Adelaar

AM: The meeting point will be at the Main Passenger Jetty in Serangan Harbor at 8:30 AM, where our crew will welcome you. As soon as everyone is aboard, we depart Serangan and move along the coastline of Bali, cruising overnight to Satonda Island.

PM: We hope for a magnificent sunset over Bali’s majestic Mt Agung.

AM: Arrival at Satonda Island will be late morning, with two dives scheduled along a sloping reef.

PM: Satonda is an ancient volcanic island, said to be even older than Tambora, with a saltwater lake that fills the crater. Indeed, a huge tsunami filled the crater after the violent eruption of Mount Tambora, on Sumbawa, in 1814. Don’t miss a chance to cast your wish at the wishing trees along the lakes edge! At sunset we depart and cruise through the night toward Komodo.

AM: We are up early for a glimpse of the sunrise as we arrive at Gili Lawa Laut. The park is located in the region known as Wallacea, denoting the overlapping of Australian and Asian biogeographical areas.

PM: There is a splendid assortment of dive sites just outside this picturesque bay. 

AM: Dragons! We go ashore at 7:00 AM for a ranger guided hike into the interior of Komodo Island, to look for Komodo dragons. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the only natural habitat of these giant monitor lizards. So the area was designated as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 1991.

PM: Once safely back aboard, we travel south for a late morning and afternoon dive along the coast of Komodo. At dusk, we dive Lehok Sera to search for the elusive mandarin fish.

AM: An early morning departure is planned, as we head to the extreme southern end of Komodo to Manta Alley. This area typically has much cooler temperatures with nutrient-rich waters, perfect for Mantas!

PM: We enjoy lunch as the boat moves to southern Rinca to an area known as Nusa Kode. With the towering cliff walls surrounding all sides, the landscape in this remote area is breathtaking. Between dives, we board the dinghy and head towards the shore, to get up close to the resident dragon population. After the sun sets, we prepare for a night dive, and a late dinner.

AM: There are two dives planned for this area, one of which will be the famous ‘macro temple” of Cannibal Rock, a photographer's dream come true. From here we journey north to Padar Island for our afternoon dive.

PM: Just before sunset, we go ashore and hike across a beautiful crescent bay, to witness a spectacular sunset. Alternately, for those who prefer to be underwater, a night dive is planned. 

AM: We depart early from Padar and enter the central park area, also known as ‘current city’. This area of the park is subjected to the strong tidal currents that run through the Lintah Strait, bringing with them, plenty of marine life. These currents make for lots of action and exhilarating drift dives. Besides, mantas are often swimming in these parts.

PM: In the late afternoon, we make our way north toward Wainilu and prepare for a night dive.

AM: We’ve saved the best for last! We spend the morning diving around the northern boundary of the park off the islands of Gili Lawa Laut and Gili Lawa Darat.

PM: We say goodbye to Komodo National Park and start our westward journey back towards Bali. We stop for the night in Banta Island, just outside the park boundary, and prepare for our last night dive.

AM: A very early morning departure, with destination Sangeang, a volcano whose most recent eruption was in 2014. Upon our sunrise approach, Sangeang rises majestically from the sea, emitting the occasional puff of smoke.

PM: The black sandy bottom of this site makes for spectacular diving. Indeed, in places, a steady stream of gaseous sulfur, bubbles up from the sand making its way towards the surface. Swimming through, you have the feeling of being in an underwater jacuzzi! Tonight, we sail through the night towards Moyo Island.

AM: We arrive at Moyo Island early this morning, for our final two dives along the fringing reef, outside the main village. A shore excursion takes you through the local village along a winding path towards a waterfall.

PM: Those daring enough can grab the rope, swing out over the falls and drop into the pool below! We finally sail through the night towards Bali.

AM: Arrival in Serangan Harbor, Bali will be after 9:00 AM. We wish you a nice journey back home or to your next destination. Thank you for joining us on the best Liveaboard in Komodo. 

AM: A domestic flight from the island of Bali or Jakarta brings you to the harbor town of Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores. Our staff greets you at the airport and facilitates your transfer to your hotel (on day before departure) or to the harbor where Adelaar is anchored (on the day of departure).

PM: As soon as everyone is aboard, we depart the harbor, with destination Sabolon island, where we will do 2 check dives. Then, we anchor in a quiet bay for the night. 

AM: A very early morning departure, with destination Sangeang, a volcano whose most recent eruption was in 2014. Upon our sunrise approach, Sangeang rises majestically from the sea, emitting the occasional puff of smoke. The black sandy bottom of this site makes for spectacular diving. In places, a steady stream of gaseous sulfur, bubbles up from the sand making its way towards the surface. While swimming through, you have the feeling of being in an underwater jacuzzi!

