Komodo & Flores

No cruise on MV Samambaia is like the other. Every single trip is tailor-made to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The decision on the itinerary is made by the cruise director as we cruise along and is based on factors such as weather conditions, dive conditions, requests of guests and schedules of other liveaboards, which we are trying to stay away from.

There are however certain constants on every cruise which are:

• Three day dives of minimum 1 hour duration

• One sunset/night dive (unless we have to cover a serious amount of miles over night)

• Activities during the surface intervals such as:

• scenic rides through lagoons and coves in our tenders

• trekking to breathtaking view points

• visits of secluded perfect beaches

• excursions to traditional villages

• whale watching

• water action such as wake boarding and kayak

Based upon that, here is a potential itinerary for an 11 nights /12 days cruise from 

Bima (Sumbawa) back to Maumere (Flores). This is just to give you a general idea and is subject to change due to weather and other conditions. Popular dive sites are named. We do however have our secret spots as well, which you will learn about during the cruise.

Day 1: Embarkation

Arrival with plane to Bima. You will be picked up by crew members at the airport.

Embarkation in the port of Bima. A general orientation follows.

Day 2: Sangeang

After an initial general dive briefing, we will do our check dive with you at an easy and protected dive site. Check dive in the sense of you checking your gear and weights, making sure the camera housings are proper sealed and our guides checking your buoyancy. No skill demonstrations are required.

At the active vulcano of Sangeang you can expect superb black sand critter hunting. But it’s not only the critters like Nudibranchs, Ghostpipefish, Frogfish and Pygmy Seahorses that make the diving here so exciting, but also the stark contrast of colourful Black- and Whipcoral against the black sand. On the dive site ‘Bubble Reef’ you can see and feel the volcanic activity - gas bubble fields as well as hot water springs under water are the highlights here.

Day 3: Banta

Just outside the National Park of Komodo this island makes you feel as if you were aleeady inside the park. We will spend the whole day in a great variety of dive sites. ‘Banta Wall’ also known as ‘The Rollercoaster’ is a spectacular wall - however, the timing with the currents and the swell is key to a safe and satisfying dive. And we get our timing right. GPS point is a reef more than half a mile north of Banta. Very fishy with the potential for Grey Reef Sharks and other big boys passing by. Again the timing here is key. One of our favourite spots here is our secret spot which happens to be a Manta cleaning station.

For sunset we offer some trekking on a hill which will reward you with an epic view over the bay, the sun setting behind the vulcano of Sangeang.

After Dinner we take you on a night dive on a sandy slope, where Stargazers will make an angry face at you.

Day 4: Komodo West

The west coast offers some spectacular diving which is however hardly offered by other liveaboards. Let us surprise you with some of our favourite secret spots in the area.

Day 5: Komodo - The North

We arrive in the morning in the northern part of the famous Komodo National Park. And straight away hit the signature dive sites ‘Crystal Rock’ and ‘Castle Rock’. Sharks, Jacks, Fish Soup. Action fuelled by current. In the afternoon and at night two more world-class dives at famous site like ‘The Golden Passage’, ‘The Cauldron’ or ‘Lighthouse’.

Komodo National Park diving at it’s best.

Days 6: Komodo Central & Rinca

Heading south through the National Park we have a wide selection of top dive sites, like ‘Tatawa Besar’, ‘Tatawa Kecil’, ‘Batu Bolong’, ‘Manta Point’. Three excellent day dives based upon conditions and availability. To cap this great day we offer a night dive at Wai Nilu, which ranks within the Top 5 favorite night dive spots allover Indonesia of our Cruise Director.

Day 7: Rinca Trekking, then heading for Nusa Kode

Trekking with Komodo dragons in the morning before it gets too hot in the sun. Expect to be eye in eye with the last dragons on this planet. A must when coming here. Local rangers take care of our safety.

After this adventure we will be heading to the south of Rinca, also known as Nusa Kode or Horseshoe Bay. Some of the lushest diving Komodo National Park has to offer. During the months of May until October however, the waters are quite cold (down to 23°C) and the visibility is rather poor. You will be, however, rewarded with critter galore: Ambon Scorpionfish, Rhinopias, Frogfish, Wonderpus, Coconut Octopus paired with an overwhelming growth of soft and hard coral on the reefs.

A very common sight at the beach are Komodo Dragons, Deer, Wild Boar and up in the trees you might spot a sea eagle.

Day 8: Nusa Kode & Pantar

We offer three more day dives in the Horseshoe Bay. Some of our favourite dive sites here include: ‘Cannibal Rock’, ‘The Yellow Wall of Texas’, ‘Devil’s Corner’ and ‘Torpedo Alley’.

In the afternoon we will leave this truly spectacular place and head back up north. For a night dive we will pull into the island of Pantar. Starry Night Octopus, Frogfish, rare Nudibranchs - this dive site never disappoints.

Day 9: Komodo Central

Working our way back up north, we’ve got a few secret spots to offer or we may go instead for some of the popular highlights if the conditions allow us to do so.

Day 10: Komodo North

We will do an action packed early morning dive at either ‘Crystal Rock’ or ‘Castle Rock’ again.

Afterwards we will be heading east and offer you some beautiful diving along the way.

Day 11: Maumere Bay

Our last day before disembarkation we will spend at a beautifully quiet and protected anchorage in the bay of Maumere. In the morning we offer you a wreck dive (Wodong Wreck) that turns in the shallows into a critter heaven: Pipehorses, Ghostpipefish Nudibranchs. A beautiful dive with no time limit to finish this cruise. If your flight schedule permits our guides will happy take you on a second dive as well.

The afternoon we spend at this anchorage, filled with some in-water fun such as wake boarding and waterskiing and the famous Floating Bar.

Day 12: Disembarkation in Maumere

Depending on your flight schedule, our crew will check your luggage in for you in advance so you can rest on board and let us shuttle you to the airport when your plane is ready to leave.