Banda and Ambon - Blue Motion? Anyone?

[billt4sf]

I am looking into diving in lots of places in Indo and I found that there is an operation called Blue Motion that has shops in Ambon and in Banda.

Diving with Dive Bluemotion Banda Islands Maluku - Diving with Bluemotion in Banda & Ambon

Apparently they are a dive operator only, accommodations are found locally. Looks like the charges are in the neighborhood of $50 for a day of diving (If I understand it all correctly) and accommodation is similarly quite cheap.

Has anyone on the list used them? Was the operation well-run? Good dive guides, safety-conscious, etc? Has anyone experienced the accommodations, either on Banda or Ambon?

Thanks,

Bill

 

[dirtfarmer]

I'm going to be diving with them for a couple of days in November, before I get on a crossing trip to Sorong. I may have time to post a short report as I have one day in
Sorong before I do another Raja trip.:banana::banana::banana:As you see I can hardly contain myself.

Maybe someone else has some feedback?

 

[billt4sf]

you are going to fly from Ambon to Sarong to Raj Ampat?

 

[WetPup]

Doing something similar: Flying Jakarta to Sorong, diving Raja Ampat (Kri Eco), flying from Sorong to Ambon, diving Ambon (Maluku Divers), and then flying from Ambon back to Jakarta. All on Garuda.

From my research, Maluku seemed to have the best setup for photographers in Ambon. But if that's less important for you, then other resorts might be more appropriate.

 

[billt4sf]

We are not big photo people.

- Bill

 

[Immeriswas]

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/in...sland-great-spot-if-you-manage-get-there.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/indonesia/502028-ambon-if-you-lower-budget.html

Here are the reports about my trip last year. I really can recommend Blue Motion. Great staff - friendly and helpfull ! Not their fault, that the ferry broke down and therefore we had some obstakels to conquer.
If there are more questions feel free to ask. Both locations are great and offer a lot variety .

Peter

 

[highdesert]

you are going to fly from Ambon to Sarong to Raj Ampat?

There is a Wings Air flight from Ambon to Sorong, where virtually all Raja Ampat trips start and end.

 

[dirtfarmer]

you are going to fly from Ambon to Sarong to Raj Ampat?

No I'm doing a crossing trip from Ambon to Sorong on the Black Manta. Then I'm doing another Raja trip on the Pearl of Papua.
It's the most extravagant trip I've ever done, but could be spectacular.

 

[Luko]

I am looking into diving in lots of places in Indo and I found that there is an operation called Blue Motion that has shops in Ambon and in Banda.

Diving with Dive Bluemotion Banda Islands Maluku - Diving with Bluemotion in Banda & Ambon

Has anyone on the list used them? Was the operation well-run? Good dive guides, safety-conscious, etc? Has anyone experienced the accommodations, either on Banda or Ambon?

Thanks,

Bill

Yes, I used them 2 years ago.
German centres are not adverse to safety concerns, this wasn't an issue... though I would say guiding is not their forte, I had a gringo guide who had probably less dives in Ambon than myself and to whom I showed the critter sand even the spots where to dive around Nama, South side of Ambon bay.

Another major issue for me is that their small boats hardly allow diving on the South side of the island outside Ambon bay, for coral and beautiful open caves diving.

Would I go back with Blue Motion? I fear NOT, unless I combine with Banda island.
DIA is for the moment the best alternative in Ambon IMO.
I heard that Blue Rose moved from the South side to next to Blue Motion, I guess they could be an even better akternative than Blue Motion because at least they have very comfortable and fast boats, and certainly more experienced dive guides. Though they wouldn't be my first choice because my favorite dive guide Robert Left.
Maluku divers is much too expensive and they hardly dive the southern coast.

 

[pughio83]

For me Ambon is great and I can certainly recommend Dive into Ambon. The setup in natsepa was great but they have now moved to a new location nearby, and from the sounds of what they are doing, I think the new setup will be great. Aiming to give what they had at natsepa and more. Location wise is great. They dive Ambon bay and the south Coast so you get muck and good quality reef (with critters) plus a cavern dive and volcanic vent dive! The guides are very knowledgable and the owners barb and Kaj are not only extremely nice and friendly but know how to run a good dive op and are very professional. I think details of their new setup should hit their website over next few months I guess. Maluku and the other dive ops are too restricted in location and Maluku for me seems overpriced.