PM: We will anchor just outside the village for the night, with a night dive planned. If we arrive early enough, there is a chance to go ashore to visit the village.  

AM: We depart Sangeang Island very early morning with destination Banta Island, which lies just outside the park boundary. We plan two dives here on Banta’s northern coastline.

PM: During lunch we cross to enter the Komodo National Park and plan our first stop in North West Komodo. Our afternoon and night dive will be in this bay. Later, we anchor for the night.

AM: During breakfast we move to the north of Komodo. We spend the day diving around the northern boundary of the Park, off the uninhabited islands of Gili Lawa Laut and Gili Lawa Darat.

PM: At sunset we move in closer to Komodo bay for our night dive.

AM: Dragons! We go ashore at 7:00 AM for a ranger guided hike into the interior of Komodo Island, to look for Komodo dragons. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the only natural habitat of these giant monitor lizards.

Also the area was designated as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 1991. Once safely back aboard, we move around the corner to our dive site just off Komodo’s famous pink beach.

PM: During lunch we travel south for an afternoon dive along the coast of Komodo. At dusk, we dive Lehok Sera to search for the elusive mandarin fish.

AM: This morning we move to the extreme southern end of Komodo Island to our dive site, Manta Alley. This area typically has much cooler temperatures with nutrient-rich waters, perfect for Mantas!

PM: After our two dives here, we enjoy lunch as the boat moves to southern Rinca to an area known as Nusa Kode. With the towering cliff walls surrounding all sides, the landscape in this remote destination is breathtaking. Between dives, we board the dinghy and head towards the shore, to get up close to the resident dragon population. After the sun sets, we prepare for a night dive, and then a late dinner.

AM: This morning we are diving the South East corners of Horseshoe Bay in Nusa Koda.

PM: After lunch we move north to Padar for an afternoon dive. Just before sunset, we go ashore and hike across Padar to a beautiful crescent bay, with a perfect view of the sunset. Alternately, for those who prefer to be underwater, a night dive is planned. 

AM: We enter the central park area, also known as ‘current city’. This area of the park is subjected to the strong tidal currents that run through the Lintah Strait, bringing with them, plenty of marine life. These currents make for lots of action and exhilarating drift dives. So mantas are often swimming in these parts.

PM: We spend the next two days diving the central park dive sites, with a night dive planned each evening. 

AM: We anchor at the central park area, also known as ‘current city’. This area of the park is subjected to the strong tidal currents that run through the Lintah Strait, bringing with them, plenty of marine life. These currents make for lots of action and exhilarating drift dives. So mantas are often swimming in these parts.

PM: We spend the last day diving the central park dive sites, with a night dive planned in the evening. 

AM: We spend our last diving day around the island of Sebayur just north of the park.

PM: For the afternoon, keeping our no-fly time in mind, we plan a tour of the Atlas Pearl Farm on Pulau Pungu. With their environmentally friendly approach, they assure a healthy ecosystem, essential for the finest white and silver pearls to be grown. We anchor here for the night. 

AM: We arrive in Labuan Bajo in the morning at 7:00 AM then disembark after breakfast for your onward journey. We wish you a nice journey back home or to your next destination. Thank you for joining us on the best Liveaboard in Komodo. 

AM: The meeting point will be at the Main Passenger Jetty in Serangan Harbor at 8:30 AM, where our crew are standing by to welcome you.

PM: As soon as everyone is aboard, we depart Serangan and move along the coastline of Bali, cruising overnight to Satonda Island. We hope for a magnificent sunset over Bali’s majestic Mt Agung.

AM: Two morning dives are scheduled at Pulau Moyo along the fringing reef outside the main village.

PM: Arrival in Satonda will be late afternoon with one dive along a sloping reef, with a sandy bottom and with many coral outcroppings. As the sunsets, the sky fills with bats heading to the mainland for their nightly forage. We prepare for the first night dive of the trip, and afterwards will travel through the night to Sangeang.

AM: Sangeang volcano, whose most recent eruption was in 2014, rises on the horizon. As we approach the island at sunrise, be prepared for an occasional puff of smoke from the still active crater.

PM: The black sandy bottom of this site makes for spectacular diving. In places, a steady stream of gaseous sulfur bubbles up from the sand towards the surface, creating the feeling of an underwater jacuzzi! We will anchor for the night here, with a night dive planned.

