By boat, the choices of snorkel sites around all of the Banda islands is virtually endless. However, we are well aware that the costs of boats to get to these snorkel sites can really add up! Here are 3 excellent snorkel sites that you can get to on foot and for free!
1. Pantai Kasting
This is one of the easiest places to get to for snorkeling, and is a particularly good spot to go in the very late afternoon. The small beach, located right next to Dive BlueMotion, is also a favorite afternoon swim spot for locals, especially kids! Wade in and swim along the rocky sea walls in the very late afternoon to see the beautiful rainbow-colored mandarinfish coming out of their rocky homes and doing their mating dances. The mandarinfish can typically only be seen in the very late afternoon, right around sunset. If you want to go for a swim during the daytime, there are also some interesting muck creatures to be seen along the coast around to the north and south, and there is a yellow buoy about 30 meters from shore where you can see nudibranchs, fish, and small corals.
2. The Bottom of the Airstrip
For being in a bay area and also so close to the village Tanah Rata, this snorkel spot is surprisingly rich with beautiful corals and fish, and is also known for housing sharks and rays. The walk here takes about 20 minutes from downtown Neira. Walk along the road that goes up past the air strip, and just 15 meters past the airstrip there is a cement path on the right. Follow this path all the way to the end, and find your way down to the water from there. Swim directly out from the coast until you're out past the bottom of the airstrip, and until you see corals. The good snorkeling area stretches from the base of the airstrip to the north.
3. Pantai Malole
This spot is the farthest away from downtown. Getting there on foot will take about half an hour. This is the only proper beach on Neira island, although instead of soft white sand the beach is a bit rocky. There are two entrances to the beach, and if you want to go snorkeling, enter at the second entrance point. Another important note: if you want to go snorkeling, go at high tide! This beach remains shallow until quite a ways out, and there are lots of large rocks and boulders between the beach and the good snorkeling. It is difficult (and painful!) to walk over all these rocks at low tide, but at high tide you can simply swim over them. The good snorkeling is all along the beach, to both the left and the right.
NOTE: If any of these sites feels like it might be too far to walk, just grab an ojek! The cost will probably be between 20,000-40,000 rupiah for a one-way ride. Make plans for a pick-up time if you want a ride back as well!