Adelaar
The luxurious Adelaar is a 127-foot schooner featuring only four spacious cabins with all the amenities. The atmosphere is lavish; you are surrounded with rich wood paneling and high ceilings, and enjoy friendly but impeccable service. The master stateroom has a double bed, sofa and desk, bathroom with double sinks and a separate toilet, and plenty of closets. Two other staterooms have the same amenities but are slightly smaller and feature one sink in the bathroom. The remaining stateroom is does not have a sofa. All the cabins have individually controlled air-conditioning, marble bathrooms, flat screen televisions and top-of-the-line linens.
Adelaar’s main salon is a cozy spot to relax below deck. The salon has a bar and a library. The dining salon is located on the upper level with panoramic views of the vivid landscape, and serves fine cuisine that merges local Indonesian delicacies with international influence. There is plenty of outdoor room, both covered and in the sun. Two dinghies onboard take you to dive spots and visits to the islands.
This is the perfect vessel to charter with close friends or family. If you are a snorkeler or just interested in unique cultural excursions, then rest assured that Indonesia has an amazing array to offer in terms of culture and land excursions. The islands between Bali and Komodo or Maumere and Alor are sprinkled with tribes and languages so diverse, that it is deemed a sociologist’s dream.
The vessel’s layout and deck plan was designed with comfort and luxury in mind. The boutique style Komodo liveaboard accommodates up to eight divers, in four well laid out staterooms. The exquisite master suite comes with an impressive 6′ 6″ of head room, and an extravagant amount of space. The other two guest rooms are equally spacious, with a desk and couch that can serve as a bed, for those who wish to have separate sleeping accommodations. A fourth stateroom, with a double bed is equally nice, but it is a bit smaller than the others.
The beautifully decorated interior of Adelaar is in classical yacht style with rich teak wood paneling. The high ceilings throughout the vessel give an intimate, yet spacious feeling. Staterooms are fitted with individually controlled air-conditioning, and boasts decadent en-suite marble bathrooms. Available in all cabins, as well as in the salon & dining area are flat screen TV’s connected to the ship’s video and audio streaming system with access to movies, pctures and songs, if you should crave any entertainment.
Below deck at cabin level, there are two work stations, a lounging couch and a small game table as well as the bar and guest beverage refrigerator.
At deck level, The Adelaar features a comfortable salon/dining area for guests. Just adjacent is our fully equipped galley featuring top end BOSCH appliances from Germany.
The main outside deck has a large table and a very comfortable seating area, situated under a protective sun awning. This provides the perfect spot for alfresco dining or enjoying the scenery while cruising. It is a very inviting area, whether it be for reading, relaxing, or having one of our famous Gin & Tonic’s!
The upper deck, houses a separate cabin for the cruise director, as well as the Navigation Room, which is equipped with fully compliant navigational instruments. A spacious crew dining area and lounge is also located in this area. The outside upper aft deck is the dedicated smoking area for our smoking guests.
Air-conditioned crew quarters are located in a separate area in the bow of the ship. There is an additional bathroom on the aft deck, with toilet, sink and shower, which comes in handy when guests are wet after after diving, snorkeling or swimming.
Vessel specifications
• Rigging: Dutch schooner / Royal Dutch Certification (Bureau Veritas)
• Registration: Indonesian
• Measurements: Length: 127 ft / Beam: 18ft / Draft: 8 ft
• Fuel capacity: 6.5 tons
• Cruising Speed: 6.5 knots
• Maximum Speed: 7.5 knots
• Range: 700Nm Main Engine
• Mercedes marine diesel (380 HP) Electrical Power
• 3 generators:
• Battery bank for 12/24V power charged by Dolphin Battery charger
• During charters, there is twenty-four hour electrical power available. Generator output is at 240 V/50 Hz, with abundant receptacles throughout the vessel in all the guest areas. Receptacles accept standard European two round pin plugs. Adapters for our UK and USA guests are available onboard.
Cabins
• 4 Cabins:
- One master suite with queen size bed and couch that can serve as a single bed
- Two staterooms with 140 cm double bed and couch/single bed
- One stateroom with a 120cm double bed
• All cabins have en-suite marble bathrooms with shower, toilet and wash basin
• Individually Air conditioned
• State of the art entertainment system
• Classical yacht style, solid Javanese Teak-wood interior
• Private work station/desk/vanity area in master and in two of the staterooms Fresh Water
• 3 Fresh water tanks with 2.000 liter capacity
• 1 Drinking water tank with 400 liter capacity
• Fresh and Drinking water supplies are replenished by
- 2 x 2,400 gallons per day Sea Recovery water makers (to desalinate seawater into fresh water)
- UV system to purify fresh water into drinking water
• Hot water 24 hrs on all nine showers and nine wash basins thanks to 3 Ariston water heaters Diving
• 3 Bauer Capitano dive compressors
• 24 12L Aluminium tanks with INT valves
Communication equipment
• ICOM HF transceiver (all channel)
• Inmarsat Mini-M satellite telephone and fax
• ICOM VHF radio
• Furuno Hailer
• Panasonic PABX system:
- Intercom between all cabins and bridge/galley/trip leader
- Can also be used to call to the outside (when in 3G range)
• 3G – antenna and 2 Ericsson FWT (Fixed Wireless Terminals) provide Internet and phone reception (when in 3G range). T-Link access points make the whole boat a WiFi zone.
