Explore The Wonders Of Indonesia
Alor-Saumlaki Forgotten Islands Exploration 14 Nights
Alor to Saumlaki. Where diving becomes true exploration: The Forgotten Islands
This expedition sails you deep into one of Indonesia’s most remote frontiers. From Alor’s sunlit reefs, we push eastward, sailing through Alor & the Forgotten Islands, eventually arriving in the mysterious Tanimbar seas around Saumlaki, a corridor where coral kingdoms and pelagic giants converge.
Our voyage begins off East of Flores, in Alor. Sailing around Alor area at first, currents, beautiful reefs and mysterious critters and prolific reefs set the tone. Here soft corals glow in hues of lavender and mint, pygmy seahorses hide among gorgonians, and schools of fusiliers and anthers carve streaks of silver in the blue. Overhead, rays and sharks occasionally drift past in silence, their silhouettes sliding across the light-dappled sea.
The straits of Alor, a region that combines some of the richest biodiversity in Indonesia with dramatic seascapes. Here, crystal-clear waters hide astonishing macro treasures, mimic octopus, rhinopias, blue-ringed octopus, and nudibranchs of every shape and color. The powerful currents that sweep these passages also bring in larger life: schools of tuna and trevallies, reef sharks, even mola mola in the right season. In Alor, the underwater world is as intense and unpredictable as the landscapes above, where traditional villages cling to volcanic slopes.
As we chart further east, the scenery deepens in mystery. Walls of black volcanic rock plunge into cobalt depths. Steep drop-offs host schooling jacks, reef sharks, and the occasional hammerhead. Every slope pulses with micro-life, frogfish, flamboyant cuttlefish, ghost pipefish, all thriving in this less explored wilderness.
Finally, we reach the forgotten seas around Saumlaki. Here isolation is our only witness. Remote coral atolls, forests of soft corals swaying in the surge, and walls draped with immense sea fans await. Pelagic encounters — barracudas in schools, reef sharks patrolling, mantas soaring, even the possibility of whales — reward those who venture this far. The sunsets over these distant waters, with dolphins at the bow, bring the perfect close to days filled with discovery.
The Forgotten Islands: an odyssey of wild seas, ancient rituals, and unforgettable encounters.
Indonesia’s “Forgotten Islands” – also known as the Southeast Moluccas (Maluku Tenggara) – are not a single destination, but rather a 1,000 km long chain of archipelagos stretching from Timor to West Papua on the island of New Guinea.
Undeveloped, distant from population centers and far off any beaten path, these “Forgotten Islands” have been largely isolated from the rest of Indonesia and the world.
The terrain of these islands varies from forested mountainous peaks in the Inner Banda Arc (Wetar, Roma, Damar, Nila), with peaks as high as 868 m on Damer, to the flat easternmost Aru and Kei island groups, dominated by savannah, mangroves and broadleaf forests.
Culturally, most of the Austronesian peoples of Maluku Tenggara share deep connections, with similar languages, myths, and traditional beliefs.
They are known for their powerful woodcarvings and sculptures depicting ancestral figures, their distinctive hand-woven ikat fabrics, and their plaited bamboo and palm baskets, each piece carrying the mark of generations of tradition.
The islands are home to more than a dozen ethnic groups, each with its own language, music, and rituals. The most prominent are the Abui people, known for their striking traditional attire, harmonious chants, and symbolic dances performed in sacred stone circles.
Villages like Takpala offer glimpses into a way of life preserved for generations. Handwoven ikat textiles, rhythmic gong music, and storytelling through dance are all part of the living culture here. Guests are often welcomed with warmth and ceremony, making cultural excursions as memorable as any dive.
Folklore is rich with tales of ancestral spirits, sea creatures, and sacred mountains — stories passed down through songs and ceremonies that still mark the seasonal cycles and rites of passage.
Come join us on this rare voyage, exploring wild frontiers, Forgotten Islands, and timeless beauty from Alor to the remote seas of Saumlaki.
Tentative Itinerary
The itinerary may be adjusted at the discretion of the captain and cruise director based on weather conditions, which can sometimes be unpredictable, as well as the group’s overall experience. The goal is to offer the best possible diving and snorkeling sites according to the group’s interests and skill levels.
