Mari Itinerary

Best of Komodo and Whale Sharks (SWQ-LBJ)

Day 1: Badas
The crew will transfer guests from the airport to MARI. After boarding, cabin allocation and ship orientation take place before MARI sets sail. A warm welcome briefing by our cruise director covers safety procedures and what to expect from the days ahead. Guests can familiarize themselves with the vessel and set up their equipment.

Check Dive—A shallow, controlled dive to verify equipment and buoyancy before the expedition begins in earnest.

Day 2: Moyo Island (2 morning dives + waterfall visit)
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.
Stone Wall — A vertical coral wall on the eastern face of Moyo dropping to over 60 m (197 ft), draped in soft corals and sea fans with reliable reef shark sightings.

Day 3: Teluk Saleh (2 whale shark sessions)
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 Sangeang.

Day 4: Sangeang Volcano (3 day dives)
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.

Day 5: Banta Island (3 dives)
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.

Day 6: Central Komodo (2 to 3 dives + Komodo dragon trek + beach visit)
Morning: Komodo Dragon Trek.

Pink Beach (Pantai Merah) — Hard coral slopes with reef sharks and anthias clouds.

Makassar Reef (Manta Point) — Sandy feeding lanes, mantas on incoming tides.

Siaba Kecil (Mandarin Point) — Dusk dive for mandarin fish courtship behavior.

Day 7: North Komodo (3 to 4 dives)
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.

Day 8: Central Komodo (4 dives)
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.
Padar Island hike at sunrise or sunset, at the Cruise Director's discretion.

Day 9: Central Komodo (2 dives)
Sebayur Kecil — White tip reef sharks, green turtles, sweetlips, fusiliers.

Pengah Besar — Stronger current, reef sharks, and pelagic movement.

Equipment rinsed and stowed after the second dive; no-fly interval observed. Overnight navigation toward Labuan Bajo.

Day 10: Labuan Bajo
Disembarkation after breakfast in Labuan Bajo. Transfer to Komodo Airport or to your hotel is included.

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