Dive in Banda Islands

The Banda Islands are one of Indonesias top destinations for divers. Both experts and beginners will enjoy themselves here, as the diving ranges from the shallow lagoon between Banda Neira and Gunung Api to the vertical walls of Hatta Island, the most easterly in the group. The Bandas offer stunning tropical scenery, a remarkable history, friendly villages, and some of the globe's most pristine, biologically diverse coral reefs. Scuba is new here, but the pioneering divers didn't have to work hard for their thrills. The undersea world around Ambon and th

e nearby island of Saparua have top-rate dive sites. Highlights among reef walls here are the presence of large marine life - sharks, enormous turtles, schools of Napoleon Wrasse, giant groupers, tuna, rays, and huge lobsters - neighbors to generous schools of reef fish.

The Banda Islands, about 132 kilometers southeast of Ambon, consists of three larger islands and seven smaller ones, perched on the rim of Indonesia's deepest sea, the Banda Sea. Near the island Manuk, the water reaches a depth of more than 6,500 meters. Of the three biggest islands Banda, Banda-Neira and Gunung Api, the first two are covered with nutmeg trees and other vegetation. The third however, is entirely bare and highly volcanic. The seas around Banda are the site of the famous Maluku sea gardens with their bright corals and colorful fish darting through the crystal- clear waters and makes it suited to dive, snorkel or even just sightseeing.

The Banda Islands Dive Sites :

Sonegat: The nearest site for a decent dive is just five minutes by boat from the hotels. It is in the sonegat-sea arm- between Banda Neira and Gunung Api, just offshore from a little seaside house owned by Des Alwi, the Bandas most famous son. The drop off here is steep and the wall extends down 25 meters to a grey, sandy bottom. There were few fish around, but a good sized dogtooth tuna cruised by and some beautiful blue girdled and emperor angelfish.

Keraka Island: Pulau Keraka or Crab Island is just a few minutes further out, and protects the north entrance of the Neira " Gunung Api sea passage. A nice sandy stretch on the north coast is perfect for picnic. At the south shore, there are some 18 meters down a mini-wall covered with hundreds of large blue-and-yellow tunicates. To the east shore, you may see at 10 meters a good assortment of reef fish and a school of half meter long barracudas.

Sjahrir Island and Batu Kapal: Sjahrir Island or formerly known as Pisang Island (Banana Island) and Batu Kapal (Boat Stone) are just 20 minutes by boat from the hotels on Banda Neira. These two sites combine well for a morning dive, a picnic on the beach, and an afternoon dive.

Gunung Api: In May 1988, the explosion from this mountain has killed of most of the off-shore coral formations around Gunung Api, but amazingly spared many sponges. Some corals are beginning to to grow back, but by and large the seascape remains bleak. There are no walls off Gunung Api. The bottom slopes gradually to 30-35 meters.

Lontar Island: The outer edge of Lontar Island, which represents part of the rim of a sunken caldera, offers several good dive sites.

Batu Belanda: On this site, you will find many barrel and tube sponges and small caves and cracks. The fish were varied and plentiful: a school of snappers, large emperor and blue-girdled angelfish, wrasses, a large pinnate bat-fish and numerous bannerfish

Ai Island: Together with Hatta Island, this island offers Bandas best diving. Both the north coast and the south "west of Ai are ringed with flawless coral walls, which are rugged and full of caves, the kind of habitat that harbors fish.

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Hatta Island: Hatta Island is about 25 km by sea from Banda Neira. Skaru atoll, a barely submerged reef a few hundred meters off the southern point of Hatta. On a coral outcrop, watch the passing parade of Unicornfish, Fusiliersm Jack Fish and Rainbow Runners, often seen Whitetip Sharks (almost 2 meters) and Dogtoothed Tuna, Napolean Wrasse, and Hawksbill Turtles.

Getting There

To Ambon :usually fly from Denpasar Bali via Ujung Pandang.
To Banda Islands :fly from Ambon by small plane/Merpati Airlines. Or you could try this one :
Flying from Ujung Pandang to Ambon. Then you'd have to wait for the ferry (once every two weeks), and stay at the Bandas for 17 days until the ferry returned.