Day 1 - ALOR
Flight to Alor. Transfer to the Seven Seas, setting up gear meanwhile we are steaming out and afterwards we’ll do a general briefing, after some refreshments and lunch.
Day 2 - ALOR AREA
Pulau Pura and Ternate
In the heart of the Alor Strait lies Pura, a small volcanic island where every dive pulses with energy and life. Here, the ocean is raw, powerful, and wildly beautiful.
The waters around Pura are renowned for their nutrient-rich currents, which attract an explosion of marine life. Massive schools of jacks, barracudas, and fusiliers swirl in silver tornadoes, while Napoleon wrasses, giant groupers, and reef sharks glide through deep canyons and coral-covered slopes.
During the right season, lucky divers may even encounter Mola mola (sunfish) or hammerhead sharks. But what truly sets Pura apart is its exceptional biodiversity: pristine coral gardens, dramatic drop-offs, and muck diving sitesteeming with rare and fascinating critters such as rhinopias, mimic octopus, pygmy seahorses, and an endless variety of nudibranchs.
Clown Valley (Apuri Bay):
Home to one of the largest concentrations of anemones and clownfish on the planet.
The volcanic islands of Ternate, in the Alor Strait, are one of Indonesia’s best-kept secrets — a collection of dive sites with thriving reefs where every descent feels like a front-row seat to a marine symphony.
Munaseli (Yellow Corner):
One of Alor’s most thrilling and dynamic dive sites. Fueled by deep ocean currents and pristine waters, it is a magnet for pelagic life and dramatic underwater action. Divers may spot hammerhead sharks and Mola mola, along with a constant presence of gray reef sharks, blacktip sharks, giant trevallies, bonitos, and schools of fusiliers in every direction.
Babylon:
Located on the southern coast of Ternate Island, this is a classic vertical wall dive descending from shallow coral gardens into depths of 25–30 meters or more, with exceptional visibility (often 25–30 meters) and a sloping reef covered in soft corals, colorful reef fish, and occasional pelagic visitors.
Day 3 - ALOR AREA
Pulau Pura and Takpala Village Visit
Pasir Merah (Red Sand):
Located north of Pura, this site features volcanic red sandy slopes with bubbling gas vents — a hallmark of Pura’s volcanic seabed. It’s teeming with macro life, including mandarin fish, hairy shrimp, and, in deeper sections, bamboo sharks and nurse sharks.
Bakalang Jetty:
Dive beneath the weathered pillars of Bakalang Jetty, where soft corals cling like marine tapestries and frogfish hide among them. Rays and schooling batfish may glide through the blue beyond, but it’s the bold textures and vibrant colors of macro life that truly steal the show. With clear water and gentle conditions, this site is a macro photographer’s dream and a perfect introduction to Alor’s muck diving scene.
After our final dive, we’ll head inland to visit Takpala, a traditional Abui village nestled in the hills above Kalabahi. The village preserves ancestral customs, with houses built from natural materials and arranged around a central ceremonial area. We’ll be welcomed by the locals with traditional dances and have the chance to learn about their culture, rituals, and way of life.
On the way back to the boat, we can stop at the local market in Kalabahi (if energy allows) to soak in the atmosphereand experience a bit more of authentic island life before returning onboard.
Day 4 - PULAU WETAR & PULAU REONG
Tanjung Nunukae is a captivating dive site located off the west coast of Wetar Island. As part of the Forgotten Islands region.
The dive begins on a shallow plateau that gradually tapers off before plunging into a steep, vertical wall adorned with massive sea fans, vibrant cup corals, and colorful sponges. The nutrient-rich waters attract an impressive array of marine life. Divers can expect frequent sightings of mobula rays, manta rays, dogtooth tuna, bigeye trevally, reef sharks, and swirling schools of fusiliers and barracuda, creating a vibrant and action-filled underwater environment.
Pulau Reong, located northwest of Wetar Island in Indonesia’s Banda Sea, offers spectacular diving in one of the country’s most remote and pristine marine environments. The site features steep walls, terraced reefs, and vibrant coral coverage, including soft corals, sea fans, and sponges. Its dramatic underwater landscape supports a wide variety of marine life.
