- Season
- Around April and October
- Embark
- Ambon, or on a crossing from Labuan Bajo or Sorong
- Getting there
- Fly to Ambon via Jakarta or Makassar
- Typical charter
- 10 nights or more
Why charter in The Spice Islands
For centuries the tiny Banda Islands in Maluku were the only place on earth where nutmeg grew. The spice was worth fighting wars over, and in 1667 the Dutch kept the island of Run and left Manhattan to the English.
Few yachts come here. The best chance is the crossing when the fleet moves between Komodo and Raja Ampat, around April and October: a long, quiet voyage with volcanoes, colonial forts and deep reef walls.
Highlights
01
Gunung Api
Climb the volcano at dawn, then snorkel over coral that regrew on its lava flows.
02
Banda Neira
Fort Belgica, old Dutch houses and nutmeg plantations still worked today.
03
Run island
The island that was traded for Manhattan, now a quiet village and reef.
04
Reef walls
Steep drop-offs with big schools of fish in clear Banda Sea water.
9 yachts sail in The Spice Islands
See all 9
PhinisiBhavana
from $15,000/night
- 48 m
- 14 guests
- 7 cabins
PhinisiMutiara Laut
from $14,000/night
- 46 m
- 15 guests
- 7 cabins
PhinisiMaj Oceanic
from $13,000/night
- 47 m
- 12 guests
- 7 cabins
PhinisiJeeva Samudera
from $10,000/night
- 46 m
- 12 guests
- 6 cabins
PhinisiTiger Blue
from $6,600/night
- 34 m
- 10 guests
- 5 cabins
PhinisiSanya
from $6,200/night
- 36 m
- 5 guests
- 2 cabins
Not sure a charter in The Spice Islands is the one?
Our concierge knows the crews personally. Usually replies within the hour, 8:00 to 21:00 Bali time.
Questions about The Spice Islands
When can I sail to the Spice Islands?
Mostly on the repositioning crossings between Komodo and Raja Ampat, around April and October. A few expedition yachts also run dedicated Banda trips.
How long is the voyage?
Plan on ten nights or more. It is a crossing, not a loop, so you fly into one port and out of another.