We welcome you to join a cruise on Adelaar, as she sails the magnificent Indonesian archipelago with various itineraries from Bali to Alor, through the most pristine sites of Komodo National Park. As you cross the Wallace Line, and travel eastwards, you’ll enter some of the most culturally diverse regions of the world. Welcome to the underwater world, where strong currents feed a teaming marine life, amass with color as well as stunning landscapes and excursions.
Day 1
Welcome to Adelaar!
The meeting point will be at the Main Passenger Jetty in Serangan Harbor at 8:30 AM, where our crew are standing by to welcome you. As soon as everyone is aboard, we depart Serangan and move along the coastline of Bali, cruising overnight to Satonda Island. We hope for a magnificent sunset over Bali’s majestic Mt Agung.
Day 2
Moyo & Satonda Islands, Sumbawa
Two morning dives are scheduled at Pulau Moyo along the fringing reef outside the main village. Arrival in Satonda will be late afternoon with one dive along a sloping reef, with a sandy bottom and with many coral outcroppings. As the sunsets, the sky fills with bats heading to the mainland for their nightly forage. We prepare for the first night dive of the trip, and afterwards will travel through the night to Sangeang…
Day 3
Sangeang Volcano, Sumbawa
Sangeang volcano, whose most recent eruption was in 2014, rises on the horizon. As we approach the island at sunrise, be prepared for an occasional puff of smoke from the still active crater. The black sandy bottom of this site makes for spectacular diving. In places, a steady stream of gaseous sulfur bubbles up from the sand towards the surface, creating the feeling of an underwater jacuzzi! We will anchor for the night here, with a night dive planned.
Day 4
Komodo National Park
We are up early today for a glimpse of the sunrise as we arrive at Gili Lawa Laut, in the northern area of Komodo National Park. The park is located in the region known as Wallacea, denoting the overlapping of Australian and Asian biogeographical areas. This overlap ensures an interesting mix of bird species. There is a splendid assortment of dive sites just outside this picturesque bay. In the late afternoon, we move to the outside edge of Komodo Bay and prepare for our night dive.
Day 5
South Komodo National Park – Rinca & Nusa Kode
Dragons! We go ashore at 7:00 AM for a ranger guided hike into the interior of Komodo Island, to look for Komodo dragons. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the only natural habitat of these giant monitor lizards. The area was designated as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 1991. Once safely back aboard, we travel south for a late morning dive along the coast of Komodo. At dusk, we dive Lehok Sera to search for the elusive mandarin fish.
Day 6
South Komodo National Park
An early morning departure is planned, as we head to the extreme southern end of Komodo to Manta Alley. This area typically has much cooler temperatures with nutrient rich waters, perfect for Mantas! We enjoy lunch as the boat moves to southern Rinca to an area known as Nusa Kode. With the towering cliff walls surrounding all sides, the landscape in this remote area, is breathtaking. Between dives, we board the dinghy and head towards the shore, to get up close to the resident dragon population. After the sun sets, we prepare for a night dive, and a late dinner.
Day 7
South Rinca
There are two dives planned for this area, one of which will be the famous ‘macro temple” of Cannibal Rock, a photographers dream come true. From here we journey north to Padar Island for our afternoon dive. Just before sunset, we go ashore and hike across a beautiful crescent bay, to witness a spectacular sunset. Alternately, for those who prefer to be underwater, a night dive is planned.
Day 8
Padar & North Rinca
We depart early from Padar and enter the central park area, also known as ‘current city’. This area of the park is subjected to the strong tidal currents that run through the Lintah Strait, bringing with them, plenty of marine life. These currents make for lots of action and exhilarating drift dives. Mantas are often seen in these parts. In the late afternoon, we make our way north toward Wainilu and prepare for a night dive.
Day 9 & 10
North & Central Komodo
We spend the day diving around the center and northern boundary of the Park off the uninhabited islands of Gili Lawa Laut and Gili Lawa Darat. We anchor in a quiet bay for the night, and plan a night dive.
We enjoy the last dives of the trip around the Northern boundary of the Park and the islands of Sebayor. Be aware of your “no fly time” and plan your last dive to stay within safe flight limits.
Day 11
We arrive in Labuan Bajo in the morning by 7:00 AM. Disembark after breakfast for your onward journey.
The route and dives are always organized according to the weather conditions, the currents and tides.