Gaia Love Itinerary
Komodo - Alor (LBJ - ARD) 10N11 days / 10 nights
About Gaia Love
- Step aboard this salubrious motor yacht with impeccable facilities
- Dive in total comfort from the large, well-designed dive deck and tenders
- Dedicated camera room and compartmentalised rinse tanks
- Sleep in style with upper deck cabins boasting private balconies
Gaia Love is a new breed of liveaboard, journeying to Indonesia’s remotest regions surrounded by nothing by water. Discover the delights of far-flung dive destinations like Raja Ampat, Komodo, and the Banda Sea with ease on board this luxurious motor yacht, purpose-built for comfortable exploration. Exceptional onboard amenities include massage services, sumptuous wooden interiors and watersports - not to mention a first-class dive deck and superb camera facilities - allowing guests to enjoy isolated diving in maximum comfort and style.
Itinerary details
Length of trip 11 days / 10 nights
Number of dives Up to 26
Experience Open Water - Minimum 30 dives
Insurance Required
Highlights
- One-way trip mixing the biodiversity of Alor with Komodo National Park
- Discover exceptional biodiversity in the heart of the Coral Triangle
- Enjoy excellent visibility afforded to Pantar Strait by consistent currents
- Dive at the foot of an active volcano in Komba
- Meet the mantas of Komodo National Park
- Trek in search of the world's largest lizard, the Komodo dragon
- Marvel at Padar’s macro critters and explore the pelagic walls of Bacan
- Experience the well-known macro-haven, Cannibal Rock
Day 1: Arrive in Labuan Bajo
Arrive at Labuan Bajo, where you will be met by our Cruise Director and transferred by car to the passenger embarkation port. Once onboard, a general briefing covering vessel orientation, safety and emergency procedures will be conducted by our Cruise Director. Check dive scheduled for late afternoon.
Day 2: Gili Lawa Laut
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.
Day 3: 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.
Day 4: Langkoi & Horseshoe Bay
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 worth the effort.
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: sea apples, fire urchins, the Coleman shrimp or the zebra crab, the beautiful Mia Mira Nudibranch, frog fish. 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.
Day 5: Sebolan Kecil
Easy nice slopes, healthy corals and the possibility of encountering eagle rays that tend to hover close to the reef. After two dives, it is time to get ready for a long crossing along the island of Flores. Time to relax, lie on the sun deck, and remember that in the end, we are on holiday, and resting should be part of it.
Day 6: Tanjung Bacatan & Komba Volcano
In the north of Kawula island, Tanjung Bacatan is a classic. Deep slope that gently gives way to a wall; passing tunas, wahoo and other pelagics are expected to be spotted. After two dives we sail towards the volcano of Komba, active until very recently and always a beautiful sight. We will look for whales on our way.
Day 7: Kalabahi Bay
Sailing into Kalabahi Bay on the west coast of Alor for the signature site of Mucky Mosque, you will get the opportunity to hunt for octopus, Rhinopias and some very cool nudibranchs along the black sand in front of the local mosque.
In the afternoon guests can opt to take a land tour visit to a traditional Alor village, returning in time for the night dive or continuing diving.
Day 8: Pantar Straits
They are rugged areas that can be subject to rich currents but also can reveal some unique sights. A crossing area for whales, it is not uncommon to see sperm or blue whales. Dive along rocky shores covered in colorful hard and soft corals teeming with reef fishes. Then more relaxing dives in the afternoon at Mandarin wall back on the north side of Pura, or the magical valley of the clowns in the south, where miles of reefs are covered with anemones.
Day 9: Pulau Rusa
This is a collection of 3 small islands in the middle of the current rich channel. Beautiful coral-covered reefs with clouds of reef fish like anthias. This is the perfect day for looking out for large creatures: turtles, sharks, tuna, rainbow runners, manta rays, and mola mola.
Day 10: Serbete
Starting the day at the craggy rock called Serbete. Two dives here on the wall and the sand slope are a great way to start the diving day. Then into the west side of the island of Adonara for the afternoon and night dives. Get your eyes in tune for hunting out critters and macro.
Day 11: Departure
Our Cruise Director will assist you with all of your departure needs in accordance with your departure flight time. Our crew will assist you with your luggage, and you will be escorted to the airport.
Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics and local regulations.
Transfer details
Departure
12:00pm
Labuan Bajo
Labuan Bajo Airport: LBJ
Return
12:00pm
Kalabahi
Alor Island Airport: ARD
Current availability and prices: https://www.zubludiving.com/itineraries/gaia-love/itn-2103100142201-komodo-alor-lbj-ard-10n