Mari Itinerary

Best of Komodo and Whale Sharks (LBJ-SWQ)

Guests are welcomed aboard in the morning in Labuan Bajo. Following a safety briefing and cabin orientation, MARI departs toward Central Komodo. Check Dive—A shallow, controlled dive to verify equipment and buoyancy before the expedition begins in earnest.

Batu Bolong—Coral-covered pinnacle rising from deep water. Anthias clouds, Napoleon wrasse, grey reef sharks, and giant trevallies dominate the slopes.
Tatawa Besar - Elegant drift dive over pristine coral gardens.
Tatawa Kecil - Vibrant reef with colorful soft corals and schooling fish; ideal for extended bottom time.
Siaba Besar - Sheltered and unhurried. Green and hawksbill turtles rest on coral bommies while frogfish, seahorses, and nudibranchs reward patient macro searching across the sandy bottom.

High-voltage diving.

Castle Rock - Grey reef sharks, tuna, giant trevallies, and barracuda schools in numbers thick enough to block the light.

Crystal Rock - Submerged pinnacle rising from depth with exceptional visibility. Grey reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, and dense fish schools congregate around the structure.

The Cauldron (Shotgun) - Exhilarating channel drift; occasional manta sightings.

Gili Lawa Laut - Current-fed pinnacle with strong fish density; reef sharks and schooling pelagics in the blue.

A day that moves from ancient predators to dramatic panoramas, with diving in between.

Morning: Komodo Dragon Trek - ranger-guided walk across dry savannah terrain in search of Varanus komodoensis, the world's largest lizard.

Pink Beach (Pantai Merah) - Hard coral slopes with reef sharks and anthias clouds. Opportunity for beach visit between dives.

Makassar Reef (Manta Point) - Sandy feeding lanes where mantas glide above divers on incoming tides.

Evening: Padar Island hike at sunset. One of Indonesia's most photographed panoramas—three crescent bays in different shades of sand, ringed by dry volcanic ridgelines. A short, steep climb that earns its reward.

Remote and wind-swept, Banta lies between Sangeang and Komodo and benefits from strong tidal exchange without always requiring extreme exposure. Its reefs are healthy, vibrant, and often visited by pelagics when conditions align.

GPS Point - A gently sloping reef transitioning into a deeper contour. Grey reef sharks patrol the outer edge, turtles cruise over hard coral terraces, and large schools of fusiliers and snappers gather mid-water.

Star Wars - Named for its dramatic topography, this site features ridges, gullies, and bommies rising from depth. Current lines attract giant trevallies and occasional eagle rays.

Tondok Rasa (East Banta Reef) - A more protected coral slope. Dense anthias clouds hover over branching coral formations, while sweetlips and reef fish schools move across the reef face.

An active volcano dominates the skyline.

Bubble Reef - Volcanic vents release shimmering streams of bubbles across black sand slopes. Nudibranchs, frogfish, and mimic octopus.

Hot Rocks - Soft corals and anthias contrasting against dark substrate.

Bonto - Rare macro life including rhinopias and blue-ring octopus.

A dormant volcanic island with a hypersaline crater lake at its center and a flying fox colony that lifts from the forest canopy at dusk in a single wave—one of the quieter dramatic moments on any Indonesian liveaboard crossing.

West Wall - Dense soft-coral wall with chromis clouds, reef fish schools, and occasional reef mantas on the southern face.

South Reef - Hard coral gardens at a reliable manta cleaning station.

Topside: short hike to the crater rim overlooking the hypersaline lake.

Night Dive - Satonda's reef transforms after dark. Clown frogfish, arrow crabs, and banded boxers shrimp populate the bottom in conditions ideal for macro photographers.

Early morning arrival in Teluk Saleh. Working closely with local fishermen, we search for the resident whale sharks that gather beneath traditional bagan platforms. Encounters alternate between snorkeling and diving depending on positioning and depth. A defining highlight of the expedition.

Afternoon navigation toward Moyo Island.

Angel Reef - Healthy coral slopes with turtles and reef sharks.
Tanjung Pasir - Coral bommies and macro life.
Between dives, guests visit Mata Jitu Waterfall, accessible by tender and short jungle walk.

Equipment is rinsed and stowed following the second dive, respecting recommended no-fly intervals. Overnight navigation toward Badas.

Day 10: Badas, Sumbawa Besar
Disembarkation after breakfast at Badas Harbour. Transfer to Sumbawa Besar Airport is included. 

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