Banda Islands

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The Banda Islands form a compact archipelago in eastern Indonesia, once the world’s main source of nutmeg. Forts, colonial houses and old plantations remain among villages shaded by spice trees, while an active volcanic cone rises directly from the sea. Clear water and steep underwater walls make the surrounding reefs especially attractive for diving and snorkelling.

Boats are essential for moving between islands, dive sites and historic settlements. The pace is quiet outside the main harbour town, and transport links from elsewhere in Indonesia can be irregular. Nutmeg still grows in managed groves beneath taller shade trees, allowing the islands’ trading history to be understood through a living agricultural landscape.