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 Sabolon island, where we will do 2 check dives. We anchor in a quiet bay for the night.
Day 2
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! We will anchor just outside the village for the night, with a night dive planned. If we arrive early enough, there is a chance to go ashore to visit the village.
Day 3
North Komodo National Park
We depart Sangeang Island very early morning with destination Banta Island, which lies just outside the park boundary. We plan two dives here on Banta’s northern coastline. During lunch we cross to enter the Komodo National Park and plan our first stop in North West Komodo. Our afternoon and night dive will be in this bay. We anchor here for the night.
Day 4
North & Central Komodo National Park
During breakfast we move to the north of Komodo. We spend the day diving around the northern boundary of the Park, off the uninhabited islands of Gili Lawa Laut and Gili Lawa Darat. At sunset we move in closer to Komodo bay for our night dive.
Day 5
Prehistoric Day & Central/South Komodo National Park
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 move around the corner to our dive site just off Komodo’s famous pink beach. During lunch we travel south for an afternoon dive along the coast of Komodo. At dusk, we dive Lehok Sera to search for the elusive mandarin fish
Day 6
South Komodo Island & South Rinca
This morning we move to the extreme southern end of Komodo Island to our dive site, Manta Alley. This area typically has much cooler temperatures with nutrient rich waters, perfect for Mantas! After our two dives here, 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 destination 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 then a late dinner.
Day 7
South Rinca & Padar island
This morning we are diving the South East corners of Horseshoe Bay in Nusa Koda. At lunch we move north to Padar for an afternoon dive. Just before sunset, we go ashore and hike across Padar to a beautiful crescent bay, with a perfect view of the sunset. Alternately, for those who prefer to be underwater, a night dive is planned.
Day 8 & 9
Padar Island & 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, with a night dive planned each evening.
Day 10 & 11
Our last diving days is spent around the island of Sebayur just north of the park. For the afternoon, keeping our no-fly time in mind, we plan a tour of the Atlas Pearl Farm on Pulau Pungu. With their environmentally friendly approach, they assure a healthy ecosystem, essential for the finest white and silver pearls to be grown. We anchor here for the night.
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.