Jakaré offers Discovery and Diving Cruises in the National Park, lasting from 5 to 7 days and open for divers and non-divers. Each cruise is unique, and tailor made based on the group composition and desires. Daily programs are presented, discussed and confirmed with the guests on board every evening for the day after. We organise our cruise to suit every need, without compromises.
For the divers, we propose up to 3 dives per day, sometime 4 dives / day with a night dive. Activities for non-divers and divers include snorkelling, kayaking and Stand up Paddle, trekking, pristine beach discovery, village discovery, bird and animals watching. All locations are carefully selected. All activities are guided, including the snorkelling. We also propose Yoga/breathing/relaxation and Free Diving activities on demand, with highly qualifies and experienced teachers.
Here we share relevant extracts of 6D/5N itinerary overview that gives a good understanding of our cruises program. The 7D/6N cruise includes between 16 and 20 dives, the 6D/5N includes between 12 and 16 dives and the 5D/4N cruise includes between 9 and 13 dives.
Day 1:
We pick up Guests at Labuan Bajo airport or Hotel in the morning then board Jakare in the port of Labuan Bajo. General and Safety Presentation will be hold by the Cruise Director. Jakare will then sail to Pulau Sebayur Kecil for one refresh dive/snorkelling/beach and then sail to Pulau Kaaba / Rinca for bats watching in the end of the afternoon. Anchor / overnight at Pulau Kaaba.
One key experience of the day
This dive is a refresh dive at Sebayur Kecil, easy dive for everyone to test the equipment, refresh the dive skills and get familiar with the facilities. The non-divers can enjoy the nice snorkelling in the coral garden or visit the beautiful nearby beaches.
Day 2
Early morning, Jakare sails to Pulau Kambing. A visit of the Komodo Dragons (Varanus Komodoensis) at Loh Buaya / Rinca is then organised. Then we propose refresh and swim at Pulau Kambing. Jakare then sails to Pulau Tengah for dive/snorkelling session there then heads south to Pulau Padar where diving is organised in the afternoon (Pillarsteen or the Three Sisters). Anchoring and overnight in Pulau Padar.
One key experience of the day
Transport from Vessel to shore at Loh Buaya will be done via Dinghy and guests will be welcomed by the rangers at the little pier and brought to the national park office where the rangers will give us instructions. Guided by one of the rangers, the amazing walk in the Pulau Rinca savannah will last between 30min to 2 hours depending on the circuit chosen. Komodo dragons and wild animals like wild boar or deer are commonly observed closed to the rangers station and in the wild.
Diving is proposed at Pulau Tengah Kecil and tree sisters
Day 3
Wake up early morning and climb Padar for a fantastic sunrise over the Komodo archipelago then dive and head North and stop-over in Loh Liang / Pink Beach for sessions of snorkelling, beach and diving. The Jakare sails to Pulau Sabah where diving and snorkelling is organised and then sail to Pulau Sabita and achor / overnight.
One key experience of the day
Dive Siaba Kecil: siaba Kecil is a very nice drift dive, more for advanced divers. It can be done on a falling tide (reef on the right) or rising tide (reef on the left). The reef is rich in hard coral including nice sea fans and pelagic life can often be seen in the blue (Trevally, sharks). Alternatively, and from the Jakare moored at location, various activities around the nearby small islands, sand banks or mangroves will be organised for the non-divers.
Diving is proposed at Pilarsteen, Namo bay, Siaba Besar or Kecil
Day 4
Day four is dedicated to the extraordinary central komodo highlights: diving / snorkelling at Karang Makassar or Mawan with the Manta Rays, diving at lively Batu Bolong and Pulau Tatawa. After the sessions, Jakare sails north to Pulau Gili lawa for anchoring and overnight.
One key experience of the day
After a good break and good lunch on Jakare, divers will head again with the dinghies to Batu Bolong (DIVE 8), one of Komodo best dive. Batu Bolong is an emerging pinnacle in the middle of the channel and offers current dive on this dynamic reef facing directly the current. The soft and hard corals are really colourful and healthy, the all food chain is on open display there, from reef fishes feeding on rich waters full of nutrients to big pelagic including black tip and white tip sharks and giant trevally. Schools of yellow fins barracudas, yellow snappers, silver trevally are very common as well as dogtooth tunas. A must not to be missed.
Diving is proposed at Karang Makassr or Mawan, Batu Bolong and tatawa Besar or Kecil
Day 5
After an early breakfast in a quite bay, we offer diving at golden passage and snorkelling and Kayak/SUP activities for non-divers. Then Jakare heads north east of Pulau Gili Lawa darat where diving / snorkelling is organised at / around the Coldron. Anchoring and Overnight in Gili Lawa.
One key experience of the day
The Coldron is one of the most spectacular dive of Komodo. The dive site is actually a passage between Gili Lawa Darat and Gili Lawa Laut creating an interesting topography and strong current that attracts a lot of sea life and have stunning hard coral gardens on each side of the path. Eagle ray and manta rays can be spotted there as well as lots of pelagic fishes like trevally, tunas and other. The Coldron is also home of a lot of tiny critters such as frogfishes and nudibranchs.
Diving is proposed at Golden Passages (2 dives), Aquarium and Coldron
Day 6
We will spend the night in the North West of the island and take advantage of a magnificent blue sky to have a few morning strokes around the Jakaré thanks to its rear beach allowing access to the sea simple, pleasant and ingenious. Then, we can go visit the neighboring village to exchange with the local populations.
After lunch, you can enjoy the few hours of navigation bringing us back to Labuan Bajo to sleep on the large and comfortable rear deck or take advantage of the sun deck.
Then there will be the “goodbyes” to the crew. Our cruise manager will then accompany you to the airport for your flight to Bali or elsewhere … Unless you spend a few days on Flores to discover the incredible riches offered by this island of character.
The route and dives are always organized according to the weather conditions, the currents and tides.