Sep 18 – Oct 1, 2027

Day 1 - MAUMERE, EMBARKATION (1 check dive)

Guests are welcomed aboard KLM Mari in Maumere. After a full safety briefing and cabin orientation, equipment is set up and a check dive conducted in the sheltered waters of the Flores Sea before Mari heads east into the Forgotten Islands. Mari departs overnight toward the Alor/Pantar Strait.

Days 2 - ALOR (3 to 4 dives)

Alor is a favourite destination for returning divers, offering a remarkable range of habitats in a single day — dramatic walls, healthy pinnacles, world-class muck diving and some of the highest anemone density recorded anywhere in Indonesia. Water temperatures can drop significantly in the Alor/Pantar Strait due to cold upwellings — a 5mm wetsuit is recommended. Boardroom — A majestic wall on the northern side of Pura Island dropping to 50m (164ft), with caves filled with glassfish and schooling jacks and snappers hanging at the entrances. Clown Valley — Also known as Apuri or Anemone Valley. An extraordinary concentration of anemones sheltering countless anemonefish, considered to have the highest density of anemones in the world. Babylon — A rich reef wall dropping to 28m (92ft), bustling with numerous species of reef fish and colorful corals. Sandy ledges with schooling fish and soft corals throughout.

Day 3 - ALOR / PANTAR STRAIT (3 to 4 dives)

A second full day in the Alor archipelago, exploring further aspects of the Pantar Strait and its surrounding reefs. The strait is a thoroughfare for large pelagics including dolphins, whales and occasional Mola Mola, and rewards divers who look equally at reef structure and open water. A cultural visit to a traditional Abui village in the hills above Kalabahi may be arranged at the Cruise Director's discretion. Mari departs overnight toward Wetar.

Day 4 - WETAR & REONG (3 to 4 dives)

Swift drift dives between Wetar and the small limestone island of Reong pass walls of extraordinary color and density. The contrast between Wetar's volcanic terrain and Reong's limestone structure offers two distinct diving environments in a single day. Saltwater crocodiles are known to inhabit the brackish lagoon near the village of Nabar on Wetar's northwest coast. Tanjung Nunukae — Wetar's star dive site. A large ridge where shallows form a plateau that narrows as it deepens, dropping off abruptly into a wall swathed in gigantic sea fans, cup corals and impressive sponges. Mobula and manta rays have both been encountered here. Currents are generally moderate to strong. Reong North — A current-swept channel wall between Wetar and Reong where mantas and mobula rays circle cleaning stations. Eagle rays and bumphead parrotfish are common along the ridge pinnacles. Reong Wall — The limestone island's outer wall: reef sharks, barracuda and trevallies patrol consistently, with impressive wall and overhang structure throughout. Mari departs overnight toward Romang.

Day 5 - ROMANG (3 to 4 dives)

Romang is a small volcanic island surrounded by several smaller islands and unspoiled coral reefs. Remote, with excellent visibility and diverse marine life, it is one of the least-dived destinations on the entire Forgotten Islands route. Nyata — One of the most pristine reefs on the route, with very healthy hard coral formations in the shallows and incredible fish action. Steep reef-to-wall transitions with Napoleon wrasse, schooling jacks and barracuda throughout. Waterfall Ridge — A narrow coral-covered ridge dropping into deeper water adorned with hard and soft corals, whip corals and large sea fans. The dive concludes surfacing beneath a freshwater waterfall that cascades directly into the sea — one of the most unusual dive finales on the route. Mari departs overnight toward Damar.

Day 6 - DAMAR — NUS LEUR — TERBANG (3 dives)

The Damar island group marks the transition into the heart of the Forgotten Islands. Damar itself has a hard coral garden prized for afternoon diving, while the smaller islands of Nus Leur and Terbang to its south offer some of the most dramatic wall diving in the outer arc. Nus Leur — A small atoll with a steep sloping reef. Napoleon wrasse cruise the deeper sections while a beautiful shallow coral garden makes for a memorable safety stop and end-of-dive drift. Terbang Utara (North Terbang) — A dramatic wall with large overhangs dripping with soft corals. Deep water on all sides attracts pelagic species including dogtooth tuna, schooling barracuda and trevally, with oceanic whitetip sharks patrolling the blue on productive dives. Terbang Selatan (South Terbang) — Equally dramatic seascapes with slightly milder currents. Rugged underwater terrain with sheer drop-offs and vibrant coral slopes, frequented by eagle rays, surgeonfish and bumphead parrotfish.

