Wild West of Komodo

Our itinerary and routing will be flexible to account for weather conditions and ensure the best possible guest experience. The following is a sample itinerary, and is subject to change. Request a detailed itinerary using the form below for a comprehensive daily itinerary, price details, frequently asked questions, and more.

Pre-Arrival

The recommended arrival in Indonesia (Bali or Jakarta) is at least one full day prior to departure, to connect with one of the many morning flight connections into Labuan Bajo. We will assist you with your in-country flight booking.

Day 1 | Arrival and embarkation | (D)

Arrival in Labuan Bajo, Flores, the gateway to Komodo National Park, in the morning for embarkation on our live-aboard vessel Fenides. Welcome aboard orientation and safety briefing. We lift anchor and head into a sheltered island bay for our first coral reef snorkel or check-out dive. Sunset cruise through the Park whilst looking for dolphins as we head towards a secluded anchorage off Rinca.

 Day 2 | Rinca | (B, L, D) 

Early morning walk at Rinca Rangers Station for a unique and close-up experience with the Komodo Dragons. Short cruise to the spectacular dive and snorkel sites along the northern section of Linta Strait (Tawata Besar or other amazing sites). Sunset drinks on the beach of a nearby uninhabited island.

Day 3 | Komodo| (B, L, D) 

Today we will explore the northern section of Komodo, with a series of three snorkels and dives along spectacular reefs and close-up manta encounters. These majestic creatures visit the reef’s cleaning stations (dependant on tides and currents) and can be viewed with minimal disturbance. At sunset we head for our sheltered anchorage in Hidden Bay.

Day 4 | Gili Lawa Darat | (B, L, D) 

We start our ‘Whale Patrol’ (during many of our passages we have a good change to spot whales and dolphins) on the way to Gili Lawa Darat on the extreme northern side of Komodo Island. Around midday we will snorkel and dive some of the most diverse reefs this region has to offer including offshore reefs and an amazing drift through a dazzling coral channel. We overnight in nearby Lawa Darat Bay.

Days 5 | Moncho | (B, L, D) 

During the morning and midday we will snorkel/dive in sites with fantastic names like Cauldron and China Shop, yet the exact times are depending on tides and currents.

In the afternoon we will conduct a whale patrol as we relocate to the remote west Komodo region. Overnight in Moncho, the westernmost part of Komodo, where we often spot wild deer, pigs and occasionally dragons on the local beach.

Day 6 | Sape Strait | (B, L, D) 

In the morning we will explore the exceptional coral reefs around west Komodo, followed by a whale patrol, heading south along the Sape Strait.

This deep passage separates the main islands of Komodo and Sumbawa and functions as a marine migration corridor. In the afternoon we will snorkel, dive and explore the coral reefs Kelapa Island, right on the southern edge of the Sape Strait. Sunset over Sumbawa from a remote beach.

Day 7 | Banta | (B, L, D) 

At sunrise we cruise north to spectacular Banta Island for our morning snorkel, dive and breakfast afterwards. At midday we will have a unique experience to snorkel through a split in the island with the sun right overhead. In the afternoon we will conduct a whale patrol towards a seamount where we will spot for large pods of oceanic spinner and spotted dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, and the occasional melon-headed and sperm whales. Overnight in a sheltered bay in Banta.

Day 8 | Banta | (B, L, D) 

At Banta, today we will experience a thrilling couple of coral reef sites with odd names such as Star Wars, The Wall and Pinnacle (which often functions as a superb manta cleaning station). In the afternoon we may opt for a sunset cruise and head west towards San Geang, an active volcanic Island located just 5km north off Sumbawa.

Day 9 | San Geang | (B, L, D) 

We will visit a traditional phinisi boat-building village after breakfast, followed by a unique snorkel and dive site, where corals mix with bubbling volcanic gasses rising up from the sandy Bottom. San Geang is also renowned for its amazing “critters” including pygmy seahorses that inhabit these techno-colour reefs. Tonight we will cruise under the stars during our overnight passage to Satonda.

Day 10 | Saleh Bay |(B, L, D) 

A morning snorkel or dive in Satonda, followed by a walk to a spectacular crater lake (or opt for more leisurely morning around the boat with our kayaks and SUPs). After lunch, we will relocate into Saleh Bay, an expansive area where the whale sharks reside. Enroute we will keep a lookout for Bryde’s whales and dolphins. Our anchorage is located nearby the bamboo lift- net structures (bagans) that will be the focus of our whale shark action tomorrow, starting at sunrise.

Day 11 | Whale sharks |(B, L, D) 

A special experience with whale sharks!  At sunrise we will have a long snorkel or dive with the whale sharks, followed by breakfast. After breakfast we will have 2nd snorkel or dive with the whale sharks. Late morning the Whale sharks often move away, so we will relocate for a nice snorkel or dive (depending tomorrow’s flight times). We may visit a beautiful waterfall in the local jungle. Overnight anchorage in Moyo.

Day 12 | Disembarkation and departure | (B, L, D) 

The end of an incredible marine adventure! Disembarkation in Sumbawa Besar, on-board departures depending on flight times. Airport transfers by car will be arranged to connect with domestic flights (to Bali or Jakarta).