Komodo National Park is situated close to the coast of Flores, with Sumbawa and the Sape Strait to the west. Covering over 1,730 square kilometres, the park includes the three large islands of Komodo, Padar and Rinca, along with 26 smaller islands. The park’s rugged terrain is dominated by jagged peaks and mountain slopes covered in dry savannah and dense stands of deciduous forests. Erosion has carved the coastlines of the islands into deep bays, inlets, channels and isolated beaches, creating some of Indonesia’s most spectacular scenery. Locations such as Komodo’s ‘Pink Beach’ and the incredible view from Padar looking across back-to-back, circular bays, are worth the trip alone!

Komodo’s dramatic landscape continues beneath the waves and the waters are some of the richest marine environments in the world. The reefs, channels, seagrass beds and mangroves are home to over 1000 species of fish and 250 species of corals. The channel surrounding theses islands funnels huge volumes of water between the Flores Sea and the Indian Ocean, resulting in nutrient-rich upwellings and dramatic currents that sweep past the islands, creating the perfect conditions for an incredible diversity of marine life and superb diving. The national park was founded in 1980 to protect its infamous resident - the Komodo dragon. This extraordinary species is the world’s largest land-dwelling reptile and can still be observed in the wild on both Komodo and Rinca islands.

Raja Ampat is an archipelago of over 1,500 small islands and reefs surrounding the 4 main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo - the ‘Four Kings’ from which Raja Ampat takes its name. The area is part of the newly-created province of West Papua and, despite its allegiance to Indonesia, the islands of Raja Ampat feel very much like part of a different world. Although resorts are being developed throughout the archipelago and liveaboards run regular schedules around its famous sites, this string of beautiful islands still holds on to a lingering promise of exploration and discovery.

Papua is home to an incredible diversity of flora, fauna and cultures with the rugged terrain and relatively late development has helped to preserve the unique biological and cultural diversity. Much of the mainland is made inaccessible by rugged mountains and dense jungle and new endemic species are being discovered here every year. Below the surface of the sea, the rich reefs of Raja Ampat are a similar treasure trove of unique species; in fact, Cape Kri on Mansuar Island in the Dampier Strait holds the record for the most number of fish species recorded on a single dive. Raja Ampat is so species-rich and such a vital area for reef conservation that the entire area has been protected as part of the Bird’s Head Seascape.

Wisesa is a 30-meter Phinisi-style vessel combining modern comfort with traditional charm. It can accommodate a maximum of eight guests in four air-conditioned cabins designed for maximum comfort - two with private bathrooms and two with shared bathroom facilities. The upper deck is home to the indoor lounge and outdoor dining area where guests can enjoy a buffet of Indonesian and Asian cuisine and healthy salads for lunch, and an evening menu that is a welcome mix of Western, Asian fusion, and Indonesian specialities. While onboard, guests have unlimited use of recreational facilities such as snorkelling equipment, kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. There are also several lounge areas complete with comfortable seating and impressive views providing the perfect place to relax.

Diving onboard Wisesa is done from two dinghies - a 5-meter wood and fibre-glass dinghy and a second 3.6-meter aluminium dinghy. All the necessary rental equipment is available onboard, including dive torches and computers. DIN adaptors can also be provided if required. Underwater photographers will find separate camera rinse tanks located on Wisesa’s shaded dive deck. Sidemount diving is also catered to.

An example itinerary for Wisesa’s 7-night Komodo cruise departs from Labuanbajo before heading to the south of Rinca Island where guests can dive sites like Cannibal Rock, Torpedo Point, Cryonid Canyon, Neville Corner, Pisang Island, Yellow Wall of Texas. Wisesa will then relocate to Padar Island to dive Pillarsteen and Three Sisters before moving on to explore Makasar Reef and Batu Bolong. The next day, Wisesa will head to central Komodo and then on to Pengah Island to dive Pengah Kecil. The vessel will then explore Gili Lawa Laut’s Castle Rock and Crystal Rock, followed by a bbq dinner on a white sand beach. The following day, Wisesa will return to Labuanbajo to disembark.

An example itinerary for Wisesa’s 7-night Raja Ampat cruise departs from Sorong, before taking the 12-hour journey to the east of Misool island in southern Raja Ampat. Here guests may have the chance to explore sites including Boo Windows, Boo Ridge, Yuliet, Romeo, Fiabecet, Batu Kecil, Nudi Rock, Whale Rock, Neptune Fan Sea, Daram, Pele’s Playground, Baby Rock, Two Tree Island, Eddy Cave, Three Sisters, Grouper Net, and Wagmab Corner. There is also a tour to see the secret lagoons around Wagmab Island before an overnight cruise to Penemu Island. At Penemu Island, guests can visit My Reef, Melissa’s Garden, and Galaxy before walking up to the famous viewpoint above Penemu’s star-shaped lagoons.

An early morning’s navigation brings Wisesa to the passage of Gam and Yangeo. Here guests will experience some of the most stunning dive sites in West Waigeo - Citrus Ridge, Mayhem, and Way Pretty Shallow. Dampier Strait is up next with one or two dives at Manta Sandy, followed by dives Saundarek Village and a visit to meet the locals. The next day, Wesesa may explore sites such as Sardine Reef, Chicken Reef, Kerupiar Island, Mioskon, Cape Kri, Otdima, Blue Magic and Yenuba Jetty. On the last full day of the cruise, there will be one or two dives depending on weather conditions and flight times. Wisesa will then return to Sorong to disembark.