Southern Forgotten Islands
Mandatory Requirements: PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent - minimum of 50 logged dives. It is also highly recommended to have experience, and be comfortable diving in strong currents.
Duration
12 nights
Skill level
Advanced
Overview
Pristine reefs
Volcanic islands
Remote dive locations
Abundant marine life
Variable currents
The Southern Forgotten Islands liveaboard itinerary is one of Indonesia’s least-dived routes. Cruising from Alor to Saumlaki, this 12-night expedition explores the nutrient-rich waters of the Pantar Strait before entering the southern Banda Sea to visit isolated islands along the edge of the Banda Arc. Designed for experienced divers, this itinerary combines current-swept reef systems, volcanic seamounts, offshore pinnacles and pelagic potential in a region rarely visited by dive vessels. This is not a mainstream Indonesia diving cruise. It is a long-range expedition through southeastern Indonesia’s volcanic frontier.
Dates & Prices
What's included:
- Embarkation and disembarkation transfer between the local airport or hotel and the harbour.
- Full board accommodation (based on shared occupancy)
- Tea, coffee, fruit juice & soft drinks
- Up to 4 dives daily
- 11 litre (80 cuft) cylinder with air fills
- Weights, weight belt and SMB
Obligatory surcharges:
- Marine Park & Port Fees
- Fuel Surcharge
- Flights
- Obligatory Surcharges
- Additional transfers
- Equipment rental
- Nitrox
- Beer, cocktails, wine & spirits
- On board merchandise
- Crew and dive guide gratuities
Maps & Itinerary
The Southern Forgotten Islands offer something increasingly rare: space, isolation and minimal dive traffic. Steep volcanic islands rise from deep blue water, currents bring nutrient upwellings, and reef systems thrive far from the pressure of heavily trafficked destinations.
This 12-night liveaboard itinerary allows up to 36 dives across the southern reaches of the Banda Arc. From the world-famous muck diving and channels of the Pantar Strait, we traverse the lower regions of the Banda Sea, visiting remote dive sites enroute to Saumlaki. Highlights include:
Alor & Pantar Strait: World-class macro and current diving in nutrient-rich channels. Seamounts, steep walls, reef slopes and possible pelagic encounters in one of Indonesia’s most dynamic straits.
Southern Alor & Wetar Region: Remote volcanic islands and rarely visited reef systems. Expect dramatic topography and fish-rich reefs.
Southern Banda Sea & Forgotten Islands: A chain of isolated islands along the Banda Arc. Offshore pinnacles, sheer drop-offs, schooling fish, sea snake colonies and open-ocean exposure in a true expedition environment.
Saumlaki Area: Remote gateway at the edge of the Banda Arc, with isolated reefs and seamounts and continued pelagic potential.
Across the route, nutrient-carrying currents support healthy reef systems and attract grey reef and whitetip reef sharks, schooling trevally and barracuda, and hunting tuna and mackerel. Offshore pinnacles and exposed reefs offer the possibility of manta rays and, seasonally, hammerhead sharks. Protected areas also reveal eastern Indonesia’s renowned macro diversity, including nudibranchs and pygmy seahorses.
We offer up to 4 dives on a typical full diving day, one of which may be a sunset or night dive, depending on location and cruising schedule. The diving day is scheduled as follows:
- Light Breakfast followed by a briefing and Dive 1
- Full Breakfast, relaxation period, briefing and Dive 2
- Lunch, relaxation period, briefing and Dive 3
- Snack relaxation period, briefing and Dive 4, (where possible)
- Dinner
This itinerary involves some long-distance cruising, some of which may be overnight. The dive sites indicated above are an example only and subject to change depending on weather and logistics, local regulations, guests’ experience, flight schedules*, and at the Captain’s discretion. Adverse weather and sea conditions can affect this itinerary and impact the locations we visit.
*Please be advised that domestic flights in Indonesia are often subject to delays, schedule changes and cancellations which can result in missed connections and arrival after the liveaboard has departed. We strongly recommend that you make arrangements to arrive in Ambon the day before your itinerary’s embarkation date. Please refer to the Indonesia Travel FAQs, or contact our reservations team for further advice.
Accommodation
9.22
Rated excellent
Nitrox
Surcharge
Wifi
Surcharge
Equipment
Surcharge
Tech friendly
No
Prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey aboard Indo Master, a true reflection of Indonesian culture and spirit within a phinisi-style boat. Our 47- metre luxury wooden liveaboard has 9 individually air-conditioned cabins, hosting a maximum of 18 guests and also includes 16 crew ready to serve you day and night.
Indo Master seamlessly blends modern comforts with timeless charm. Relax on the spacious top deck, leaving your worries behind as you bask in luxury. Seek solace in the cosy lounge areas, surrounded by breathtaking views and peaceful moments. Enjoy a restful night’s sleep in larger than average size beds fitted with premium bedding.
