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!
A domestic flight from the island of Bali or Jakarta brings you to the harbor town of Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores. You are greeted at the airport by our staff and transferred to your hotel (on day before departure) or to the harbor where Adelaar is anchored (on the day of departure). As soon as everyone is aboard, we depart the harbor, with destination Sebayur, where we will do 1-2 check dives. We move to Kalong to anchor for the night. At sunset, the skies are filled with fruit bats taking flight to the mainland for their nightly feed.
Day 2
Sebayur & Padar Island
Today we enter Komodo National Park, which is located in the region known as Wallacea, denoting the overlapping of Australian and Asian bio-geographical areas. This overlap ensures an interesting mix of bird species. Our dives will be around Padar Island, which is located in the center of the park. Just before sunset, we go ashore and hike across a beautiful crescent bay, for a spectacular sunset. Alternately, for those who prefer to be underwater, a night dive is planned.
Day 3
Padar Island & Nusa kode
We depart early morning from Padar and travel south to Nusa Kode. There are three dives and a night dive planned for this area, one of which will be the famous ‘macro temple” of Cannibal Rock, a photographers dream come true. 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.
Day 4
South Rinca & South Komodo
An early morning departure is planned, as we head to Manta Alley at the extreme southern end of Komodo Island. This area typically has much cooler temperatures, and nutrient rich waters, perfect for Mantas! Once safely back aboard, we travel north for an afternoon dive along the coast of Komodo. A night dive is planned just outside Komodo Bay.
Day 5
Prehistoric day
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. A late morning dive is planned at nearby Pink Beach. After lunch we travel to Manta Point to with the hope to dive with Mantas! We move to a quiet bay and prepare for our night dive.
Day 6 & 7
Central Komodo National Park
We 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. We spend the next two days diving the central park dive sites.
Day 8
North Komodo National Park
We spend the day diving around the northern boundary of the Park off the uninhabited islands of Gili Lawa Laut and Gili Lawa Darat. In late afternoon we say goodbye to Komodo National Park and start our westward journey back towards Bali. We stop for the night in Banta Island, just outside the park boundary, and prepare for our last night dive.
Day 9
Sangeang Volcano
A very early morning departure, with destination Sangeang, a volcano whose most recent eruption was in 2014. Upon our sunrise approach, Sangeang rises majestically from the sea, emitting the occasional puff of smoke. The black sandy bottom of this site makes for spectacular diving. In places, a steady stream of gaseous sulfur, bubbles up from the sand making its way towards the surface. Swimming through, you have the feeling of being in an underwater jacuzzi! Tonight we sail through the night towards Moyo Island.
Day 10 & 11
We arrive at Moyo Island early this morning, for our final two dives along the fringing reef, near the main village. A shore excursion takes you through the local village along a winding path towards a waterfall. Those daring enough can grab the rope, swing out over the falls and drop into the pool below! We sail through the night towards Bali.
Arrival in Serangan Harbor, Bali will be sometime after 9:00 AM.
The route and dives are always organized according to the weather conditions, the currents and tides.