Our 13 Day Cruising Guide from Maumere to Ambon.
Days 01 & 02
Maumere on the island of Flores, boasts dreamy turquoise waters set against a backdrop of picturesque hills. Sit back and soak up island life on Waira beach surrounded by beautiful countryside, or head to the south of the island for the iconic white sand of Koka Beach. Mix with the locals at the Geliting Market, the oldest in the Sikka Regency, where you can purchase local woven fabrics or traditional Indonesian cooking ingredients to take home. With Frans Seda Airport just 3km from the town centre, Maurmere is the ideal place to start or finish your luxury yacht charter adventure.
Day 03
A small secluded island in the northern sea of Flores, most famously known for it's active volcano ‘Mount Batutara’, that is said to erupt as regularly as every 15 minutes! Albeit fairly small eruptions, once the darkness descends it is sometimes possible to see the rare and incredible sight of glowing orange lava. The ocean surrounding Komba is rich in nutrients attracting many magnificent species including whalesharks and mantas, so diving here is not an activity to be missed.
Day 04
The largest island in the Alor Archipelago, yet one of the most untouched. With pristine blue waters, this island is an underwater paradise and diving sensation. With incredible visibility and fantastic coral reefs, look out for the scorpion fish, pygmy sea horses, and the hammerhead sharks. Above the surface this is an island rich in tribal culture with over 100 languages spoken. In one of the most remote parts of the world, Takapala indigenous group in the village of Lembur Barat reside in traditional pyramid housing made from bamboo and coconut leaves.
Day 05
Far off the beaten track, relax and unwind in complete solitude on the island of Kisar in the Southwestern Moluccas of Indonesia. Explore the interior of the island made up of of beautiful hills and mountains or choose to stay shore side and practice your watersports. Many wonderful creatures are known to be near to Kisar; dolphins, whales, sharks and manta rays are just to name a few.
Day 06
Part of ‘The Forgotten Islands’, the name gives you a pretty good idea of just how remote these islands are. And the Sermata islands bring you unspoiled incredible natural beauty with a wealth of marine life and spectacular coral reefs. Whether you are diving or just relaxing on these beautiful beaches, these are memories that are sure not to be forgotten.
Day 07
Sail in luxury to Dawera Island, a part of the world very few people get to visit. You can dive just about anywhere around this island, but for the ultimate experience make sure you find the hidden pinnacle, one of the most untouched in the region. You won’t believe your eyes when you catch sight of the illuminating corals in every colour and huge, mesmerizing schools of fish.
Day 08
On perhaps the most isolated of all the Forgotten Islands, you have one of the most active volcanoes in the Banda Sea. Rising from the tallest peak you can often see a ribbon of smoke as a constant plume of volcanic gases are emitted. Village life on the island continues as normal, as villagers fish and prepare the Indonesian delicacy of salted fish. A dish not to be missed before you continue your island hopping adventure.
Day 09
Home to some of the best beaches in Indonesia with bright white sandy beaches lined with coconut trees, and unimaginable turquoise waters. The Kai Islands are a hidden gem and the perfect place to relax, soak up the sun and feel the warm sea breeze. For the more active, take out a water toy or two and enjoy! Apart from a few incredibly friendly locals from the charming nearby villages, you are likely to have this pristine beach all to yourselves.
Day 10
Manuk means “bird” in the local language, so it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise when you see the vast and plentiful sea birds flying around the island in their thousands. Manuk is the most eastern volcano in Indonesia rising 3000m from the sea, and although there have been no confirmed eruptions, there are hot rocks in the shallow waters, as you feel the warmth from the volcano bubbles. This remote uninhabited island in the middle of the Banda Sea is rarely visited as it is over 100km South of the Banda Islands. Known for its large population of sea snakes and huge schools of barracuda amongst much other marine life, keep an eye out for the kite fisherman, offering an interesting watch.
Day 11
A volcanic group of 10 small islands in the Banda Sea, the remote Spice Islands offer outdoor adventure, intriguing history and incredible remote dive sites. Historically famous for its source of nutmeg, the Banda Islands were the subject of rivalry between the Portuguese, Dutch and British in the 1600’s. Travel back in time and visit a nutmeg plantation on Banda Besa or head to Banda Neira to see a 300 year old Chinese Temple and a 17th century fort. Hike the active volcano of Banda Api, dive or snorkel over a rather pretty coral reef for a chance to see the local dolphins.
Day 12
The reefs around Saparua are said to be some of the best in the area, and if you fancy a dive you may even see an elusive dugong. Pay a visit to the village of Ouw where pottery is the main handicraft, or see the historic Dutch fort of Duurstede. Take a tender to Nusa Laut, the smallest inhabited island in the Lease group with beautiful beaches and more warm hospitality from the local villagers. Relax in some of the most beautiful surroundings on earth.
Day 13
Ambon is the capital of Indonesia’s Maluku province, with lush tropical vegetation and charming coastal villages. Climb the interior mountains, stroll through picturesque villages or plunge into the clear waters of the bay. Colonised by the Portuguese in the 1500’s, both Dutch and British reigns followed, and today you can visit the forts, monuments and colonial buildings that still stand from these historic times.