Day 7 - TEUN (3 dives)

Pulau Teun is a small active volcano rising from the southern Banda Sea, part of the celebrated TNS triad — Teun, Nila and Serua — all hotspots for schooling hammerhead shark sightings. Above the surface, smoke rises from the crater and a distinct sulphur scent hangs in the air. Below, the geological forces that built this island have shaped one of the most dramatic underwater landscapes on the route. Teun Wall — Steep walls, ancient lava ridges and cavernous overhangs, all adorned with vibrant hard and soft corals in exceptional condition. Dogtooth tuna patrol the reef edges, Napoleon wrasse cruise the ridges, bumphead parrotfish work the shallower sections and reef sharks — blacktip, whitetip and grey — are regular presences throughout. Teun Pinnacle — A submerged pinnacle at around 25m where hammerheads patrol. Drift along numerous spurs and ridges watching for mobula and eagle rays in the blue water. Visibility is typically outstanding at 20–40m. A visit to Mesa, the small traditional village on the island, may be arranged at the Cruise Director's discretion.

Day 8 - NIL DESPERANDUM (3 dives)

Named after a ship stranded on the reef centuries ago — "never despair" — Nil Desperandum is a submerged atoll rising from deep water in the open Banda Sea, surrounded by a basin dropping to over 4,000 metres (13,100 ft). The upwelling currents generated around the atoll rim concentrate prey and create the conditions that draw aggregating sharks. One of the most remote and extraordinary dive locations in all of Indonesia. Nil Desperandum Atoll — A big atoll with very deep drop-offs and walls covered in massive barrel sponges and expanses of hard corals. Schooling hammerhead, silky and grey reef sharks have all been spotted in the deep here. Dogtooth tuna and mobula rays patrol the upper sections. Keep a constant eye on the blue water throughout every dive. Dusborough — A companion seamount close to the island of Nila, surrounded by very deep water with a sloping reef, deep walls and prolific reef life — with the possibility of hammerheads on every descent.

Day 9 - SERUA (3 dives)

A remote volcanic island rising sharply from the deep Banda Sea and one of the most emblematic hammerhead destinations in Indonesia. Nutrient-rich upwelling currents attract schooling scalloped hammerheads in numbers that can rival anything in the region during peak season. Jackpot — Serua's most celebrated site and one of the Banda Sea's most consistent hammerhead aggregation points. Strong, nutrient-rich currents sweep the reef. Hammerheads, silvertips and mobula rays concentrate here during favorable conditions. Serua Wall — A vertical drop-off swept by strong current, with immense gorgonian sea fans, black coral formations and barrel sponges lining the upper sections. Schools of bigeye trevallies and dogtooth tuna patrol the wall's exposed face while hammerheads cruise the deeper water beyond the reef edge. Kekah's Corner — A sloping wall of corals with occasional barrel sponges off the tiny adjacent island of Kekah. A steady current turns most dives into a pleasant drift, with hammerheads possible in the blue water beyond. Mari departs overnight toward Manuk Island.

Day 10 - MANUK ISLAND (3 dives)

A solitary active volcano in the deep open ocean. Sulphurous smoke drifts from the peak as guests descend. Manuk is known throughout Indonesia as the Island of Sea Snakes — dozens of banded sea kraits and olive sea snakes inhabit the reef at every depth, utterly indifferent to divers. Thousands of seabirds nest and soar above the waterline. Hammerhead sharks remain possible on every dive. Manuk Ridge — A volcanic ridge with dramatic topography, steep drop-offs and thriving coral gardens, with a high concentration of sea snakes woven through the reef structure. Grey reef sharks patrol the deeper sections while trevallies and tuna cruise the blue beyond. Palm Point — A reliable location for hammerhead and mobula ray sightings in addition to the sea snake encounters found throughout Manuk's reef system. Mari departs overnight toward the Banda Islands.

