Aug 7 – Aug 17, 2027

Same as itinerary below, but with one less day in the KNP and a stopover in Teluk Saleh, a huge bay near Moyo Island where a permanent aggregate of whale sharks have recently been discovered. Timed to coincide with a new moon, as this is the best time for an encounter. Day 1: Welcome on board! Labuan Bajo & Sebayur (2 dives) A flight or ferry brings you to the harbor town of Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores. You are greeted at the airport or your hotel by our staff and then transferred to the harbor where Adelaar is anchored (day of departure). As soon as everyone is aboard, we depart the harbor, with destination Sebayur, where we will do 1-2 check dives. Then, we move to Kalong to anchor for the night. At sunset, the skies are filled with fruit bats taking flight to the mainland for their nightly feed. Day 2: Sebayur & Padar Island Today we enter Komodo National Park, which is located in the region known as Wallacea, denoting the overlapping of Australian and Asian bio-geographical areas. This overlap ensures an interesting mix of bird species. Our dives will be around Padar Island, which is located in the center of the park. Just before sunset, we go ashore and hike across a beautiful crescent bay, for a spectacular sunset. Alternately, for those who prefer to be underwater, a night dive is planned. Day 3: Padar Island & Nusa Kode (4 dives) We depart early morning from Padar and travel south to Nusa Kode. There are three dives and a night dive planned for this area, one of which will be the famous "macro temple" of Cannibal Rock, a photographers dream come true. With the towering cliff walls surrounding all sides, the landscape in this remote destination is breath-taking. The resident dragon population likes to sun themselves on the beach from time to time. Catch a glimpse of these prehistoric animals from the safety of Adelaar’s main deck. Day 4: South Rinca & South Komodo (4 dives) An early morning departure is planned, as we head to Manta Alley at the extreme southern end of Komodo Island. This area typically has much cooler temperatures, and nutrient rich waters, perfect for Mantas! Once safely back aboard, we travel north for an afternoon dive along the coast of Komodo. A night dive is planned just outside Komodo Bay. Day 5: Prehistoric day (3 dives) Dragons! We go ashore at 7:00 AM for a ranger guided hike into the interior of Komodo Island, to look for Komodo dragons. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the only natural habitat of these giant monitor lizards. The area was designated as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 1991. A late morning dive is planned at nearby Pink Beach. After lunch we travel to Manta Point to with the hope to dive with Mantas! We move to a quiet bay and prepare for our night dive. Day 6 & 7: Central Komodo National Park (8 dives) We soon enter the central park area, also known as "current city". This area of the park is subjected to the strong tidal currents that run through the Lintah Strait, bringing with them, plenty of marine life. These currents make for lots of action and exhilarating drift dives. So mantas are often seen in these parts. We spend the next two days diving the central park dive sites. Day 8: North Komodo National Park (4 dives) We spend the day diving around the northern boundary of the Park off the uninhabited islands of Gili Lawa Laut and Gili Lawa Darat. In late afternoon we say goodbye to Komodo National Park and start our westward journey back towards Bali. Then, we stop for the night in Banta Island, just outside the park boundary, and prepare for our last night dive. Day 9: Sangeang Volcano (3 dives) A very early morning departure, with destination Sangeang, a volcano whose most recent eruption was in 2014. Upon our sunrise approach, Sangeang rises majestically from the sea, emitting the occasional puff of smoke. The black sandy bottom of this site makes for spectacular diving. In places, a steady stream of gaseous sulfur, bubbles up from the sand making its way towards the surface. Swimming through, you have the feeling of being in an underwater jacuzzi! Tonight we sail through the night towards Moyo Island. Day 10: Moyo Island (2 dives) We arrive at Moyo Island early this morning, for our final two dives along the fringing reef, near the main village. Then, a shore excursion takes you through the local village along a winding path towards a waterfall. Those daring enough can grab the rope, swing out over the falls and drop into the pool below! We finally sail through the night towards Bali. Day 11: Thanks for joining us! Arrival in Serangan Harbor, Bali will be sometime after 9:00 AM.