Pure discovery feeling awaits you! This two cruises are the first ones which are operating from/to Saumlaki. Many of the dive sites are completely new and untouched, as Pindito is the first liveaboard operating in this region.

Besides each other, the greatest passions in their life are discovering the wonders of the marine world, seeking out indigenous people and their art, and photographing and writing about their adventures. For the past three years they've been working in Indonesia, specifically Raja Ampat, charting new sites and consulting with „Conservation International” about sustainable marine tourism. They produced for CI the books „Diving Indonesia's Raja Ampat” (2009) and “Diving Indonesia's Bird's Head Seascape” (2011). Now they chartered two Pindito cruises to new unexplored areas of Indonesia.

Both cruises are chartered from Burt Jones & Maurine Shimlock.
For requests please contact them directly:

www.secretseavisions.com / secretseavisions@yahoo.com

Travel back in time to the Forgotten Islands, Pindito’s newest and most remote diving destination. Anthropologists have long referred to the islands extending east from Alor and arcing up to Ceram and Ambon as “forgotten” because traditionally they have had little contact with the rest of Indonesia.

Only 1% of Indonesians live on the 1000 sparsely populated islands, which make up this area of the Moluccas. First explored by the Portuguese who were followed by several European nations, including Holland, the islands of the Moluccas supplied spices to the west during the 17th and 18th centuries. Today these islands supply thrills for traveling divers. Blue seas, endless reefs, and undiscovered seamounts fill most of the Forgotten Islands 850,000 square kilometers, which means abundant marine life and the possibility of first time encounters with masses of schooling fish or perhaps even a reclusive saltwater crocodile. On these two exclusive charters, Pindito will move slowly among tall volcanic islands and low lying coral atolls as we explore the last remaining undersea wilderness within the Indonesian archipelago.

The first departure begins on April 14, 2014 in Ambon with its famed critter sites, including the original “Twilight Zone”. After getting our fill of frogfish, flamboyant cuttlefish, and never-before-seen nudibranchs, we will travel the outer island arc of the Banda Sea stopping at Nusa Laut, where villagers have protected their amazing reefs for decades. Then it’s on to Koon and its celebrated fish aggregation site, “Too Many Fish” point, and Manuk, where banded sea snakes rule the reefs. This trip ends April 25 in Saumlaki on Tanimbar, an island long famed for its art, but soon to be known for its dive sites!

The second departure begins in Saumlaki on April 28, 2014, and travels west, stopping in Babar, Leti, and Wetar, as we explore uncharted reefs and pioneer critter sites that we hope will equal the known sites even further west. As we cruise toward Maumere, our final destination, we will dive Sizzler, Lembata’s Rhinopias heaven (we had 6 individuals on 1 dive in October 2011!), then on to Abeanabang where the critter possibilities are endless. We have photographed undescribed octopus, rare scorpionfish, and even gurnard lionfish just off this southeast Pantar black sand beach. Clear water, fish-filled walls, and diving beneath Komba’s active volcano round out the second trip, which ends in Maumere on May 9.

During both trips we’ll have time to interact with the villages we pass on our route. Most have little to no contact with foreigners, and are very friendly and curious about our lives. Some of you may wish to hike up a volcano or take a solitary stroll along a deserted beach. We welcome the opportunity to explore this faraway part of our planet, to discover new dive sites, and take you as our guest on the adventure of a lifetime!

Pure discovery feeling!!! Many of the dive sites are completely new and untouched, as Pindito is the first liveaboard operating turns from/to Saumlaki. In April and May 2014 we are going to run these turns for the very first time together with our guests. Additionally to the below listed and well-known dive sites you will be able to discover new sites too.

Nusa Laut
Right in front of village Ahmed, a varied reefscape with beautiful coral gardens, and no shortage of fish waits for the divers. Schools of surgeon fish, big eye jacks, and a variety of reef fish including barracudas sweeten the dive. With some luck you can even see hammerhead sharks. Another highlight is the night dive under the pier, where we "hunt" critters. Angler fish, scorpion fish, pipe fish and many other creatures are on display.

Koon
A famous dive site which the Pindito lovingly calls "Sh.. place". Everything a diver could wish for can be seen in this canal, which flows towards the Banda Sea. It guarantees a unique school of fish spectacle; Giant groupers, large Schools Barracudas, snapper, surgeon fish, sweet lips in the midst of beautiful coral. Many a photographer despaired at this place, because you often do not know where to look first and. The sometimes violent currents cannot guarantee the best visibility, but it is a big chance to see large fish such as manta rays, sharks and even mobulas.

Manuk
Manuk, another volcano rising from the Banda Sea is situated far into open sea. Darwin might have run its research on evolution here as well. Despite lower biodiversity on land, the walls below the see are amazing. The night dive surprises many with shrimp and crabs. Especially the shy Saron shrimp can be observed frequently. Sharks, sea snakes, mackerels, tunas and barracudas are seen in the blue.

Pantar
Pantar is the second largest island in the Alor archipelago. Here we can visit some village where both Christians and Muslims live together. The Christian villages lie mainly in the interior of the island, the Muslim villages are along the coast. A highlight is the local market. From fruit to meat, fish and clothes this market has it all. The inhabitants of the island are very nice and happy to have visitors who are called affectionately "long noses".