Banda Bound

Last updated: February 17, 2013

The latest information on travel to the Banda Islands.

Snorkelling around the Banda Islands is famous, and rightly considered a highlight of Indonesia.

The only problem: getting there.

Centuries ago, European ships travelled for months to the Banda Islands, to trade for the lucrative spice, nutmeg. The promise of untold riches drew many, who would die on the journey due to malnutrition (scurvy) and disease.

These days, it is not quite that difficult. Now that tourist visas (a.k.a. visa on arrival) can be extended to 60 days, the biggest issue for planning a trip to the Banda Islands is frequency and reliability.

Pelni ships travel from Ambon to Banda once or twice a month, and the schedule is available on its website up to just six weeks in advance.

Flights from Ambon to Bandaneira in the past have been unreliable, even by Indonesian standards.

However, some intrepid travellers have reported that lately the current service by local airline Nusantara Buana Air (or NBA) is more dependable. Here is the schedule:

Route	Days Of Operation	Departure Time
Ambon to Bandaneira	Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays	07:00
Bandaneira to Ambon	Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays	09:00

NBA uses CASA C-212 aircraft and has a 10kg baggage allowance. If you’re bringing dive gear, excess baggage is Rp10 000 (a little over $US1) per kg.

Please note that no flight from Jakarta to Ambon arrives early enough to allow passengers to transit Ambon and head directly to Bandaneira the same day; you will need to stay one night at a hotel in Ambon. (You may also want to stow some luggage there to be under 10kg for the flight). Below are some of the more well-known and comfortable choices:

View Ambon Airport, Port and Hotels in a larger map
Ambon Airport and Ambon City are on opposite sides
of the horseshoe-shaped Ambon Bay.

Still unsure? Here is some NBA passenger feedback:

Travelled to the Banda Islands in late October and thought we might have to resort to ferries if the plane didn’t operate. In fact the flight, both there and back a month later, ran perfectly to time and we had no problems at all.
The crew were efficient, the flight perfectly comfortable and the fact that it is a small propellor plane meant that we cruised at the perfect height for taking some really good photos of The Bandas (see example above).

Margy, UK

The flight was smooth and just a little noisy. The pilot came around and shook everyone’s hand before take-off, which was a nice touch.

Sarah, USA

If you are interested in booking a flight to Bandaneira, please fill in an enquiry form.

Please note that NBA flight tickets from Bandaneira to Ambon can only be purchased in Bandaneira; the best time to do that would be upon arrival at Bandaneira Airprt. If you are worried about being stranded, check the Pelni ship schedule or ask your hotel in Bandaneira for assistance.

7 Comments on Banda Bound

1. Luko Says:
   January 23rd, 2013 at 5:51 am

   I was one of the pissed off tourists who was hoping to spend Xmas diving in Banda and who got surprized after NBA decision to suspend all flights on the Ambon-Bandaneira route from dec.23th. 2012

   From I have heard it is more serious than the usual NBA january flight gap, which is always resuming end of february as it is generally due to a delay on the subsidy agreement with the regional govt.
   It came to my ears NBA was almost bankrupt because they had to refund a hefty amount of advance subsidies. Meanwhile another carrier might be interested for plying the route, providing the fares will be increased.

   What are the news for Ambon-Bandaneira flights lately? Any hope for March/April?

2. Chris Says:
   January 23rd, 2013 at 11:08 am

   Hi Luko,

   Thanks for the update.

   It appears NBA flights are now suspended until at least February, and possibly indefinitely; see related post on Lonely Planet ThornTree.

3. Chris Says:
   May 8th, 2013 at 6:33 pm

   A new post on Thorn Tree says that Merpati is now flying from Ambon to Banda at 7am on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday.

   Our “man on the ground” (and Pick Me Up greeter) in Ambon has confirmed it is true.

4. HK Chong Says:
   May 19th, 2013 at 5:23 am

   Nothing on the Merpati website indicated that they are servicing the Ambon – Banda Naira routing. NBA has a website but no online booking facility and I cannot see from their website if they have resumed flights to Banda Naira.

   Anybody out there with more recent updates…or is Pelni the only way to go.

5. Chris Says:
   May 19th, 2013 at 4:42 pm

   Dear HK Chong,

   Thanks for your comment.

   I agree that there is no mention on the Merpati website. I also asked about the flight at the Merpati office here, and they said there was nothing on their system for this route.

   However, there may be a reason for this. Routes that are considering necessary for economic/social development, a.k.a. “pioneer routes”, receive government subsidies and cannot be booked like other routes. It may be that these tickets can only be booked on site, in Ambon or Bandaneira, and only a relatively short time in advance (up to 1 month).

   Fortunately, we have a partner travel agent in Ambon who can assist our clients.

   If you are interested in booking a flight to Bandaneira, please fill in an enquiry form.

6. HK Chong Says:
   August 10th, 2013 at 7:00 am

   Hello there everybody,

   Can someone please advise me of the status of the airline/s that is flying between Ambon and Banda and of the flight days and times (return flights as well) and the cost and luggage allowance and excess luggage charges.

   Thanks

   Urgently
   HK Chong

7. Johny Says:
   October 14th, 2013 at 2:45 pm

   I just chek the flight schedule to Banda for U Mr HK Chong .
   Merpati airlines fly to Banda Neira but not regular ,mostly depend on wheater condition.
   Just about 10 kgs baggage allowed> You can use Ship as a choice>>
   Wheater is good now>>

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