Wonderful Banda Island in Maluku

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. 

Banda Islands

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.