Divers can expect regular sightings of dogtooth tuna, bigeye trevally, giant trevally, barracuda, and reef sharks. The reef is alive with schools of fusiliers, anthias, redtooth triggerfish, and other reef fish. Moray eels are commonly seen along the wall.
Currents are moderate to strong, making it ideal for drift diving. Visibility is often excellent, typically ranging from 25 to 30 meters, with dive depths extending from shallow reef flats to deep vertical walls.
The closest village to Pulau Reong is Nabar, located on the northwest coast of Wetar Island. Pulau Reong sits just offshore from Nabar, making it the nearest inhabited point to the dive site. We’ll go for a walk near the coastline to try to spot the saltwater crocodiles that are known to live in the area.
Day 5 - PULAU NYATA & PULAU ROMANG
Pulau Nyata & Waterfall Ridge
Pulau Nyata is a remote and rarely visited island, located about 4 miles east of Pulau Romang, offering exceptional liveaboard diving in a truly isolated region. The underwater terrain features dramatic slopes, deep drop-offs, overhangs, and swim-throughs, creating an exciting and varied dive landscape.
Dives typically begin along the western edge of the island, where reefs slope gently before plunging into deeper waters. As you drift along the reef, the structure becomes more complex, with natural tunnels and swim-throughs that attract marine life and provide thrilling passages to explore.
Divers can expect encounters with reef sharks, dogtooth tuna, and barracuda, as well as black snappers and midnight snappers patrolling the reef edge. The area is also home to massive barrel sponges, colorful soft corals, and large sea fans, making it a spectacular site for wide-angle photography. In the shallows, you’ll often find schools of fusiliers, anthias, and redtooth triggerfish, along with occasional sightings of turtles and Napoleon wrasse.
Currents can be moderate to strong, creating exciting drift diving conditions for experienced divers.
Waterfall Ridge (Pulau Romang):
A fantastic and truly unique dive site off the west coast of Pulau Romang.
The dive begins along a narrow coral-covered ridge that drops into deeper water, adorned with hard and soft corals, whip corals, and large sea fans. The reef is alive with activity, and divers commonly encounter Napoleon wrasse, reef sharks, and cruising schools of fusiliers.
After exploring the ridge, we cross a short channel to the main island, where you’ll witness volcanic gas bubbles rising from the black sand seabed — a rare and unforgettable underwater spectacle.
The dive concludes with a truly memorable finale as we surface beneath a freshwater waterfall that cascades directly into the sea. This area is also perfect for snorkelers, with clear, shallow water and plenty of marine life visible just below the surface.
Day 6 - PULAU TELANG & PULAU KITAL
Pulau Telang and Pulau Kital are two remote gems , offering divers and snorkelers the chance to explore pristine reefs. Diving around these islands reveals gently sloping reefs covered in hard coral bommies, with vibrant, healthy top reefs that teem with life. The underwater landscape is perfect for relaxed yet exciting dives, with excellent visibility and calm conditions.
Marine life is diverse and rewarding. Large nurse sharks are often seen cruising slowly along the reef, while lucky divers may encounter the curious and majestic silvertip shark, which occasionally appears in the blue. The area also attracts snappers, turtles, and other reef fish throughout the dive.
Beyond diving, the experience is enhanced by the setting itself. These isolated islands are stunning above the surface, with the opportunity to land on an idyllic beach for sunset—a peaceful and scenic end to the day. On the way to and from the sites, dolphins are often seen riding the bow wave of the speedboats, adding a memorable touch to the journey.
Day 7 - PULAU KELAPA
Pulau Kelapa
Pulau Kelapa is a small, remote island in the Tanimbar Archipelago in eastern Indonesia’s Maluku Province, nestled between Pulau Moa and Pulau Sermata. Though modest in size, it is known for its lush tropical vegetation and is dominated by coconut palms, which give the island its name. The island’s natural landscape features sandy beaches and dense greenery, creating a serene and untouched environment typical of the remote Tanimbar Islands.