Where to Stay

There are plenty of small, very inexpensive places to stay around Bandas that you can choose to stay with varied price and facilities

Moving Around

Many days can be spent around these lush islands. Spices are still grown here and the local people still make traditional food and snacks using these once very rare and sought after spices. Short walks to see the forts left behind by the Dutch, visits plantations of nutmeg. The trek up Gunung Api will surely leave a lasting impression with amazing panoramic views if the islands surrounding Banda Niera.

Dining Guide

There are only a few small restaurants with varied of Indonesian foods.

Souvenir Tips

Try to buy some local souvenirs here or traditional foods and snacks.

Other Things to See or Do

For non divers need not worry about boredom, beside snorkeling in the lagoon right off Banda Neira, there are tennis courts and go on a short pleasure trip around Banda Neira. For those who bring their children, they can swim in calm waters or watch the sharks, fish and turtles in two enclosures in the lagoon.

Travel Tips

• Diving is possible all year round, but the monsoon may restrict your choice of dive sites from July to September,
• Diving is usually comfortable, with good visibility and calm waters, but some of the dive sites are subject to conditions that make them suitable for experienced divers only,
• Don't forget to equipped yourself with diving equipments, surf board and snorkel,
• Try to hire equipment from larger firms as these tend to be more reliable, but remember the responsibility of checking the equipment is ultimately yours.
• Bring a bathing suit and extra clothings.

Mt. Rinjani, Where the Community Manage the Treks

Other peaks nearby are Mt. Baru, Mt Sangkareang, Mt. Buang, Mt Kondo and Mt Manuk. These mountains separated to each others by wide valleys and deep gullies with steep rock slopes. There is a lake called Segara Anak (2,008 m) on the valley Wes of Mt. Rinjani. The water smells of sulfur with temperature varies from place to place, from cold to warm and hot. An active volcano (Mt. Baru) is growing in the lake.

Gunung Rinjani National Park lies within a major bio-geographical transition zone (Wallcaeae), where the flora and fauna of South East Asia meets that of Australasia. The National Park, one of over 40 throughout Indonesia, was established in 1997. For the people of Lombok, Sasak and Balinese alike, Mt. Rinjani is revered as a sacred place and abode of deities. The crater lake is a pilgrimage destination for tens of thousand each year. Pilgrims place offering in the water and bathe away ailments in the hot springs.

For visitors, the three-day Rinjani trek route from Senaru to the crater rim, down to the Crater Lake then on to Sembalun Lawang, is considered one of the best treks in South East Asia. Trekkers that are more adventurous aim for the summit, it best reached from Sembalun Lawang returning after four days to Senaru. To assist with conservation and ensure that communities on the boundary of the National Park benefit from tourism revenues, the Rinjani Trek is managed by a partnership of National Park officials, the public and private sectors of the Lombok tourism industry and community representatives. Community run cooperatives coordinate the Trek at the Rinjani Trek Center (RTC) in Senaru and the Rinjani Information Center (RIC) in Sembalun Lawang. Each has roster system for guides and porters, village tour activities and handicraft sales.

Revenue from tourism activities and entry fees is used for conservation, raining, management and assisting the National Park with maintenance of the Rinjani Trek, thus ensuring sustainability. Overseeing and supporting these activities is the Rinjani Trek Management Board, combining the authority of the central government (National Park) and local government (tourism office), with the voices of Lombok tourisms private sector, and the boundary communities. This institutional model is unique in Indonesia and considered an example for practical implementation of the ideals of ecotourism.

Getting There

 

The Rinjani Trek Center can manage the transport to Senaru or Sembalun Lawang. These two village can be reached by private and charter vehicle, or by public bus. From the west, catch a bemo to Anyar, from where bemos travel to Senaru about every 20 minutes until 4 pm. If you are coming from, or going to, eastern Lombok, get off at the junction near Bayan (your driver will know it), from where bemos go to Senaru. To Sembalun Lawang and Sembalun Bumbun, from Kali Putih to the north, a few bemos run along the rough road to both villages, usually only in the morning.

Where to Stay

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You can spend a night at the cheap hotels around Sembalun and Senaru area with varied price and facilities. It's also possible to stay in private houses.

