01 Jul 2024

A day to remember on Buru Island

We were met with an incredible horizon ahead as we boarded Zodiacs and cruised towards the stunning Buru Island. We would be exploring one of its most remote corners, and first on the list was a nature walk. There was an incredible diversity of life on display as our Expedition Guide Murray identified 70 different species of invertebrates as we walked through this beautiful green jungle.

A Zodiac cruise along the shore revealed an underground river through limestone caves that released cold mountain water at our feet and into the sea. Then it was onto what turned out to be a morning none of us will ever forget, a morning in the stilt village of Pasir Putih.

As this old wooden stilt village came into view, the landing site was full of smiling locals ready to welcome us. Being the only tourism ship that visits here, there was a lot of excitement to meet us and after a beautiful local dance, it was time for photos. Babies were placed into our arms as children and adults all took the chance to get a selfie with their visitors who had come from afar. It was fantastic to feel the joy of these people and learn more about their way of life.

While it was hard to wave goodbye, before departing Buru we had to make the most of the opportunity to snorkel. A gentle current made for a relaxing drift along rich coral beds that seemed to stretch on in every direction, as schools of fusiliers and other bait fish looked to make the most of the current and moved through us in waves of colour and fins. A truly lovely site.

Images © C. Finch, Heritage Expeditions