The diving around Pulau Kelapa is exceptional, offering a variety of underwater environments. Divers can explore exposed corners with strong currents that attract abundant marine life, as well as protected walls and reef cracksteeming with species such as red snappers, longfin snappers, bigeye trevally, fusiliers, dogtooth tuna, and the occasional hammerhead shark. The walls are decorated with beautiful sea fans and colorful sponges, and you may also spot electric clams nestled in the crevices. Dolphins are often seen in the area, adding an extra thrill to the experience.
We end the day with a truly unique night dive to encounter the remarkable flashlight fish, creating an unforgettable underwater experience. These fascinating creatures use their natural glowing light organs beneath their eyes to communicate, attract prey, and confuse predators. At night, their soft bioluminescent glow illuminates the reef as they move in small schools or hide within reef cracks, offering divers a rare and magical sight.
Day 8 - TERBANG
Damar Islands
The Damar Islands are part of the Banda Sea and remain peaceful, remote, and largely untouched by development. Because they are far from busy areas, these islands offer a pristine and natural environment both above and below the surface.
These islands are especially known for their exceptional diving. The surrounding waters are crystal clear, providing stunning visibility and making it easy to take in the breathtaking underwater scenery. They are ideal for wall diving and drift diving, where divers can glide effortlessly along the reef, carried by the gentle to moderate currents.
Beneath the surface, you’ll find steep underwater walls and dramatic overhangs that create striking shapes and shadowed formations. The reefs are vibrant and full of life, adorned with colorful sea fans and sponges that add movement and brilliance to this spectacular underwater landscape.
Day 9 - PULAU TEUN
Pulau Teun, dominated by an active volcano, offers a remarkable underwater landscape shaped by powerful geological forces. Above the surface, you can often see smoke rising from the crater and notice a distinct sulfur scent in the air, a constant reminder of the island’s volcanic nature. Below the surface, divers explore steep walls, ancient lava ridges, and cavernous overhangs, all adorned with vibrant hard and soft corals. Thanks to its remote location, the reefs remain in exceptional condition.
The nutrient-rich waters attract open-ocean predators and migratory species. Regular encounters include dogtooth tuna patrolling the reef edges, curious Napoleon wrasse along the ridges, schools of jacks and barracudas, bumphead parrotfish, mobula and eagle rays gliding through open water, and reef sharks such as blacktip, whitetip, and grey reef sharks. On occasion, divers may even spot hammerhead sharks passing through the area.
Pulau Teun is also home to Mesa, a small traditional village where locals preserve time-honored ways of life, adding a layer of cultural richness to this remote and wild island.
Day 10 - PULAU SERUA
Pulau Serua & Pulau Keka
About 70 nautical miles northeast of Pulau Teun lies Pulau Serua, a small volcanic island home to a charming village and a scenic hilltop church overlooking the sea. While Serua is known for this picturesque landmark, the main dive sites are found nearby around Pulau Keka.
Pulau Keka offers steep underwater walls covered in vibrant hard and soft corals and impressive barrel sponges. Thanks to its remote location, the reefs remain in excellent condition.
The nutrient-rich waters attract a wide range of open-ocean predators and migratory species. Divers commonly encounter dogtooth tuna, Napoleon wrasse, schools of jacks and fusiliers, great barracuda, and turtles. Olive sea snakes are also frequently seen, and Pulau Keka is a well-known hotspot for hammerhead sharks, often spotted during early mornings and late afternoons.
Beyond diving, Pulau Keka offers excellent snorkeling, along with opportunities for kayaking and paddle surfing, allowing visitors to explore the beautiful coastline and enjoy the calm, crystal-clear waters.
Day 11 - MANUK
That will be our northernmost point on this route — the remote and captivating island of Manuk.
Situated in the heart of the Banda Sea, Manuk Island is a hidden gem known for its raw, untouched beauty both above and below the surface. Surrounded by deep waters and volcanic geology, it offers a truly unique diving experience featuring black sand slopes, coral-covered ridges, and vertical walls that host a wide range of marine life.
Above the surface, the island is equally fascinating. Manuk is an active volcano, and it’s not uncommon to see a thin column of smoke rising from a vent on the southern side. The island also supports a vibrant population of seabirds, including frigatebirds and boobies, often seen soaring overhead or nesting along the rocky shoreline.