Dining Guide

Before start trekking, hiking or climbing, be sure that you already eat, or you can bring some food and drink from your places of stay.

Moving Around

• If you want to go to the top, it might be better to go directly to Sembalun Lawang and start walking from there.
• If you just want to go to the crater rim and into the crater, then you can start from Senaru.

Other Things to See or Do

Beside the mountain it self, other things for you to do or see is:

• Caves
  One of the three famous caves (Goa Susu, Goa Payung, and Goa Manik), Susu Cave is a good place for self reflection and is often used as a place to meditate.
• Healing Hot Springs
  Aiq Kalak means hot water and it is used to cure various deseases. One of the hot springs is named Pangkereman Jembangan which is meant a place for dipping. The water which spurts out of the spring is very hot. People also use the hot spring to make medicine from coconut cream. After dipping a bottle of coconut cream in the hot spring if the liquid becomes clear oily it can be used as medicinal oil. Then the medicinal oil is used for good things and is called Siu Satus Tunggal or in Bayan language Siu Satunggal which means that it can be used to cure a thousand kinds of desease.
• Segara Anak Lake
  Segara Anak Lake is so wide it appears like the sea with its blue water. The name Segara Anak means child of the sea. Segara Anak Lake holds various mysteries and invisible power.
• Local Strawberry
  This plant grows along the route to Mt. Rinjani. It has thorns like the rose and the fruit is red like strawberry. It has a sweet and slightly sour taste and is good to eat when trekkers are hungry and thirsty.
• Eternal Flower or Edelweis
  The plant or the flowers should not be taken because it grows in the park and in the mysterious world of the spirit kingdom. In the past, someone who wanted this flower must be brave enough to fight and gamble his soul. That is why the flower is called Sandar Nyawa. The flower has never wilted and is as old as the mysterious spirits.
• The Peak of Rinjani
  The people of Lombok believe that the peak of Mt. Rinjani is where Dewi Anjani, the queen spirit and ruler of Mt. Rinjani lives. To the south-east from the peak in a sea of dust called Segara Muncar is the invisible palace of the queen Dewi Anjani and her followers.
• Mount Baru Jari
  Gunung Baru is the name of the new volcano which emerged in the center of Segara Anak Lake. People believe that Gunung Baru is the navel of Mt. Rinjani. That is why if Gunung Baru erupted it will not harm the people of Lombok unless the eruption is from the peak of Mt. Rinjani.

Souvenir Tips

On Lombok there is more crafts than art. The main crafts of Lombok are practical items made for everyday use, but showing great skills and finish, traditional techniques and natural, locals materials. You can take Lombok pottery and limestone, traditional hand weaving, wooden mask, boxes, primitive carvings also Lombok pearls as part of your souvenirs.

Travel Tips

• The climb is not to be taken lightly! You definitely need good hiking boots. Once you arrive at 2700 m (crater rim) it tends to get cold and windy, so you need warm clothes. Don't go there during the rainy season since paths will be slippery.
• It's better to have your own sleeping bags. But, if you don't have one, they can be hired.
• Tents can be rented.

Grajagan (G-Land) not just as a perfect wave, but as a perfect adventure.

...G-Land. G-Spot. Gee-Whiz Land!..a world famous wave that is definitely not overrated.. an awesome, overpowering arena..and, until exploitated, it will remain a prime destination of the surfing world, a place where surfers can come to live out a lo

Photo " G-Land Surf Camp"

ng awaited fantasy....

- Recent comments by various surf media about G-Land, or Grajagan, a now legendary surf spot on the southeastern coast of Java. (Indonesia Surfing-Periplus Action Guide)

Exotic surf travel almost never has the kind of grace and logic that it does in magazines and movies. Beautiful, uncharted waves are out there, but its a long, tedious, sometimes dangerous job finding them. Only a few surfers ever sail out into the great unknown. This is why many people today think of Grajagan (G-Land), in southeast Java, not just as a perfect wave, but as a perfect adventure.

More than a name or a place, G-land is a haven. So close but yet so far from Bali, G-land is a magnet for swell and is definitely not overrated. The set up in G-land is simple, the relaxed atmosphere and pumping waves make for an experience like no other surf trip. Starting with the fact that its located at

Photo " G-Land Surf Camp"

the edge of a jungle filled with birds, reptiles, insects and other creatures not found on the beaches of Sydney or Los Angeles.

