Scuba Dreams
Komodo Group Trip
August 24, 2027 @ 8:00 am – August 31, 2027 @ 5:00 pm
We have planned a fantastic liveaboard trip to the Komodo Islands. The Komodo Islands have been on the top of many divers’ bucket list, as they have been for us for sure. Ben is going to lead this trip.
Where are we going?
Our trip to the world famous Komodo National Park with this 7 nights itinerary visits the UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. The park is 200 nautical miles east of Bali and right between the large island of Sumbawa and Flores in Indonesia, all of which are part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Accepted under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme in January 1977, and officially declared a World Heritage Site in 1991, the Komodo National Park encompasses 132,000 hectares of marine waters making it one of the largest protected zones in the world.
Why Komodo?
Diving in Komodo National Park is best done by liveaboard, which allows you to explore the area to its fullest. The park and surrounding area boasts one of the world’s richest marine environments, with over 260 species of reef building coral, 70 species of sponge, marine worms, molluscs, echinoderms, crustaceans, over 1,000 species of cartilaginous and bony fish, marine reptiles, and marine mammals.
Some notable marine species on this 7 night itinerary include pygmy seahorses, anglerfish, nudibranchs, manta rays, dolphins, Napoleon wrasse and groupers.
As no visit to Komodo National Park would be complete without encountering the world-famous dragons, our 7 night Komodo liveaboard itinerary also includes a land visit to observe these giant lizards in their natural habitat
On a typical day we offer up to 4 day dives; 3 day dives and a fourth sunset or night dive. The diving day is scheduled as follows:
- Light Breakfast followed by a briefing and Dive 1
- Full Breakfast, relaxation period, briefing and Dive 2
- Lunch, relaxation period, briefing and Dive 3
- Snack relaxation period, briefing and Dive 4, where possible
- Dinner
When are we going?
After much consideration, research and planning, we have decided to go to Komodo in August of 2027.
The Liveaboard
Almost new – Built in 2022, the 47m Indo Master liveaboard was built on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and is handcrafted from ironwood and teak (traditional to the area). You will find no other diving liveaboard as beautiful in Indonesian waters and, being built by divers for divers, you can be rest assured that every need has been thought of and addressed.
Welcoming a maximum of 18 guests per cruise ensures that there is ample space to relax. The 9 guest cabins consist of 4 fixed doubles, 4 fixed twins and 1 family suite (2 double beds), all with air-conditioning and private ensuite bathrooms with hot water.
The spacious air-conditioned saloon offers a great setting for your meals and dive briefings, a cocktail bar, comfortable seating, a charging station and a large flat-screen TV.
The diving
Sailing in Komodo the waters are highly varied with beautiful stretches of shallow coral reefs, deep walls, and pinnacles, as well as current-swept volcanic mounts. The islands host a variety of different life as well. Macro lovers will find a wealth of critters such as shrimp, frogfish, and nudibranch. Being inside the coral triangle, diving in Komodo offers a wide variety of reefs that are humming with activity, it can be enough just to sit and watch the comings and goings. Komodo is home to several reef-building corals, hence its protected status.
If you are looking for something bigger then a Komodo dive cruise won’t disappoint. Mola mola are also frequent visitors to Komodo drawn by strong currents and rich waters. More occasional visitors are whales and dolphins which are attracted by the plankton-rich waters. There is even a small chance that you might see a whale shark passing by.
Mainly though, a Komodo liveaboard is the place to see mantas, in fact, if you are a little bit lucky you can even have the chance to see several mantas in one dive.
Dive Sites Of Komodo National Park
A Komodo dive trip is undoubtedly the best way to experience the Komodo National park, which is blessed not only with abundant marine life but also a huge number and range of different dive sites. Here is an overview of the most famous dive sites we will visit:
Buta Balong – is one of the jewels in Komodo’s crown with the beautiful coral gardens simply humming with fish life. The strong currents and deep walls also offer the opportunity for big fish as well. Sharks and huge napoleon wrasse can be seen in these deeper waters offering photographers the chance to get some amazing shots.
Manta Alley – Many divers come to Komodo to see the mantas though and there are few places better than Manta Alley. The site is relatively shallow with much of it around 10-20 meters/ 32-65 ft. allowing a nice long dive time to spend with what can be double digits of mantas and other rays. If you are lucky you might see the younger ones playing and swimming around each other.
Manta Point – similarly offers the opportunity to dive with mantas that come to this patch to feed in the currents. This is a drift dive with some serious current and you will likely be drifting with numerous mantas as well as white-tip reef sharks, unicornfish and the small but fierce mantis shrimp.
Golden Passage – close to Gili Lawa Darat is also one of the signature dives of Komodo with the expected currents making it a drift dive. Divers can drift down and over the coral reef to see reef sharks and sometimes even dolphins and mantas swimming through.
DATES AND FLIGHTS
The liveaboard trip will take place from August 24th to 31st 2027. As usual we won’t include any airfare in the trip.
TRIP COSTS
Classic Twin Cabin – diver double occupancy: $4,000
Classic Double Cabin – diver double occupancy: $4,000
Premium Twin Suite – diver double occupancy: $4,200
Superior Double Suite (with Balcony) – diver double occupancy: $4350
Premium Twin / Double Suite – diver double occupancy: $4,200
What’s included?
– 7 nights full board accommodation includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks
– Unlimited drinking water, tea, coffee, fruit juice & soft drinks
– Breakfast, lunch, dinners and snacks
– Up to 4 dives daily
– Single (80 cu ft) cylinder with air fills
– Weights, weight belt and SMB
– Guided tour on Komodo Island
– Transfer between Labuan Bajo Airport* or local hotel and embarkation / disembarkation point.
What’s NOT included?
– Diving and travel insurance are mandatory for all guests
– Marine, park and port fees : 180 USD per trip, to be paid on boardSD per trip, to be paid at the airport (subject to be changed)
– Nitrox $100 per week
– Alcoholic drinks
– Crew gratuities
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE FLIGHTS AND NATIONAL PARK FEES!
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY PRE- OR POST- LIVEABOARD LAND EXTENSIONS WE MAY OFFER AT A LATER DATE.
Please click here for the pre-liveaboard Bali extension trip
For information on single occupancy and other special requests, please email info@athensscuba.com
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