Damai II

Location: Komodo

Rating: 4.8/5 (27 reviews)

Damai II

About Damai II

The Damai II facilitates dive expeditions through Komodo's complex marine environment, accommodating 14 guests.

The powerful oceanic currents that define Indonesia are focused to a fine point within the straits of Komodo National Park. Here, the collision of Indian Ocean upwellings and warmer Flores Sea water creates an area of remarkable marine production. The cooler, nutrient-dense south fuels an ecosystem thick with plankton, attracting manta rays and schooling fish. In contrast, the park’s northern reaches are characterized by calm, sunlit reefs and high coral diversity. The Damai II provides a stable and comfortable platform from which to explore this entire spectrum of underwater environments, from challenging current-swept channels to protected coral gardens. Diving in Komodo requires precise execution and powerful support systems. Operations are centered around two specialized high-speed chase boats, essential for delivering divers to the optimal entry point and ensuring safe recovery in channels known for strong water movement. The main vessel features a well-organized dive deck with individual stations, providing ample space for gearing up. For underwater photographers, a dedicated camera room offers rinse tanks and charging stations to manage sensitive equipment. Certified divers can extend their time on the reef with nitrox, managed by an experienced crew. Each dive is led by professional guides whose local knowledge is critical for navigating the tides and currents, maximizing both safety and marine life encounters. Life aboard is structured to provide significant comfort and personal space. The vessel accommodates a maximum of 14 guests in seven generously sized staterooms, each complete with a private en-suite bathroom. Cabin configurations include master suites as well as twin or double layouts, all designed as private retreats after a day of diving. Social life centers around several indoor and outdoor areas. An air-conditioned lounge and saloon offer a cool space for relaxing, while the shaded exterior decks are ideal for enjoying the sea breeze. A large sundeck provides open views of the volcanic island scenery and a place for sunbathing or watching the stars on clear nights. The culinary program is an integral part of the daily schedule, designed to fuel active days in the water. A professional chef directs the galley, preparing a varied menu that draws from both Western and Indonesian culinary traditions. Meals are served in a relaxed setting, often beginning with a light snack before the first dive, followed by a full breakfast, lunch, and a multi-course dinner. Fresh ingredients are used whenever possible. The crew is prepared to handle a range of special dietary needs, which can be accommodated with advance notification. Water, tea, coffee, and soft drinks are available throughout the day to ensure guests remain hydrated. Constructed in 2011, the Damai II is a robust and spacious vessel measuring 39.9 meters in length with a broad 9-meter beam. This significant width is a key element of the boat’s design, contributing to exceptional stability both at anchor and during open-water crossings. The vessel's low guest capacity of just fourteen people, spread across a large frame, ensures that all common areas and the dive deck remain uncluttered. Power is supplied by a reliable single Mitsubishi engine, providing a cruising speed of 7 knots to navigate between the islands of the Komodo archipelago. The entire vessel is engineered to be a self-sufficient platform for extended expeditions into remote areas. The Damai II concentrates its operations within Komodo National Park, running itineraries that are timed to match the region's distinct seasons. Routes are designed to showcase the park's full ecological range, from the manta aggregations in the south to the vibrant reefs in the north. All trips typically begin and end in the port of Labuan Bajo, Flores, which is well-serviced by domestic flights. This liveaboard is best suited for experienced divers who are comfortable with and excited by dynamic conditions, including strong currents and cooler water temperatures. The combination of challenging diving, a high level of service, and a comfortable, spacious vessel appeals to discerning travelers seeking a serious and well-supported dive expedition.

Vessel Specifications

Cabins

Itineraries

Kalimantan 7 Nights (Tarakan – Tarakan)

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Embarkation: Tarakan

Damai II's Kalimantan circuit explores the Derawan Archipelago — a one-million-hectare marine conservation area with 450+ coral species and 859 fish species. Highlights include Sangalaki's manta feeding station, Kakaban's stingless jellyfish lake, Maratua's barracuda schools and Talisayan whale sharks.

Bali & Komodo 11 Nights (Benoa – Labuan Bajo, Saleh Bay)

Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights

Embarkation: Benoa, Bali

The ultimate 12-day Damai II expedition from Benoa to Labuan Bajo via Nusa Penida, Tulamben, Moyo Island and the legendary whale shark aggregation of Saleh Bay, Sumbawa — continuing through Sangeang's volcanic reefs and Gili Banta to the full spectrum of Komodo National Park.

