Duration
9 days
Cabins left
10 / 18
Capacity
18 divers
Operator
Dewi Nusantara
Included
Mandatory surcharges
Optional extras
Certification
OWD or equivalent
Min. dives
20 logged
Check-in
12:00–12:00
Check-out
09:00–09:00
Above and below the surface, Komodo National Park and the surrounding Nusa Tenggara region stand as one of Indonesia’s most celebrated destinations for scuba divers. This spectacular archipelago offers an unparalleled diversity of underwater experiences - ranging from exhilarating drift dives and dramatic walls to fish-covered seamounts, pristine coral gardens, and hidden critter havens. Whether your passion lies in watching schooling pelagics sweep past in the blue, searching for rare macro life, or simply drifting along reefs alive with colour, this region delivers it all. Our journey begins in the heart of Komodo, where nutrient-rich currents bring encounters with reef sharks, manta rays, and vast clouds of fish. From here, we head west to the volcanic island of Sangeang, a stark yet breathtaking landscape above water and a macro photographer’s dream below. Its black sand slopes and bubbling vents provide the perfect backdrop for an astonishing array of rare and unusual critters. The voyage continues to central Sumbawa, where Saleh Bay offers the unforgettable chance to dive alongside the gentle giants of the sea - whale sharks. These remarkable encounters, combined with the region’s rich biodiversity, make for a truly once-in-a-lifetime diving adventure. Beyond the underwater wonders, the region’s topside beauty is no less dramatic: rugged volcanic peaks, remote island landscapes, and of course, the legendary Komodo dragons - the world’s largest living lizards - roaming their natural habitat. Join us aboard Dewi Nusantara and discover Indonesia from a new perspective. With world-class diving, breathtaking scenery, and encounters that will stay with you long after the journey ends, these voyages are designed for divers seeking both adventure and inspiration. Get On-Board with Dewi Nusantara The team that conceived Dewi Nusantara in 2007 was among the original group of pioneers that purpose-built liveaboard yachts to explore Komodo and beyond in the mid-90s. For selected trips during our season, the Goddess of the Archipelago will be exploring this outstanding region of Indonesia. Begin your next scuba adventure on board the Indonesian archipelago’s premier liveaboard and experience the best that Indonesia has to offer, along with Dewi Nusantara’s outstanding service, exceptional facilities, and her highly experienced crew.
The two Sebayur islands - Besar and Kecil, literally “big” and “small” - are a favourite first stop for liveaboards departing from Labuan Bajo. Conveniently located just outside Komodo National Park, they offer the nearest reliable anchorage, making them a natural place to pause, settle in, and begin exploring the islands. The sheltered bay provides calm waters and easy access, while their reefs and beaches offer a first taste of the region’s remarkable marine life. Divers typically ease into their journey with a check dive on the north side of Sebayur Kecil. This sheltered site is renowned for its bright coral garden, where hard and soft corals form a lively patchwork of colour in a current-free environment. It is an ideal setting to adjust buoyancy and equipment while enjoying the scenery. While small reef critters delight macro enthusiasts, the site often surprises with bigger visitors - mobula and eagle rays sometimes glide past in the blue, and a resident school of bumphead parrotfish regularly storms noisily across the reef, chomping through corals in their wake. These dramatic bursts of life give the dive far more character than a simple check dive site might suggest. For snorkellers, the house reef in front of the Komodo Resort & Diving Club on Sebayur Besar has long been protected as a no-dive marine reserve. Here, a shallow coral plateau hosts clouds of reef fish, anemones swaying in the shallows, and the occasional turtle cruising through, making it a rewarding spot to explore with just mask and fins. By contrast, divers looking for more variety can head to the Red Rocks Reef, located on the south side of Sebayur Kecil. With its striking rock formations draped in corals, schools of fusiliers darting through the water, and a good chance of spotting larger pelagics, it offers an exciting next step after the gentler introduction dives.
