Seven Seas · Indonesia · 11 nights
Embark on an unforgettable liveaboard journey through the rich waters of Sumbawa and Komodo, offering a blend of thrilling drift dives, dramatic pinnacles, and vibrant coral reefs. This expedition provides exceptional opportunities for encountering whale sharks in Sumbawa, before exploring the legendary diving of Komodo National Park. Divers will experience robust marine biodiversity, from pelagic encounters to fascinating macro life, all within a stunning volcanic island landscape. The trip balances exhilarating underwater exploration with picturesque topside activities.
Guests will be transferred from the airport to the Seven Seas vessel in Sumbawa Besar. Upon arrival, a welcome briefing will cover the cruise director's introduction, cabin allocation, and ship orientation. This initial day is dedicated to settling in, setting up dive equipment, and becoming comfortable with the liveaboard environment.
Today marks the beginning of the diving adventure, with a maximum of four dives planned. The area around Sumbawa is particularly known for its whale shark encounters, especially during the dry season, offering incredible opportunities to swim with these gentle giants. Diving with whale sharks is managed to ensure sustainable tourism practices and minimal disturbance. The dives also feature wall diving with excellent visibility and vibrant coral reefs with diverse fish life.
Continuing the exploration of Sumbawa, divers can expect a maximum of four dives. The pristine coral reefs here teem with diverse marine life, including reef sharks, manta rays, and smaller critters, making it an excellent spot for both wide-angle and macro photography. Lesser-known dive sites like Laha and Satonda Island offer unique underwater landscapes and abundant macro opportunities. The region combines healthy fish populations with spectacular volcanic backdrops.
Dive sites: Laha, Satonda Island
Today's diving continues in the rich waters of Sumbawa, with up to four dives. The area is characterized by vibrant coral reefs, colorful fish, and pelagic species. Divers often encounter exciting drift dives and diverse marine life. The underwater terrain includes dramatic pinnacles and healthy reef systems, all set against a backdrop of spectacular islands with volcanic peaks.
The journey transitions towards Komodo National Park, offering up to four dives in an area renowned for its rich marine biodiversity. The reef systems here boast vibrant corals, abundant fish, and various pelagic species. Divers can expect exciting drift dives and encounters with a wide array of marine life. This region is particularly known for famous dive sites and robust ecosystems.
Dive sites: Batu Bolong, Castle Rock, Crystal Rock
Today focuses on some of Komodo's most famous dive sites, with up to four dives planned. These sites are celebrated for their dramatic topography, including pinnacles and strong currents that bring in nutrient-rich waters, attracting diverse marine life. Encounters with reef sharks, manta rays, and various pelagic species are common, offering thrilling experiences against a backdrop of pristine coral gardens.
Dive sites: Batu Bolong, Castle Rock, Crystal Rock
Diving continues in the Komodo region, with a maximum of four dives that highlight the area's reputation for manta ray encounters, particularly at sites like Manta Point and Tatawa Besar. These dives often feature strong currents, providing excellent opportunities for drift diving and observing large schools of fish. The diverse topography of vibrant coral gardens and rocky outcrops provides habitat for a rich array of marine species.
Dive sites: Manta Point, Tatawa Besar
Exploring more of Komodo's underwater treasures, today's four dives will focus on a range of sites known for their healthy reef ecosystems and macro life. The area features diverse topography including walls, slopes, and sandy bottoms, supporting an incredible variety of critters and smaller reef inhabitants alongside larger pelagic species. Visibility is often excellent, showcasing the vibrant health of the coral formations and abundant fish populations.
The expedition continues through Komodo National Park, focusing on its renowned northern dive sites. These areas are characterized by strong currents, which bring in nutrient-rich waters supporting an incredible diversity of marine life, from schools of pelagic fish to reef sharks and manta rays. Divers can expect thrilling drift dives over spectacular coral gardens, walls, and pinnacles, offering vibrant underwater scenery.
Dive sites: Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, Batu Bolong
Today's dives explore the southern regions of Komodo, with up to four dives. These sites are often cooler and richer in nutrients, fostering dense and diverse soft coral gardens alongside excellent macro subjects. While whale shark sightings are less common here compared to Sumbawa, the area is still known for its vibrant reef life, including various critters. Dynamic currents contribute to a healthy and active ecosystem.
Dive sites: Manta Point, Tatawa Besar, Lombok
The penultimate day of the trip offers the last opportunities for diving in the spectacular Komodo National Park, with a maximum of four dives. This area is renowned for its exceptional marine life, including various sharks, rays, and abundant reef fish. Expect to encounter diverse ecosystems, from colorful coral bommies to dramatic walls, providing a final immersive experience in Indonesia's rich underwater world. Divers are advised to wait 24 hours after their last dive before flying.
On the final day, guests will check out from the Seven Seas vessel. The crew will arrange transfers to the airport in Labuan Bajo for onward travel. For guests with early flights, it is recommended to inform the Seven Seas crew in advance to accommodate an earlier disembarkation.