounts around Manuk. The main focus, however, will be locating schools of Scalloped Hammerheads. Diving with groups of hammerheads is an increasingly rare opportunity anywhere, but this remote area still boasts a healthy population and your visit coincides with the optimal season for witnessing this phenomenon. With luck, find large schools swimming in formation, one of the absolute pinnacles of any marine enthusiast’s experiences. Night dives are also highly productive here, with rarely seen species like Flashlightfish and Blue-ringed Octopus. Between dives, see the smoking volcano on Serua, or visit a small village on one of the Forgotten Islands.

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Photos: Moray Eel, Fusiliers, Mandarinfish, Blue-green Chromis

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Thursday, October 1: Hukurila Cave & Molana / Ambon Sail back toward Ambon, taking advantage of one final day to explore in the Lease Islands off Molana and in southern Ambon, at the Hukurila Cave and Wall. This evening, toast to the memories made and the magnificent photographs captured at a farewell dinner on board.

Friday, October 2: Disembark Blue Manta, depart Ambon After breakfast, bid farewell to the Blue Manta and transfer to the airport for your international flights home.

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Photos: Anna’s Chromodoris Nudibranchs, Lyretail Anthias

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A – Maluku, Ambon

B – Embark Blue Manta

C – Saparua & Nusa Laut Islands

D – Banda Islands

E – Ring of F ire

F – Molana & Hukurila Cave

By Road By Boat

Expedition Map – Banda Sea

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Jonathan RossouwJonathan Rossouw is one of the world’s most experienced expedition leaders, having guided wildlife trips in over 150 countries on all seven continents. He combines a legendary energy and enthusiasm with a broad knowledge of all aspects of natural history, gained from three decades spent in the pursuit of the world’s mammals, birds, reptiles and coral reef fishes. Indeed, having seen over 9,000 species of birds, 800 mammals and 2,000 coral reef fishes, he will likely experience more species of vertebrate animals than anyone in history!

A medical doctor by training, Jonathan was born and raised on South Africa’s east coast and spent his family vacations in the games reserves of Zululand. It was here that the foundation was laid for a lifelong passion for wildlife and wild places and, in 1996, a “short break” to cycle across South America from Buenos Aires to Cusco led to two years spent guiding at eco-lodges in the Amazon and doing bird surveys in the Andes. He returned to Africa to start a birding travel company, before joining Peter Harrison and Shirley Metz, to assist in expanding their global portfolio of natural history destinations. An accomplished photographer, Jonathan’s images have appeared in many books and magazines, and he has co-authored birding site guides to Uganda, Southern Africa and Madagascar.

“When it comes to expedition

travel, in particular, one needs

to be led by a knowledgeable,

enthusiastic, entertaining

and confidence-inspiring

professional. We have yet

to meet anyone quite like

Jonathan who so completely

ticks all these boxes!”

– Pat G., Durban

Your Expedition Leader

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Banda Sea September 19 – October 2, 2020$14,970 Per Person Rate

$19,870 Solo Rate

14 Days Trip Length

16 Guests Group Size

Ambon / Ambon Start/End

Expedition Details

IncludedApex Expeditions’ rates include all accommodations; all meals, activities and excursions as described in the itinerary;

services of an Apex Expeditions leader and local guides throughout the itinerary; local beer & wines at lunch & dinner;

all gratuities; airport transfers; permits and entrance fees; all taxes.

Not IncludedCosts not included in the price of your Apex expedition include travel to and from the start and end point of trip;

premium brand drinks and liquor; travel insurance (Trip Cancellation and Interruption, as well as Emergency Medical

and Evacuation insurance, are highly recommended); airport departure taxes; equipment rental; excess baggage fees;

passport and/or visa fees; items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, souvenirs, etc.); and independent travel

arrangements pre- or post-trip.

Payments & Terms20% of the trip cost will confirm your place on the expedition. The final balance is due 150 days prior to departure.

All prices are quoted in U.S. dollars and must be paid in U.S. dollars. Per person pricing is based on double occupancy.

The solo rate is paid by participants who specifically request single accommodations and is subject to availability.

If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will try to match you with a roommate of the same

gender. However, if a roommate is not available, the published solo rate will be charged. Upon confirming your

reservation you will be required to pay the published Solo Rate, if we are able to pair you with a roommate, the

applicable difference will be refunded at the time that the final trip payment is due for all participants. Please note that

solo accommodations are limited and cannot always be guaranteed throughout. For our full set of Terms & Conditions,

please visit our web site at www.apex-expeditions.com/about/terms-conditions/

One-of-a-kind adventures to the world’s most fascinating places. Join us.

Long

nose

Haw

kfish

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Banda Sea September 19 – October 2, 2020

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