Banda Sea Documentation Expedition

Overview

For many years, ReefNet has conducted private expeditions throughout the world's tropical waters to document rare marine life. For the first time in 15 years, we've decided to open selected expeditions to the public.

ReefNet Dive Expeditions are intensive photo/video trips in search of new species. In order to give us the best chance to find something new, each expedition targets a hotspot of marine biodiversity. Furthermore, because we charter our own dive services, we have the freedom to visit both unexplored sites as well as trusted favorites.

If you'd like to contribute to our projects, to learn more about marine life and underwater photography, or just to join for the fun, consider signing up for one of our upcoming expeditions!

Objectives

The primary goal of every ReefNet Dive Expedition is to find and photograph new marine life. The photos and video collected on each expedition are added to our vast database and form the basis of our interactive field guides. By joining a ReefNet Dive Expedition and (optionally) contributing your work, you may even have your images and/or video published!

Another feature of every expedition is the educational experience. During each trip, the expedition leader(s) offer informal seminars on a range of topics which may include: marine life identification, marine life behaviour, underwater photography and videography. Each evening, you may participate in the daily review of photographs and video. It is during this review that we most frequently make our discoveries...perhaps even a new species or two!

Although ReefNet Dive Expeditions are working trips for the expedition leader(s), they are nothing but pleasure for you as a guest. You are equally welcome to participate with us and to contribute to our projects, or merely to sit back, dive, and enjoy the added value of our educational seminars. Either way, the trip will be unforgettable.

Expedition Summary

This 16-day expedition aboard the Pindito covers an astonishing 1100 nautical miles across the Banda Sea from Sorong to Maumere. Few liveaboards dare to offer itineraries of this duration or distance, and none with as much experience as Pindito.

We call this trip a "biodiversity cruise" because it reaches almost a dozen distinct regions that could each be the focus of an entire expedition -- Raja Ampat, Gunung Api, Banda Neira, Maumere, and more! We'll be searching for everything from muck diving critters and mandarinfish to sea snakes and mantas.

To put in perspective how rare an opportunity this trip is, consider that Pindito offers only two per year, and they are completely booked for at least the next 2 years. You simply cannot find this experience anywhere else!

Contact Information

For more information or to make a reservation, contact ReefNet.

We still have a few spaces open on this documentation expedition...anyone with a keen interest in marine life, photography, videography, or any combination is encouraged to join us. We're looking forward to discovering (and documenting) some very special creatures on this unique itinerary.

We especially urge Wetpixel members to consider joining since you'll have the opportunity to contribute images to an upcoming ReefNet/New World Publications DVD field guide to the Indo-Pacific.

If you have any questions or if you'd like to sign up, contact us!

Kris Wilk

Expedition Coordinator

Although it's mentioned on our web site, I've had a couple of inquiries about nitrox availability.

Nitrox will be available for FREE to all participants with nitrox certification. We encourange everyone to take advantage of it!

If you're not nitrox certified you may wish to arrange to take the course onboard.

Kris Wilk

Expedition Coordinator

Hi all,

Just a heads-up that although Pindito has recently raised the prices on its web site, this expedition was chartered before the price jump and so you effectively save $400 per person. That's almost 7% off.

We still have a few spaces open and are seeking keen divers interested in helping us find some new fish and invertebrate species...you might just be a part of history!

Kris Wilk

Expedition Coordinator

As you may have noticed, this trip was just featured on the front page of Wetpixel and we are happy to have them as a co-sponsor of the expedition. We appreciate their support and would really like to get a few more Wetpixelers on board to complete our roster.

There are presently THREE spaces remaining on this very limited cruise. Contact us at 1-888-819-7333 or info@reefnet.ca if you're interested!

Kris Wilk

Expedition Coordinator

Hi all,

For any last-minute travelers out there...there is a SINGLE, MALE space remaining on this expedition. We'd really like to fill it up!

Contact us at 1-888-819-7333 or info@reefnet.ca if you're interested!

Kris Wilk

Expedition Coordinator