Banda
is a group of 10 small islands with total area around 44 km2 and
located at the south of Ambon. There is no doubt that the marine park around
the islands have incredible panorama. The islands are surrounded by beautiful
marine life that rich of coral reef and fish. This condition makes this area becomes
one of the best diving spots in Asia.
The
view of marine parks and the diversity of flora and fauna are also the main
attraction in Banda. Even, Banda Marine Park ever been nominated as world
heritage for the paradise of underwater in Indonesia. This is caused Banda
Naira is so popular for marine tourism in the world. The common activities here
is snorkeling and diving.
Divers
from around the world have been admitting that Banda Naira as one of the best
spots in the globe. The diving vision is around 40 meters and it has very good
view of underwater. In addition, the natural biota of underwater cannot be
found in other places. One of peculiar fauna that become endemic fish in Banda
Naira is Mandarin Fish.
At
the evening, divers will be able to see thousand of Mandarin Fish that move
freely to feed or breeding. If you dive deeper, you can find barracuda, hammer
shark, napoleon, and stingray. According to UNESCO, the extraordinary panorama
of Banda Sea was influenced by the eruption of Banda Volcano. The eruption made
the growth of coral reefs became the faster in the world. It took only 10 years
to make coral reef grows very well to support the ecosystem of Banda Sea.
Location
Banda
Marine Park is located among Gunung Api Island, Neira Island, Hatta Island,
Sjahrir Island and Ai Island. Precisely, it lies at North Maluku Regency,
Central Maluku Province. To reach the island, you can take a ferry from Ambon
for a night. If you start your journey from Jakarta, you can take a flight to
Ambon Airport. From Ambon, you will continue the trip to a small airport, i.e. Banda-Neira
Airport which is only available twice a week that are provided by Nusantara
Airways Buanna (NBA).
The
plane only has 18 seats and you need to pay IDR320,000 or US$32 per person. The
other alternative way to Banda Marine Park by Pelni Ship that depart from Ambon
to Banda Islands once in two weeks by paying IDR70,000 or US$7 per person. It
will take around eight hours. As you arrive at Banda-Neira that is become the
biggest Island in Banda, it will be easier to continue your trip to other
islands. Usually, the boat will depart to the islands at early morning.
Accommodations
The
facilities to snorkel, dive, strolls, guest houses and cottages are adequate,
clean and comfortable. You are suggested to take travel agent to help you
arrange your journey to Banda Islands. In the island, you will find souvenir
shops, such as miniature of ships.
Activities
Water
activities are the most favorable for visitors as they come to Banda Marine
Park. The diversity of marine life is various. You look like seeing marine parks
above the boat. Besides that, you can dive, fishing tuna, whales, dolphins, and
watching Arombai Manggurebe.
Banda
Marine Park has 350 species of marine biota, including an ancient shells that
almost extinct. The best time to visit Banda Marine Park is March to May and
September to November. If you want to feel something different, you can go
together with fishermen to try fishing equipment that is used to fish tuna and
cakalang fish.
If
you love to dive, you can go to many diving spots in Banda Islands, i.e.
Sonegat. This is the closest spot to dive because it can be reached for about
five minutes from the beach. The location of Sonegat is between Banda-Neira and
Gunung Api. Keraka Island is the next destination to dive.
Keraka
Island or Kepiting Island or Crab Island is described like the carpet of white sand
that stretches from the north beach. This view looks so beautiful and suitable
to picnic. At the south of the beach, there are many walls 18 meters in height.
At the east of the beach, the depth of water is around 10 meters. In this spot,
you can find coral fish and group of barracuda.
Sjahrir
Island and The Kapal Stone also one of destination to dive in Banda Island.
This spot is well-known as Pisang Island and Batu Kapal that takes around 20
minutes from Banda-Neira by boat. The perfect time to dive in these spot is in
the morning and evening. The next diving spot is Lontar Island. This spot is
kind of outer gate of the islands.
Batu
Belanda also can be visited if you want to face different atmosphere. In this
diving spot, you can find variety of barrel, tube sponge, group of snappers,
wrasses, angelfish, blue-girdled, and small caves. Next, you can go to Ai
Island. The island offer you the best diving spot in Banda Island. Whether at
the north beach, south beach or at the west of Ai Island, you will see if this
area surrounded by perfect cliffs wall which is looks so beautiful.
The
last spot you can visit to dive in Banda Island is Hatta Island. The island
located around 25 km from Banda-Neira Island. There is underwater coral at the
south of Hatta Island. There, you can find the parade of unicorn fish, rainbow
runners, white-tip sharks, and jack fish. Banda Marine Park becomes an
alternative place to visit as you come to Maluku. If you love diving, Banda
offers you the best spots in the world.
Pictures
taken from www.forumselam.com
