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Banda Neira, member of Banda group, about 132 kilometers southeast of Ambon, consist of three larger islands and seven smaller ones, perched on the rim of Indonesia’s deepest sea, the Banda Sea. Near Manuk Island the water reaches a depth of more than 6,500 meters. Gunung Api Islands is an active volcano, the last major eruption occured only a few years ago.

These islands are too far east to catch the full impact of the monsoon rain clouds, and many are too small either to make the clouds release their moisture or to catch whatever rain does fall. They are rocky, mountainous, dry, covered for the most part by jungle or scrub. They grow little or no rice, and the original staples were taro, sago and yams, with sweet potatoes and cassava arriving here in the early Portuguese ships.

The seas around Banda are the site of famous Maluku sea gardens with their fantasy-land coral reefs and kaleidoscopic array of multi-colored fish darting through the crystal clear water. Huge wrasse and emperors patrol the reefs in herds along with swarms of triggerfish, fusiliers, unicornfish, and more.

Turtles and stingrays seem to be bigger and more plentiful here than almost anywhere else. Around the Bandas, all the big stuff you normally just hope to catch a glimpse of is virtually guaranteed to be out in force. Pulau Karaka, Pulau Pisang and Pulai Ai are particularly well-known for their amazing snorkeling and diving. Facilities for sightseeing, snorkeling and skin diving as well clean, comfortable cottages are available on some islands.