6 days Diving Komodo Banta and More

Located some 500 kilometres east of Bali, the Komodo National Park is an archipelago of about eighty islands set between Flores to the east and Sumbawa to the west. Underwater it offers a universe of spectacular beauty, one of the very richest in the world in terms of diversity, host to more than 1,100 different species of fish and over 250 types of corals. When one looks at the map one will readily understand that the Komodo National Park is a magic border area between two totally different marine ecosystems. To the north there is the Flores Sea, a purely tropical environment with clear warm waters, kaleidoscopic corals and unsurpassed visibility. The Savu Sea to the south is in reality a sector of the Indian Ocean. Between the islands there is first of all the eternal lunar clockwork of the tides. However, in addition there are also the currents from the deep of the Southern Ocean that are pushing up against the continental shelf and venting through subterranean passages, carrying a never ending supply of plankton.

Day One

On day one when you arrive at the airport of Labuanbajo on the western tip of Flores, cars are waiting to take you to the harbour, where the Yacht is tied up to the dock. After embarkation we will first give you a general ships’ briefing to familiarize you with the vessel and our safety and emergency procedures. While you have your first lunch the boat departs to Sabayor Island, at approximately two hours sailing time from the mainland. Here we make our test dive to check our equipment, to make the necessary adjustments to the weights and to get to know each other. We spend the night at the mooring and that same evening we also make our first night dive

Day Two

On day two the Yacht will proceed towards Gili Lawa Laut. This is a small island located on the northern side of the Komodo National Park and offers both a beautiful landscape and some of the prettiest dive sites in the area. The diving experience will include a classic reef dive, seamounts and exciting channels. We make three dives including the Cristal Rock which is famous for its spectacular scenery and where the turn of every corner brings a new surprise – another school of fish, stunning corals or even the occasional shark. In the late afternoon our staff will take you up to a spot on the hill where you have a wonderful view over the Park. It is the perfect point to enjoy the sunset.

Day Three

On day three our plan is to first make an early morning dive at Castle Rock. With its tip just six meters above the sea level this seamount is regarded as the best shark site in the park. Sometimes dolphins patrol the deep lip of rock….Rainbow runners, schools of jacks, and eagle rays hover in the blue. Following our first dive the boat will go on a westerly course and move to Banta Island. Banta offers different types of diving experiences. There is a famous wall on the Northwestern tip of the island that is named ‘Highway to Heaven’. There is also the well known GPS point, a seamount off the Eastern point covered with beautiful hard coral formations. With a bit of luck we will see different species of sharks. After two afternoon dives we will follow up with a night dive on a spot that is usually referred to as ’it’s a small world’.

Day Four

On day four the yacht will move to the island of Tatawa. Our first dive will be a drift dive on a beautiful reef where we can expect to spot turtles as well as hump-head parrotfish. Our second dive will be on Batu Bolong which is considered one of the best sites in the Park. The marine life around this small pinnacle is nothing short of stunning with plenty of fish action including sharks, giant trevallies, tuna and Napoleon wrasse. Karang Makasar, west of Komodo Island, is one of the best manta observing location and divers have rarely been disappointed. We will make our last day dive here. Late afternoon, the Yacht will go on a southeasterly course towards the northern tip of Rinca. Here we spend the night at anchor and our plan is to make a night dive on an excellent macro spot.

Day Five

On day five you will make your last dive after breakfast on the island of Tengah Kecil. This is a sloping reef which has colorful hard and soft coral growth with abundant sponges and fish life. Along the top of the reef, hard corals provide homes for huge clouds of schooling anthias and fusiliers. After lunch, we will go ashore and make a short trek inland on Rinca Island an attempt to spot the famous Komodo dragon. Once we are back aboard, we will sail a short distance to an anchorage just North of the westernmost tip of the island. Here we will spend some time ashore to meet the people in the local village. When the sun sets we will start sailing on a Northerly course towards Labuanbajo.

Day 6

On day six we reach the harbour of Labuanbajo on the Flores mainland early in the morning. After breakfast, you say farewell to the captain and crew and we transfer you to the airport for the return flight to Bali or to your next destination.