Hello all, I returned from Ambon a little over a month ago. I and 2 other CCR divers were there for 12 days diving with Maluku Divers. The diving was excellent and the operation was excellently run by Mario, who's Polish last name escapes me now. We had sharks on almost everydive, a good amount of pelagics at some sites and excellent muck diving in Ambon Bay-saw 3 inimicus on 1 dive, leafy rhinopias, lots of frogfish and lots more. Oh, and there's a nice big dutch freighter scuttled during WW2 in the harbor, teeming with life. Only downside of Ambon is like other parts of Indo, there's a lot of plastic and other trash floating around, but still great fish life. I did not feel any security threat at all, moved freely around the locals, spent some time touring an old mosque and had a pleasant chat with the Imam.
The onsite accomodations were a bit spartan, but clean and had A/C. There are better hotels in town which they can arrange for you if you're picky. The price was very reasonable, on par with the Philippines, but much better diving and a much more intact food chain. Food ranged from healthy and decent to excellent-swordfish sashimi with an incredible local peanut chili sauce made by incomparable boatman Benny. I highly recomend the place and Mario, who is as knowledgeable, funny and nice as you could ask for. I will go back.
I suggest that you include a trip to Banda, which is a smaller nearby island with a sister dive op. It also has excellent diving, with a bit more pelagics, so I'm told. I was very happy with what we saw in Ambon. There are also some liveaboards which depart from Ambon City on 7 day trips to Banda and some uninhabited islands in the Banda Sea, another good idea I will try next time. Happy trails, -Andy