Much like Loh Liang on Komodo, the Ranger Station at Loh Buaya serves as the gateway to Rinca Island, a place where our guests come face-to-face with the legendary Komodo dragons and an impressive array of terrestrial wildlife. Yet for many divers, the magic of Loh Buaya lies just below the waterline. This anchorage is the starting point for some of Komodo’s most rewarding dive sites, making it an essential stop on any liveaboard or cruising itinerary in Komodo. Just a short ride away, Wainilu reveals a very different side of the Komodo underwater world. At first glance, its sandy slopes and rubble patches may appear unassuming, but seasoned divers know better. This site is a haven for the weird and wonderful - frogfish, ghost pipefish, flamboyant cuttlefish, and countless other elusive critters lurk in the nooks and crannies. For lovers of muck diving and marine macro photography, Wainilu is a playground where hours can pass unnoticed while searching for rare, camouflaged treasures. In contrast, the nearby Tengah Kecil offers the thrill of a more traditional reef dive. Here, dramatic rocky formations and vibrant coral gardens come alive in the pulse of the currents. Larger pelagic species cruise by, schools of snapper and fusilier swirl overhead, and the reef itself glows with colour. The energy of the site is unmistakable, delivering that exhilarating “big ocean” feel that makes divers want to return again and again. For those eager to venture a little further, Police Point at the southern end of Siaba Besar and Bonsai (One Tree Island) are increasingly sought-after stops. Though slightly more remote, both are easily accessible from the Wainilu anchorage with well-equipped tenders. Police Point rewards divers with impressive rock formations and vibrant fish life, while Bonsai - named for its solitary tree - is known for its distinctive topography and lively underwater scenes. Together, these sites showcase the extraordinary range Komodo diving has to offer: from intimate encounters with tiny, rare creatures to sweeping reefscapes alive with movement and colour. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer, a critter hunter, or simply looking for that unforgettable Komodo dive, Loh Buaya and its surrounding waters deliver experiences to match every passion.
The Linta Strait - often nicknamed Current City - is the pulsing heart of Komodo National Park, dividing the region in two and serving as home to some of its most exhilarating and legendary dive sites. This dynamic stretch of water is where powerful ocean currents collide, creating world-class conditions that both challenge and reward divers with unforgettable underwater experiences. One of the highlights here is Tatawa Besar, a site celebrated for its exhilarating drift dives. Carried by fast-moving currents, divers glide effortlessly above vibrant coral gardens where schools of reef fish flash in unison, and graceful turtles often join the ride as if acting as seasoned guides. Beyond Tatawa, a number of dramatic rock islands, like Batu Bolong and Tatawa Kecil, and submerged seamounts rise from the depths of the central channel. These sites are consistently ranked among the very best in the world, thanks to their dramatic underwater topography of slopes, walls, ledges, pinnacles, and caverns, all cloaked in vivid coral and alive with a dazzling array of marine species. Adding to the thrill, the Linta Strait also boasts some of the park’s most reliable manta ray encounters. Shallow feeding grounds and cleaning stations provide divers with extraordinary, up-close moments with these gentle ocean giants. Watching a squadron of mantas glide in formation, sometimes looping within arm’s reach, is a truly humbling experience that lingers long after the dive ends. That said, the Strait’s reputation as Current City is well-earned. Conditions here are among the most demanding in the national park, and many of the sites are recommended only for advanced divers with experience handling strong, shifting currents. For those ready to rise to the challenge, however, the Linta Strait offers some of the most rewarding and unforgettable diving anywhere on the planet.
Featured in dive magazines, books, and journals all over the world, Nusa Kode, or Horseshoe Bay, as it is also known, features its own microcosm of dive site variety and is one of the most popular destinations for visiting dive yachts and other adventurous vessels. This is down to the sheer quality of the underwater experience inside and outside the bay and the fact that the formation of the waterway and topside topography make it easy to operate here. Under the surface, temperatures are sometimes cold, caused by upwellings from the depths of the Savu Sea. This can make visibility in the plankton-rich water fairly murky at times. However, what awaits divers is nothing short of astonishing: vibrant rocky reefs, sheer walls, and dramatic seamounts pulsate with marine life. There is even a site over the shallow sand, deep inside the bay, to match any of the stellar list of Indonesian critter dives that put the country at the top of the list for marine photographers and explorers. One of the dives here, Cannibal Rock, has been described as being one of the finest on the planet, and on a good day, it is hard to argue with that. That said, Cannibal Rock is certainly not Nusa Kode’s only marine attraction. All the sites inside and outside the bay feature a jaw-dropping array of colourful corals inhabited by an endless list of marine species. The topography of these sites is interrupted by plenty of holes, cracks, ledges, and current-catching points, providing a perfect environment for the breathtaking underwater scenery and impressive marine life to thrive. Although Horseshoe Bay is known primarily for its impressive array of smaller animals, there is no shortage of larger species on show. Outside the bay, sites such as the current-blasted Rodeo Rock attract huge groups of schooling fish, which in turn pull in some of the ocean’s larger predators. There is still, even today, a lot of scope for exploration too, especially on and around the rarely visited surface-breaking rocks underneath the south-facing cliffs of Nusa Kode Island. A visit to Horseshoe Bay for a couple of days of very special diving is an experience not to be missed during a Komodo cruise.