Marine biodiversity here is rich and varied. Divers can expect to see schools of fusiliers, snappers, moray eels, the occasional passing pelagic, turtles, and sometimes hammerhead sharks. The great barracudas are often seen in large numbers and are surprisingly curious on this island. However, what truly sets Manuk apart is its thriving population of olive sea snakes. These elegant creatures are often encountered in impressive numbers — sometimes dozens swimming throughout the site.
One of the most extraordinary spectacles at Manuk is the rare chance to witness cooperative hunting behavior between the olive sea snakes and bluespotted trevally. In a coordinated effort, the trevally herd small fish into tight spaces while the snakes probe the crevices, flushing out prey. This dynamic interaction has attracted significant interest from scientists, who have been keen to study and understand this remarkable behavior. For divers, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to witness nature’s intelligence and adaptability in action.
Day 12 - NILDISPERANDUM
Nil Desperandum Atoll
Nil Desperandum is a remote, untouched atoll far to the south, completely unspoiled by development. Its name means “Never despair” in Latin, and it carries a powerful story of survival and hope. In the early 1800s, a British ship ran aground on the reef, leaving its crew stranded for weeks. They survived on fish, coconuts, and rainwater, and when they were finally rescued, the captain’s log ended with the words: “All is not lost. Nil desperandum.” The name has remained ever since.
The atoll forms a ring of coral surrounding a calm, hidden lagoon, with steep outer reef walls that drop dramatically into the deep blue ocean. The reefs here remain wild, pristine, and rarely visited.
Diving along the outer wall, you’ll encounter massive barrel sponges, schools of fusiliers and snappers, barracudas, dogtooth tuna, and turtles. It is also considered one of the best places to spot hammerhead sharks when conditions align, making every dive a truly thrilling and unforgettable experience.
Day 13 - DAWERA
Dawera Island
Dawera Island, located in Indonesia’s Maluku Province within the Tanimbar Islands, is renowned for its abundant marine biodiversity and pristine coral ecosystems.
The island offers exceptional diving opportunities, especially along its dramatic vertical walls, where divers can encounter a diverse array of marine life. From vibrant reef fish to larger species such as barracudas and reef sharks, the underwater world here is both rich and varied. Adding to the experience are fascinating macro creatures like pygmy seahorses, colorful nudibranchs, and elusive mantis shrimps. The hard and soft coral formations create stunning underwater landscapes that captivate every visitor.
During our visit, we will explore the local village, where the community welcomes guests with heartfelt traditional ceremonies. These cultural moments offer a meaningful connection to the island’s heritage and highlight the villagers’ deep commitment to preserving their natural environment.
Day 14 - KARANG BARASADI & NUSTABUN
Located approximately 40 nautical miles from Saumlaki, this remote reef formation offers a pristine underwater environment that remains largely untouched by mass tourism. The site features a diverse and vibrant seascape, including healthy coral gardens, dramatic reef walls dropping into the deep blue, and expansive sandy patches that beautifully contrast with the colorful reef. These elements make it an exceptional location for wide-angle underwater photography, with endless opportunities to capture the interplay of light, texture, and marine life.
The biodiversity here is impressive. Divers can expect to encounter a wide range of reef-associated species, including gobies, parrotfish, and damselfish. The sandy areas are ideal for spotting smaller creatures that prefer open habitats. From time to time, pelagic species such as tuna pass through, adding an exciting element of surprise. On lucky days, divers may also encounter schools of bumphead parrotfish.
Near Saumlaki, we complete our final dive at Pulau Nustabun, a small, uninhabited island featuring a gentle sandy slope, scattered coral heads, and rubble fields — a perfect setting for macro exploration.
This environment provides shelter for a wide variety of small marine life, including anemones, leaf scorpionfish, and colorful nudibranchs. The site is also known for sightings of mantis shrimp and the occasional frogfish.
Pulau Nustabun is a fitting and memorable place to wrap up our diving near Saumlaki. After the final dives, we’ll relax on the white sandy beach, enjoy fresh cocktails, and swim in the turquoise shallows — a perfect ending to a day of adventure and serenity in one of Indonesia’s most remote corners.
Day 15 - SAUMLAKI
Disembarkation. Fly to Bali/Jakarta and transfer to flights home or resorts.
