Formerly known as the Moluccas,
Maluku is a cluster of about one thousand islands totaling 74,504 km, forming
part of the Malay Archipelago in eastern Indonesia. Also known as ‘Spice
Islands’ for it source of cloves and nutmeg, the region divided into two
provinces, Maluku with its capital Ambon, and North Maluku with its capital
Ternate. One of the best
destinations is Banda Island, the only source of nutmegs during the heyday of
spice trading. The main access point is Bandaneira, a small sea side town where
you can spot the remains of countless colonial structures.
Scattered across the
sea north of Timor and east of Sulawesi, parts of Maluku islands also extended
to the Arafura Sea in South Papua. The province has so many islands to wander
across and all are located hundreds of kilometers from Ambon. Maluku islands
might offer unbeatable beach living, but what makes it super interesting to
some is its cultural heritage.
The Banda islands were
famous for its fragrant nutmeg and mace for which Chinese, Indian, and Arab
ships travelled across the seas. These precious spices could be sold at
enormous profit in foreign market. The Banda Islands
consist of three larger islands and seven smaller ones, perched on the rim of
Indonesia’s deepest sea, the Banda Sea. The seas around Banda are sites of the
famous Maluku sea gardens with their bright corals and colorful fish darting through the crystal
clear waters.
Today Banda attracts
divers, sailors and cruise ship from around the world by its sheer natural
beauty, both above and below the sea, which can only be matched with Raja Ampat
in Papua. The Banda islands are one of the Indonesia’s most popular
destinations for divers. Both beginner and expert divers will enjoy themselves
here. Wherever you go here, you’ll discover stunning tropical scenery, a
remarkable history, friendly locals, and some of the globe’s most pristine biologically diverse coral
reefs.
Activity
Diving is main
activity to do in Banda Islands with more than 25 dive sites, you will not get bored. Some of
the most popular spots are Pulau Ai, Batu Kapal, Hatta Reef, Pulau Keraka, and
Nusa Laut.
Sailing is another
activity for those who love the sea. In fact, Sail Banda is one of the most
prominent events that brings hundreds to the waters amidst the lush volcanic
islands. This event attracts the bravest sailors from around the world who will
come to Banda to conquer the challenging conditions and windy surroundings.
Get some awe inspiring
sunrise views and on Pulau Gunung with a climb to the summit of Gunung Api. You
might want to wander around on the island to explore other attractions like
traditional villages and four century old nutmeg groves. There is plenty to see
and feel as you walk through the pages of history here.
Getting There
The easiest way to
reach Banda is to first go to Ambon, the capital of Maluku islands. You can fly
either directly from Bali or transit in Makassar. From Ambon you can get to
Banda islands either by chartered small plane or using public airplane to
Bandaneira. The flight operates once a week or every two weeks. This limited
accessibility means that once you get there,
you won’t see many other tourists around. Hence, it is an ideal
hideaway.
Alternatively you can
cross the Banda Sea by ferry. Pelni provides a twice a week ferry from Ambon to
Bandaneira. Make sure you double check the schedule for changes.
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