the pindito boat with whale in the foreground

16 Night Biodiversity Indonesia Dive Trip with Blue Whale Snorkel Sept 14-30 2026 (Unescorted)

16 Night Biodiversity Indonesia Dive Trip with Blue Whale Snorkel Sept 14-30 2026 (Unescorted)

We had more people who wanted to do the blue whale snorkel in 2026 than we had space on the Raja to Ambon and Ambon to Raja trips in October.  So we added this trip as well.  It is a 16 night trip that goes from Maumere to Raja Ampat and passes through the Banda Sea area where the trip whale snorkeling happens.

Only 5 cabins are available

$9890 per person.

This trip is not escorted by Matt and Sheila.  We, of course, well help you plan it, but we wont be there (we are on the next 2 trips back to back).

The Itinerary

The trip starts in Maumere (MOF).  Then, over the next 16 days, Alor, Romang, Teun, Seroea, Manuk, Banda Neira (this is close to the whale snorkeling area, so we may spend extra time here), Koon, Misool (Raja Ampat), and the Dampier Straight.  It is an epic itinerary that covers huge swaths of the diving areas in Indonesia.  It does not cover the Ambon area which are part of the Oct 5-16 and 19-30th whale snorkeling trips, so if you want to do that area you have to do both.

The trip finishes up in Sorong (SOQ) where you will fly out to Jakarta or Bali.

To explore the itinerary you should really just head over to the website of the Pindito and check out all the areas we will be diving.  LINK TO PINDITO BIODIVERSITY INTINERARY.

But a couple of highlights that are worth pointing out.  Alor has big currents and is famous for massive schools of fish.  Seroea and Manuk area is famous for the “Snake Island” where you can see hundreds of sea snakes on one dive. The Banda Island areas is where we will be is season to do the whale snorkeling. In Koon it is current and big stuff with a chance for mantas and mobulas.

 


Inclusions

Dugong in the Banda Sea

Dugong in the Banda Sea

  • Transfers from and return to the airport and the MV Pindito
  • Accommodation in a double bed or twin bed cabin with en-suite shower bath, toilet and AC
  • Full board including all drinks on board, including beer and spirits on board (excluding wine)
  • All diving (no diving on arrival/departure day)
  • NITROX for whole cruise
  • Multi-lingual guides/cruise directors on board
  • all offered land excursions

pipefish on the biodiversity Island divers tripExclusions

  • Harbor fees (80 USD)
  • Fuel Surcharge (250 USD)
  • Souvenirs onboard
  • Crew gratuities
  • Domestic airport-taxes and departure taxes
  • Trip and Dive insurance (please note DAN is specific Dive insurance only)
  • National marine park fees:
    • Estimated 250 USD per person for the whole trip.
    • (Depending on factors such as time spent at the marine parks and activities done)
  • Rental equipment

Travel Considerations

Trip departs on 14th of Sept from Maumere (MOF) airport code.  The boat has local travel agent that can organize internal flights.  We will probably fly into Bali (DPS) and spend a couple nights in Sanur (we like it in Sanur, not as much in Kuta) recovering from our overseas flight and getting into the time zone.  There is a mid day one stop flight for less than $200 that we will probably take on the 13th to Maumere.

The trip ends in Sorong (SOQ) from here you can get back to your arrival point in Indonesia to connect to your flights home.  Matt and Sheila will be staying in Sorong (probably at the Swiss Bell) until we board the Oct 5th trip.  Sounds like I’ll be celebrating my 57th birthday there!  I’m sure we are going to take a trip to see the birds of paradise.  It is a couple hour drive into the jungle apparently.  Feel free to join us.

Sheila is doing some work as a travel agent via Blue Hat Travel, she can help organize it if you want her to.  She does charge nominal booking fees, with a little more if you want her to organize flights for you.  This is not really a service open the the general public, but for friends we have made via dive travel.

Payment Schedule

Prior to Oct 2024, $250 per person deposit to hold space

Oct 2024, total $2000 per person deposit on file (pay another $1750)

Sept 1st, 2025 (one year out) total $5000 per person deposit on file (pay another $3000).  This is also the last day to book the trip.  I will release all the unsold seats back to the boat on Sept 10th.

March 31st 2026, final payment due (pay another $4890 for a total of $9890pp)

We are accepting Zelle now, which is convenient with no fees.  mattislanddivershawaii@gmail.com is the linked account.  Please don’t send me money without telling me what it is for!  Especially if you are new to the dive family.

Checks to Dive Travel Services PO Box 30108 Honolulu HI 96820 still work, and PayPal with any credit card works too but carries a 3.5% fee.

All payments are non refundable.  However, subsitutions are allowed (and I will work on your behalf to make substitutions happen, but it is not guaranteed).

Trip Insurance and Dive Insurance

Dive Insurance (like DAN) is required.  This is the one that will cover medical evacuation.  Trip Insurance is the one that covers trip if you break a leg, miss a connection and then the boat, get sick on the boat and can’t dive, etc.  This is not required, but we you get up into trips that are $10K, you really ought to consider it.

Photo Credits

All of the images on this webpage were stolen direclty from the Pindito webpage or the Subculture Travel webpage and are by either Kerri or Hergen, the agents/travelers/divers that are representatives of the boat in the US market.