About Banda Neira and How to Get Here
The Banda Archipelago
Banda is perhaps best known as the original source of nutmeg. Until the mid-19th century, nutmeg exclusively grew in the Banda Islands, and is the reason that Arabic and Chinese traders, and later Portuguese, Dutch and English traders and colonizers came to these islands. The colonial history is still very present in the form of old Dutch forts, buildings and crumbling walls that pepper the islands.
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Banda is also well known for its spectacular coral reefs. Divers come from far and wide to experience the healthy and prolific corals and fish, as well as to try to catch a glimpse of hammerhead sharks.
When to Come
The best times to visit Banda are March through May and September through December. The weather tends to be drier and the wind does not blow as strongly during these seasons, making getting to and from Banda, as well as getting around and doing activities once you’re here, easier and more enjoyable. Other months of the year (January-February and June-August) tend to be a bit windy and wavy, with mixed sunny and rainy weather.
Getting Here
The information below was last updated on 3 October 2024
Transportation to and from Banda can be a little tricky. An important tip is to be patient, and always allow some elbow room on both sides of your time in Banda, just in case. You can get to Banda from Ambon (via Pelni ship or plane), Tual (via Pelni ship), or Amahai (via Pelni ship or plane). There are daily flights between all major cities in Indonesia and Ambon.
Pelni Ship
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The most reliable form of transportation to Banda is Pelni. Pelni is the national boat transportation service in Indonesia, and operates all over the country. Various Pelni ships go between Ambon and Banda (and also between Tual <--> Banda and Amahai <--> Banda). The Pelni schedule comes out at the end of the month, and will be posted here as soon as it's available (see below). Unfortunately, we usually don't know the schedule more than one month in advance. Pelni is the least expensive way to get to Banda, with tickets ranging in price from 35,000 to 150,000 Rupiah per person, depending on the ship. The journey from Ambon to Banda can take as little as seven hours and as much as 14+ hours, which depends on the ship and the weather. Pelni ships leave from the Ambon City harbor, which is right in downtown Ambon, and arrive in the harbor on Banda Neira, the main island in the Banda archipelago. Pelni tickets are sold in the economy section. Upgrades to cabins (first, second, and third class) are available, but sell out quickly. An upgrade is an extra 350,000-450,000 rupiah per person. If you need help purchasing an upgrade, please contact us at zahiraguesthouse@gmail.com or on WhatsApp at +62 812 9605 5698
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Plane​​
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Another way to get to Banda is by plane. Tickets are 450,000 rupiah one way between Ambon and Banda. The plane typically flies from Ambon to Banda on Mondays, and returns from Banda to Ambon on Tuesdays. Exact departure time varies, but it almost always leaves in the morning. It only takes 50 minutes from Pattimura Airport in Ambon to the small airport on Banda. Planes also run between Banda and Amahai.
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​Fast Boat
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A final way to get from Ambon to Banda is via the fast boat Cantika Inova. This boat travels from Ambon to Banda on Thursdays and returns from Banda to Ambon on Sundays. The price is 750,000 rupiah per ticket. The boat leaves from Tulehu harbor in Ambon, which is outside of Ambon city. You can contact the ticket agent directly to inquire about tickets: his name is Faruk, and his contact number on WhatsApp is +62 813 4329 2900 He will ask you to pay for your tickets before he can issue them. This is normal. He is a reliable agent.
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Below is the Pelni schedule for October 2024 (last updated 3 October 2024)​
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Please CONTACT US to get more information about transportation schedules to and from Banda!
email: emarsena@gmail.com
Phone or WhatsApp: +62 812 9605 5698
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Other resources are the Pelni website or the downloadable Pelni App
Additional Information
For those who are new to the area, here's some extra info to help you on your way from Ambon to Banda.
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Hotels in Ambon
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Ambon has lots of hotels for all different budgets. A few hotels I can recommend in Ambon include:
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The Royal Hotel (low budget, within walking distance of the harbor)
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LeGreen Suite Ratulangi (medium budget, within walking distance of the harbor)
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The City Hotel (medium budget, not within walking distance of the harbor)
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Pattimura Airport
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Pattimura Airport (Ambon's airport) is a 30 minute taxi ride from Ambon City. A taxi to or from the airport should cost between 150,000-200,000 Rupiah one-way.
If you're on a budget and feeling adventurous, you can also take a bemo from the airport to Ambon. Bemos are the colorful vans that act as local transport, like a bus. To catch a bemo, walk out of the airport to the main road, and look for one of the red bemos and flag them down. Ask to make sure they're going all the way to the city. The ride should cost less than 15,000 rupiah, and you'll be dropped off in Pasar Merdeka, the big outdoor market in Ambon.​
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General
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The people of Maluku are friendly, generous people who live from the heart. Nine times out of ten, if someone offers you help, it's because they're genuinely interested in helping you, not because they're trying to take advantage of you or rip you off.