Langkoi and Lehoksera are close neighbours located around the wild and wonderful coastline of south Komodo. Langkoi Bay features several stunning dives, with an impressive list of several of the ocean’s larger marine species. However, the major attraction is undoubtedly the semi-resident group of manta rays. Whether these majestic creatures are feeding in the current-swept channels, getting a wash and brush-up at the numerous cleaning stations, or just flapping around on the surface in the late afternoon sun, they are always one of the most exciting sights a diver can see in the ocean. The mantas, however, are not the only stars of the show. Oceanic sunfish (mola mola) and marlin have been reported in the area; blacktip, whitetip, and nurse sharks are fairly common; and on one occasion, an hour was spent in the company of two orcas that were splashing around close to Tala. Other sea monsters that dwell in the deep and sometimes cold water down here include huge potato cod and Queensland groupers, which are often sighted at dive sites around Tala Island. All in all, Langkoi Bay can be one of the best diving experiences you will ever have; on its day, its marine wonderland is very hard to beat. Just around the corner from Langkoi, there is more diving around the pretty and well sheltered anchorage at Lehoksera. Currents don’t much affect the sites inside the bay, and there is a small shipwreck that is a great favourite, especially as a night dive due to the nocturnal marine life that it attracts. There are also some good coral reefs running along the north side of the Lehoksera peninsula before it reaches its eastern point.
Scuba diving at Gili Lawa Laut, just north of Komodo Island, offers some of the most exciting and diverse underwater experiences in the region. The waters here are remarkably clear and full of colour, with healthy reefs that thrive under the influence of nutrient-rich currents. These currents, while sometimes challenging, bring with them an incredible abundance of marine life, making every dive both rewarding and unpredictable. Sites like Crystal Rock and Castle Rock are among the area’s most celebrated. Both feature dramatic seamounts rising from the depths, surrounded by swirls of schooling fusiliers, surgeonfish, and jacks. Grey reef and white-tip sharks are regularly seen patrolling the blue, while giant trevallies, tuna, and the occasional manta ray sweep gracefully through the moving water. In calmer spots, the coral gardens shine—layered plate corals, scattered bommies, and soft corals in vivid shades provide shelter for turtles, reef fish of every size, and smaller creatures such as nudibranchs, shrimps, and pygmy seahorses. One of the true highlights of Gili Lawa Laut is Shotgun, a thrilling drift dive that funnels divers through the narrow channel separating Gili Lawa Laut and Gili Lawa Darat. The current can be powerful here, propelling divers at speed past walls of sweetlips, snappers, and batfish. It’s also one of the best places in Komodo to encounter manta rays, as the plankton-rich water attracts these graceful giants to feed and sometimes circle above in mesmerizing loops. Diving at Gili Lawa Laut blends the beauty of Komodo’s coral reefs with the exhilaration of fast-moving water. In a single dive you might drift alongside mantas, watch sharks glide by in the blue, and then finish by spotting tiny macro life hidden among the corals. This combination of scale, variety, and energy makes Gili Lawa Laut a must-visit for anyone exploring Komodo National Park.
The picturesque anchorage at Batu Moncho boasts an impressive variety of dive sites, each offering its own unique underwater experience. From dramatic vertical walls and massive coral-encrusted boulders to gently sloping sandy bottoms and vibrant coral gardens, the area supports an extraordinary abundance of marine life. Divers can encounter everything from graceful manta rays gliding effortlessly through the water to the elusive and delicate pygmy seahorses hidden among the corals. The dive sites within and around the bay are generally easy to access and navigate, with calm conditions prevailing for most of the year thanks to the bay’s sheltered geography. This makes Batu Moncho an ideal anchorage for beginners and novice divers looking for a safe and scenic underwater adventure. While the majority of dives are relaxed, occasional currents and thermoclines - particularly around the outer reefs - can add a touch of excitement. One of Batu Moncho’s most captivating sights is the frequent appearance of manta rays within the bay itself. Acting as a natural food trap, the bay often sees a morning bloom of plankton drifting across the surface of the shallow reefs. It’s during these calm early hours that manta rays glide in, mouths agape, sweeping through the water in search of their plankton-rich breakfast - a mesmerising spectacle for divers and snorkellers alike. Yet, Batu Moncho still holds secrets waiting to be discovered. Scattered beyond the more commonly visited sites are hidden reefs and submerged seamounts teeming with life. One such spot is famously patrolled by giant Napoleon wrasses and regularly visited by squadrons of mobula rays making graceful flybys, offering rare and unforgettable encounters for those who venture a little farther afield.
