Let’s explore the land of the world’s biggest lizards, Komodo National Park. Currents are pretty known in the area to drag flows of dolphins, sharks, manta or eagle rays, pelagics and schools of fish… Six full days to enjoy this world class snorkeling area and discover the wonders of Komodo National Park. Not forgetting the excursions whose few hikes and the encounter with the huge komodo dragons, masters of this savannah’s territory.
Day 1
Riung – the 17 islands
In the morning our French speaking guide welcomes you on the pontoon of the village of Riung and you join together the boat.
Presentation of the crew and the boat during a briefing on safety and life on board and we raise the anchor towards the archipelago of 17 islands located not far from the village.
This little paradise is the perfect place to relax and swim after your stay on the island of Flores.
We will spend a few hours on a beautiful white sand beach to enjoy the exceptional setting, before returning to the boat for lunch.
The second part of the day is an invitation to contemplation from the boat since we will sail along the coast of Flores until the night.
You will enjoy a beautiful sunset alone in the ocean world, and it is not uncommon to see dolphins, pilot whales ( bottlenose dolphins with round heads) and sometimes we had the chance to meet humpback whales and blue whales!
We arrive around midnight in a small bay where we will spend the night.
Day 2
The Goa Rangko Caves & the Lost Island
After a good night’s sleep, you wake up in an idyllic setting facing the island of Flores and have a nice breakfast.
The visit of the day is quite surprising, indeed as soon as the tide allows us, we go with the help of our small boat to land on a beach from where a small path starts.
A natural swimming pool of sea water which is located below the cave invites us to swim and the walls are covered with stalactites and stalagmites to the delight of the eyes!
Following this unusual swimming we find the boat and, depending on the time, we head to a beautiful island, Robinson Crusoe atmosphere assured, for another bathing session .. or we sail directly to the island to bats ..
We are now at the gates of Komodo National Park.
Day 3
Labuan Bajo – Rinca – Kalong
Direction of the island of Rinca about 1h30 of navigation, along the beautiful coast of Flores.
After lunch we continue to visit the traditional village of “Rinca” where live the people “Bajo”, ancient people of nomads of the seas, now settled, their colorful houses are built on stilts and they live exclusively products from the sea, which they sell partly to buy rice, meat, fruits and vegetables.
This haven of peace with a thousand smiles will already give you the tone of the cruise.
The afternoon will then be dedicated to swimming and relaxing on a beautiful beach located not far from the village, on the island of Kaba, we sometimes see some wild goats …
Back to the boat to take a good shower, waiting for the incredible sunset, the flight of thousands of fruit bats, we do not tell you more…
Meals and overnight on board
Day 4
Komodo Dragons – Taka Makassar and Mantas Rays
We get up early this morning, and while having breakfast, sail quietly towards the bay of “Loh Buaya” (about 1h30 of navigation) where our naturalist guide waits for us to go to meet the famous “Dragons of Komodo” that can measure up to 3,50m tail included!
It is not uncommon, during this walk, to cross deer, pigs, monkeys and wild buffaloes …
On the stroke of 10h we find the boat and heading north to reach the coast of Komodo that we go along, and there, the beauty of the place will still surprise you when you see these 2 desert islets connected by a white sandbar, limpid waters with shades of blues to infinity, like a little air of Robinson Crusoe …
We then take the meal on the boat, and wait quietly that the conditions are perfect to go for some snorkeling with Mantas rays …
No more napping or reading, we jump in the annex armed with our masks / snorkels and palms, cross fingers to be there …
After this emotional session we head north for about 1 hour of sailing before reaching the bay of Gili Lawa Darat, separated from the northern tip of Komodo by a beautiful channel, the Golden Pass.
We observe deer and deer on the beach …
Another superb ride is proposed here for the sunset, count between 20 and 30 minutes to go to the summit, the sight is once again spectacular on this high point, one observes in the distance the majestic volcano of Sangean, the big island Komodo, Rinca, and most of the small islands in the park as the sky takes on unreal colors!
Return to the boat, meals and overnight on board.
Day 5
The Golden Pass and Crystal Bay
The days pass quickly in paradise and we do not tire of it, this morning we reserve you still a beautiful session of beach, swimming and snorkeling along a very preserved reef, rich in fishes, turtles and sometimes Mantas rays come to stroll right here..
The bravest, and on our advice and / or with our guide, can have a little fun with the current of the pass of the Golden Passage, while drifting nicely while observing what happens under the surface, it is an experience reserved for good swimmers to try absolutely.
In the middle of the morning, we embark for an hour of navigation towards the northernmost bay of Komodo Park, Crystal Bay.
Its name already gives some indication of what awaits us, a beautiful bay lined with a long beach of white sand, and two magnificent coral reefs to fill the fans of the mask and snorkels as well as the divers.
It is also the time and the ideal place for those who would be tempted by an introduction to scuba diving.
A life-size aquarium, without power, in clear waters, let yourself be tempted!
On the stroke of 15 hours we head east, about 2:30 of navigation and spend the night on board in front of Kanawa Island.
Day 6
After a good night’s sleep, you wake up in front of a beautiful island bordered by two beautiful white sand beaches, Kanawa Island.
Here the snorkeling is one more time awesome, it is an opportunity to enjoy one last time the magic of the seabed or to land on the island and relax on the beach. In the late morning and after a good shower we take together our last meal, it is time to pack the bags by slowly returning to the port of Labuan Bajo which is now 1 hour of navigation.
It’s time for “goodbye”, all the good things come to an end, the Bali Shanti Cruises team hopes to have you have a dream come true throughout this cruise. We thank you and your adventure continues!
The route and dives are always organized according to the weather conditions, the currents and tides.