Komodo National Park - 8 days Safari

Indonesia has the richest, most diverse marine environment in the world and you will explore on board Mermaid II all the fantastic dive sites between Komodo and Labuhanbajo in Flores, around the Banta Islands, and off the north coast of Flores.

Komodo's protected waters with its brilliant colors, clouds of exotic fish, and spectacular scenery are unparalleled. Komodo Marine Park has more to offer the diver than any other single location. The marine biodiversity to be found in this small region is possibly the greatest in the world. Come on board and discover this amazing dive destination on board of KM Mermaid II.

Itinerary:

Day 1 departure:
Check-in on board KM Mermaid 2 between 14:00-16:00 hours in Benoa Harbour Bali. Final cruise departure time is subject to guest arrival times. 
After the boat and safety briefing, equipment is prepared then settle into your cabin. Dinner is served at approx 19:00 hours as we cruise overnight to Moyo Island off the north west coast of Sumbawa.

Note: We strongly advise you to arrive to the Mermaid Cruise one day early before the trip in case of flight or luggage delay. We also advise you to stay a night in a hotel in Bali before the flight.

Day 2: Moyo Island
Start your adventure with a great dive in the calm, clear waters of Angel Reef at Moyo Island. Massive elephant ear Massive elephant ear and barrel sponges, schools of long fin banner fish and red tooth triggers In their hundreds, frog fish, nudibrancs, eels, surgeon fish, snapper, dog tooth tuna checking out what is for lunch ! Visit the local village then its lunch for us! Next is a great dive at Panjang Reef – are the pygmy seahorses here? Then we cruise 2 hours to Satonda Island for a world class night dive after watching a million bats fly at sunset. After a great dive and dinner we cruise overnight to Sangeang Island, off the north coats of Sumbawa. (total 3 dives)

Day 3 Nusa Tengarra
2 dives at Sangeang Island for rare nudibrancs, pygmy seahorse and underwater hot springs that support this very unique marine life Cruise to Gili Banta for exhilarating dives at Tanduk Rusa turtles, colorful reef stone fish, Spanish dancers – calm sea- a great place to stay the night (total 4 dives)

Day 4:  Gili Banta - Komodo
If the tide is right we hunt grey reef shark and dolphin at Taka Toko Gili Lawalaut. Dive 2 is a fast drift with pelagics and manta at Lighthouse Reef or the Old Passage. Then Crystal Rock awesome soft corals and the chance for sharks, turtles, giant Maori wrasse, a ‘fish soup’ dive with a high chance of eagle rays too! Then we cruise south for fascinating night dive at Pink Beach near the entrance to the Komodo National Park (total 4 dives)

Day 5: Komodo - Rinja Island
Start your day with an exciting visit to Komodo National Park to walk with the dragons! Then relax as we cruise 2 hours south to Horseshoe Bay Raja Island. Then relax as we cruise 2 hours south to Horseshoe Bay Rinja Island. Spectacular diving await at the world famous site Cannibal Rock – rare nudibrancs, frogfish, spectacular corals, sponges, ascidians, huge black coral bushes, turtles, cuttlefish, loads of reef fish too Watch dragons on the beach, monkey, deer, wild pigs along the shore, go beach combing…. Maybe even a chance to follow whales and dolphin feeding in the calm bay. We overnight at this peaceful place, night diving at one of the many fabulous spots. (total 3 dives)

Day 6: Komodo - Padar Island
The Three Sisters call us to Padar Island for sharks and nudibrancs, surgeon fish and devil Rays. Manta Alley or Takat Makasar follows for the chance for a manta aggregation – WOW! Batu Bolung aka “Current City” is the home for large Napolean Wrasse, turtles, blue fin trevally Or maybe a dive at Tatawa Kecil – we check out the currents first to make sure the dive will be cool for everyone on board! Then we say goodbye to Komodo National Park with a fabulous Night dive at Gili Banta with Coral Cat Shark or we cruise west enjoying a post dinner night dive along the way. Overnight we cruise to Satonda Island (total 4 dives)

Day 7: Satonda Island - Moyo Island
We enjoy two fantastic dives at Sumbawa Surprise – macro enthusiasts will be in 7th heaven then on to Moyo Islands for more chances for ghost pipe fish, ribbon eels, turtle, cuttlefish and more before we cruise overnight to Benoa in the south of Bali. Off gas as we cruise into the sunset with the crew rinsing and packing your equipment for you…paradise Mermaid Liveaboards style!

Day 8: Arrival day
Check out after breakfast, and transfer ashore around 8.30am to continue your vacation…or its time

Note: Schedule and Itinerary depends on the weather conditions at the discretion of the Cruise Director and the discretion of the Captain depending on currents, dive sites activities, light, objective, sailing times etc. The spots are possible, but not guaranteed.