Navigational equipment
• Furuno GPS
• Furuno Satellite compass
• Koden Radar
• Navitron Auto Pilot
• 2 magnetic Compasses
• Raymarine Depth sounder
• MaxSea Navigational software
Safety Equipment
• 20 life vests
• 4 life saving rings
• Man Over Board Pole with attached life vest, flashing light and GPS transmitter
• 2 life rafts for 30 people with provisions for over 30 days
• Flares
• EPIRB emergency beacon
• Ample medical O2 with resuscitation bag
• Constantly re-stocked first aid supplies, bandages and common medicines
• There is a Bali based medical evacuation helicopter, which is available for emergencies in the outer islands. The BIMC (Bali International Medical Clinic) is a very nice Western run medical clinic, which is centrally located in Bali. The nearest decompression chamber is located in Bali.
Tenders
• 2 aluminium dinghies with 40 HP outboard motors
Air-conditioning
• The whole boat is air-conditioned using a marine chiller system with air handler by MarineAir’ which means that each cabin and each separate area of the boat can be individually and independently regulated, giving complete freedom to our guests.
• There is also a constant supply of fresh air being brought into the ship through a system of fresh air ducts.
Toilet System
• Each cabin is equipped with a state of the art Jets Vacuum toilet which uses fresh water. This system guarantees absolute odor-free bathrooms.
Showers/Taps/Sinks
• All showers and taps are from Grohe, Germany
• All sinks from Kohler, Germany
Entertainment
• Extensive library of reference books in English and assorted novels in German and English
• LG or Sharp flat screen LCD TV in each cabin
• TVIX streaming client in each cabin
• Apart amplifier in each cabin
• 2 or 4 (Master) Sonance Speakers in each cabin
• 7:1 Yamaha home cinema speaker arrangement with Sonance speakers and Yamaha Subwoofer in the main dining and lounge area
• Outdoor Yamaha speakers for al fresco dining area on the main deck and the smoking area aft
• 30.000+ songs and 400+ movies stored on main Synology Rackstation streamed to each individual streaming client
Crew
• Total of 10 for max 8 guests:
- Captain
- Chief engineer
- 1st mate
- 1st engineer
- 2nd mate
- Stewart
- Chef
- Kitchenhand
- Deckhand
- Western Cruise Director and PADI Dive Instructor
• Crew quarters completely separated from guest areas
Food
• Cuisine is a combination of Indonesian favorites, Western Classics and Asian Fusion Laundry
Bar
• Indonesian Bintang Lager
• Australian and Californian Red and White wines
• Large selection of international spirits and liquors
Dive sites of Satonda/Balahai:
Satonda: fringing reef around a small volcanic island; easy dives, good visibility, none to slight current; ideal for ‘warm-up’-dives. Selection of possible animals: turtle; cuttlefish; pygmy seahorse ‘Denise’; ornate ghost pipefish etc.
Balahai: Muck dive site; black sand slope with sea grass patches; rich macro fauna, many critters. Selection of possible animals: seahorse; pipefish; robust and ornate ghost pipefish; mimic octopus; wunderpus; nudibranchs; flying gurnard etc.
Dive sites of Gili Lawa Laut:
Castle Rock, Crystal Rock: submerged rocks, very clear water, typically current swept. Selection of possible animals: impressive schools of fish (giant trevally, sweetlips, snappers, rainbow runners, etc.); sharks (whitetip reef shark, silky shark, grey reef shark); turtles (green sea turtle and hawksbill sea turtle); dolphins; napoleon wrasse; giant grouper; eagle ray; etc.
El Toro, Shot gun: drift dives between islands. Selection of possible animals: huge schools of fish (giant trevally, sweetlips, snappers, rainbow runners, etc.); shark (white shark and blacktip reef shark); schools of bumphead parrotfish; manta ray etc.
Gili Lawa Darat Bay: Night dive site. Formations of living acropora with lots of small animals hiding between the branches. Selection of possible animals: Spanish dancer; sleeping turtle; nudibranchs; cuttlefish, bobtail squid etc.
Toko Toko: small isle. Main reason to dive around it is the chance to meet mantas or mobula rays.
Lighthouse: drop-off, strong current, for experienced divers only. Selection of possible animals: pelagic zone fish live (all sorts of sharks, tunas, trevallys etc.); known as a grouper spawning site & occasionally large quantities of very big groupers.
Dive site Slawi Bay:
Slawi Bay, ‘Sea Cucumber City’: coral bommies on a grey and yellow sand slope. Selection of possible animals: frogfish; nudibranchs; stingray; rare sea cucumbers; crabs and other crustaceans etc.
Dive Sites Nusa Kode:
Cannibal Rock: submerged rocks completely covered by a bewildering variety of soft and hard corals, sponges, black coral bushes, feather stars, etc. Selection of possible animals: frogfish; leaf scorpionfish; crocodilefish; rhinopias; whitetip reef shark; octopus; marbled electric ray; cuttlefish; nudibranchs; sea apples; fire urchins with zebra crabs and Coleman shrimps; critters
in general but also schools of fish.
Yellow Wall of Texas: vertical, in places even overhanging, drop-off covered from top to bottom in yellowish dendronephthya (soft corals), very impressive. Selection of possible animals: turtle; sea snake; cuttlefish; frogfish; sea apple; ‘clouds’ of fairy basslets etc.
Torpedo Alley and Pasir: macro dive sites; habitat of small coral bommies scattered over a grey and brown sand slope; normally very shallow dives, very popular among photographers. Selection of possible animals: torpedo ray; ghost pipefish; nudibranch; large variety of crustaceans; Blue-ringed octopus; flamboyant cuttlefish; rhinopias; wobbegong shark etc.