Alor Expedition

Explore Alor, a remote Indonesian archipelago celebrated for its dramatic underwater topography and vibrant coral reefs. This expedition promises a diversity of dive experiences, from exhilarating drifts in nutrient-rich currents that attract pelagics like hammerheads and mola mola, to exploring pristine, shallow reefs teeming with macro life. Divers can anticipate encountering a remarkable array of invertebrates, colorful reef fish, and potentially larger species in the deeper channels dependin

Gorontalo, Halmahera & Raja Ampat 12 Nights (Gorontalo – Sorong)

Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights

Embarkation: Gorontalo

This expedition traces a remarkable path through the Coral Triangle, beginning in Gorontalo with opportunities to encounter whale sharks and explore unique macro sites. We then journey through the remote Togian Islands, combining volcanic landscapes with distinctive marine lakes. The voyage progresses into Halmahera's rich waters for vibrant reef dives and schooling barracuda, before transitioning into the iconic Misool region of Raja Ampat, where submerged pinnacles and pristine soft coral gard

Komodo, Saleh Bay & Bali 10 Nights (Labuan Bajo – Benoa)

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights

Embarkation: Labuan Bajo

This comprehensive Komodo itinerary adds a unique extension to Saleh Bay for an encounter with whale sharks, then continues west to explore the volcanic landscapes and vibrant reefs of Sangeang and Moyo. Expect a rich diversity of marine life, from the schooling fish and powerful currents of Komodo's central and northern sites to the macro delights and manta rays of the south. The journey culminates with Bali's famous USS Liberty wreck in Tulamben and the dramatic wall dives of Nusa Penida. This

Kalimantan 10 Nights (Tarakan – Tarakan, Extended Derawan)

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights

Embarkation: Tarakan

Explore the remote wonders of Kalimantan's Derawan Archipelago on this extended 10-night liveaboard journey. This itinerary focuses on unique marine encounters, from Derawan's vibrant macro life and resident turtles to Sangalaki's renowned manta ray feeding grounds. Expect thrilling pelagic action at Maratua, with opportunities to witness barracuda tornadoes, leopard sharks, and even elusive thresher sharks. The trip also features the surreal Kakaban jellyfish lake and diverse wall dives, offeri

Halmahera, Gorontalo & Lembeh 12 Nights (Ternate – Bitung)

Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights

Embarkation: Ternate

Damai II's grand west-to-east Sulawesi-Maluku circuit — from Ternate's volcanic shadow through Halmahera's pristine reefs, Gorontalo's endemic sponge walls, the Togians' WWII bomber wreck, Tifore's barracuda school, and finally the muck Mecca of Lembeh Strait.

Alor 11 Nights (Maumere – Kupang)

Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights

Embarkation: Maumere

This eleven-night journey through the Lesser Sunda Islands reveals the diverse underwater landscapes of Flores and Alor. Expect a blend of healthy coral reefs, volcanic black sands, and nutrient-rich currents, supporting a variety of marine life from intricate macro subjects to schools of pelagic fish. The itinerary traces a path from the Flores Sea through to the remote Rusa Islands, culminating in Alor's famous Ternate, Pura, and Kalabahi Bay. This expedition-style trip offers a comprehensive

Komodo, Bali & Sumbawa 11 Nights (Labuan Bajo – Benoa, Full Route)

Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights

Embarkation: Labuan Bajo

Damai II's definitive Labuan Bajo-to-Benoa journey covering the full Komodo National Park, Gili Banta's caldera, Sangeang's bubbling black-sand macro, Satonda volcanic lake, Saleh Bay whale sharks, Moyo Island walls, Tulamben's USAT Liberty and Nusa Penida.

Komodo (Labuan Bajo) (Sorong → Labuan Bajo)

Duration: 6D5N

Embarkation: Sorong

Embark on an unforgettable dive journey through the heart of Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its dramatic volcanic landscapes and powerful currents. This itinerary focuses on the world-class dive sites of Central and Northern Komodo, where nutrient-rich waters support an incredible density of marine life. Expect exhilarating drift dives through channels, encounters with majestic manta rays at cleaning stations, and pinnacles swarming with sharks and schooling fish. W