Snorkeling in the Heart of the Coral Triangle!

The coral triangle, a roughly triangular-shaped area encompassing the waters surrounding countries of the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, is a geographical term used to describe the region that possesses the world’s highest levels of marine biodiversity. As a benefactor of circumstance, age, geography and habitat diversity contribute to the high levels of marine diversity that can be found in this region. Our special, one-of-a-kind departure will bring our small snorkeling group through the very heart of the coral triangle, beginning in the Lesser Sunda Islands and ending in Ambon.
x
Throughout this journey, we will snorkel many of the remarkable shallow marine habitats throughout this region to experience the incredible profusion of marine life that exists in the heart of the coral triangle. Focusing on the best snorkel sites of Flores, Alor, and the Banda Islands, each day will find us snorkeling an assortment of healthy, shallow coral gardens, narrow channels, black sand slopes, blue water mangroves, and seagrass meadows that serve as vital nurseries. According to the latest estimates, over the course of our trip we should be exposed to close to 2000 species of reef fish and many more thousands of invertebrates!
x
Our tour begins in Kalabahi, Alor where we will spend a couple of days snorkeling the incredible reefs of Alor. Nutrient-rich waters support a massive number of fish and invertebrates and in our opinion, have some of the fishiest reefs in all of Indonesia. From there, we will follow the Banda arc, island-hopping along the eastern Lesser Sundas before turning north towards the Banda Islands. Many of the islands in the arc are volcanic with incredible fringing reefs packed with healthy coral.
x
The Banda Islands are the next stop and along with the rich history that revolves around nutmeg and mace, the islands boast incredible scenery and even more magnificent reefs. Not only diverse with coral and fish, but the local waters also support a healthy population of some of the bigger reef fishes like Napoleon wrasse, groupers, snappers, and sharks. We will snorkel along the western edge of Ceram before cruising to Ambon.
x
Along with our unique opportunity to visit many of the best snorkeling sites in the world, we may have the chance to visit colorful cultures in Alor, stand on top of the 16th century Fort Belgica on Banda Niera, and cruise along rugged and remote volcanic islands. From the uber-fishy reefs of the Alor archipelago to the big fish of the Banda Islands, to the black sand of Ambon, this special heart of the coral triangle expedition has it all!

 

---

ITINERARY

The heart of the coral triangle snorkeling tour begins and ends in Jakarta, Indonesia. We have one internal flight to Kalabahi and our return flight from Ambon to Jakarta. Our journey on the boat generally follows an east-northeastward route, stopping to visit several islands and island groups along our way (Alor, Banda arc islands, Banda Islands, Ambon). The following is a general itinerary based on a combination of our own experiences in the area and that of the crew onboard our expedition vessel. Please note that this is a general itinerary and that weather, tides, and other unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances may affect the schedule at any time.

Day 1: Jakarta, Indonesia / Sheraton Jakarta Soekarno Hatta Airport
Meals provided: D
Arrive in Jakarta, and check in at the group hotel, Sheraton Jakarta. Welcome dinner and trip orientation at the resort. In the late evening, we fly to Kalabahi. Overnight Sheraton Jakarta.

Day 2: Kalabahi, Alor / Gaia Love
Meals provided: B,L,D
We arrive in Kalabahi and transfer to the Gaia Love. Timing will dictate our snorkeling schedule today, but we expect to have the entire afternoon to snorkel. Our sites are in Pantar Strait where extensive, magnificent reefs exist right along rugged, volcanic islands of Pantar and Alor. These shallow reefs extend for nearly two kilometers and with nearly 80% coral coverage, we will remain engaged right up to the moment we have to get out :-). Overnight Gaia Love.

Day 3: Alor
Meals provided: B,L,D
We continue our snorkeling activities in Alor, visiting the rich reefs of Babylon and Ternate. Babylon is a shallow fringing reef that is packed with hard and soft corals that grow right up to shore. Critter hunting is particularly productive, but the overall magnificence of this reef will keep everyone enamored. Ternate is an uplifted limestone island with a steep wall that begins in shallow water and often right from the shore. The vertical wall is subjected to currents and, as such, attracts small and large reef fish alike. Look out for turtles and rays! Overnight Gaia Love.

