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 try 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 overnight)
• 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 activities such as wakeboarding and kayak

Based upon that, here is a potential itinerary for an 11 nights / 12 days cruise from
Serangan (Bali) back to Labuan Bajo (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
Depending on your pre-cruise arrangements a transfer to port is organised. Embarkation in the port of Serangan, Bali. A general orientation follows.

Day 2: Lombok
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 properly sealed, and our guides checking your buoyancy. No skill demonstrations are required. We will do three dives in total today at a fantastic sandy critter spot, close to the famous Gili Islands. Though highly frequented areas, hardly anyone dives our favorite spot here as it is rather far away from these islands. You can expect: Frogfish, Ghostpipefish, Seahorses, Nudibranchs, Wonderpus…

Day 3: Moyo & Satonda
In the morning we will do two dives at Moyo. Here you will find yourself at very fishy walls in pristine conditions. The luxury resort Amanwana just around the corner has done excellent conservation work here for more than a decade and you can clearly see the results. A fish soup spiked with Trevally, Tuna, Sharks. Eagle and Manta Rays passing by is not uncommon. In the afternoon we will do a relaxed dive at the island of Satonda. Capped with a land excursion in the afternoon to a beautiful crater lake.

Day 4: Sangeang
At the active volcano 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 underwater, are the highlights here.

Day 5: Banta
Just outside the National Park of Komodo this island makes you feel as if you were already 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 volcano of Sangeang. After dinner, we take you on a night dive on a sandy slope, where Stargazers will make an angry face at you.

Days 6: 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 the current. In the afternoon and at night two more world-class dives at famous sites like ‘The Golden Passage’, ‘The Cauldron’ or ‘Lighthouse’. Komodo National Park diving at its best.

Day 7: Komodo Central & Rinca
Heading south through the NP 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 all over Indonesia of our Cruise Director.

Day 8: Rinca Trekking, then heading for Nusa Kode
Trekking with Komodo dragons in the morning before it gets too hot in the sun. Enjoy your encounter 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 9: Nusa Kode
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 10: Komodo Central & North
Today we will spend another full day around the heart of Komodo National Park. World class dive sites are plenty and if they are too busy, we have our favourite secret spots as well.

Day 11: Komodo Central
Depending on the flight schedule the day after, up to two more dives before lunch, then slowly heading back towards the port of Labuan Bajo. Stopover at a perfect beach in the afternoon.

Day 12: Disembarkation in Labuan Bajo
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.

Critter Life: Rhinopias, Ghostpipefish, Pipefish, Pipehorses, Seahorses, Pygmy Seahorses, all sorts of Crustaceans, many different species of Cephalopods, Frogfish, Nudibranchs, Pegasus, Ambon Scorpionfish

Big Stuff: Sharks, Tunas, Jacks, Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Napoleon Wrasses and surprises

The combination of Macro Life and action packed current dives combined with a cultural experience make this itinerary very unique.