AM: We are up early today for a glimpse of the sunrise as we arrive at Gili Lawa Laut, in the northern area of Komodo National Park. The park is located in the region known as Wallacea, denoting the overlapping of Australian and Asian biogeographical areas. This overlap ensures an interesting mix of bird species. There is a splendid assortment of dive sites just outside this picturesque bay.

PM: In the late afternoon, we move to the outside edge of Komodo Bay and prepare for our night dive.

AM: Dragons! We go ashore at 7:00 AM for a ranger guided hike into the interior of Komodo Island, to look for Komodo dragons. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the only natural habitat of these giant monitor lizards. The area was designated as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 1991.

PM: Once safely back aboard, we travel south for a late morning dive along the coast of Komodo. At dusk, we dive Lehok Sera to search for the elusive mandarin fish.

AM: An early morning departure is planned, as we head to the extreme southern end of Komodo to Manta Alley. This area typically has much cooler temperatures with nutrient rich waters, perfect for Mantas!

PM: We enjoy lunch as the boat moves to southern Rinca to an area known as Nusa Kode. With the towering cliff walls surrounding all sides, the landscape in this remote area, is breathtaking. Between dives, we board the dinghy and head towards the shore, to get up close to the resident dragon population. After the sun sets, we prepare for a night dive, and a late dinner.

AM: There are two dives planned for this area, one of which will be the famous ‘macro temple” of Cannibal Rock, a photographer's dream come true. From here we journey north to Padar Island for our afternoon dive.

PM: Just before sunset, we go ashore and hike across a beautiful crescent bay, to witness a spectacular sunset. Alternately, for those who prefer to be underwater, a night dive is planned.

AM: We depart early from Padar and enter the central park area, also known as ‘current city’. This area of the park is subjected to the strong tidal currents that run through the Lintah Strait, bringing with them, plenty of marine life. These currents make for lots of action and exhilarating drift dives. Mantas are often seen in these parts.

PM: In the late afternoon, we make our way north toward Wainilu and prepare for a night dive.

AM: We spend the day diving around the center and northern boundary of the Park off the uninhabited islands of Gili Lawa Laut and Gili Lawa Darat.

PM: We anchor in a quiet bay for the night, and plan a night dive.

AM: We enjoy the last dives of the trip around the Northern boundary of the Park and the islands of Sebayor.

PM: Be aware of your “no fly time” and plan your last dive to stay within safe flight limits.

We arrive in Labuan Bajo in the morning by 7:00 AM. Disembark after breakfast for your onward journey.

AM: A domestic flight from the island of Bali or Jakarta brings you to the harbor town of Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores. You are greeted at the airport by our staff and transferred to your hotel (on day before departure) or to the harbor where Adelaar is anchored (on the day of departure).

PM: As soon as everyone is aboard, we depart the harbor, with destination Sebayur, where we will do 1-2 check dives. We move to Kalong to anchor for the night. At sunset, the skies are filled with fruit bats taking flight to the mainland for their nightly feed.

AM: Today we enter Komodo National Park, which is located in the region known as Wallacea, denoting the overlapping of Australian and Asian bio-geographical areas. This overlap ensures an interesting mix of bird species.

PM: Our dives will be around Padar Island, which is located in the center of the park. Just before sunset, we go ashore and hike across a beautiful crescent bay, for a spectacular sunset. Alternately, for those who prefer to be underwater, a night dive is planned.

AM: We depart early morning from Padar and travel south to Nusa Kode. There are three dives and a night dive planned for this area, one of which will be the famous ‘macro temple” of Cannibal Rock, a photographers dream come true. With the towering cliff walls surrounding all sides, the landscape in this remote area, is breathtaking.

PM: Between dives, we board the dinghy and head towards the shore, to get up close to the resident dragon population.

AM: An early morning departure is planned, as we head to Manta Alley at the extreme southern end of Komodo Island. This area typically has much cooler temperatures, and nutrient-rich waters, perfect for Mantas!

PM: Once safely back aboard, we travel north for an afternoon dive along the coast of Komodo. A night dive is planned just outside Komodo Bay.

AM: Dragons! We go ashore at 7:00 AM for a ranger guided hike into the interior of Komodo Island, to look for Komodo dragons. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the only natural habitat of these giant monitor lizards. The area was designated as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 1991. A late morning dive is planned at nearby Pink Beach.

PM: After lunch we travel to Manta Point to with the hope to dive with Mantas! We move to a quiet bay and prepare for our night dive.

