Diving in Ambon and Banda Islands

[wipeout26]

Hi,

I heard Ambon is now open for travellers. Does anyone has any information about diving in Ambon and Banda Islands? Is there any dive operation in Ambon or any way to rent tanks in Ambon now? Is the dive sites in Ambon and Banda Islands any good? Any dive sites to recommend?

I am thinking of going there in 2 weeks time. Hope to hear from you soon.

Please email wipeout26@yahoo.com

Cheers,
Simon.

 

[Reefwalker]

I think you have been misinformed 'Wipeout26'. Ambon has been in the grips of a secterian violence for the last few five years. Muslim versus christain violence that includes bombing's, shootings, murders, snipers and booby traps. This not a place to be visiting. The Ambon Dive Centre which opened in 1993 was a great facility with fantastic dives on offer, but sadly when the violence began the dive centre was forced to close. If you want to try diving in this eastern area of Indonesia try East Timor, I recently met an American couple who had been working there and I saw some video they had taken, it looked to have pristine coral reefs and most dives were from the shore. Check out this webpage for more information http://www.etan.org/et2002b/may/12-18/17etstrt.htm
- Jeff

 

[wahlaoeh]

I think you have been misinformed 'Wipeout26'. Ambon has been in the grips of a secterian violence for the last few five years. Muslim versus christain violence that includes bombing's, shootings, murders, snipers and booby traps. This not a place to be visiting. The Ambon Dive Centre which opened in 1993 was a great facility with fantastic dives on offer, but sadly when the violence began the dive centre was forced to close. If you want to try diving in this eastern area of Indonesia try East Timor, I recently met an American couple who had been working there and I saw some video they had taken, it looked to have pristine coral reefs and most dives were from the shore. Check out this webpage for more information http://www.etan.org/et2002b/may/12-18/17etstrt.htm
- Jeff

Ambon Dive Center has re-opened....YIPEE!!
Now, anyone dived there recently?? How was the diving (water temp, viz, marine life etc).. Me thinking of planning a trip oct/nov 06' so "researching" for info.

Thanks.

Jovin-


http://www.baliblog.com/05-06/ambon-dive-center-reopening-in-maluku-indonesia.html

 

[happybuddha]

Here's link I found for Unexplored Adventures and Maluku Divers: http://www.unexploredadventures.com/ -

I'd be interested in hearing more from wipeout26 or anyone else that has been or is planning to go. Sounds like an interesting place to visit.

Drew

 

[Zippsy]

The Banda Islands are awesome for diving mainly because of their pristine (hopefully still) conditions, remote location and the history of the place. You probably won't get the wow factor like diving the wrecks of Truk or swimming with whale sharks, dozens of mantas, etc of other places but it's definitely a place I would love to go back to.... as soon as I have confirmation that no one wants to cut my head off.

 

[AlanWald]

Be sure to check to see if there is much malaria. There is in Ternate (Ternate This small island, and the city of the same name, is the transport and administrative centre for North Malukus which is north of Ambon) about 30% prevalence of Malaria. That means at any given time 30% of the population has malaria. That makes it much more likely to be transmitted. Take precautions. This is information I got from an foreginger working for NGO in Ternate last year.

 

[Tonym]

Here's link I found for Unexplored Adventures and Maluku Divers: http://www.unexploredadventures.com/ -

I'd be interested in hearing more from wipeout26 or anyone else that has been or is planning to go. Sounds like an interesting place to visit.

Drew

We will be diving in Ambon the middle of Sep 2006 at the end of our Banda Sea liveaboard trip
which is from Maumere, Flores to Ambon.

Please see my post in the Scuba Market Place > Travel: Group trips, Cruises & Dive Trips
section of Scubaboard for more information on the Banda Sea Trip.

Banda Sea Trip Information

 

[divealone]

Hi

I was in Ambon in December last year. The only dive operator there is Maluku Divers. The dive operation is extremely well run. Diving is a mix of wall dives and muck diving. Fish life is very healthy.

The dive crew was formerly working for Ambon Dive Center. So it's a very experience crew. Accomodation is basic but comfortable (with air condition).

I took some photos for the trip. If interested, drop me a mail.

You can contact Mike Hillis or Buck for arrangement. The email address is unexploredadventures@yahoo.com