The Forgotten Islands

Remote and raw, a hidden arc of pristine reefs and schooling hammerheads

The Signature Trio of The Forgotten Islands

The Forgotten Islands, also known as the Southeast Moluccas area, are a remote archipelago stretching over 1,000 kilometres from Timor to West Papua. It is only accessible via the Forgotten Islands liveaboard. Venture into this secluded paradise, where dramatic volcanic landscapes collide with vibrant coral reefs, schooling pelagics, and rare macro marine life. Key islands like Maumere, Alor, and Tual offer access to some of the world’s most pristine and untouched dive sites. This is true off-the-map exploration, delivering world-class diving and raw, unspoiled beauty at every turn.

Maumere

Often the embarkation point for Forgotten Islands trips, Maumere offers rich coral gardens, WWII wrecks, and intriguing macro life.

Alor

Known for crystal-clear waters, colorful coral reefs, and a perfect mix of big pelagic encounters and world-class muck diving.

Tual

The final eastern stretch of the Forgotten Islands, home to unspoiled reefs and surreal underwater topography.

Main Access Point

Maumere (Flores) or Timor

BEST SEASON TO VISIT

September to November

GETTING THERE

Bali (DPS) - Ambon (AMQ)

Jakarta (CGK) - Ambon (AMQ)

MARINE BIODIVERSITY

Pristine reefs with diverse macro life, pelagics, and rare species

Why Visit

The Forgotten Islands

Because of the isolation, the reefs here in The Forgotten Islands are in pristine condition, teeming with hard and soft corals, schooling fish, and big pelagics including hammerhead sharks, reef sharks, tunas, and sometimes even whale sharks.

Expect thrilling wall dives, deep pinnacles, and dramatic underwater terrain shaped by volcanic activity. These islands are also home to rare macro species, making them ideal for both wide-angle and macro enthusiasts. Topside, the islands feature rugged coastlines, tiny villages, and landscapes that feel completely untouched by time — diving here is as close to true exploration as it gets.

view liveaboards

Diving in

The Forgotten Islands

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TNS (Teun, Nila, Serua) (Tual)

These remote islands feature steep drop-offs and strong currents with hammerhead sharks, barracuda, snappers, and groupers. Serua is renowned for schooling hammerheads.

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Wetar Island

Rarely visited and home to healthy reefs, manta rays, reef sharks, hawksbill turtles, and vibrant coral slopes.

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Nils Desperandum

A hotspot for hammerhead sharks. Other sightings include silky sharks, pygmy seahorses, and pelagics like tuna and trevallies.

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Clown Valley (Alor)

A dense field of anemones and hundreds of clownfish create a surreal dive perfect for photography.

Kal’s Dream (Alor)

A current-swept site with schooling barracuda, trevally, and hammerhead sharks in season.

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Wairterang Wreck (Maumere)

A coral-covered WWII Japanese shipwreck teeming with ghost pipefish, lionfish, and reef fish.

Hammerhead Sharks

Best seen in Serua and Nils Desperandum, especially October to November.

Reef Sharks

Common apex predators in healthy coral ecosystems. Species like blacktip, whitetip, and grey reef sharks help maintain reef balance by preying on weaker fish.

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Critters

Ghost pipefish, frogfish, blue-ringed octopus, rhinopias, and pygmy seahorses in muck and reef environments.

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Pelagic

Barracuda, dogtooth tuna, trevallies, and occasional oceanic mantas.

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Whales & Dolphins

Migratory species including pilot whales, dolphins, and orcas pass through the Banda Sea corridor.

The water temperature in the Forgotten Islands ranges from 26°C to 29°C throughout the year, with occasional thermoclines dropping to 24°C during June to September in southern area

Steep coral walls, slopes, pinnacles, and sandy bottoms dominate the remote terrain, with depths from 5 m to over 40 m.

Expect strong and changeable currents, especially around deep channels and seamounts. These conditions bring big fish and action-packed drift dives, but are best suited for confident and experienced divers. Dive planning is key, and local guides will time entries for the safest and most exciting experience.

Bali (DPS) - Ambon (AMQ)

Jakarta (CGK) - Ambon (AMQ)

How to get to

The Forgotten Islands

The Forgotten Islands are a remote chain of volcanic isles in Southeast Maluku, spread across the Banda Sea. Isolated and rarely visited, reaching them requires some effort—but the reward is world-class diving in truly untouched waters.

By Plane

The best way to access the region is by flying to one of three key airports: Ambon (AMQ), Langgur/Tual (LUV) and Saumlaki (SXK). Ambon can be reached through the main airport in Indonesia.

By Ferry

Pelni ferries connect Ambon to outlying ports like Tual and Saumlaki, but sailings are infrequent and long. It’s a budget-friendly but time-consuming option.

By Liveaboard

The most convenient and immersive way to explore the Forgotten Islands is by liveaboard. These trips run during April–May and September–November, crossing the Banda Sea between Alor, Ambon, Tual, and Saumlaki—offering rare access to remote reefs and isolated islands.