Boulders: big boulders scattered over a rubble slope inhabited by anemones, soft corals, alcyonacea (fan corals, whip corals). Selection of possible animals: pygmy seahorse ‘Bargibanti’; orang-utan crab; octopus; ribbon eel; nudibranchs; crocodilefish etc.
Crinoid Wall: wall with a lot of cracks and crevices. Selection of possible animals: turtle; nudibranchs; moray eel; octopus; leaf scorpion fish; frogfish; groupers in small caves; white tip reef shark; chance of passing a whale shark, manta ray, etc.
Batu Luar: submerged rock in quite exposed location, therefore often a lot of swell and current. Selection of possible animals: sharks (whitetip reef shark, grey reef shark); very big barracuda; giant trevally; chance of hammerhead shark etc.
Dive site Lehok Sera:
Lehok Sera Phinisi wreck: small wreck of a wooden phinisi boat, nice atmosphere for night dives. Selection of possible animals: rare species of cardinal fish; nudibranchs; large variety of sea squirts; mandarinfish; a lot of different shrimps and other crustaceans etc.
Dive sites Langkoi:
Manta Alley: THE site for encounters with manta rays. Often quite a lot of swell. Dive site around and off a group of rocky outcrops. Very big chance to see schools of manta rays – very often we make two dives on this dive site. Selection of possible animals (apart from manta): whitetip reef shark; bumphead parrotfish; mola mola (ocean sunfish); also not bad for macro, although for obvious reasons often overlooked: ribbon eel; nudibranchs; blue ring octopus etc.
German Flag: another dive site for manta rays (the only times we dive this place are the rare occasions when we fail to have mantas on Manta Alley)
Langkoi Pinnacle and Langkoi Rock: submerged (one entirely, the other one partially) rocks off the south coast of Komodo, mainly known for the possibility to see schools of hammerhead sharks. Also from the point of view of underwater landscape very impressive dive sites, however, only for very experienced divers, conditions (swell, currents, and vertical drop off into the dark blue depth) can be extremely difficult. Due to their exposed location and sea conditions, these two sites are hardly ever accessible during the classical Komodo season (July – mid-October). Selection of possible animals: shark (white tip reef; grey reef; hammerhead); octopus; grouper; eagle ray…
Dive sites Padar:
Pillarsteen, Payung, Three Sisters and W Reef: Rock formations with vertical walls, swim through small caverns, covered completely by small corals. Selection of possible animals: giant trevally; sea apples; turtle; white tip reef shark; napoleon wrasse; bumphead parrotfish…
Secret Garden: Very pretty dive place off a rocky outcrop, picturesque atmosphere with big black coral bushes and small caverns, chance to see manta rays. Selection of possible animals: ghost pipefish; leaf scorpion fish; schools of thousands of glassfish; juveniles of different sweetlip species; nudibranchs; squat lobster; ribbon eel etc.
Pasir Putih: Night dive site; small coral bommies on a white sandy bottom. Selection of possible animals: wide variety of nudibranchs and shrimps; bobtail squid; ghost pipefish; Spanish dancer etc.
Dive site Wainilu:
Wainilu: Dive site for twilight/ sunset or night dives, chance to see mandarin fish just before nightfall. Not a very pretty dive site, gentle slope covered by rubble of dead acropora and padina algae, however, excellent spot to meet rare species. Selection of possible animals: harlequin shrimp; nudibranchs; sea hare; bobtail squid; octopus; devilfish; one of the waspfish family; pictured dragonet; fingered dragonet etc.
Dive sites north Lintah strait:
Batu Bolong: small rocky outcrop, which is the top of a pinnacle whose northern flank drops vertically into the abyss; typically crystal clear water; coral growth on the drop off in pristine condition; truly spectacular dive site! Selection of possible animals: whitetip reef shark; turtle; huge clouds of fairy basslets; napoleon wrasse; huge sweet lips; moray eel; octopus; mackerel among others, the bigeye trevally; sea snakes; nudibranchs etc.
Tatawa Besar: drift dive along a sloping fringing reef, very healthy hard corals and huge barrel sponges. Selection of possible animals: manta ray; cleaning stations for groupers; moray eel; turtle etc.
Tatawa Kecil: a pretty and diverse underwater landscape is the defining feature of this dive site off a small islet; due to its occasionally very strong currents this site is also known as ‘Current City’. Selection of possible animals: schooling fish; giant trevally; white tip reef shark; turtle; manta ray; eagle ray; tuna; etc.
Dive sites Gili Banta:
Small World: Night dive site. White sandy flat surrounded by hard coral reef. Also known as Circus or Gazer Beach. Selection of possible animals: a member of the family of stargazers; frogfish; octopus; many crabs and shrimps; nudibranchs etc.
K2: Night dive site. Hard coral reef. Selection of possible animals: bobtail squid; nudibranchs; longtail carpet sharks; stingray; Spanish dancer etc.
Dive sites Sangeang:
Hot Rocks and Black Forest: Dive sites off a volcano or rather on the flanks of an active volcano. Black sand with yellow areas (sulfur deposits). In places gaseous sulfur is seeping out from the ground, creating an underwater Jacuzzi with a warm sea floor! Further down the slope actual ‘forests’ of black coral bushes – the vibrant, almost fluorescent colors of these bushes, contrasted by the black sand, create an almost surreal, magical atmosphere! Selection of possible animals: barracuda; jacks; pygmy seahorse ‘Bargibanti’ and ‘Denise’; ghost pipefish; leaf scorpion fish; frogfish; Jenkins’ whipray; longnose hawkfish; nudibranchs etc.
