Anyone been to Ambon recently?

[tboxcar]

I just received an email from the guys at Maluku diving, they have been 'very helpful' with giving me info. on their diving operation and travel info.. They are still working on their website, so please be patient. You also might want to check first before going, sounds like their 'down season' due to weather is June, July, and August. Shucks!!!!
Their email is<< info@divingmaluku.com>>, I spoke with Andy

 

[silent running]

http://www.unexploredadventures.com/

Sorry, i got that wrong, the business is called 'Maluku Divers', but the actual website is as above.

Just be aware, that Maluku has been beset with security issues for several years now.

Separatist groups (namely the 'RMS', or 'Republik Maluku Selatan') have been trying to re-ignite sectarian violence in the region. Several bombings and bombing attempts have occured since the start of the year; most notably at Yos Soedarso port, with 12 people injured in the incident.

Another bomb was found in the city last night, but police defused it safely. This is likely to continue, although it shouldn't affect your diving.

Generally stay low-profile, stay put at night and get advice from the local dive operator (DC is run by an American and an Englishman i think).

Thanks for the info naga. The site above at Unexplored Adventures is the same company as Maluku Divers. They have an operation in Banda and Ambon. The one in Banda is smaller and has accomodations off site.

As for the security situation, I think caution is warranted but all the locals I spoke to were dismissive of the RMS as being a very small group with no popular support. There is a heavy military and police prescence on Ambon, which means the govt of Indo takes the matter seriously, even if the locals don't.

 

[silent running]

I just received an email from the guys at Maluku diving, they have been 'very helpful' with giving me info. on their diving operation and travel info.. They are still working on their website, so please be patient. You also might want to check first before going, sounds like their 'down season' due to weather is June, July, and August. Shucks!!!!
Their email is<< info@divingmaluku.com>>, I spoke with Andy

Hi tboxcar, in the prime high season, we had about 40/60 sunshine/clouds with only a little rain during a time when it's supposed to be quite dry and sunny. It had been 40/60 for weeks before we got there. Mario said the weather this year has been significantly off from last year. So, if you can deal with a short lead time, I think the weather in the "off season" might be just fine. Whatever weather they have seems to hold for weeks at a time...