Maumere on the island of Flores, boasts dreamy turquoise waters set against a backdrop of picturesque hills. Sit back and soak up island life on Waira beach surrounded by beautiful countryside, or head to the south of the island for the iconic white sand of Koka Beach. Mix with the locals at the Geliting Market, the oldest in the Sikka Regency, where you can purchase local woven fabrics or traditional Indonesian cooking ingredients to take home. With Frans Seda Airport just 3km from the town centre, Maurmere is the ideal place to start or finish your luxury yacht charter adventure.
A small secluded island in the northern sea of Flores, most famously known for it's active volcano ‘Mount Batutara’, that is said to erupt as regularly as every 15 minutes! Albeit fairly small eruptions, once the darkness descends it is sometimes possible to see the rare and incredible sight of glowing orange lava. The ocean surrounding Komba is rich in nutrients attracting many magnificent species including whalesharks and mantas, so diving here is not an activity to be missed.
The largest island in the Alor Archipelago, yet one of the most untouched. With pristine blue waters, this island is an underwater paradise and diving sensation. With incredible visibility and fantastic coral reefs, look out for the scorpion fish, pygmy sea horses, and the hammerhead sharks. Above the surface this is an island rich in tribal culture with over 100 languages spoken. In one of the most remote parts of the world, Takapala indigenous group in the village of Lembur Barat reside in traditional pyramid housing made from bamboo and coconut leaves.
Far off the beaten track, relax and unwind in complete solitude on the island of Kisar in the Southwestern Moluccas of Indonesia. Explore the interior of the island made up of of beautiful hills and mountains or choose to stay shore side and practice your watersports. Many wonderful creatures are known to be near to Kisar; dolphins, whales, sharks and manta rays are just to name a few.
Part of ‘The Forgotten Islands’, the name gives you a pretty good idea of just how remote these islands are. And the Sermata islands bring you unspoiled incredible natural beauty with a wealth of marine life and spectacular coral reefs. Whether you are diving or just relaxing on these beautiful beaches, these are memories that are sure not to be forgotten.
Sail in luxury to Dawera Island, a part of the world very few people get to visit. You can dive just about anywhere around this island, but for the ultimate experience make sure you find the hidden pinnacle, one of the most untouched in the region. You won’t believe your eyes when you catch sight of the illuminating corals in every colour and huge, mesmerizing schools of fish.
On perhaps the most isolated of all the Forgotten Islands, you have one of the most active volcanoes in the Banda Sea. Rising from the tallest peak you can often see a ribbon of smoke as a constant plume of volcanic gases are emitted. Village life on the island continues as normal, as villagers fish and prepare the Indonesian delicacy of salted fish. A dish not to be missed before you continue your island hopping adventure.
Home to some of the best beaches in Indonesia with bright white sandy beaches lined with coconut trees, and unimaginable turquoise waters. The Kai Islands are a hidden gem and the perfect place to relax, soak up the sun and feel the warm sea breeze. For the more active, take out a water toy or two and enjoy! Apart from a few incredibly friendly locals from the charming nearby villages, you are likely to have this pristine beach all to yourselves.
Manuk means “bird” in the local language, so it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise when you see the vast and plentiful sea birds flying around the island in their thousands. Manuk is the most eastern volcano in Indonesia rising 3000m from the sea, and although there have been no confirmed eruptions, there are hot rocks in the shallow waters, as you feel the warmth from the volcano bubbles. This remote uninhabited island in the middle of the Banda Sea is rarely visited as it is over 100km South of the Banda Islands. Known for its large population of sea snakes and huge schools of barracuda amongst much other marine life, keep an eye out for the kite fisherman, offering an interesting watch.
A volcanic group of 10 small islands in the Banda Sea, the remote Spice Islands offer outdoor adventure, intriguing history and incredible remote dive sites. Historically famous for its source of nutmeg, the Banda Islands were the subject of rivalry between the Portuguese, Dutch and British in the 1600’s. Travel back in time and visit a nutmeg plantation on Banda Besa or head to Banda Neira to see a 300 year old Chinese Temple and a 17th century fort. Hike the active volcano of Banda Api, dive or snorkel over a rather pretty coral reef for a chance to see the local dolphins.
The reefs around Saparua are said to be some of the best in the area, and if you fancy a dive you may even see an elusive dugong. Pay a visit to the village of Ouw where pottery is the main handicraft, or see the historic Dutch fort of Duurstede. Take a tender to Nusa Laut, the smallest inhabited island in the Lease group with beautiful beaches and more warm hospitality from the local villagers. Relax in some of the most beautiful surroundings on earth.
Ambon is the capital of Indonesia’s Maluku province, with lush tropical vegetation and charming coastal villages. Climb the interior mountains, stroll through picturesque villages or plunge into the clear waters of the bay. Colonised by the Portuguese in the 1500’s, both Dutch and British reigns followed, and today you can visit the forts, monuments and colonial buildings that still stand from these historic times.
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