Deep Purple and Canyon: steep black sand slopes with mini drop offs and underwater ‘gorges’; very beautiful scenery with brilliantly colored black coral bushes and whip corals dotted around. Selection of possible animals: schools of big-eyed jacks; nudibranchs; xeno crab; stingray; frogfish; ghost pipefish; etc.
Pantai Kerbau and Masuk Sungai: gentle grey sand slopes with black coral bushes; good macro dive sites. Selection of possible animals: nudibranchs; ghost pipefish; frogfish; crabs and shrimps; schools of bannerfishes; turtle; octopus; stingray; dart goby; shrimp goby; mantis shrimp; blue spiny lobster etc.
Dive site north of Bima:
Batu Putih: great dive site for night dives. Rubble plateau with coral bommies. Selection of possible animals: bobtail squid; moray eel; nudibranchs; Spanish dancer; slipper lobster; coral catshark; crocodilefish; wide variety of crustaceans; etc.
Dive sites Moyo:
Angel Reef and Panjang Reef: sandy or rubble reef flat to about ten meters, then vertical drop offs with a lot of fan corals. Selection of typical animals: pygmy seahorses ‘Bargibanti’ and ‘Denise’; schools of red-toothed triggerfish; ghost pipefish; garden eels etc.
Little Angel: little hill piercing the surface, sandy to about 10 meters, then wall with sea fans on one side and coral covered slope on the other. Selection of possible animals: pygmy seahorse; frogfish; grouper; stingray; nudibranchs; etc.
The Adelaar is the perfect vessel for sailing cruises around Bali and Lombok as well as exciting sailing itineraries to the more remote islands of Moyo, Santonda, Komoda, Rinca and beyond.
Adelaar Signature (Bali – Komodo – Bali)
10 nights / 31 dives
The remote yet fascinating Komodo Archipelago lies east of Bali between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores, and is home to the prehistoric ‘Komodo Dragon’. This reptile has managed to survive for thousands of years, and is found nowhere else in the world. But it is beneath the dragon’s lair, in the underwater world, that draws diving enthusiasts from all corners of the earth. We offer several itineraries from Bali and from Flores, spending the majority of the time in the Komodo National Park. Our Bali to Komodo itineraries offer chances to visit islands along the northern coastline of Sumbawa on the Best Liveaboard in Komodo.
Day 1: Welcome to Adelaar!
The meeting point will be at the Main Passenger Jetty in Serangan Harbor at 8:30 AM, where our crew will welcome you. As soon as everyone is aboard, we depart Serangan and move along the coastline of Bali, cruising overnight to Satonda Island. We hope for a magnificent sunset over Bali’s majestic Mt Agung.
Day 2: Satonda, Sumbawa (2 dives)
Arrival at Satonda Island will be late morning, with two dives scheduled along a sloping reef. Satonda is an ancient volcanic island, said to be even older than Tambora, with a saltwater lake that fills the crater. Indeed, a huge tsunami filled the crater after the violent eruption of Mount Tambora, on Sumbawa, in 1814. Don’t miss a chance to cast your wish at the wishing trees along the lakes edge! At sunset we depart and cruise through the night toward Komodo.
Day 3: North Komodo National Park – Gili Lawa Laut (3-4 dives)
We are up early for a glimpse of the sunrise as we arrive at Gili Lawa Laut. The park is located in the region known as Wallacea, denoting the overlapping of Australian and Asian biogeographical areas. There is a splendid assortment of dive sites just outside this picturesque bay.
Day 4: Komodo Island (3-4 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. So the area was designated as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 1991. Once safely back aboard, we travel south for a late morning and afternoon dive along the coast of Komodo. At dusk, we dive Lehok Sera to search for the elusive mandarin fish.
Day 5: South Komodo National Park – Rinca & Nusa Kode (3-4 dives)
An early morning departure is planned, as we head to the extreme southern end of Komodo to Manta Alley. This area typically has much cooler temperatures with nutrient rich waters, perfect for Mantas!
We enjoy lunch as the boat moves to southern Rinca to an area known as Nusa Kode. With the towering cliff walls surrounding all sides, the landscape in this remote area, is breathtaking. Between dives, we board the dinghy and head towards the shore, to get up close to the resident dragon population. After the sun sets, we prepare for a night dive, and a late dinner.
Day 6: South Komodo National Park – Nusa Kode & Padar (3-4 dives)
There are two dives planned for this area, one of which will be the famous ‘macro temple” of Cannibal Rock, a photographers dream come true. From here we journey north to Padar Island for our afternoon dive. Just before sunset, we go ashore and hike across a beautiful crescent bay, to witness a spectacular sunset. Alternately, for those who prefer to be underwater, a night dive is planned.
Day 7: Center Komodo National Park – Wainilu (3-4 dives)
We depart early from Padar and 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. Besides, mantas are often swimming in these parts. In the late afternoon, we make our way north toward Wainilu and prepare for a night dive.
Day 8: North Komodo National Park – Gili Lawa Laut & Gili Lawa Darat (3-4 dives)
We’ve saved the best for last! We spend the morning diving around the northern boundary of the park off the islands of Gili Lawa Laut and Gili Lawa Darat. Then, we say goodbye to Komodo National Park and start our westward journey back towards Bali. We stop for the night in Banta Island, just outside the park boundary, and prepare for our last night dive.
Day 9: Sangeang volcano, Sumbawa (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. Indeed, 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, Sumbawa (2 dives)
We arrive at Moyo Island early this morning, for our final two dives along the fringing reef, outside the main village. 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 after 9:00 AM. We wish you a nice journey back home or to your next destination. Thank you for joining us on the best Liveaboard in Komodo.