Gili Banta’s major dive sites are situated in and around the island’s huge north-facing bay. This expansive seascape stretches almost two and a half nautical miles from west to east and is located under the shadow of what is almost certainly the caldera of a massive but long extinct volcano. There are two points on the eastern and western extremities of the bay, and both feature two excellent dive sites; one of them, a picturesque coral reef teeming with life that lies below the rocky Oiungke peninsula, is known as Starwars; the other, centred around the western tip, a current-blasted rock promontory with breathtaking marine architecture, is the deep and mysterious Rollercoaster, also known as Tandokrasa. For divers wanting a less energetic experience, Gili Banta features some pretty sand and coral reef sites such as K2 and The Circus. These two dives are found inside the bay and regularly come up with cryptic and unusual marine critters. Their sheltered position and calm conditions make them ideal for novice divers and underwater photographers. They also provide two of the island’s best night diving sites. The Circus at night is a particularly good place to seek out the grumpy looking stargazer fish. The main attraction at Gili Banta, however, is the infamous GPS Point, a high-voltage, coral-covered underwater mountain, probably an extension of the island’s caldera, and one of the most unpredictable and demanding dives in the Komodo region, if not Indonesia. A pelagic playground subject to strong currents, GPS Point is located close to one nautical mile offshore and can be difficult to plan; however, when current and weather conditions are right, there are not many dives that beat the adrenaline rush of this electrifying site.
Satonda Island is an intriguing stop for divers travelling between Sumbawa and Komodo, offering a variety of underwater experiences. The island’s sites range from steep coral slopes teeming with reef life to wide sandy expanses that serve as havens for curious critters. On the southern side, Batu Gerandong is the most popular dive, conveniently close to the favourite anchorage spots. Here, a colourful reef drops steeply onto deeper seamounts where soft corals sway in the current and reef fish dart in every direction. Look closely and you’ll find a host of smaller creatures tucked among the corals, making this dive as rich in detail as it is in sweeping scenery. Nearby, the Sand Pit dominates much of the southern bay. By day it offers solid critter hunting, with unusual macro life scattered across the sand. But after dark, the site changes entirely. Octopuses, crabs, shrimps, and other nocturnal hunters emerge from the seabed, creating a fascinating night dive for those drawn to the “weird and wonderful”. The island’s north and west coasts provide more conventional reef diving, with gardens of hard and soft corals sheltering clouds of reef fish. On the south-eastern side, flatter sandy and coral-strewn areas offer another dimension, particularly appealing to macro enthusiasts and underwater photographers in search of the unusual. Across the channel, the Sumbawa mainland site of Tanjung Brenti delivers a rewarding mix of reef and critter diving. Inside the bay, scattered coral heads provide a home to smaller marine life, perfect for patient exploration. Out at the rocky point, a sloping reef and mini wall come alive with swirling fusiliers, surgeonfish, and other schooling species. Venturing further into the blue, divers may encounter the bigger visitors - manta rays gliding effortlessly in the current, eagle rays sweeping past, and the occasional whitetip reef shark patrolling the edge of the reef-making this site an interesting all-rounder.
The waters surrounding Moyo Island offer some of the most rewarding diving in the north Sumbawa region. From vibrant coral gardens to dramatic walls and fascinating critter sites, this area is a treasure trove for divers of all levels. The crown jewel of Moyo’s dive sites, Angel Reef, is both the most famous and conveniently located near the favourite anchorage spots. This spectacular site features walls and reefs covered with healthy corals, alive with schools of reef fish, macro critters, and the occasional pelagic species cruising by. Just offshore from the friendly village of Labuan Haji, Long Reef stretches out as a shallow-topped formation that begs to be explored. Long Reef’s mix of hard and soft corals, along with its good visibility and approachable depths, make it an ideal site for extended dives. For history enthusiasts, a small Japanese shipwreck lies further south near the Sumbawa mainland. Resting on a sandy bottom, the wreck is scattered with unusual relics - including the remains of small bulldozers that went down with the vessel. This dive offers a unique and atmospheric experience. The east coast of Moyo is a paradise for macro lovers. Freshwater streams flow into the sea here, creating sandy and coral-strewn habitats that attract an astonishing range of critters. From nudibranchs and pipefish to rare crustaceans, making it a dream spot for underwater photographers. Across the strait that separates Moyo from the Sumbawa coastline, White Light is an extraordinary critter dive. Renowned for “the weird and the wonderful”, this is a site where divers can expect unusual encounters and unexpected marine life. Further north-east of Moyo, Madang Island offers an entirely different underwater landscape. The west side is dominated by an extensive reef system that drops dramatically into the depths. Around the rocky point at roughly 10 metres, divers can explore stunning reef structures before descending further. Beyond lies a series of deep seamounts at over 40 metres, a hotspot for big marine encounters. Regular sightings include grey reef, blacktip, and whitetip sharks, along with the majestic manta rays that sometimes glide across the point.
