pughio83
Contributor
Trip report summary: DIA 12 nights
So this was the second time to Ambon, and the second time we have dived with Kaj and Barb who runs Dive into Ambon. The dive shop was originally situated at the Natsepa Hotel which was where we were based previously and i have already reviewed the trip there previously. This time the dive shop is setup at the Maluku Resort and Spa.
Pre trip organisation was excellent, with good communication via email, easy pay system and they answered any questions promptly. Getting to Ambon is easy via flights from Jakarta and take 4-5hrs depending on direction). We flew with Garuda, which gave 20kg per person and the extra 35kg we had seemed to not be much of an issue! sweet! That said we paid approx £18 for 35kg excess baggage on a previous flight to Komodo. Airport pickup was straight forward in a nice aircon van.
The resort is picturesque with a great pool area, smart gardens and a natural stream running through it (with fresh water eels). There is a small beach accessible when the tide is out. The dive shop is well equipped, and has a spacious well designed camera room. Gear was well looked after. Drinks are available at the shop and restaurant. Tea, coffee was freely available and Kaj and Barb always provided post diving snacks, usually home made including hummus, garlic dips, crisps, nuts etc. Sunsets were amazing there.
The room we had was a sea-view cottage. Fully air conditioned, with satellite tv, en suite bathroom with hot water, small lounge area etc.. Very private. The bed was lovely. Couldn't have asked for more.
The food on the whole was excellent. Breakfast included cereals, fruit juices, toast, jams, indonesian foods as well. Lunches on the boat were usually indonesian, with rice and noodles with chicken or beef, veg, then fruits afterwards. Dinner was probably the best bit. 3 courses usually, with the mains being meat or fish based - sometimes indonesian, sometimes british or german or thai. If you dont eat meat or fish then you would need to request specifically. The desserts for me were the highlight and we pretty much didn't repeat any meals in the 12 days there.
The dive boats were well designed and we usually did 3 dives daily +/- night dive. I made approx 45 dives and overall the experience was fantastic. Great dive guides, always trying to find what you wanted to see. Being down to a rare list of critters its often hard to find new stuff but this trip certainly provided, and mostly down to the brilliant guides - Robert, Irwin, Alan, Jack were the ones we had.
Highlights:
-Psychadelic frogfish (lucky - given the outrageous antics of Maluku divers who in my opinion are a disgrace)
-Mototi octopus
-Pug head coral pipefish
-Both purple and yellow weedy rhinopias
-Pink Paddleflap rhinopias
-Psychadelic batwing slug
-Dragon shrimp
-Bumblebee shrimp
-Starry Saron shrimp
- and a whole host of rare nudis and undescribed shrimps etc
Dugongs were sighted by the other group. Night dives were fun and got some good black shots of sepia.
We did a side trip to Molana island which was brilliant. Molana offered crystal clear waters, beautiful coral walls that rivalled Komodo with good macro. Plus lunch on one of the most beautiful small beaches i have ever seen. We also made dives along Haruku which were also great.
Overall i highly recommend not only Ambon as a diving destination, but to use Kaj and Barb's Dive into Ambon at the Maluku Resort and Spa. They are very professional, well organised, immensely friendly and their aim is to ensure you have a great time and see what you want. I consider them both as friends and i wouldn't hesitate to make a third visit to Ambon. Easily the best dive operation in Ambon as they dive both the Ambon bay side, and the coral side, plus nearby islands like Molana. They are well priced for the quality of the setup and diving.
Have attached 10 photos i liked from the trip.
So this was the second time to Ambon, and the second time we have dived with Kaj and Barb who runs Dive into Ambon. The dive shop was originally situated at the Natsepa Hotel which was where we were based previously and i have already reviewed the trip there previously. This time the dive shop is setup at the Maluku Resort and Spa.
Pre trip organisation was excellent, with good communication via email, easy pay system and they answered any questions promptly. Getting to Ambon is easy via flights from Jakarta and take 4-5hrs depending on direction). We flew with Garuda, which gave 20kg per person and the extra 35kg we had seemed to not be much of an issue! sweet! That said we paid approx £18 for 35kg excess baggage on a previous flight to Komodo. Airport pickup was straight forward in a nice aircon van.
The resort is picturesque with a great pool area, smart gardens and a natural stream running through it (with fresh water eels). There is a small beach accessible when the tide is out. The dive shop is well equipped, and has a spacious well designed camera room. Gear was well looked after. Drinks are available at the shop and restaurant. Tea, coffee was freely available and Kaj and Barb always provided post diving snacks, usually home made including hummus, garlic dips, crisps, nuts etc. Sunsets were amazing there.
The room we had was a sea-view cottage. Fully air conditioned, with satellite tv, en suite bathroom with hot water, small lounge area etc.. Very private. The bed was lovely. Couldn't have asked for more.
The food on the whole was excellent. Breakfast included cereals, fruit juices, toast, jams, indonesian foods as well. Lunches on the boat were usually indonesian, with rice and noodles with chicken or beef, veg, then fruits afterwards. Dinner was probably the best bit. 3 courses usually, with the mains being meat or fish based - sometimes indonesian, sometimes british or german or thai. If you dont eat meat or fish then you would need to request specifically. The desserts for me were the highlight and we pretty much didn't repeat any meals in the 12 days there.
The dive boats were well designed and we usually did 3 dives daily +/- night dive. I made approx 45 dives and overall the experience was fantastic. Great dive guides, always trying to find what you wanted to see. Being down to a rare list of critters its often hard to find new stuff but this trip certainly provided, and mostly down to the brilliant guides - Robert, Irwin, Alan, Jack were the ones we had.
Highlights:
-Psychadelic frogfish (lucky - given the outrageous antics of Maluku divers who in my opinion are a disgrace)
-Mototi octopus
-Pug head coral pipefish
-Both purple and yellow weedy rhinopias
-Pink Paddleflap rhinopias
-Psychadelic batwing slug
-Dragon shrimp
-Bumblebee shrimp
-Starry Saron shrimp
- and a whole host of rare nudis and undescribed shrimps etc
Dugongs were sighted by the other group. Night dives were fun and got some good black shots of sepia.
We did a side trip to Molana island which was brilliant. Molana offered crystal clear waters, beautiful coral walls that rivalled Komodo with good macro. Plus lunch on one of the most beautiful small beaches i have ever seen. We also made dives along Haruku which were also great.
Overall i highly recommend not only Ambon as a diving destination, but to use Kaj and Barb's Dive into Ambon at the Maluku Resort and Spa. They are very professional, well organised, immensely friendly and their aim is to ensure you have a great time and see what you want. I consider them both as friends and i wouldn't hesitate to make a third visit to Ambon. Easily the best dive operation in Ambon as they dive both the Ambon bay side, and the coral side, plus nearby islands like Molana. They are well priced for the quality of the setup and diving.
Have attached 10 photos i liked from the trip.