Komodo Extended (Bali – Komodo)
10 nights / 32 dives
Day 1: Welcome to Adelaar!
The meeting point will be at the Main Passenger Jetty in Serangan Harbor at 8:30 AM, where our crew are standing by to welcome you. As soon as everyone is aboard, we depart Serangan and move along the coastline of Bali, cruising overnight to Satonda Island. We hope for a magnificent sunset over Bali’s majestic Mt Agung.
Day 2: Moyo & Satonda Islands, Sumbawa (3-4 dives)
Two morning dives are scheduled at Pulau Moyo along the fringing reef outside the main village. Arrival in Satonda will be late afternoon with one dive along a sloping reef, with a sandy bottom and with many coral outcroppings. As the sunsets, the sky fills with bats heading to the mainland for their nightly forage. We prepare for the first night dive of the trip, and afterwards will travel through the night to Sangeang…
Day 3: Sangeang Volcano, Sumbawa (2 dives)
Sangeang volcano, whose most recent eruption was in 2014, rises on the horizon. As we approach the island at sunrise, be prepared for an occasional puff of smoke from the still active crater. The black sandy bottom of this site makes for spectacular diving. Indeed, in places, a steady stream of gaseous sulfur bubbles up from the sand towards the surface, creating the feeling of an underwater jacuzzi! We will then anchor for the night here, with a night dive planned.
Day 4: North Komodo National Park (3-4 dives)
We are up early today for a glimpse of the sunrise as we arrive at Gili Lawa Laut, in the northern area of Komodo National Park. The park is located in the region known as Wallacea, denoting the overlapping of Australian and Asian biogeographical areas. This overlap ensures an interesting mix of bird species. There is a splendid assortment of dive sites just outside this picturesque bay. In the late afternoon, we move to the outside edge of Komodo Bay and prepare for our night dive.
Day 5: Komodo Island & Lehok Sera (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. So the area was designated as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 1991. Once safely back aboard, we travel south for a late morning dive along the coast of Komodo. At dusk, we dive Lehok Sera to search for the elusive mandarin fish.
Day 6: South Komodo National Park (3-4 dives)
We plan an early morning departure, as we head to the extreme southern end of Komodo to Manta Alley. This area typically has much cooler temperatures with nutrient rich waters, perfect for Mantas! We then enjoy lunch as the boat moves to southern Rinca to an area known as Nusa Kode. With the towering cliff walls surrounding all sides, the landscape in this remote area, is breathtaking. Between dives, we board the dinghy and head towards the shore, to get up close to the resident dragon population. After the sun sets, we prepare for a night dive, and a late dinner.
Day 7: South Rinca (3-4 dives)
There are two dives planned for this area, one of which will be the famous ‘macro temple” of Cannibal Rock, a photographers dream come true. From here we journey north to Padar Island for our afternoon dive. Just before sunset, we go ashore and hike across a beautiful crescent bay, to witness a spectacular sunset. Alternately, for those who prefer to be underwater, a night dive is planned.
Day 8: Padar & North Rinca (3-4 dives)
We depart early from Padar and 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. Mantas are often seen in these parts. In the late afternoon, we make our way north toward Wainilu and prepare for a night dive.
Day 9: Central Komodo (3-4 dives)
We spend the day diving around the center and northern boundary of the Park off the uninhabited islands of Gili Lawa Laut and Gili Lawa Darat. Finally, we anchor in a quiet bay for the night, and plan a night dive.
Day 10: North Komodo (3 dives)
We enjoy the last dives of the trip around the Northern boundary of the Park and the islands of Sebayor. Be aware of your “no fly time” and plan your last dive to stay within safe flight limits.
Day 11: Thanks for joining us!
We arrive in Labuan Bajo in the morning by 7:00 AM. Disembark after breakfast for your onward journey. We wish you a nice journey back home or to your next destination. Thank you for joining us on the best Liveaboard in Komodo.
Komodo Extended (Komodo – Bali)
10 nights / 34 dives
Day 1: Welcome on board! Labuan Bajo & Sebayur (2 dives)
A domestic flight from the island of Bali or Jakarta brings you to the harbor town of Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores. You are greeted at the airport by our staff and then transferred to your hotel (day before departure) or 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 area, is breathtaking. Between dives, we board the dinghy and head towards the shore, to get up close to the resident dragon population.
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. We wish you a nice journey back home or to your next destination. Thank you for joining us on the best Liveaboard in Komodo.
For our non-diving guests, in addition to snorkeling, we offer Stand-Up-Paddle boards (SUP), and a 2 seater kayak. Not all areas of the park are suitable for these activities. Our cruise manager will be able to find the right times and places for these activities.
Komodo Exclusive (Komodo – Komodo)
10 nights / 35 dives or 8 nights / 28 dives
Day 1: Welcome to Adelaar! (2 dives)
A domestic flight from the island of Bali or Jakarta brings you to the harbor town of Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores. Our satff greets you at the airport and facilitate your transfer to your hotel (on day before departure) or to the harbor where Adelaar is anchored (on the day of departure). As soon as everyone is aboard, we depart the harbor, with destination Sabolon island, where we will do 2 check dives. Then, we anchor in a quiet bay for the night.
Day 2: 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. While swimming through, you have the feeling of being in an underwater jacuzzi! We will anchor just outside the village for the night, with a night dive planned. If we arrive early enough, there is a chance to go ashore to visit the village.