Day 4 – 7: Cruising to the Banda Islands
Meals provided: B,L,D
On our way to the Bandas we will visit several islands that may include Reong, Romang, Teun, and Manuk where pristine coral reefs dominate the shorelines of these islands born of fire. Our itinerary during this period is strictly dependent upon weather. Overnight Gaia Love.

Day 8 – 11: Banda Islands
Meals provided: B,L,D
In the middle of the Banda Sea are a cluster of ten islands that were once known as the Spice Islands for the abundance of the highly sought-after spice called nutmeg. Today the isolated group are better known for their rich reefs and dense schools of fish. We will spend three days exploring some of the best reefs the islands have to offer. Pulau Hatta possesses shallow fringing reefs that plunge to thousands of feet and where schools of jacks, groupers, and snappers mingle with even larger schools of tropical reef fish. This site is also known for the abundance of turtles, rays, large Napoleon wrasses, and sharks.

On Banda Niera we have the chance to see the techno-colored mandarinfish as well as visit Gunung Api to snorkel the lush reef that grows on top of a lava flow that happened back in 1988. Pulau Ai and Run, both known for their incredibly diverse reefs that teem with thousands of tropical fish, are also absolutely on the schedule. Pulau Run has some of the highest diversity of reef fish we will encounter throughout the entire trip! We will also night snorkel to see the gaudy mandarinfish perform their nightly mating rituals and have the chance to visit Fort Beligica and local nutmeg plantations. Overnight Gaia Love.

Day 12: Nusa Laut / Mamamla
Meals provided: B,L,D
Nusa Laut has an extensive seaward reef with walls that begin in just a few feet of water and plunge to thousands of feet in depth. Along with the huge schools of anthias and damsels that converge at the reef margin, look for turtles, sharks, and pelagic fish such as mantas and mobulas. The coast along the small limestone island of Mamala is made up of limestone boulders, some the size of a 3-bedroom house, that converge to create a convoluted coastline with swim-throughs and grottos. The shallow micro-habitats are perfect for juvenile reef fishes and this reef seems to be very popular for nudibranchs! Overnight Gaia Love.

Day 13: Ambon / Jakarta
Meals provided: B,L,D
Disembark in Ambon and transfer to the airport for the flight back to Jakarta. Transfer to our group hotel. Group dinner at the hotel. Overnight Sheraton Jakarta.

Day 14: International flights or extensions
Meals provided: B

DEPARTURES

Sept 30 – Oct 13, 2025←Sold Out
Accommodations: Gaia Love
Guides: Lee Goldman, Ethan Daniels
Length: 14 days

Prices and Payment schedule:
$ 9000 USD per person, double occupancy
$ 12,500 USD per person, single occupancy

Reservation deposit: $500 USD
March 30, 2025: $4500 USD
June 30, 2025: $4000 USD / $7500 single

Tour cost includes:

• Accommodations on day 1 through day 14
• All meals on days 2 through 13 (dinner on day 1 – breakfast on day 14)
• All internal transfers including international arrival and departure transfers
• Non-alcoholic beverages
• All snorkeling and park fees
• All gratuities

Tour cost does not include:

• Round-trip international airfare
• Additional hotel accommodations and meals as a result of travel outside of the program dates
• Visa requirements including payments
• Alcoholic beverages
• International departure taxes
• Extra / overweight baggage fees
• Trip insurance (recommended; (we recommend Travel Guard, World Nomads, or Travel Insure)
• DAN insurance (required unless personal insurance program has worldwide emergency evacuation services)
• Additional accommodations while on tour in the event of flight schedule changes or events of force majeure
• Fuel surcharges (if applicable)

Cancellation policy:
180 – 91 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost
90 days or less prior to departure: 100% of tour cost

Please see our Terms and Conditions