Set Sail and Dive on This Exquisitely Crafted Eco-Friendly Liveaboard

Why We Love It

Apart from being a stunning boat, these folks host an annual "Coral Explorers Week" where top biologists communicate and explain the natural wonders of the marine life ecosystem beautifully. You'll dive on the best sites of Komodo and explore the Komodo National Park on-land (you have to see the dragons!). We love the spacious diving deck, the relaxing upper deck lounge, and the master cabins' panoramic windows. With a one-to-one guest-to-staff ratio, you'll be well tended-to aboard this boat!

Conservation

This beautiful phinisi ("Indonesian-style ship") has been custom-built in Sulawesi by the Konjo tribe, who have been building ships for centuries. This partner hires and trains locals on as many jobs as possible and is a supporter of Raja Ampat SEA center. The team avoids single-use plastic and only uses reef-friendly detergents and bathroom amenities as well as biodegradable garbage bags. They're really setting the bar for sustainability!

Who Is It For?

Experienced divers who like to relax between dives. Non-divers are also welcome and can partake in several activities such as hiking to viewpoints with spectacular panoramas, kayaking, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboard, and massage.

Prices and Dates

Take note of the different cruise lengths!

Once a Year in May: Coral Explorers Week

Coral Explorers is a very different kind of dive experience - it’s a week where you can explore the world’s richest reefs and have them explained to you by world-famous coral reef science communicator Russell Kelley and Rachel Pears, Great Barrier Reef marine park manager.

Program Highlights:

• Komodo: The Origins and Species

  • Where does Komodo come from, how did it get there, and where is it going?
  • Discover why Komodo is one of the world’s epicenters of biodiversity
  • Why are there so many species?

• What Is THAT Thing?

  • Learn to identify anything from fish to tentacles, to shapes, and holes without being a marine biologist using Russell’s recipes for easy ID.
  • You’ll be surprised how with a few simple visual tips, you can put any beastie in a group.

• Coral Reef Ecology

  • Why are corals amazing? How do reefs “work” and why are they so important?
  • Sex on the reef: Discover the secret cycles of reef creatures and how to be in the right place to see them
  • Learn about the global and local threats to coral reef health including Crown of Thorns Starfish.

A Typical Day of the Coral Explorers Week:

A typical day will include 7am breakfast, followed by two morning dives before a full buffet lunch. The afternoon consists of one afternoon dive, followed by sunset talks with Russell and Rachel.

Sunset or night dives will be arranged within the context of learning sessions, for example following the “Night vs. Day” module.

You are encouraged to explore what you have learnt with Russell and Rachel during the day dives, contribute photos for evening Q&A sessions, and contribute hands-on to one of the liveaboard's projects: monitoring and ID!

Dive Briefing!

Marine Life

• Komodo National Park was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon (the largest lizard) and later grew to protect other species and marine life.
• In 1991, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site and a "Man and Biosphere Reserve" as it includes a local ethnic population.
• The Lintah Strait has currents that bring plankton, which attracts life that feeds on it.
• There are more than a thousand species of fish, plus around 260 species of coral and 70 species of sponges.
• Specific species include dugongs, sharks, manta rays, at least 14 species of whales, dolphins, sea turtles, giant trevally schools of anthias, wrasses, angel fish, long fin banner fish, red tooth triggers, frog fish, surgeon fish, snapper, dog tooth tuna, etc.
• Rare nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, leaf scorpion fish, and blue ribbon eels can also be found here.

Dive Conditions

• Season: from May to November
• Currents: strong currents all year round in specific dive sites, plus strong tidal movement depending on the moon.
• Visibility: 25 to 35 m (80 to 115 ft)
• Water Temperature: 26° to 28°C (79° to 82°F) in the North. Sumba Sea: 24° (75°F)
• Depth: deep and shallow dives

Dive Sites

• Depending on which cruise you take, you'll dive on these sites:

• Komodo North & South: 8 nights-trips going to the most famous dive sites of the area such as Sebayur, Tatawa Besar, Batu Tengah, Wainilo, Secret Garden, Three Sisters, Torpedo Alley, Cannibal Rock, Yellow Wall, Manta Alley, Pink Beach, Tatat Makassar, Passage, Gili Darat, Crystal Rock, Castle Rock

• Bali-Komodo or Komodo-Bali: 10 nights-trips going to the above dive sites, as well as some sites of Moyo, Satonda, and Sangeang Islands

• Komodo and Bima: 10 nights-trips going to the dive sites of the 8 nights program, plus dive sites at Banta & Sangeang Islands, and Bima

• For trips to Raja Ampat, Maumere, Ambon, Alor, Forgotten Islands & Banda, contact us!

• Dive sites may change according to local conditions.

The Team

• Winner of the 2021 and 2019 Dive Travel Awards by Dive Magazine in the "Best Liveaboard" category
• Cruise directors with over 10 years of experience in Indonesia
• Courses available on board: from Discover Scuba Diving to Divemaster
• Languages spoken: English, Spanish, and Indonesian on all trips
• Maximum divers per guide: 4

Safety Information

• Equipment Recommended: 3 to 5 mm long wetsuit, dive computer, surface marker buoy (SMB), and a whistle
• Insurance: both dive insurance and travel insurance are mandatory. We recommend DAN Europe that has plans to cover both - ask us for a quote
• Nearest Hyperbaric Chamber: in Labuan Bajo

Visas, Flights, and More!

Visa Requirements

• Many nationalities are eligible to enter and remain in Indonesia without a visa for 30 days. Others need to obtain a Visa on Arrival for 30 days at the major entry points to Indonesia. Visa on Arrival costs $37 (about ... EUR) and usually can be extended for another 30 days.
• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival and have one full blank page
• Must be able to show an onward ticket that departs before your visa expires
• For official entry requirements for your nationality, consult Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration

How to Get There

• Fly to Bali's Denpasar International Airport (DPS) and then to Labuan Bajo Airport (LBJ), transfers from/to Labuan Bajo Airport are included

More...

• Don't forget to bring your walking shoes for Komodo National Park
• Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, mosquito repellent, a rash guard, and a sweater or light-weight jacket