Day 3: North Komodo National Park (4 dives)
We depart Sangeang Island very early morning with destination Banta Island, which lies just outside the park boundary. We plan two dives here on Banta’s northern coastline. During lunch we cross to enter the Komodo National Park and plan our first stop in North West Komodo. Our afternoon and night dive will be in this bay. Later, we anchor for the night.
Day 4: North & Central Komodo National Park (4 dives)
During breakfast we move to the north of Komodo. We spend the day diving around the northern boundary of the Park, off the uninhabited islands of Gili Lawa Laut and Gili Lawa Darat. At sunset we move in closer to Komodo bay for our night dive.
Day 5: Prehistoric Day & Central/South Komodo National Park (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.
So the area was designated as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 1991. Once safely back aboard, we move around the corner to our dive site just off Komodo’s famous pink beach. During lunch we travel south for an afternoon dive along the coast of Komodo. At dusk, we dive Lehok Sera to search for the elusive mandarin fish.
Day 6: South Komodo Island & South Rinca (4 dives)
This morning we move to the extreme southern end of Komodo Island to our dive site, Manta Alley. This area typically has much cooler temperatures with nutrient rich waters, perfect for Mantas! After our two dives here, we enjoy lunch as the boat moves to southern Rinca to an area known as Nusa Kode. With the towering cliff walls surrounding all sides, the landscape in this remote destination is breathtaking. Between dives, we board the dinghy and head towards the shore, to get up close to the resident dragon population. After the sun sets, we prepare for a night dive, and then a late dinner.
Day 7: South Rinca & Padar island (4 dives)
This morning we are diving the South East corners of Horseshoe Bay in Nusa Koda. After lunch we move north to Padar for an afternoon dive. Just before sunset, we go ashore and hike across Padar to a beautiful crescent bay, with a perfect view of the sunset. Alternately, for those who prefer to be underwater, a night dive is planned.
Day 8 & 9: Padar Island & Central Komodo National Park (8 dives)
We 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 swimming in these parts. We spend the next two days diving the central park dive sites, with a night dive planned each evening.
Day 10: Sebayur & Pungu (3 dives)
Our last diving days is spent around the island of Sebayur just north of the park. For the afternoon, keeping our no-fly time in mind, we plan a tour of the Atlas Pearl Farm on Pulau Pungu. With their environmentally friendly approach, they assure a healthy ecosystem, essential for the finest white and silver pearls to be grown. We anchor here for the night.
Day 11: Thanks for joining us!
We arrive in Labuan Bajo in the morning at 7:00 AM then disembark after breakfast for your onward journey. We wish you a nice journey back home or to your next destination. Thank you for joining us on the best Liveaboard in Komodo.
For our non-diving guests, in addition to snorkeling, we offer Stand-Up-Paddle boards (SUP), and a 2-seater kayak. Not all areas of the park are suitable for these activities. Our cruise manager will be able to find the right times and places for these activities.
Alor Archipelago (Maumere – Alor – Maumere)
11 nights / 33 dives
Further east from Komodo, along the northern coast of Flores, lies the bustling harbor town of Maumere, where our signature Alor trips begin on our Liveaboard. From here, we travel even further eastwards towards Alor, stopping at each opportunity to peek below into the fascinating underwater world. Our Liveaboard trip to Alor highlights include visiting local villages, experiencing traditional fishing techniques, and catching a glimpse of surfacing whales or pods of dolphins. Visit this locale onboard Adelaar, for an intimate glimpse into what Alor has to offer.
Day 1: Maumere, Flores (2 dives)
A domestic flight from the island of Bali or Jakarta brings you to the harbor town of Maumere on the island of Flores. Our staff greets you at the airport. Then, you are transferred to your hotel (day before departure) or the harbor where Adelaar is anchored (day of departure). Once onboard, we plan to do check dives close by, then sail onwards through the night towards North Lembata.
Day 2: North Lembata (3 dives)
Awake and enjoy a coffee on deck as we start our first full day of diving in this remote location with stunning topographical features and beauty. The narrow strait allows for a steady flow of currents bringing deep water nutrients up to feed the lush corals and marine life. Off in the blue, pelagic creatures often make an appearance. In between dives, keep an eye on the horizon for passing cetaceans, as fall is whale migration season.
Day 3: Komba Volcano (3 dives)
The remote Komba volcano rises majestically on the horizon, venting a plume of smoke which has been caught by the wind and streams off in the distance. Colorful coral thrives beneath the surface, starkly contrasting against the dark sand. As a result of the volcanic activity, streams of bubbles make their way to the surface along the slopes of Komba.
Day 4&5 Pantar Strait (7-8 dives)
West of Pantar Island in the Savu Sea, world-class dive sites around the untouched islands, await us. These small islets tend to attract congregations of fish, along the colorful Indian Ocean reefs. We explore the underwater walls, drop-offs, slopes, valleys and ridges of the islands of Pantar, Pura and Ternate.
Diving the pristine site of “Anemone Valley” we drift above the expansive seabed which is completely covered with anemones and clownfish. Be sure to keep one eye out to the blue water, where thresher sharks can often be spotted!
Later, off the shore of Pulau Ternate, dozens of women approach Adelaar in their dugout canoes, displaying colorful ikats. Woven in unique patterns learned from their mothers, each textile can be traced back to a specific village, and are of course, for sale.
Day 6: Kalabahi Bay (2-3 dives)
This morning, we enter the village of the Abui tribe, fierce warriors until 1984. They welcome us in ceremonial dress and perform the lego lego, an ancient dance passed down through the generations. Then, on our way back to the harbor, we make a stop in the traditional market and a local museum. There, we further experience Alor’s rich natural history. In the afternoon, our planned dives in Kalabahi Bay, will be refreshing after the morning excursion.
