November in Indonesia

[Rock Hopper]

Plan B because you have done parts of plan A (comfort plan).

I want to do that plan with my son. Problem, about the same time as you are, so no trip report to feed off.

Well one of us has to make the path and yours look do able without trying to cram to many places in and (assuming) there is some stuff above sea level to see/do as well.

 

[Dan]

HI All.

I've been diving in Indonesia many times. Bali (mainly Tulamben and Padang Bai), Ambon, Lembeh, Bunaken, Raja, etc. I'm probably forgetting some. Anyway, I have most of November off, and I'm heading back. Alor Island is on my list, and I'm flying thru Bali. I'm consider Gili Air, and possibly Amed (only been once). Any suggestions by local flight or ferry? I've read Lombok is bested by Gilis, and generally rough. I like macro but I'm not unhealthily obsessed Learning how to use a wide angle, kinda.

Thanks!

Alor is a good choice. I just came back from there 2 weeks ago.

 

[bgmtngreen]

HI All.

I've been diving in Indonesia many times. Bali (mainly Tulamben and Padang Bai), Ambon, Lembeh, Bunaken, Raja, etc. I'm probably forgetting some. Anyway, I have most of November off, and I'm heading back. Alor Island is on my list, and I'm flying thru Bali. I'm consider Gili Air, and possibly Amed (only been once). Any suggestions by local flight or ferry? I've read Lombok is bested by Gilis, and generally rough. I like macro but I'm not unhealthily obsessed Learning how to use a wide angle, kinda.

Thanks!

Hi maat1976! Forgive me for not answering your inquiry but I do have a question for you if you don't mind. I am booked on a liveaboard for 7 nights in Komodo Deep South this December. I want to add on an 10 day trip so which would you recommend: The Forgotten Islands or Raja Ampat? Thanks in advance

 

[Dan]

I want to add on an 10 day trip so which would you recommend: The Forgotten Islands or Raja Ampat? Thanks in advance

Raja Ampat for sure.

I went to Forgotten Islands in April 2023. I was a bit underwhelmed. It’s better to go to Forgotten Islands in October than in April.

I’m now in Bali for Mola Mola and heading to Komodo in a few days.

 

[ardi999]

Well, I don"t know what is your motivation diving Gili air or Amed, but coming back from Alor or compared to the other spots you have dived, that's a step (or two) down ESPECIALLY if you're into wide angle.
As suggested above, you're missing Komodo in your list, you can easily couple both within a month time. Komodo is a 1,5 hour flight off Bali (at least 4 each day : Air Asia, Garuda or LionAir subsidiaries).
Alor is a little bit more tricky you need to go thru Kupang spend a night then 50 minutes flight to Kalabahi. There are flights connecting Kupang to Labuan Bajo, hence you don't need to fly back to Bali. (Tip for Alor be there 3-4 days before full moon)

Hi @Luko - what's the reason to be in Alor a few days before full moon?

 

[dumpsterpurrs]

Raja Ampat for sure.

I went to Forgotten Islands in April 2023. I was a bit underwhelmed. It’s better to go to Forgotten Islands in October than in April.

I’m now in Bali for Mola Mola and heading to Komodo in a few days.

Dan, I've already booked an end of Dec land-based trip in Raja. There's a Ambon-Banda Sea-Ambon LOB in early Oct I'm very interested in, but it literally costs 30% more than the Raja trip for half the amount of dives. This Raja trip costs more than Alor, my absolute favorite on Earth, so I already feel iffy about Raja. What do you think about Banda Sea? Worth it or not, in my case? Basically Alor is my benchmark: if it costs more than Alor, it has to be better than Alor. If I don't go on the Banda LOB, I'd drop by Ambon after Raja, and technically can go to Bandaneira too but then it would be the wrong season.

 

[Luko]

what's the reason to be in Alor a few days before full moon?

Hammerheads.

 

[dirtfarmer]

Dan, I've already booked an end of Dec land-based trip in Raja. There's a Ambon-Banda Sea-Ambon LOB in early Oct I'm very interested in, but it literally costs 30% more than the Raja trip for half the amount of dives. This Raja trip costs more than Alor, my absolute favorite on Earth, so I already feel iffy about Raja. What do you think about Banda Sea? Worth it or not, in my case? Basically Alor is my benchmark: if it costs more than Alor, it has to be better than Alor. If I don't go on the Banda LOB, I'd drop by Ambon after Raja, and technically can go to Bandaneira too but then it would be the wrong season.

About 10 years go I did an Ambon-Banda Sea-Sorong trip and I really enjoyed it. I flew into Ambon a few days early to do some muck diving, then boarded my 15 day LOB heading out to the Banda Sea, the big draw there is the schooling hammerheads. We had some good Hammerhead action but YMMV. The Hammerhead action can run hot or cold and ocean temperatures seem to have an influence on their presence and depths they are at. I also enjoyed the other dives in the Banda Area, Manuk Island was really nice and has loads of sea snakes, and as we were arriving at the island there were thousands of sea birds of all kinds taking off to venture out fishing for the day. We then finished the trip with time in the Misool area and that was spectacular. I did follow up that trip with another 11 day LOB thru all of Raja Ampat and that was excellent diving as well. I was celebrating my 50th birthday so I was pulling out all the stops and this trip really met my needs and desires.

Unfortunately I can't compare to your benchmark of Alor as I haven't been, but the reefs I saw in Banda were healthy and scenic. While crusing from site to site we saw lots of whales and dolphins with one large pod of dolphins numbering in the hundreds. We never saw another boat in Banda and that really makes it feel off the beaten path. There are less dives on Banda cruises as there is alot of cruising from island to island so night dives are pretty rare. Would I repeat diving in the Banda Sea? Probably not as I have seen schooling Hammerheads in other locations too and have filled most of that interest, but the whole trip for me was worth it and I will have fond memories to last my lifetime.

 

[Darnold9999]

Dan, I've already booked an end of Dec land-based trip in Raja. There's a Ambon-Banda Sea-Ambon LOB in early Oct I'm very interested in, but it literally costs 30% more than the Raja trip for half the amount of dives. This Raja trip costs more than Alor, my absolute favorite on Earth, so I already feel iffy about Raja. What do you think about Banda Sea? Worth it or not, in my case? Basically Alor is my benchmark: if it costs more than Alor, it has to be better than Alor. If I don't go on the Banda LOB, I'd drop by Ambon after Raja, and technically can go to Bandaneira too but then it would be the wrong season.

Did Ambon - Banda - Ambon a few years ago and was underwhelmed. Far too many dives looking out in the blue for hammerheads with no results. Did not see one the entire trip. Outside of the waiting for hammerheads it was OK diving. Sea snakes, and a couple of land based excursions were the highlights of the trip. Alor is significantly better diving IMHO. I have been back to Alor three times since, unlikely I would repeat the Banda trip.

 

[Dan]

Dan, I've already booked an end of Dec land-based trip in Raja. There's a Ambon-Banda Sea-Ambon LOB in early Oct I'm very interested in, but it literally costs 30% more than the Raja trip for half the amount of dives. This Raja trip costs more than Alor, my absolute favorite on Earth, so I already feel iffy about Raja. What do you think about Banda Sea? Worth it or not, in my case? Basically Alor is my benchmark: if it costs more than Alor, it has to be better than Alor. If I don't go on the Banda LOB, I'd drop by Ambon after Raja, and technically can go to Bandaneira too but then it would be the wrong season.

It’s worth it for me. Just check out my last trips to Banda Sea, below:

Dropbox

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