Ambon is one of the greatest muck diving locations on the planet. A place of unique discoveries, new species are frequently described for the first time in Ambon, with the most famous being the ‘Psychedelic’ Frogfish (Histiophryne Psychedelica). It is also a hotspot for the elusive Rhinopias Scorpionfish, leading to one of their dive sites been named ‘Rhinopias City’.

Critter list from our 1st visit to Spice Island Divers Resort
During our first stay at Spice Island Divers we were amazed by the critter diving – this was adrenaline critter diving, with every dive revealing new critters – some of which appeared to have been on steroids. You could easily dive Ambon for a month without tiring there is just so much to see here. During our time with Spice Island Divers we saw new creatures on every dive, including countless Ornate, Robust and Velvet Ghost pipefish, Bumble Bee shrimps, Leaf Scorpionfish, an array of Crabs and Shrimps (including Zebra crabs, Emperor shrimps, Coleman shrimps, Boxer shrimps, Hinge-back shrimps, Anemone shrimps and Cleaner shrimps), Paddle-flap and Lacy Rhinopias, Giant free-swimming frogfish, juvenile Clown frogfish, Ambon Scorpionfish, Mimic octopus, Ribbon eels, Mandarin fish, Banded pipefish (everywhere), at least 6 types of Moray eel, Snake eels, Coral Cat sharks, Thorny seahorse, Pygmy seahorse, baby cuttlefish, a giant Mantis shrimp that looked like it could have taken your hand off…and many more. One of our most memorable dives involved three giant frogfish free-swimming from diver to diver and at one point being perched on our camera housing!

Critter list from our 2014 group trip to Spice Island Divers Resort
This is a snap-shot of our critter list and I’m sure our guests could add many more critters to this list…Cuttlefish both mating and feeding (not at the same time), Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Coconut Octopus, Wunderpus (my personal favourite!), Snowflake Moray, Zebra Moray, Chlamydatus Moray, White-Eyed Moray, Giant Moray, Painted Frogfish, Giant Frogfish, Warty Frogfish, Hairy Squat Lobster, Oliver’s Squat Lobster, Crinoid Squat Lobster, Harlequin Shrimp, Mantis Shrimps, Emperor Shrimp, Skeleton Shrimp, Hairy Shrimp, Pygmy Seahorse, Thorny Seahorse, Ornate Ghost Pipefish, Robust Ghost Pipefish, Halimeda Ghost Pipefish, Ringed Pipefish, Blue Ribbon Eels, Bumble Bee Shrimps, Leaf Scorpionfish, Paddle-Flap Rhinopias, Candy Crab, Porcelain Crab, Flat Rock Crab, Coral Crabs, Anemone Shrimps, Banded Boxer Shrimps, Popcorn Shrimps, Orangutan Crabs, Cockatoo Waspfish, Snake Eels, hundred’s of feeding Spanish Mackerel mouths agape (ok so not a critter) and a huge variety of Nudibranchs!

Spice Island Divers Resort is within easy reach of some of Ambon’s other great dive sites, including the beautiful Pintu Kota and Hukurila Caves and the Ambon Shipwreck. The Ambon Shipwreck was recently identified as the Duke of Sparta, a huge 137 metre length vessel, which was bombed by the Americans in operation Haik in 1958. This clandestine operation is still denied by the CIA, but it’s apparent aim was to prevent Indonesia becoming a communist country. This dive is not to be missed, and on our dives we found giant jellyfish, pufferfish, morays and with a little penetration we could easily explore the insides of the wreck.