DAY 1: Labuan Bajo / Flores to Central Komodo
We will collect you from your hotel or Labuan Bajo airport between 8:00 – 9:00 on the day of departure to welcome you onboard La Galigo. After a refreshing welcome drink, a quick breakfast and a safety briefing of our ship, we aim to anchor up around 10:00 am from Labuan Bajo.
After around 2 hours sailing we will arrive at our first destination, the islands of Sebayor Kecil and Sebayor Besar, where we will conduct 2 dives after lunch. We have selected this area for our first day as it is relatively protected from the currents renowned in the area, a provides a great opportunity to practice with your reef hook, or just get back into the swing of things after a lengthy lay off from diving. After a calm night dive, we relax for our first Dinner together and pop over to see our friends at Komodo Island resort to watch the stars and get to know each other.
DAY 2: West Komodo National Park
After a morning dive at Tatawa kecil, we go in search of Manta rays at the world-class dive site we call Karang Makassar. After lunch, we will head to one of the highlights of Komodo diving, Batu Bolong, with a chance to see some large pelagic species such as Giant Trevally and Barracuda, as well as sharks and Napoleon Maori Wrasse. Later that afternoon we set sail for the northwest part of Komodo, for a small trek to witness the ever amazing Komodo sunset, dipping behind the nearby active volcano called Sangeang. For the night dive, we will stay in the bay close to the trekking area, and dive the site Stranger Things, for a chance to get your first glimpse of the macro in the national park.
DAY 3: North West Komodo
Day three is our personal favourite in terms of diving, and all 3 of the dives normally conducted on this day are what we would consider unforgettable. The morning is spent on both Crystal Rock and Castle Rock, two submerged pinnacles that are home to an abundance of marine life. Teams of hunting Trevally and Big-Eye Jacks patrol the blue waters of the reefs, chasing large schools of smaller fish. Eagle Rays glide effortlessly in the currents whilst the reef sharks hunt their next meal. In the afternoon we visit the fast becoming famous Cauldron / Shotgun. This dive site is the equivalent of an underwater rollercoaster, words alone do not do the site justice. Back in June 2017, the worlds first non-captive Megamouth shark was recorded on this site, and the video went viral through national Geographic. The night dive will be spent on China Shop, or Gili Lawa Darat Bay, dependent on mooring conditions.
DAY 4: South West Komodo
Awake early in the morning to complete our diving at a wonderful site called the Golden Passage in the northernmost part of western Komodo, a drift dive where you can encounter schools Sweetlips and Snappers, as well as Mantas and Sharks.
During breakfast we head slightly south in the national park, on the way, repeating either Karang Makassar or Batu Bolong, (dependant on conditions and the group), or visit a new site Mawan, for another chance to catch some Manta Rays. After the days morning dives, we end up at the island of Siaba. Siaba provides you with the opportunity to spot the elusive Dugong during the day, and dependent on conditions, can also be home to eagle rays. At night, Siaba has a great muck dive site we call Dunia Kecil (Small world), a place with a variety of macro possibilities, including flamboyant cuttlefish and many varieties of ghost pipefish. We have on occasion here been lucky enough to spot different species of octopus, including the Wunderpuss, and the famous Blue Ring Octopus.
DAY 5: Rinca
2 dives in the morning of the penultimate day of your trip, the first at Pengah Kecil, a small island that is easy to circle on a single tank dive. Sharks, turtles and a variety of rays can be spotted cruising the walls and the shallow staghorn coral of the site. The final dive of your trip will be at a place the locals have named Wainilu, which translates as ‘cold water’. Here we go in search of Ribbon Eels, Ambonese Scorpionfish or even Rhinopias. After lunch we go on a simple trek, searching to the Komodo Dragons on the island of Rinca, before heading out to Pulau Kalong, to watch the delay migration of thousands of fruit bats, as they leave their daily island of residence around sunset, in search of fruit.
Day 6: Disembark La Galigo at Labuan Bajo
La Galigo will be anchored up in the morning around 2:00 am in Labuan Bajo, in preparation for you to catch your flight, or check in to your hotel. Guests are welcome to stay on board until 11:00 am, whereupon we will assist you with transportation to your desired location.
*La Galigo does not guarantee this outlined itinerary, and it is to be considered as a rough guideline. Information compiled here is based on past trips we have conducted and includes common dive sites and routes we often visit. Weather and sea conditions in the area can be unpredictable, and La Galigo retains the right to alter an itinerary from the advice of the ship’s captain, cruise director, or owner for the safety of the vessel, it’s passenger and crew.
