BANDA SEA & THE FORGOTTEN ISLAND
ON BOARD SOLITUDE ADVENTURER
About Solitude Adventurer
The newest addition to the Solitude Liveaboard & Resorts family, Solitude Adventurer (IMO MV Mega Adventurer) is a 36-metre (118ft) aluminium catamaran vessel that specializes in dive trips around the Indonesian region. Solitude Adventurer can cater up to 18 guests, and has plenty of features to make sure everyone onboard feel safe and comfortable, whether they’re getting ready for a dive or lounging around during surface intervals.
ITINERARY
8D/7N
Day 1 – Embarkation (Ambon) begins from 0800Hrs
Embarkation at the harbour of Ambon starts from 0800Hrs to 1500Hrs.Only transfers from Ambon Domestic Airport are included in the cruise package. Hotel/resort transfers to the embarkation point can be organized by Solitude with a 3rd party transportation company but will subject to additional charges. These charges will vary depending on your location. You are best advised to organize with your resort/hotel to be transferred directly to the embarkation point or to Ambon Domestic Airport Terminal where we can pick you up from 0800hrs onwards.
Upon boarding Solitude Adventurer, a welcome from the rest of our crew awaits you. Orientation and registration (remember your C-Cards and/or Log Books!) will begin once you are welcomed. You are encouraged to complete your registration and general liability release forms prior to embarkation; this way you will save yourself some time with the orientation and can use this towards getting yourself settled in and rested! If you have not, there is nothing to worry about as you can complete them after the orientation to hand to your cruise directors.
During the registration, Permit and National Park fees will be collected as well. Lunch and/or Dinner are included.
Day 1 – Check Dive
Laha (Muck dive), and overnight sail to Suanggi Island
Day 2 – 4 day Dives
Suanggi Island, Tjg. Nama
Day 3 – 4 day Dives
Pulau Manuk
Day 4 – 4 Dives
Serua Isl. (Hammerhead)
Day 5 – 4 day dives
Karang Nildesperandum, 4th dive at Serua, overnight sail to Karang Hatta
Day 6 – 4 Dives
Karang Hatta, Pohon Miring, Batu Kapal, Trekking after 3rd dive to Belgica Fort, 4th dive at Banda Neira (ND or Mandarin Fish Dive)
Overnight sail to Nusa Laut
Day 7 – 2 Dives
Nusa Laut
We will begin sailing back to Ambon after Dinner.Your last dive has to conform to our 18 hours no-fly/no-altitude policy.
Day 8 - No diving, disembarkation (Ambon) at 1100hrs
During 0700hrs to 0800Hrs, you will be advised by a member of our crew on your bill (If you have any payments for Satellite Communications, Equipment Rentals, EANitrox, Alcohol, etc.). Please check that it is correct and make your payment at your convenience before 1030Hrs. We accept only CASH in USD (Preferred) and Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) or Credit card (VISA and Master Card).
After a big breakfast, we will organize an appreciation briefing followed by final disembarkation for our guests. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate late Check-Out requests as we must prepare for the new cruise the next day.
A typical day on board
The daily itinerary, except on days of embarkation and disembarkation, is as follows:
Light Breakfast > Dive > Big Breakfast > Dive > Lunch > Dive >Afternoon Snack> Night Dive> Dinner
PRICES:
State Room: USD3,850/pax
Deluxe Room: USD3,675/pax
Quad Room: USD3,570/pax
OTHER INFORMATION
Safety and Common Sense
We know that time and investment in holidays are valuable and you want to dive as much as you can. We fully understand that, as we take diving holidays too! Be assured that we are committed to provide you with as many dives as we safely can. Besides the obvious reasons why we would not let you go for a dive (stated in your registration form declaration), being well rested and re-hydrated for your first dive is a good first step.
Therefore, we need to ensure that you have at least 6 hours of proper rest after your arrival before making your first dive. We know you learned about safety during your scuba course(s) but sometimes the excitement and anticipation of a diving holiday can get the better of us and we tend to overlook our own condition for a dive.
Our commitment to safety also includes our crew which is why we limit a maximum of 4 dives (including a night dive) in a day so that they too get ample rest to minimize fatigue, ergo minimize the risk of working on a vessel.
As always, itineraries are subject to weather, logistics and, importantly, where sites are better during the week of your cruise. Your cruise directors will constantly be updating you on the schedule/plans on board during your cruise.
Enriched Air Nitrox
Although the standard mix for EAN is 32%, on most dives we have made an educated decision to provide in the proximity of EAN30 instead, to allow a safer M.O.D. EAN30% would provide some degree of depth buffer if you are caught especially in a down current but will still allow ample extended length of bottom time (compared to normal air).
EANitrox prices are as follows:
US $8 per dive OR US $25 per day OR US $135 for 8 days/7 nights itinerary package.
Both DIN or International cylinders are available on board.
We also have 15L/100cuft Scuba Cylinders. It is an additional US $8 per cylinder per diving day.
THINGS TO NOTE BEFORE YOU GO
Ambon Domestic Airport: Pattimura Airport (IATA : AMQ) Foreigners with Visa Exemption from 169 countries will be granted Visit Stay Permit for 30 (thirty) days. You must possess a valid passport with minimum validity of 6 (six) months and with at least 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
Airlines (i.e. Garuda Indonesia, Citili nk, Lion Air, Bat ik Air) connected directly from so me major cities with International Airport in Indonesia like Jakarta and Makassar. The flight duration is varied between 2‐3.5 hours.