Day 7: Pantar Strait (3-4 dives)
Several islands line the Straits of Pantar, where picturesque villages cling to steep rocky slopes. The tiny remote village of Beangabang, built around a church and situated on a black sand beach, hosts the dive site appropriately named “Religious critters”. During our safety stops, we look upwards to the surface in search of local fisherman in traditional hand-carved outriggers. Their children love jumping in the water with their unique homemade glass goggles. They often swim down to greet divers with their big friendly smiles.
Day 8: Lamalera Bay (3 dives)
In the early morning, the Liveaboard leaves Alor and makes its way to Lamalera, home of the last whaling village in Indonesia. The dive sites in this bay are home to mantas and pilot whales, as well as a host of other pelagics, who are attracted to the strong currents. Alternately, we have planned the dive site, “Shark Plateau” a pinnacle, near the island of Lembata, should the current be too strong in Lamalera.
Day 9: Lamakera / Larantuka (3 dives)
This morning we go ashore on Larantuka island to visit the Fisherman’s Cooperative. It was set up by the Misool Foundation to encourage and promote alternatives to unethical fishing habits among the local population. Later, in the afternoon, we will dive “Gedong” and then do our last night dive of the trip.
Day 10 & 11: Maumere (4 dives)
Our next two days are spent exploring the dive sites in and around the expansive Maumere bay. We will dive along the walls and ridges looking for sharks and other denizens of the deep. The landscape is a postcard like paradise with white sand beaches and turquoise blue water. After lunch on our last diving day, we depart for a cultural tour in the village of Watublapi. We are welcomed by the village women with a reception of music, songs and dances. Dressed in exquisite ikat, the ladies show us their traditional methods for weaving the unique textiles.
Day 12: Thanks for joining us!
After breakfast, it is time to say farewell. Transport has been arranged to transfer you the airport for your onward flight. We wish you a safe journey and hope you have enjoyed your time sailing through Alor archipelago on the Adelaar Liveaboard!
Alor & the Forgotten Islands (Maumere – Saumlaki) & (Saumlaki – Maumere)
11 nights / 32 dives
Indonesia’s “Forgotten Islands” & Islands of the Banda Sea arc, known as the Southeast Moluccas, are not a single destination. Rather a 1,000 km long chain of archipelagos stretching from Timor to West Papua on the island of New Guinea. Remote, undevelopped and far from the beaten paths these island have an incredible history. The topography of these islands varies from forested mountainous peaks in the Inner Banda Arc of islands, to essentially flat islands of the easternmost Aru and Kei island groups, dominated by savannah, mangroves and broadleaf forests.
Day 1: Maumere, Flores – Welcome Aboard!
An early morning flight from Bali brings you to the harbor town of Maumere on the island of Flores. Our staff will greet you at the airport upon arrival, and accompany you to the Adelaar. A main port town for the island, Maumere harbor has a colorful local market where the women sell an array of handwoven ikats, fresh vegetables, meats and fish. Strategically located on the northern coastline, Maumere has a mixed population of Christians and Muslims, eager to meet tourists interested in their culture. Once onboard, we plan to do a check dive in Gedong, not far from Maumere. We jump in the water for 1 or 2 check dives. One of them will be a very shallow macro dive and the second one will be on the wreck located in the bay. We’ll leave around 5 PM to cruise overnight to Komba Volcano.
Day 2: Komba Volcano
Approachable only by sea, the remote Komba volcano rises majestically on the horizon, venting a plume of smoke which has been caught by the wind and streams off in the distance. We dive here for the day admiring the surreal underwater landscape. The colorful coral is thriving and offers a beautiful contrast against the dark sand. Since the volcano stopped erupting, the pressure is released underwater in streams of bubbles on one of the Komba slopes.
We’ll leave at the end of the afternoon in order to reach North Lembata Island to anchor and spend the night in a quiet bay.
Day 3: North Lembata
Lembata bay is known for its stunning volcanic landscapes surrounded by calm and clear waters. It’s also home to a pearling farm belonging to the second productor in the world, and many local fisherman’s villages. As it’ll be migrating season, keep an eye out at dawn and sunrise for whales coming up to the surface! Underwater highlights of Lembata are the dive sites of “Tanjung Bacatan”. Situated on a point and consisting of a wall, covered in crevices and home to soft & hard corals. There’s a good chance you sight a resident school of barracudas as well as turtles and large trevallies. “Takat Prau” is a small wooden fishing boat next to a sea fan where pygmies have been photographed. When “Padang Pasir” is a sandy patch full of macro life, where at night, there is chance to spot Spanish dancers and colorful nudis, stargazers, squids and frogfish.
Days 4-6: Pantar Strait, Alor & Kalabahi
On this next portion of the trip, world-class dive sites around the untouched islands, await us. The small islets of Alor archipelago tend to attract congregations of fish, along the colorful Indian Ocean reefs. We explore the underwater walls, drop-offs, slopes, valleys and ridges of the islands of Pantar, Pura and Ternate. Diving the pristine site of “Anemone Valley” we drift above the expansive seabed completely covered with anemones and clownfish. Be sure to keep one eye out to the blue water, where thresher sharks are often peacefully swimming!
Just off the shore of Pulau Ternate, dozens of women approach Adelaar in their dugout canoes, displaying colorful ikats. Woven in unique patterns learned from their mothers, each textile can be traced back to a specific village, and are of course, for sale.
