Ambon Island

Posted on July 11, 2025July 11, 2025 by Annabel Thomas

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Ambon

Ambon, offers one among many remotest dive sites in Indonesian Archipelago. In history, this place is famously known as the heart of spice trade hence the nickname Spice Island.

Nowadays, Ambon is more familiar as a white sandy beach with pristine corals and abundant marine lifes. If you are a muck diving enthusiast, this destination is worth to visit. Although, Ambon’s underwater world are not limited only to muck diving. For a more variety of dive sites, Banda sea is usually combined and be explored together through liveaboard trips.

Dive Sites

Taking a closer look on what Ambon has to offer in terms of its speciality, Twilight Zone is one of the most popular. It is a home to ghostpipefish, rhinophias, frogfish, crustaceans, seahorses, octopus, and of course nudibranchs. Other dive site like Middle Point is also worth a shot being a home to many more amazing species including the rare Halimeda Ghostpipefish.

Further to the southern part of the island, Ambon presents great wall/reef diving. The underwater archway at Pintu Kota is a home to gorgonians and sea fans. If you wish to squeeze in a bit variety in your muck diving schedule, you could visit the Duke of Sparta Wreck close to Ambon harbour.

Ambon Diving Season

Ambon is hot and humid like many other tropical place in Indonesia. In general the dry season where less rain is expected lies within mid-September to April. This is when the visibility tends to be great.

If you are asking for the best time, we would recommend October to December. Avoid visiting in June-August because this is where the heavy rainfall and strong winds affect your diving agenda. Since the visibility and condition is extremely bad during this time, many dive resorts are closed for maintenance so make sure you check with your Dive Travel Consultant at Tours@AquaMarineDiving.com for the best arrangement possible.

How to reach Banda

As most of international flights landed in Jakarta or Bali, you can fly to Ambon from either one. Some flights to Ambon from Jakarta usually take a stop in Manado. If you are looking for say a month muck diving safari, you could do approximately a week each in Bali – Lembeh – Ambon. Just a thought 🙂

Boasting its underwater world, Ambon has pretty much less to do inland but it is worth to mention here that perhaps you would like to get a few pictures of the town to complete your visit. Natsepa Beach is within a short ride from the city – take a stop along the roadside and have a taste of the sweet and tangy local Rujak (fruits with peanut sauce). You can also visit the traditional market for fresh vegetables and fruits, maybe do some spice trade? 🙂
If you still have time to spent for the day, make sure to visit The World Peace Gong and Christina Tiahahu Statue.

Considering Ambon can be a bit remote compared to other places in Indonesia, be sure to let your Dive Travel Consultant at AMD-B aware of your needs. As always, they will be more than happy to make some recommendation and arrangements that may suit your preference.

Diving at Ambon

Click below for more Indonesia’s Diving Information:

Indonesia Diving

The Scorpionfish Family

Posted on June 16, 2025August 15, 2025 by Annabel Thomas

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Scorpionfishes

Scorpionfish are a fascinating group of venomous reef fish known for their incredible camouflage and potent defensive spines. Belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, they are ambush predators that rely on stealth, lying motionless on the seafloor until prey comes close. With textured bodies and mottled colours, they blend effortlessly into coral, rocks, or sand.

Papuan Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis papuensis)

This species is well-camouflaged with skin flaps and blotchy patterns, making it almost invisible on coral rubble. Found in shallow waters, it has a distinct large head and often displays reddish or brown tones. It’s common in Indonesian waters, including Bali.

Papuan Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis papuensis)

Paddle Flap Scorpionfish (Rhinopias eschmeyeri)

Rare and highly sought after by underwater photographers, this species has broad, paddle-shaped fins and soft, flowing skin appendages. Its bright red or pink colouration contrasts its reef habitat, yet its motionless behaviour helps it stay undetected.

Paddle Flap Scorpionfish (Rhinopias eschmeyeri)

Devil Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis diabolus)

Named for its fearsome appearance, this scorpionfish has venomous spines and a stocky body. When threatened, it can expand its pectoral fins, revealing bold warning colors. Despite the name, it is non-aggressive unless provoked.

Denise’s Pygmy Seahorse (Hippocampus denise)

Flasher Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis macrochir)

This lesser-known species has extended pectoral fins used to startle predators. It is usually well-camouflaged, hiding among rocks and debris in sandy reef zones.

Flasher Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis macrochir)

Leaf Scorpionfish (Taenianotus triacanthus)

Unlike others, this species is flat and leaf-like, often swaying with water currents to mimic debris. It comes in various colours and is commonly seen in Bali’s coral reefs.

Leaf Scorpionfish (Taenianotus triacanthus)

By Hafid, AMD-B’s 2025 Divemaster Intern

Banda Islands

Posted on May 9, 2025May 10, 2025 by Annabel Thomas

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Banda Islands

The Banda Islands are one of Indonesia’s top destinations for divers. Both experts and beginners will enjoy themselves here as the diving ranges from the shallow lagoon between Banda Neira and Gunung Api, to the vertical walls of Hatta Island, the most easterly in the group.

Located in Maluku (Molluca) province, the Banda Islands are 200km from the nearest port town of Ambon, and are made up of 9 islands. Long known for their spices, these islands have attracted regional and international traders for more than 3.000 years. The first Europeans arrived in 1500. The biggest and most valuable commodities were nutmeg and cloves as, at that time, they were only found in the Banda Islands.

Diving in Banda

Set in the heart of Indonesia, the remoteness of the Banda Islands along with the low levels of human population, have meant less fishing and pollution pressures resulting in a vibrant, natural and healthy reef system.

Diving in the Banda Islands offers amazingly colourful walls, drop-offs, bommies and pinnacles!

The very clear and nutrient-rich upwelling waters bring in schools of hammerhead sharks, and pelagics such as sunfish (Mola-Mola), Dogtooth tunas, reef sharks, and sailfish. There are various ‘hammerhead hotspots’ where – at certain times of the year (Sep-Nov is best) – schools of more than 200 hammerheads have been witnessed. Whales also frequently pass through the strait.

Banda Diving Season

Diving is usually comfortable with average visibility of 15-30 meters, mild currents and calm waters. December/January (NW monsoon) June-August (SE monsoon) can have turbulent seas. The ‘best’ months are April and October 🙂

How to reach Banda

The Banda Islands are often included in some liveaboard schedules when crossing from Komodo, Raja Ampat, Alor or Flores.

And of course dive resorts offer attractive diving/accommodation packages. There are domestic flights from Jakarta and Bali to Ambon via Ujung Pandang (Makassar), and from there to the Banda Islands.

For more info on the safari routes and durations at Banda Islands, and to start your planning, please make sure your AMD-B Travel Consultant is aware of your needs. As always, they will be more than happy to offer recommendations and make arrangements to suit your preferences. Contact us on Tours@AquaMarineDiving.com today!