Covering almost two thousand square kilometres, Saleh Bay is a vast inland sea that carves deep into the heart of Sumbawa. Its entrance is guarded by the nature reserve island of Moyo, which blockades the north-western corner and leaves only two narrow, yet easily navigable, passages into this impressive body of water. To the north, the skyline is dominated by the awe-inspiring Mount Tambora, infamous as the site of the most powerful volcanic eruption ever recorded in human history. In contrast, the southern shoreline is lower and more populated, fringed by villages and dotted with small islands rising just offshore. While its landscapes are striking, the true highlight of Saleh Bay lies beneath the surface: its thriving whale shark population. Indonesia is home to several regions where these gentle giants gather to feed, and Saleh Bay has become one of the most accessible and reliable. The secret lies in the bagans - traditional fishing platforms built around 15 to 20-metre wooden hulls, extended with walkways and braced by intricate networks of ropes and wires. At night, these platforms glow with powerful lamps that attract swarms of baitfish into the fishermen’s nets. Whale sharks have learnt to linger around the bagans, feeding on scraps that escape, and over time, a unique symbiotic relationship has developed. Fishermen welcome the sharks as symbols of good fortune, while the animals enjoy a steady and predictable source of food. For visitors, Saleh Bay offers the rare opportunity to swim alongside these extraordinary filter feeders. Encounters are arranged directly with the fishermen, who often supplement their catch by feeding the sharks to encourage them to stay close. To ensure ethical experiences, Dewi Nusantara books with local operators who coordinate with local conservation programmes, helping to balance tourism, tradition, and marine protection. Timing is also important: trips are best planned outside of the full moon, when natural moonlight diminishes the effectiveness of the bagans’ lights and reduces the concentration of baitfish - and, in turn, whale sharks.
Scuba diving at the imposing Sangeang Volcano has a completely different vibe when compared to the sites at Komodo and the surrounding area. As the whole island is an active volcano, the sandy substrate that surrounds it is dark; some call it black. This dark colouration, combined with the geothermal activity that is constantly going on beneath the island, forms another of Indonesia’s unique diving locations. The black sand and bubbles that dominate the Sangeang marinescape provide the perfect backdrop for the intensely colourful reefs that thrive around the island, making it a magnet for underwater photographers and critter spotters alike. Looking at a chart, the island appears almost circular; however, there are numerous geophysical irregularities around the coastline. Rocky points act as current-catching or disruption points, as well as forming calm bays. Think of the shape as more of a sprocket for a motorcycle chain rather than a circle. These formations act as nutrient traps, diverting the sometimes strong currents every which way, and are one of the main reasons that Sangeang has such prolific corals and interesting marine life. Although the island is famous for its sublime critter dives and corals, don’t be surprised if you come across some of the ocean’s larger animals here too. Manta, mobula, and eagle rays, and even whale sharks and zebra sharks are spotted here fairly regularly. On a good day with good conditions, Sangeang is one of the very best dive locations in the Komodo region and a great favourite with divers from all over the world.
• Flexible Itineraries: Our cruise routes are intentionally adaptable. Throughout the journey, the captain and cruise director continuously assess sea conditions, weather, and tides to ensure the best possible experience. Guest preferences for specific dive sites are always considered whenever feasible. • More Than Is Listed: The locations featured in these itineraries represent only a portion of what’s possible. Numerous additional anchorages and activity options are available along the way, making each voyage truly unique. • Simplified for Clarity: The destinations shown in our presentations are not necessarily listed in the order they will be visited. They are organized for clarity and to help guests visualize the overall routing. • Extended Stays: If a particular anchorage offers exceptional experiences, guests may opt to linger a bit longer. The captain and cruise director have the flexibility to accommodate such preferences, provided they align with the overall cruise schedule. • Overnight Passages: To maximize daylight hours at our most spectacular destinations, longer transits between anchorages are typically conducted overnight. • Escape the Crowds: With the exception of embarkation and disembarkation points, our itineraries are carefully crafted to avoid congested areas and busy commercial ports, allowing for a more tranquil and immersive experience. • Beyond the Dive: Many of our anchorages offer more than just diving and snorkelling. Guests can enjoy kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and occasional visits to local villages and cultural sites — adding even more richness to the journey.
Price per person
$6,921
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