Question Oct / Nov Indo LOB choice

[Lu Y]

Hello,

We recently found some last minute availability on the Samambia LOB for Oct / Nov 2025. There are two options:
- Oct 13-24: Banda 11 nights
- Oct 28-Nov 7: Banda & South Raja 11 nights

We are leaning slightly towards the first itinerary as we like diving one ares in depth. For Raja, we can go back another time and stay 2-3 weeks.

Does anyone have a view on which trip we should choose? I'm a bit worries about weather in Raja early Nov as that's the start of the season.

Many thanks,
Lu

 

[Lu Y]

It was a few years ago but my recollection was it was an interesting site. I would not do the trip specifically to see that particular site. There were more than the usual number of sea snakes which made the dive memorable but not spectacular. One of the other groups on the boat came back with a video of a large group of sea snakes. Not sure exactly why we did not go to the same location, but my recollection was that our site was more generally interesting while theirs was really only interesting because of the collection of snakes.

Thanks Darnold, very helpful

 

[cetacean]

@Lu Y

The hammerheads are there, however depending on the water temperature, you may not see them. They tend to stay in cooler water. As water temps rise, the sharks go deeper.

I've seen the hammerheads there in numbers, however the last two times we did not see them (other than a couple "loners"). This is not because of the number of divers, it is absolutely due to the rising water temp.

 

[Lu Y]

@Lu Y

The hammerheads are there, however depending on the water temperature, you may not see them. They tend to stay in cooler water. As water temps rise, the sharks go deeper.

I've seen the hammerheads there in numbers, however the last two times we did not see them (other than a couple "loners"). This is not because of the number of divers, it is absolutely due to the rising water temp.

Hi Cetacean,

Thanks for the intel, this is extremely helpful!

If we assume base case is there is no school of hammerheads in Banda due to water temperature (and if we see them it's luck), would you still recommend doing a Banda LOB?

 

[Cali_diver]

I would recommend Banda but I personally would go earlier than October which is late in the season. Just know that the hammerheads (if you are lucky to see them) are rarely in calm crystal blue water. They are usually in high current often deep areas and the viz isn't always stellar. They often require work to see them which might be swimming against strong current. Depending on people's experience not all boats will take divers to the ideal locations for the hammerheads for obvious safety reasons. As long as you are understanding of the reality of the situation you will have a great time. Banda thankfully has more to offer than hammerheads. The snake islands (Manuk and Gunung Api) are amazing especially if you like snakes! (Don't miss the morning dive!) I completely understand you wanting to do Raja and Banda on their own but I think you can probably choose either trip and be happy with your decision.

 

[cetacean]

Hi Cetacean,

Thanks for the intel, this is extremely helpful!

If we assume base case is there is no school of hammerheads in Banda due to water temperature (and if we see them it's luck), would you still recommend doing a Banda LOB?

The Banda sea has some great diving... as others have mentioned, Manuk and Gunung Api offer some very interesting diving...).

My opinion: Raja Ampat is deserving of it's own trip...

I took a quick look at both itineraries... on the positive side the South Raja itinerary spends 3 days diving around Misool - absolutely fantastic diving (potentially the best in the region). The trade-off is only a couple of days in the Dampier Strait.

For the Banda Sea itinerary it's a deeper, more thorough exploration of the region.

You're not going to go wrong with either itinerary... you will want to return to Raja Ampat after experiencing it, so...

 

[Lu Y]

The Banda sea has some great diving... as others have mentioned, Manuk and Gunung Api offer some very interesting diving...).

My opinion: Raja Ampat is deserving of it's own trip...

I took a quick look at both itineraries... on the positive side the South Raja itinerary spends 3 days diving around Misool - absolutely fantastic diving (potentially the best in the region). The trade-off is only a couple of days in the Dampier Strait.

For the Banda Sea itinerary it's a deeper, more thorough exploration of the region.

You're not going to go wrong with either itinerary... you will want to return to Raja Ampat after experiencing it, so...

Thanks a lot, Cetacean, this is very helpful. We will do separate trips for Banda and Raja in this case.

I noticed most Banda only itineraries are 7n (e.g. the Velocean one). Would you recommend 7n or 11n itinerary for Banda, please?

 

[Lu Y]

I would recommend Banda but I personally would go earlier than October which is late in the season. Just know that the hammerheads (if you are lucky to see them) are rarely in calm crystal blue water. They are usually in high current often deep areas and the viz isn't always stellar. They often require work to see them which might be swimming against strong current. Depending on people's experience not all boats will take divers to the ideal locations for the hammerheads for obvious safety reasons. As long as you are understanding of the reality of the situation you will have a great time. Banda thankfully has more to offer than hammerheads. The snake islands (Manuk and Gunung Api) are amazing especially if you like snakes! (Don't miss the morning dive!) I completely understand you wanting to do Raja and Banda on their own but I think you can probably choose either trip and be happy with your decision.

Thanks Cali, how early would you go? is first week of October already too late?