Join This 13 Day Voyage Through Remote Indonesian Volcanic Islands With Breathtaking Reefs
October 20 – November 1, 2026
This Forgotten Islands snorkeling trip aboard the outstanding Coralia liveaboard, will be an exciting opportunity to voyage through the remote Banda Sea in Indonesia. The volcanic island chain you will explore is locally known as the Ring of Fire, and is also home to the original “Spice Islands.”
The dense shallow hard and soft coral reefs fringe the islands, extending out from them before plunging into deep blue waters. Sponges, colorful soft corals, and sea fans cover these walls and slopes. You will also see all your favorite reef dwellers like dazzling schools of tropical fish, larger pelagic species like tunas, jacks, and batfish passing in the blue, and juvenile reef sharks patrolling the shallows.
Your trip will also include an interesting cultural tour of a village in the Banda Islands, where you will learn the history of these small island communities.
This trip is being run by our partner and friend Ben and his team. Based in the U.K., they are experts in the Coral Triangle, run amazing excursions, and have a great appreciation for the underwater world.
Forgotten Islands Snorkeling Trip Itinerary and Maps
You will be traveling and snorkeling in Indonesia, within a region known as the Coral Triangle, which has more species of fish and corals than anywhere else in the world.
Your tour begins in Jakarta (CGK). After your international flight arrives you will check into a comfortable hotel and relax before a group dinner where you will meet your guide and fellow snorkelers. You will then have a very early morning group flight to Saumlaki via Ambon.
At the airport in Saumlaki, you will be met by the crew of the Coralia Liveaboard yacht. From the airport it is a short drive to the port where you will board.
You will settle in, and the ship will travel to the Inner Banda Arc chain of the Forgotten Islands, with successive days cruising and snorkeling northward to the Banda Islands, and then finally your tour will end in Ambon. There will be a final group flight back to Jakarta, which ends the tour.
What Will the Snorkeling Be Like in the Forgotten Islands?
For the duration of this tour, 3-4 snorkel sessions per day will be offered. There may be a few days when there will be a longer crossing, in which case you will do two longer morning snorkels.
As your liveaboard moves along the chain of islands, you will be stopping at different atolls and semi-dormant volcanoes in the Banda Sea. This is a highly remote area that very few snorkelers have ever seen, which is the reason why it is called the Forgotten Islands. The fringing reefs in these areas will astound you with their health and density, as will the variety and quantity of fish and other sea life.
These abundant reefs are home to many fish: Napoleon Wrasse, large pelagic species, like sharks and barracuda, schools of jacks and batfish, schooling Pyramid Butterflyfish, Red-toothed Triggerfish, and fusiliers, bumphead parrotfish, and eagle rays are some of the awesome sea life you may encounter. Smaller creatures on the reef you could see are leaf scorpionfish, moray eels, nudibranchs, and colorful mantis shrimps.
It will be Blue Whale migration season, so there is a good chance you will be able to view them from the boat on the crossings between islands.
The volcanic islands will offer you the chance to snorkel over black sand bottoms, where you will be able to find many rare critters that like that habitat.
If weather and conditions permit, you will also visit one of the “Snake Islands”, which are home to a rare species of sea snake, or Sea Krait. These harmless snakes hunt in groups, and you may be snorkeling with 20 or 30. This is one of only a few places in the world where you can experience this. Large schools of jacks and other predators are also common, in crystal clear water.
Besides snorkeling in the Banda Islands, a tour will be included to explore the history of the original “Spice Islands” which stimulated the entire spice trade. Your tour of Banda Neira town will be full of cultural highlights, including fully intact colonial buildings and a fort to explore. You will also visit old nutmeg plantations and enjoy some delicious teas and biscuits garnished with nutmeg jam!
After enjoying the Banda Islands, there will be an overnight crossing to Ambon. The last snorkeling day of the tour will be spent immersed in one of the world’s best snorkeling spots for critters. Ambon is famous for its critter-dense reefs, which are very different to the reefs you’ll have explored the rest of the tour. In Ambon, you will slowly float over colonies of unusual-looking sponges and strangely beautiful algae patches all in search of the weird bottom-dwelling critters, like Leaf Scorpionfish, nudibranchs, frogfish, many different types of octopus, and so much more!
There are two smaller fiberglass panga style boats that will be used to bring your snorkeling group to different sites, and they will always be watching your group and ready to assist. These smaller boats have ladders to help you get back on board. If you get tired during a snorkel one of those boats can quickly take you back to the mothership.
On the final morning of the tour, you will disembark from the yacht in Ambon and take a group flight back to Jakarta, where the tour ends.
What Is the Coralia Yacht Like?
