Colors of Kei
Eastern Banda Sea & Triton Bay

The cruise ‘Colors of Kei’ combines two dive regions that are both world class but very different one from another: the chain of islands at the eastern border of the Banda Sea; and, Triton Bay, just off the Papuan mainland.

Our cruise commences in Tual, the main city in the Kei Islands group which are known for their large population of leatherback turtles. Soon upon leaving Tual, we will start diving the many surrounding islands and islets; some of the diving here still has exploration character, since the area is very rarely visited let alone dived. Moving north, we will next dive the Watubela chain of islands; here, crystal clear water, steep walls, and some of the most amazing table coral gardens await us. We the currents are running, there is a fair chance to see batteries of barracuda and the biggest Napoleon wrasses anywhere to be found!

Leaving the Moluccas, we will cross over to the Papuan mainland and Triton Bay to experience a very different scenery both above and below the waterline: densely forested mountains, their peaks more often than not veiled in clouds, make a dramatic backdrop to underwater slopes alive with the most delicate and colorful soft corals over which big schools of fish are feeding and hunting. Given the close proximity to the mainland, visibility varies significantly, and we will need to select our sites and time our dives with this in mind.

On the day prior to disembarkation, we will visit the huge limestone labyrinth inside the bay, prior to pulling into Kaimana. From here, guests can continue to Ambon, Sorong or Jakarta. Tual, our port of embarkation, can easily be reached by plane from Jakarta or Ambon.