G-Land is a long fast wave typical of most Indonesian waves, suggested surf board length at 68 " 72 Gun " unless you surf like a top 44 contender, so bring a couple of Guns and your hot-dogger for the small days or down at 20/20s. You should bring at least 2 boards, Indonesian waves are powerful and its possible to break boards, so be prepared and bring at least two boards.

From your local domestic airport, you can fly to Bali. Arrive in Bali use a travel to go to G-Land, but its recommended to use surf guide to go to G-Land because it will more easier and safe.

On G- Land there are several beach front losmen, front beach room and bungalow.
Example of accommodation in G-Land: "G-Land Jungle Surf Camp" With a bungalow style accommodation which is strongly constructed to facilitate the unique lifestyle of most adventurers who love being in the jungle and nature and to provide as much natural element as possible inside the room. Accommodation is in free standing thatched bungalows sleeping for 2 adults and equipped with double or 2 single beds with mosquito nets, bed side light, small table inside the room, cool fan, private balcony, comfortable terrace seat, table, water dispenser and board racks.

There is National Park called "Alas Purwo" and is open March to November and located just off the beach line.

Photo " G-Land Surf Camp"

There are several traditional restaurants and cafs who serve western and Indonesian dishes.

Sea-related products, and wooden carving

• Visit the Alas Purwo National Park
• Marvel at the diversity of the plants and animals (birds, reptiles, insects and mammalians)
• Swim on the pristine beaches.
• Snorkel to glimpse the diversity of the marine life.
• Visit a traditional village in order to observe their way of life.
• Photography

Photo " G-Land Surf Camp"

Condition of surrounding areas since the camp is exclusively situated near the jungle where there are big trees as well as many bushes spread out everywhere plus a humid air resulted by such natural circumstances. Accordingly , these could probably a proper habitat for mosquitoes that may unexpectedly lead to malaria disease. However, during this season actually there are seemingly very few mosquitoes found, as weather is quite dry. Yet, it's still very much advisable for all guests to follow these helpful tips as:

• Take an anti malarial Prophlactic medication (Chloroquiet Progvanil, Larium or Doxylycline).
• Take measure against being bitten, e.g. by wearing a long shirt and trousers and mosquito nets anytime when sleeping.

In addition, at Jungle Surf Camp, the medical facilities are also equipped with emergency medical supplies like: detection first-aid kits for malaria along with proper treatment as well in case any guest get contacted with this disease.

More impor-tantly, the sun is very strong and hot, hence, bring enough sun block, protect your skin from sun-ray's direct exposure which might be seve-rally causing any serious sun burn case. Besides, it is pretty useful to use hat, helmet with the visor, sun glasses especially in the late after-noon.

Here are some tips what you should take to G-Land:

• A good hat and water-proof sun-screen.

  Photo " G-Land Surf Camp"

• Basic first-aid kit, antiseptic dressing, etc.
• Sand-shoes and thongs.
• Board-shorts, t-shirts, 1 pair light-weight, long-pants and long-sleeve wind cheater.
• Two towels and sun-glasses.
• Personal toiletries, after-sun cream, insect repellent.
• Walkman, camera, handy-cam and books.
• Booties, 2 surf-boards.
• Light-weight wet-suits, rash-vest, gate helmet and spare leg-ropes.

Sources :

• G-Land Jungle Surf Camp - www.g-land.com
• Surfing Indonesia, periplus action guide.
• Surf History- www.surfhistory.com
• Global Surfer- www.globalsurfers.com

Spot information for surfing at G-land (Global Surfers.com):
Type of break	reef break
Type of wave	fast wave
Direction	left hand
Bottom	coral
Average lenght of ride	long
Suitable for	expert level
Detailed information:
Crowd level	a normal crowd
Best tide	mid
Ideal board size	6'8-7'4 Mini gun
Ideal wind direction	north,west,south,east
		`
Wavesize & wetsuit:
Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
10' - 15'	6' - 10'	6' - 10'	10' - 15'
Boardshorts	Boardshorts	Boardshorts	Boardshorts

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