AMQ Airport Terminal Passenger Fee/Tax is no longer payable at the airport and is now included in the price you pay for your air ticket.
Latest up date on flight time to Ambon via Jakarta and Makassar as follow:
Via Jakarta:
Domestic Airlines available from Jakarta to Ambon are NAM, Batik Air, Garuda Indonesia with minimum fly duration +3.5 hours (direct flight). Kindly note that Jakarta (GMT +7) is in a different time zone with Ambon (GMT +9):
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Batik Air
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departure time at 06.05; arrival 11.35
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departure time at 13.10; arrival 18.40
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departure time at 00.30; arrival 06.00
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Lion Air
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departure time at 08.15; arrival 13.55
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Garuda Indonesia
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departure time at 08.15; arrival 13.55
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Via Makassar:
Silk Air flies from Singapore to Makassar ( flights code shared with Singapore Airlines and Garuda Indonesia). Air Asia offers direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Makassar
Domestic Airlines available from Makassar to Ambon are Batik Air, Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, and Citilink with minimum fly duration +1 .5 hours (direct flight). Kindly note that Makassar (GMT +8) is in a different time zone with Ambon (GMT +9).
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Batik Air
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departure time at 14.50; arrival at 17.35
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Lion Air
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departure time at 12.10; arrival at 14.50
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Citilink
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departure time at 13.40; arrival at 16.35
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Garuda Indonesia
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departure time at 04.00; arrival 06.50
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The harbour is located near the seaport town of Ambon, approximately 35 minutes’ drive from the Airport.
Check‐In or Out
Check‐in time is from 0800Hrs and check out time is before 1500hrs
Hotel/resort transfers to the embarkation point can be organized by Solitude with a 3rd party transportation company but will subject to additional charges. These charges will vary depending on your location. You are best advised to organize with your resort/hotel to be transferred directly to the embarkation point or to Sorong Domestic Airport Terminal w here we c an pick you up from 0800hrs onward.
The official language of Indonesia is Indonesian, but English is also the working language of the country.
Time Zone: GMT +9
Climate: Tropical Climate with an annual mean temperature of 28°C (82°F). Rain is frequent between the months of May to August and the dry season that is good for diving is between September to April.
Water Temperature: Like most tropical countries, varies between 27°C ‐ 30°C (81°F ‐ 86°F) with occasional thermoclines possible.
Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Solitude Adventurer accepts only in local Indonesian Rupiah and United States Dollar cash and credit card (Visa/Master Only). We do not accept any travellers’ cheques.
Electricity and plug sockets: Onboard are the same as in the British Standard (UK, SG, HKG ‐ Single phase, 220volts AC). All power sockets in the room (and throughout the vessel) are 220V 50Hz rated and do not have regulated Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS).
Duty‐Free Allowance into Indonesia: Maximum 1 litre of any alcohol and no more than 200 sticks of cigarettes, 25 cigars or 100g (3.52 ounce ) of tobacco.
Diving: We have Enriched Air Nitrox, 100cuft/15L cylinders. DIN valves with yoke adapter on our cylinders.
Others: Laundry, Massage Chair, Trekking and Tour are available during the cruise (please refer to your cruise itinerary)
In‐room amenities: Includes air‐conditioning, wall fan, mini fridge (stateroom), writing desk and wardrobe, electronic in‐room personal safe, en-suite toilet and shower, bathrobe, hair dryer, shower amenities.
Alcohol: We have a choice selection of consumable alcoholic beverage including wine, cocktails, spirits and local beer at our bar. We allow any consumable alcoholic beverage not bought from our bar to be consumed in our vessel.
Money Changer/Currency Exchange Services: As foreign currency notes are scrutinized for the authenticity and condition (no marks, no flaws, etc.).
Mode of Payment: In Indonesia Rupiah (IDR ) and United States Dollar (USD) or Credit Card Visa/Master Card. You will find currency exchange service at any international airports or use the local Indonesian ATM withdrawals with your debit/credit card to obtain Indonesian Rupiah.
WIFI: Solitude Adventure r provides complimentary internet access onboard. To access the internet, our guests will need to connect via our WIFI Network Hotspot and use their sign‐in credentials that will be provided upon check‐in.
As connectivity can be affected by weather and is also reliant on a 3rd party service provider, Solitude Adventurer, her staff and management are NOT responsible for any inconveniences and/or loss of income, data or information which may arise due to the lack of the service, partially or completely.
Local SIM Card: Pre‐Paid SIM cards are easily accessible! In fact, they are available as soon as you exit from the baggage collection at the airport! There are many mobile telco providers – but the main and recommended one to choose is Telkomsel. Upon purchasing, you can have the salesperson help you set u p your chosen prepaid package.
Equipment Rental Onboard: We have Mares dive equipment and dive computers available for rent. Please let us know what you need in advance. We also do have a purpose‐built camera room, for charging your batteries and storing your cameras during your stay .
Nitrox: Although the standard mix for EAN is 32%, on most dives we ha ve made an educate d decision to provide in the proximity of EAN30 to EAN31 instead, to allow a safer M.O.D. EAN 30% would provide some degree of depth buffer if you are caught especially in a down current, but will still allow ample extended length of bottom time (compared to normal air). We provide a complete all‐inclusive diving package with EAN use and also daily EANitrox uses are as follows: USD 8 per dive OR USD 25 per day (4 dives). Proof of EAN certification must be presented with no exception.