Off the beaten track, Ambon island is home to a number of clear water dive sites, but it’s Ambon Bay which has emerged as a world-class muck diving location.
Located at the heart of the Coral Triangle in Eastern Indonesia, the spice island of Ambon is the capital of the Maluku region. The fertile, mountainous island is split into two territories, with Ambon Bay being the main draw for visiting divers and the Banda Sea lapping the southern coastline, home to colourful walls, swim-throughs and caves.
Ambon Bay is a premier muck diving location and one of the main reasons for photographers to visit. For the few that travel here, the rewards are immense. The dive sites range from black sand and rubble to jetties and wrecks, all home to a prolific marine life including but not limited to rhinopias, frogfish, octopus and seahorse.
In contrast to the muck of the Bay, the clear water sites on the south and east coast offer a spectacular topography with seamounts, caves and archways adorned with soft corals. It’s at these you can expect to see larger pelagic species such as Napoleon wrasse, sharks, rays and grouper.
It's possible to experience the delights of Ambon by staying in a resort or by liveaboard as some itineraries include the area in season. Muck divers can enjoy Ambon Bay diving throughout the year but it's best to avoid July and August when some resorts are closed due to the wet season.
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