Coralia is a beautiful wooden boat built in the traditional way. It is a wonderful home from which you can safely explore the reefs of Cenderawasih Bay. As you cruise between the islands you will view stunning seascapes and enjoy the company of your snorkeling group. We have taken a tour aboard the Coralia and can vouch for the high quality of the accommodation, food, and crew.
At 158 feet long, 30 feet wide, and displacing 361 tons, she is a good sized ship with loads of space for enjoying your leisure time and dining, both in and out of the sun. And with as many crew on board as guests you will be very well taken care of.
There is a sundeck on top, and there is an airy upper deck for dining and leisure, with plenty of loungers for taking in a sunrise or sunset with a drink in hand.
There are also air-conditioned lounge and restaurant areas on the main deck to cool down. When available there is free WiFi, but it is spotty, and only for a quick email check.
The Coralia has eight double cabins. Each cabin is air-conditioned, non-smoking, and has a spacious private bathroom with warm freshwater showers, towels, and hairdryer.
Environmentally friendly, natural soap and shower amenities are provided free of charge.
In the cabin itself guests will find cozy beds, a sofa, working desk, and closet. A safety box, regular, and USB charging stations provide further comfort.
There are four luxurious master cabins on the main and upper deck that additionally feature a private balcony, sun chair and outside sofa, where you can indulge in the tropical scenery and never miss a sunrise or sunset.
The deluxe lower cabins have either one double or two twin beds and porthole windows.
The yacht has a cozy air-conditioned restaurant where you will be served traditional Indonesian cuisine as well as international comfort foods and snacks between snorkels. They can accommodate most special diets such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and so on. But, it is a remote destination and specific food items may not be available.
And last but certainly not least, there is a spa on the top deck for massages should you like to relax even more.
Trip Details and How to Sign Up
This is a small group charter and we expect it to fill quickly. Your spot is reserved with your deposit. Contact Ben below for deposit instructions.
Trip Date:
October 20 – November 1, 2026 – Available.
Trip Price:
Deluxe Cabin: $9450 US per person (Twin/Double Share)
Master Cabin: $9850 US per person (Twin/Double Share)
The initial deposit for this trip is $800 US per person. At 12 months before departure there is a $1000 US per person interim deposit, and at six months there is another $1000 US per person interim deposit. The final balance will be due three months before departure. A few payment options are available including debit and credit cards.
Individual travelers – Ben will happily find someone of the same sex for you to share a room with. If he cannot find you someone, no single supplement surcharge will apply.
Inclusions:
- 1 night accommodation at a comfortable Jakarta hotel with dinner
- Round trip domestic flights, transfers, and connections (Jakarta-Saumlaki, Ambon-Jakarta) with 20kg/44lbs checked baggage
- 11 nights accommodation and full board (all meals) on the Coralia Liveaboard
- A guide from Ben’s team
- 3-4 guided snorkel sessions per day on most days
- Marine park and port fees (subject to change)
Exclusions:
- International flights and visas
- Snorkeling equipment
- Tips
- Travel and health insurance
- Alcoholic drinks, laundry and general sundries
Trip Organizers
Ben and his U.K. based team are the organizers and leaders of this trip (more about them below). Galen and Nicole from TropicalSnorkeling.com are promoting this trip, but all signups, trip organization and payments are made to and managed by Ben’s team. TropicalSnorkeling.com does receive a referral fee in exchange for promoting the trip, at no extra cost to attendees.
How to Sign Up or Learn More?
Use the contact form below to contact Ben and his team to request more information about them and express your interest in signing up. They will get back to you shortly with full details.
More About Ben and Our Partnership
Ben (pictured with Nicole) is our friend and snorkeling trips partner. He and his team are based in the U.K. and have over 20 years of experience guiding in Asia and beyond. He has been running his own business since 2010 and is primarily offering guided snorkeling trips, but he started with diving. He began offering snorkeling specific trips because he was aware that snorkelers often get the short end of the stick when thrown in with divers. He and his team love the freedom and low stress of snorkeling, and are very aware of the different needs of snorkelers versus divers, in terms of the reef depth, and calm surface conditions needed.
From our experience going on some of his snorkeling trips we found them very well organized, the guides were fantastic and very helpful, and the underwater experiences were exceptional. Snorkeling groups really get the benefit of all of Ben and his guides’ years of experience in the water, and with different resorts and liveaboards.
All of his trips are small groups of 12-18 guests, or with a similar ratio of snorkelers to guides. These are premium trips including nearly everything you will need, accommodation, meals, transportation, and more.
His company is licensed and insured. Barring extreme circumstances they do not cancel trips.