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Komodo Padar Banta Horseshoe Bay
8 Days 7 Nights
Home of the Legendary Dragons
Komodo National Park is a mystical-looking cluster of islands; a contrast between starkly rugged hillsides of dry savanna, pockets of thorny green vegetation, brilliant white sandy beaches and blue waters surging over coral, unquestionably one of the most dramatic landscapes in all of Indonesia. The National park also, home to the famous Komodo dragons and the only place this majestic creature is found in the wild. According to the legends, the Komodo dragons we see today are all descended from one born to a Dragon Princess.
Welcome to the Jurassic Park Islands.
Plunging savannas, arid in the summer and bursting with life in the winter, deserted white sand beaches, mountainous outcrops and turquoise oceans teeming with more species than any other place on the planet await your discovery. The scuba diving here is amongst the best in the world and over 1,000 species of marine life and 250 types of coral are found here.
Furthermore, the Komodo Islands are so ecologically significant they were established as a National Park by the Indonesian government in 1980 and made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991. All the flora and fauna and wildlife both on and off the islands are protected and therefore please be guided by your crew about what is appropriate in this area.
Day 1: Labuan Bajo – Sebayur Kecil – Kalong Island
Our staff will meet you at the airport at Labuan Bajo and accompany you to the harbour to board your vessel moored 20 minutes from the airport. Onboard, the Cruise Director welcomes you and provide a safety briefing while the chef concocts a delicious meal to be served on deck.
We will start the adventure by setting sail towards Sebayur Kecil where you will spend the afternoon relaxing on pristine white sand beaches, cooling off in the vivid turquoise ocean or exploring coral reefs which teem with marine life.
After, back on board, kick back and relax as we set sail for a short cruise to Bat Island, locally known as Pulau Kalong. Get ready for a sunset with a view where thousands of fruit bats take to the skies at dusk to hunt. A true National Geographic experience and one which you will never forget.
Day 2: Rinca Island – Padar Island
This is your opportunity for an encounter with the legendary Komodo dragons. Meet your ranger at Loh Buaya station who will take you for an early trek across the bushes of the park and give some fun facts about the island’s wildest residents. Spot the wild deer, the peaceful buffaloes and follow your guide on the trail of the endemic Komodo Dragon.
After lunch, we will set sail to the Pink beach. Pink Beach is an iconic spot in Komodo and one of the wonders of the world. Its unusual pink sand is formed by a kind of microscopic animal called Foraminifera which produces red or pink light on the coral reef. When this is broken down into sand by the constant push and pull of the waves the colour remains.
At Pink Beach, snorkel or dive through spectacular walls of fish looking out for blue-ribbon eels and crocodile fish. Here you can swim through caves, somersault through chimneys and marvel at the coral canyons.
Jump back onboard and enjoy a smooth sailing towards the magnificent, Jurassic looking Padar Island. Spend a chill afternoon to the island of Padar which is actually a great spot for watersports. As the sun sets slowly, we hike till the heights of Padar Island viewpoint, one of the wonders of the park.
Day 3: Taka Makassar, Manta Point – Siaba Besar – Mawan
Start the day with sailing to Taka Makassar or also known as the Manta Point. With strong currents and high concentration of planktons, this whole stretch of reef is inhabited by Manta Rays both singularly and in aggregations. Located between Komodo Island and Tatawa. Not to mention there is a lone sand island in the middle of the reef, perfect for a photo-op!
Afters, you will have the opportunity to dive in Siaba Besar. Known as a macro heaven with massive coral garden home to pelagic fish species such as manta rays, reef sharks, turtles, and much more as well as gorgeous Flamboyant Cuttlefish and Thorny Seahorses.
Next, we set sail to Mawan located inside the Komodo National Park. A treasure trove of macro marine life, truly dream comes true for underwater photographers! Perfect for muck dives with virtually no current, take the opportunity to dive with a wide variety of nudibranchs, mantis boxing shrimp, broadclub cuttlefish, frog fish, and if you are very lucky a wonderpuss.
Day 4: Crystal Rock – Castle Rock – Gili Banta
We begin day 4 on one of Komodo’s best dive locations, Crystal Rock. Located on the northwest tip of Komodo Island, this site is great for diving all year long! You can find lots of pelagic fish, pygmy seahorses, schools of pink, orange, and yellow anthias reef fishes, moray eels and scorpion fish. This technicolour underwater world features endless rows of beautiful, vibrant soft corals, with crystal clear water that provides you high visibility during your dives.
Next, we will visit another iconic dive site, Castle Rock. Like its neighbour, the Crystal Rock, this site also features a lively macro marine environment. You can find enormous schools of Banner fish, Caesionidae fishes, Unicorn fish, and other small marine life also predators such as gray reef sharks, barracudas, tunas. If you’re diving early in the morning, you can even meet the dolphins.
Last spot for the day, will be Gili Banta. This site is where the Pacific and Indian oceans meet. Drift along the current and explore the vast reefs, teemed with live, perfect for schooling fish, sharks, octopus, amazing corals, and manta rays swimming by.
Day 5: West Komodo, Horseshoe Bay
On day 5, we will spend the day on the Horseshoe bay, a channel between Rinca and Kode Islands. The bay is home to several famous dive sites in the Komodo National park area. We will also experience a different experience in encountering the Komodo dragon and other wildlife in the Park area, like wild boars, deer, and a family of pigs on the shore.
Day 6: Manta Alley – Cannibal Rock
After breakfast, we will go to the Manta Alley. Located on the far south end of the Komodo Island, Manta Alley consists of a series of rocky islands famous for the Manta Rays and diving is available all year round. Manta Alley is also known as the Manta cleaning station where small wrasse and butterfly fish clean the mantas of parasites. The Alley has a strong current. You can also see Black Tip sharks patrolling and the Mantas feeding on Planktons.
Next, we will go to the Cannibal Rock site located on the far south end of Rinca Island. This peculiar site is known to be exposed during low tide. Extend well beyond 40 meters down, this site is home to various soft corals and sponges. Anemones, turtles and plenty of little critters are very common. Cannibal Rock is also home to frogfish, nudibranch and Ladybugs on the deeper areas.
Day 7: Kanawa – Sabolon
Before sailing back to Labuan Bajo, we will make a stop at Kanawa, located about 15 KM from Labuan Bajo. With beautiful beaches and fascinating underwater view, Kanawa is perfect for relaxing after a week of adventures. The shallow reefs are house for schools of colourful little fishes, Starfish, and tiny crabs. You can also find Manta Rays, Sunfish, and even Whale sharks if you dive deeper!
We will then sail to Sabolon, our last destination before sailing back to Labuan Bajo. The sea mound is home to large schools of Surgeon fish, massive sea fan corals, and the many variety of hard and soft corals in the shallows. This site also offers great visibility!
Day 8: Labuan Bajo, Checkout
We arrive back in Labuan Bajo harbour in the morning and enjoy a relaxed breakfast before finally saying goodbye to the crew and departure for the airport for your connecting flight.