AM: We enter the central park area, also known as ‘current city’. This area of the park is subjected to the strong tidal currents that run through the Lintah Strait, bringing with them, plenty of marine life. These currents make for lots of action and exhilarating drift dives. Mantas are often seen in these parts.

PM: We spend the next two days diving the central park dive sites.

AM: We anchor the central park area, also known as ‘current city’. This area of the park is subjected to the strong tidal currents that run through the Lintah Strait, bringing with them, plenty of marine life. These currents make for lots of action and exhilarating drift dives. Mantas are often seen in these parts.

PM: We spend the last day diving the central park dive sites.

AM: We spend the day diving around the northern boundary of the Park off the uninhabited islands of Gili Lawa Laut and Gili Lawa Darat.

PM: In late afternoon we say goodbye to Komodo National Park and start our westward journey back towards Bali. We stop for the night in Banta Island, just outside the park boundary, and prepare for our last night dive.

AM: A very early morning departure, with destination Sangeang, a volcano whose most recent eruption was in 2014. Upon our sunrise approach, Sangeang rises majestically from the sea, emitting the occasional puff of smoke.

PM: The black sandy bottom of this site makes for spectacular diving. In places, a steady stream of gaseous sulfur, bubbles up from the sand making its way towards the surface. Swimming through, you have the feeling of being in an underwater jacuzzi! Tonight we sail through the night towards Moyo Island.

AM: We arrive at Moyo Island early this morning, for our final two dives along the fringing reef, near the main village. A shore excursion takes you through the local village along a winding path towards a waterfall. Those daring enough can grab the rope, swing out over the falls and drop into the pool below!

PM: We sail through the night towards Bali.

Arrival in Serangan Harbor, Bali will be sometime after 9:00 AM. 

After boarding Adelaar in Ambon, you will enjoy your first day on board whilst cruising straight into the heart of the blue Banda Sea.

The Lucipara archipelago consists of several uninhabited low profile sandy islands with lush tropical vegetation. The islands themselves are inaccessible, protected by very shallow fringing reefs that extend several hundred meters from the islands themselves. At the edge these huge coral shallows plunge steeply into the typically crystal-clear abyss of the Banda Sea. Diving these remote locations has by definition an exploratory character-their location in the middle of the deep sea with no other islands around is very inviting for passing pelagics to hang around, thus increasing chances of close encounters between divers and bigger species such as tunas, rainbow runners, thresher sharks, silky sharks or hammerhead sharks.

Similar kind of diving to yesterday spoils us today. Apart from the chances to see pelagics other strong points of these dives are the general healthiness and sheer vastness of the reefs. Some of the walls and steep slopes are studded with luxuriant soft coral growth, in other parts the landscape is dominated by huge barrel sponges or immense sea fans. The shallows are mainly intact hard coral gardens inhabited by myriads of different species of reef fish.

Gunung Api means simply volcano in Indonesian. It is an old, lonely volcano that arises from the depth of the Banda sea. It attracts a huge colony of resident seabirds above the waves, while under water the island is home to schools of jacks, surgeonfish, tunas, barracudas and other pelagic fish species–as well as a lot of sea snakes. These venomous but unaggressive reptiles can be encountered on each dive around Gunung Api, sometimes in great numbers, which makes these dives absolutely unique.

During our last stop in the Moluccas, we are diving the walls and slopes of Reong and Wetar. Depending on the prevailing current they can be very rich in fish. Grey reef sharks, bamboo sharks, giant trevally, schooling big eyed jacks, rainbow runners and tunas are often seen here. On the quieter dives there are areas completely covered in zebra anemones. With a bit of luck, we may spot the beautiful but rare leopard shrimp that lives in symbiosis with them. We will set the sails as we start our crossing away from the Moluccas toward Alor and Nusa Tenggara Timur. With a bit of luck, we may see some of the whales that migrate through these waters during this time of the year.

Today’sfour dives in the scenically beautiful Pantar strait are distinctly different from one another: from an adrenalin filled dive with the objective to see schooling hammerhead sharks, and a second morning dive on a stunning wall that is covered so completely in soft corals that we might get a sensory overload, over an afternoon dive on a unique site that is covered in carpets of anemones and known for attracting mold molas and thresher sharks, to finally one of the richest black sand critter spotting night dives–it is really a day that demonstrates Indonesia's underwater richness in nutshell!

Hairy frogfish, mimic octopus, rhinopias, ambon scorpionfish, hairy octopus, thorny seahorse, hairy shrimp, Halimeda ghost pipefish are just a few stars we might be lucky enough to spot on the rich dark sands of Beangabang Bay in the South of Pantar. Another highlight will be the enthusiastic welcome we’ll get by the village kids when we go and let them guide us through their place.