Extras
Master Liveaboards offers a range of services to make your Southern Forgotten Islands diving trip even more enjoyable. Marine Park & Port fees, Rental equipment, Nitrox and courses can now be pre-booked and pre-paid at the time of booking your liveaboard.
Itinerary | Per Person |
|---|---|
Komodo National Park (7 nights) | 180 USD* |
Komodo National Park (10 nights) | 230 USD* |
Raja Ampat (7 nights) | 215 USD* |
Raja Ampat (10 nights) | 245 USD* |
Banda Sea | 200 USD* |
Banda Sea & Misool | 260 USD* |
Misool, Halmahera & Lembeh | 260 USD* |
Lembeh & Halmahera | 150 USD* |
Lembeh & Sangihe | 150 USD* |
Alor Archipelago | 150 USD* |
Southern Forgotten Islands | 150 USD* |
Wakatobi | 150 USD* |
Fuel Surcharge | |
*All surcharges, including marine, park and port fees, are subject to change at any time, and without notice.
The applicable marine park fees for your itinerary will be added to your onboard extras to be paid on the boat before disembarkation.
Equipment | 6 nights | 7 nights | 10 nights | 12 nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Full equipment set* | 200 USD | 240 USD | 360 USD | 440 USD |
BCD | 75 USD | 90 USD | 135 USD | 165 USD |
Regulators | 75 USD | 90 USD | 135 USD | 165 USD |
Wetsuit | 50 USD | 60 USD | 90 USD | 110 USD |
Fins | 25 USD | 30 USD | 45 USD | 55 USD |
Boots | 25 USD | 30 USD | 45 USD | 55 USD |
Mask & Snorkel | 25 USD | 30 USD | 45 USD | 55 USD |
Dive Computer | 75 USD | 90 USD | 135 USD | 165 USD |
UW Torch/ Flashlight | 50 USD | 60 USD | 90 USD | 110 USD |
*Full equipment set includes Wetsuit, BCD, Regulators, Mask, Snorkel, Boots, Fins, Weights and Weight belt. Additional charges apply for dive computer and torch rental.
All equipment must be pre-booked to ensure availability and correct sizes, etc. are on board.
6 nights | 7 nights | 10 nights | 12 nights | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nitrox | 80 USD | 100 USD | 130 USD | 150 USD |
Additional 11 L (AL80) Aluminium cylinder | 35 USD | 42 USD | 63 USD | 77 USD |
13 Litre (AL100) Aluminium cylinder | 25 USD | 30 USD | 45 USD | 55 USD |
All cylinders must be requested in advance to ensure availability.
Availability of large cylinders is limited and not guaranteed. Please contact our reservations team to check and pre-book.
PADI Courses | Cost: |
|---|---|
PADI Advanced Open Water | 250 USD |
PADI Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx) | 100 USD |
PADI Deep Diver Speciality | 200 USD |
Other PADI Specialities | Please enquire* |
Please note: The course prices listed above do not include course materials or certification registration. You can register for online learning for PADI Advanced Open Water and PADI EANx (Nitrox) here. For other courses, please contact our reservations team. While completing AOWC onboard is possible, we need a minimum of 3 students to run the course. If there are less students, a private guide will be required.
Bar Services | Price |
|---|---|
Local beer (per can) | 3 USD |
Cocktails (per glass) | 8 USD |
Spirits (single shot) | from 6 USD |
Spirits (bottle) | from 120 USD |
Wine (per bottle) | from 45 USD |
Corkage & handling fee* | 20 USD |
Other Services | Price |
|---|---|
Laundry (per bag) | 25 USD |
Indo Master merchandise | Prices vary |
Wi-Fi Internet access | |
Single device | 50 USD |
Additional device (per person) | 15 USD |
*Should you wish to bring alcohol onboard with you, a corkage fee will be charged per bottle, or per 6 cans of beer/breezers.
On-board pricing is subject to change without notice. While we try to keep information as up to date as possible, please be aware that, although unlikely, prices may be different on your cruise.
Experience a rarely visited region shaped by currents, tectonic forces and open-ocean life.
Book your Southern Forgotten Islands liveaboard today
You could secure your spaces immediately for as little as 5% deposit*
*our payment terms and standard terms and conditions apply
Customer Reviews
Some of the great things our customers have said about our liveaboard in Indonesia
Do you have questions about Indonesia?
We’ve tried to include a lot information on our website. You may find, however, that you have additional questions about our liveaboard in Indonesia, the diving in the Spice Islands or just general information about booking with Master Liveaboards. Via the following link you can find answers to some commonly asked questions. Should you have other questions or queries, please contact our reservations team who will be pleased to assist you.
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