Damai II Itinerary

Bali to Komodo

Guests will arrive in Benoa (Bali) and have time to get comfortable on the boat. If the weather permits, we will move towards the island of Penida and try our luck with the mola mola or manta. If not, we will get some good rest and motor on to the north for a great day tomorrow.

No. of Dives: 0 or 1

Visit and explore the world-famous muck diving site of Amed and hunt for amazing creatures like mimic octopus, ghost pipefish, frogfish and more.

Head off to Tulamben in the afternoon to visit the famous USAT Liberty wreck. Famous for sightings of schools of bumphead parrotfish, giant grouper, fields of gigantic garden eels, and more.

No. of Dives: 4

Day 3: Moyo

Overnight you will travel to the western side of the island of Moyo, and you will anchor here for the day. There are some excellent dives off the village of Labuan Haji. Healthy reefs, slpooing contour with a good variety of life, more focus on the small critters, looking for soft coral and orangutan crabs, and gosh pipefish.

You will also be able to visit the village, which is rumored to have amazing local honey for sale. From the village there is a short trek inland to the multi-terraced limestone Mata Jitu waterfall, where you can swim.

No. of Dives: 3

We will visit the fisher community of Saleh Bay's waters off Sumbawa, where, as in other areas of Indonesia, we have chances to spot whale sharks that would swim around fishing platforms, also known as bagan. This kind of eco-tourism is attracting numerous divers and snorkelers, thus transforming old fishing communities, many of them using aggressive ways of capturing food into friendlier and more ocean-environment-aware ones.

No. of Dives: 4

The smoking volcano Sangeang in the north has some great macro diving. Bubble Reef has evidence of this volcano activity with both yellow sulphur and champagne bubbles in the shallows; Menceng Wall is an unusual black sand wall with a sand slope. Keep your eyes open for unusual nudibranchs, shrimps and other amazing critters, including the much sought-after Rhinopias scorpionfish.

No. of Dives: 4

For some of the best schooling fish action in Komodo, we will head to the north of the park and dive on two seamounts called Crystal Rock and Castle Rock. Keep your eyes open for cruising sharks amongst the clouds of schooling fish.

No. of Dives: 4

Day 7: Central Komodo & Wainilu

Into the middle of the channel to dive the Signature site of Batu Bolong, the 'Rock with the Hole.' This is a beautiful reef dive with plenty of fish, turtles and passing pelagics. For a macro dive, head to the small island of Wainilu on the north coast of Rinca. Diving along the sand slope in front of the beach should prove an excellent opportunity for critter hunting and some unusual nudibranchs.

This is the gateway to enjoy an afternoon walk in the park to view the prehistoric Komodo dragon. You may also see monkeys, water buffalo and wild boar or just enjoy the panoramic views over the park.

No. of Dives: 4

Day 8: Tatawa and Central Komodo

Into the current rich channel there are strings of small islands, including Tetawa Besar. This is an area of beautiful reef with plenty of action, including passing mantas and schooling fish. Karang Makassar is an excellent drift dive with manta cleaning action, turtles and sharks.

No. of Dives: 4

Day 9: Langkoi & Padar

On the southern tip of the island of Komodo, the signature site of Manta Alley has some of the best schooling fish in the south. Although the water may be chilly the potential for manta action is closely followed by sharks, Napoleon wrasse, humphead parrotfish, sweetlips and turtles.

The island of Padar has the dive site of Pillarsteen with its dramatic seascapes of caves and swim-throughs along the vertical wall. The pinnacles at the 3 Sisters rise beautifully from the white sand bottom and are covered in colourful reef fish and the elusive frogfish.

No. of Dives: 4

Days 10-11: Horseshoe Bay

Horseshoe Bay has a variety of Signature sites: the world-famous pinnacle of Cannibal Rock has excellent schooling fish action but certainly plenty of macro to discover; The black sand slope of Torpedo Alley has some interesting macro opportunities, especially for the night dive; and Yellow Wall is a vertical wall covered in yellow soft corals and yellow crinoids.

Even the anchorage is exciting with Komodo dragons prowling up and down the beach, wild boars feeding from the shoreline, flying brahminy kites and white-bellied sea eagles, deer swimming in the sea, and monkeys climbing the trees.

No. of Dives: 4 & 2

Day 12: Departure

Guests will be escorted to the airport in Labuan Bajo and assisted with check-in procedures, no doubt full of talk about the wonders of the most popular dive destination in the world.

Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics and local regulations.