Day 11 - BANDA NEIRA (2 dives + land excursion)

The Banda Islands are among the most historically charged places in Indonesia. Once the world's only source of nutmeg, these tiny volcanic islands were fought over by European colonial powers for two centuries. Today they have returned to their quiet volcanic beauty — and the diving is extraordinary. Land excursion: Guests come ashore at Banda Neira. Fort Belgica, a well-preserved 17th-century Dutch fortress perched above the harbour, offers sweeping views of the volcano and the archipelago. The tour continues through colonial-era streets to the maritime museum and through working nutmeg plantations still cultivated using techniques unchanged in centuries. Mari departs overnight toward Suanggi.

Day 12 - SUANGGI (3 dives)

Suanggi is a small, uninhabited rocky outcrop rising from the open Banda Sea, its sheer walls plunging into the abyss. During the October to November season, schooling scalloped hammerhead sharks are the defining encounter. A full day in the water. Suanggi North Wall — Drift along the wall with one eye on the reef and the other trained on the blue water beyond. Large schools of blackfin barracuda form shimmering vortexes while giant trevallies and dogtooth tuna patrol the edges. Schooling hammerheads cruise past in the deeper water during favorable conditions, with squadrons of mobula rays on productive days. Suanggi South Point — The southern tip of the island where two current streams converge, creating a focal point for pelagic life. Barracuda, jacks and tuna gather at the convergence while the wall below offers excellent coral growth and hammerhead sightings from a different angle. Suanggi Plateau — A submerged plateau on the island's sheltered side. Coral bommies, large gorgonian fans and an abundance of reef fish in calmer water — an ideal third dive after the adrenaline of the exposed walls. Mari departs overnight toward Nusa Laut.

Day 13 - NUSA LAUT (3 dives)

Nusa Laut is a small island east of Ambon whose diving stands as one of the most compelling arguments for community-led marine conservation in Indonesia. Decades of strict local protection have produced reef health and fish biomass that grow visibly year on year. In season, the island's current-swept walls offer some of the Banda Sea's most reliable hammerhead encounters. Akon — A wall and slope dive on Nusa Laut's southern shore. Schools of jacks move in sweeping formations above excellent hard coral coverage, with reef sharks patrolling the deeper sections. Ameth — A current-swept reef on Nusa Laut's southeastern coast and one of the Banda Sea's most reliable early-season hammerhead sites. Solitary and small groups of scalloped hammerheads cruise the outer wall edge, with turtles, Napoleon wrasse and dense schooling fish filling the shallower sections. Nusa Laut East Wall — A less-visited aspect of the island facing the open Seram Sea, where the wall drops steeply into blue water. Tuna, eagle rays and lone hammerheads pass through on the current. Mari departs overnight toward Ambon.

Day 14 - AMBON BAY, DISEMBARKATION (1 to 2 dives)

A fitting end to the expedition — returning to Ambon Bay and its world-famous black sand slopes, a vivid reminder that Indonesia's underwater world offers something extraordinary at every scale, from schooling hammerheads in the open Banda Sea to a psychedelic frogfish on a rubble patch 5 minutes from the dock. Laha or Rhino City — One or two final dives in the muck at the Cruise Director's discretion, respecting recommended no-fly intervals before departure. Following the final dive, guests disembark at Ambon harbour at the conclusion of one of Indonesia's most complete expedition crossings — from the rich reef diversity of Alor and the Flores Sea, through the volcanic hammerhead arcs of the Forgotten Islands and the Banda Sea, to the legendary critter diving of Ambon Bay. Please prepare to leave the boat between approximately 06:00 and 12:00, depending on your onward travel schedule. Transfers to Pattimura Airport (AMQ) or your hotel can be arranged on request.

Please note that the above itinerary is provided as a sample outline only. It is intended to illustrate the type of experience and dive sites typically explored during this expedition. Actual routing, dive selection, and daily activities may vary from cruise to cruise. The Captain and Cruise Director will adapt the itinerary at their discretion in response to weather and sea conditions, tides and currents, regulatory requirements, national park directives, local community considerations, and — above all — to ensure the safety, comfort, and optimal experience of our guests.