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
Maumere, Flores
A domestic flight from the island of Bali or Jakarta brings you to the harbor town of Maumere 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). Once onboard, we plan to do check dives close by, then sail onwards through the night towards North Lembata.
Day 2
North Lembata
Awake and enjoy a coffee on deck as we start our first full day of diving in this remote location with stunning topographical features and beauty. The narrow strait allows for a steady flow of currents bringing deep water nutrients up to feed the lush corals and marine life. Off in the blue, pelagic creatures often make an appearance. In between dives, keep an eye on the horizon for passing cetaceans, as fall is whale migration season.
Day 3
Komba Volcano
The remote Komba volcano rises majestically on the horizon, venting a plume of smoke which has been caught by the wind and streams off in the distance. Colorful coral thrives beneath the surface, starkly contrasting against the dark sand. Streams of bubbles, created when built up pressure is released, make their way to the surface, along the slopes of Komba.
Day 4 & 5
Pantar Strait
West of Pantar Island in the Savu Sea, world-class dive sites around the untouched islands, await us. These small islets tend to attract congregations of fish, along the colorful Indian Ocean reefs. We explore the underwater walls, drop-offs, slopes, valleys and ridges of the islands of Pantar, Pura and Ternate.
Diving the pristine site of “Anemone Valley” we drift above the expansive seabed which is completely covered with anemones and clownfish. Be sure to keep one eye out to the blue water, where thresher sharks can often be spotted!
Just off the shore of Pulau Ternate, dozens of women approach Adelaar in their dugout canoes, displaying colorful ikats. Woven in unique patterns learned from their mothers, each textile can be traced back to a specific village, and are of course, for sale.
Day 6
Kalabahi Bay
This morning, we enter the village of the Abui tribe, fierce warriors until 1984. They welcome us in ceremonial dress and perform the lego lego, an ancient dance passed down through the generations. On our way back to the harbor, we make a stop in the traditional market and a local museum, to further experience Alor’s rich natural history. In the afternoon, our planned dives in Kalabahi Bay, will be refreshing after the morning excursion.
Day 7
Pantar Strait
Several islands line the Straits of Pantar, where picturesque villages cling to steep rocky slopes. The tiny remote village of Beangabang, built around a church and situated on a black sand beach, hosts the dive site appropriately named “Religious critters”. During our safety stops, we look upwards to the surface in search of local fisherman in traditional hand-carved outriggers. Their children love jumping in the water with their unique homemade glass goggles, and swimming down to greet divers, with their big friendly smiles.
Day 8
Lamalera Bay
In the early morning, we leave Alor and make our way to Lamalera, home of the last whaling village in Indonesia. The dive sites in this bay are home to mantas and pilot whales, as well as a host of other pelagics, who are attracted to the strong currents. Alternately, we have planned the dive site, “Shark Plateau” a pinnacle, near the island of Lembata, should the current be too strong in Lamalera.
Day 9
Lamakera / Larantuka
This morning we go ashore on Larantuka island, to visit the Fisherman’s Cooperative, set up by the Misool Foundation to encourage and promote alternatives to unethical fishing habits among the local population. In the afternoon, we will dive “Gedong” and then do our last night dive of the trip.
Day 10 & 11
Maumere
Our next two days are spent exploring the dive sites in and around the expansive Maumere bay. We will dive along the walls and ridges looking for sharks and other denizens of the deep. The landscape is a postcard like paradise with white sand beaches and turquoise blue water. After lunch on our last diving day, we depart for a cultural tour in the village of Watublapi. We are welcomed by the village women with a reception of music, songs and dances. Dressed in exquisite ikat, the ladies show us their traditional methods for weaving the unique textiles.
Day 12
Thanks for joining us!
After breakfast, it is time to say farewell. Transport has been arranged to transfer you the airport for your onward flight. We wish you a safe journey and hope you have enjoyed your time on the Adelaar!
The route and dives are always organized according to the weather conditions, the currents and tides.