The weather this time of the year typically provides good conditions to dive the exposed sites off the barren, dry south of the Alor archipelago. Apart from iconic huge soft coral ‘trees’ growing on the seafloor and profuse coral growth all around, we can expect a lot of pelagics, clouds of anthias and may even be lucky enough to meet mola molas or thresher sharks.

Another chance to find some macro treasures! Critters hiding in the patch reefs and bright sandy substrates below the waters underneath the towering volcano Lewotolo include, but are not limited to, blue ring octopus, rough snout ghost pipefish, rhinopias, frogfish, tiger shrimp or wonderpus.

The submerged seamounts off Adonara are covered by a diverse mix of hard and soft corals. They provide shelter for a variety of reef fish and attract bigger predators such as jacks, tunas, and black tip and grey reef sharks. Juvenile silvertip sharks are often seen patrolling the typically clear blue water. After the dive we cruise back into the sunset and arrive in Maumere at night for a farewell dinner.

After a last delicious breakfast, it is time to say goodbye and disembark - until the next time.

After boarding Adelaar in Maumere in the North of Flores, you will enjoy your first day on board whilst cruising eastwards along the Flores coast.

The submerged seamounts off Adonara are covered by a diverse mix of hard and soft corals. They provide shelter for a variety of reef fish and attract bigger predators such as jacks, tunas, and black tip and grey reef sharks. Juvenile silvertip sharks are often seen patrolling the typically clear blue water.

We start the day with an adrenalin-filled dive with the objective to see schooling hammerhead sharks, followed by a second morning dive on a stunning wall that is covered so completely in soft corals that we might get a sensory overload. The afternoon and night dives take place on a patch reef that is well known for harboring rhinopias. After the afternoon dive, we let the locals show us around their picturesque village.

Today’s diving takes us on a unique site that is dominated by sheer endless carpets of anemones and regularly visited by thresher sharks and mola molas, a spectacularly beautiful hard coral reef, where one of the attractions is observing local freediving fishermen and impressive big overhang where critters such as clown frogfish, pontohi seahorses or halimeda ghost pipefish can be found. Very likely Adelaarwill be boarded in between dives by a group of local ikat weavers that offer their beautiful tissues for purchase.

After a night’s crossing, we arrive in the morning in the Moluccas! Weare diving the walls and slopes of Reong and Wetar. Depending on the prevailing current they can be very rich in fish. Grey reef sharks, bamboo sharks, giant trevally, schooling big eyed jacks, rainbow runners and tunas are often seen here. On the quieter dives, there are areas completely covered in zebra anemones. With a bit of luck, we may spot the beautiful but rare leopard shrimp that lives in symbiosis with them.We will set the sails as we start our journey into the heart of the Banda Sea. With a bit of luck, we may see some of the whales that migrate through these waters during this time of the year.

Gunung Api means simply volcano in Indonesian. It is an old, lonely volcano that arises from the depth of the Banda sea. It attracts a huge colony of resident seabirds above the waves, while under water the island is home to schools of jacks, surgeonfish, tunas, barracudas and other pelagic fish species–as well as a lot of sea snakes.These venomous but unaggressive reptiles can be encountered on each dive around Gunung Api, sometimes in great numbers, which makes these dives absolutely unique

The Lucipara archipelago consists of several uninhabited low profile sandy islands with lush tropical vegetation. The islands themselves are inaccessible, protected by very shallow fringing reefs that extend several hundred meters from the islands themselves. At the edge these huge coral shallows plunge steeply into the typically crystal-clear abyss of the Banda Sea. Diving these remote locations has by definition an exploratory character-their location in the middle of the deep sea with no other islands around is very inviting for passing pelagics to hang around, thus increasing chances of close encounters between divers and bigger species such as tunas, rainbow runners, thresher sharks, silky sharks or hammerhead sharks.

Similar kind of diving to yesterday spoils us today. Apart from the chances to see pelagics other strong points of these dives are the general healthiness and sheer vastness of the reefs. Some of the walls and steep slopes are studded with luxuriant soft coral growth, in other parts the landscape is dominated by huge barrel sponges or immense sea fans. The shallows are mainly intact hard coral gardens inhabited by myriads of different species of reef fish. 

After two morning dives on the exposed south coast of Ambon island that are both stunning from a topographical and coral cover point of view, we enter Ambon Bay where we will go hunting for critters. Thorny seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, rhinopias, frogfish and ribbon eels are just a few examples to illustrate the extraordinarily rich muck diving of Ambon Bay.