In the morning of day 6, we enter the village of the Abui tribe, fierce warriors until 1984. They welcome us in ceremonial dress and perform the lego lego, an ancient dance passed down through the generations. On our way back to the harbor, we make a stop in the traditional market and a local museum, to further experience Alor’s rich natural history. In the afternoon, we plan a refreshing dive in Kalabahi Baybefore making our way to Reong Island through the night.
Day 7: Reong & Wetar
The small island of Reong, lies on the north west coast of Wetar, we’ll dive there once or twice depending on the sea conditions. It presents a slight change of scenery as it’s made of limestone. Reef sharks, barracuda and trevallies frequently visit the reef.
Wetar Island’s star dive site “Tanjung Nunukae” will be our second stop of the day. It is known for its plateau topography, until it drops into a nice wall swathed in gigantic sea fans, cup corals and sponges. Divers have come across the two types of Manta rays here, as current usually is moderate to strong when the moon is full!
We cruise overnight to the next island.
Day 8: Nyata, Romang & Maapora islands
We wake up enroute and have breakfast as the ship makes its way to a new island group. The “Romang group”, as it is called in the navigation books, includes Pulau Nyata, Pulan Romang and Pulau Maapora. It spans across 23 nautical miles from West to East. It features some fantastic white sand beaches. At Romang and Nyata, there are gentle terraced slopes, which slip down into the deep blue of the Banda Sea. A big feature of diving on this western side of the island, are the collections of huge vividly coloured gorgonian sea fans, and large barrel sponges. Fans of bigger animals can see Napoleon wrasses, reef shark, ray, tuna and other pelagic fish patrolling the reefs and walls.
We’ll cruise overnight to the next location.
Day 9: Terbang & Damar islands
The Island of Damar is about 20 km², and there aresettlements dotted all around the eastern half of the island. The largest of which is the village of Kenili, located inside an inlet on the eastern shore. The best beach features a 900 meter long strip of dazzling white sand, bordered by lush green forest, and fringed by a shallow coral reef. The major dive sites are not actually off Damar Island itself, but rather around the smaller islands of Nusa Leur and Terbang Utara (North) and Selatan (South). These sites feature an explosion of different colours and forms, and seem to be in constant motion. A busy reef, with schooling fish and marine life that are not used to seeing scuba divers. Another unique attraction in this area, is the wall of sulphur formed as a result of the proximity of the volcano on Damar Island.
Day 10: Dai & Dawera islands
The inhabitants of Pulai Dai still practice traditional hunting with a bow and arrow. The village can be visited on request, as the local population is very welcoming, even though they only see divers a few times a year. The dive sites are composed of steep slopes, providing hunting grounds for larger fish. The shallows are just as stunning as the deeper parts of the site, as they are full of hard corals decorated with anthias.
Dawera is a small island in the northern part of the “Babar” group. The seamount here has a reef that remains untouched and so full of fish, you wouldn’t know where to look first! The dive sites of “Tanjung Raja”, with its amazing marine life and cruising hammerheads, is among the highlights of this location.
We’ll cruise overnight toward the main Island of Saumlaki, for our last diving day of the trip.
Day 11: Tanimbar island
We wake up surrounded by more land than we have seen during the last 10 days. Reaching a small island called Vaiwar in the morning, we make our last dives of the trip. Vaiwar slope is mostly a critter hunt, with a sandy slope extending out from shore. Corals, small rocks and bommies decorate this sandy patch, and offer a nice scenic backdrop for spotting assorted juveniles. Have a look in the sand for ghost pipefish, nudibranchs and perhaps even a mimic octopus!
Day 12: Saumlaki, Yamdena – Goodbye!
Breakfast will be served onboard before you disembark and are transferred to the airport or to your hotel. We wish you a safe onward journey, and hope you enjoyed your time on Adelaar as we cruised through some of the of the most beautiful diving regions of the world.
Note: The route on fixed departure itineraries may be altered for comfort and safety. Diving is planned around weather, sea conditions, and capabilities of each diver.
Komodo Itinerary
Bali – Komodo – Bali | 11D/10N (29 dives)
Day 1 Monday: The meeting point for our round trip Bali Komodo dive itinerary will be in Serangan Harbor, at the wooden jetty in front of the Dolphin Lodge at 8:00 AM. Adelaar’s crew will be waiting to greet you and transport you to the Adelaar. Once onboard, a ‘ships briefing’ acquaints you with shipboard living. Important safety issues will be discussed as well. As we set off from Serangan Harbor, we travel along Bali’s eastern coastline and cruise overnight to Satonda Island. The day is spent getting settled into your stateroom, or just relaxing on deck. With luck we have a magnificent sunset over Bali’s majestic Mount Agung.
Day 2 Tuesday: Arise at your leisure for coffee latte or espresso on deck while your breakfast is being cooked-to-order. Arrival in Satonda will be late morning; with two dives scheduled today along a sloping reef. The white sandy bottom with many coral outcroppings offers plenty of interesting things to see. Pulau Satonda is an old volcanic island, with a salt water lake that fills the crater. Locals believe a huge tsunami filled the crater after the violent eruption of Mt Tambora, on Sumbawa, in 1814. Take time to visit the lake in the caldera, which is a short hike from the beach. One guest noted that Stromatolites were easily visible in the shallow waters along the shoreline. These are the one of the longest living forms of life on this planet. They can be traced back 3.5 billion years. Do not miss a chance to visit the wishing trees at the lake edge and cast your wish. At sunset, we depart and cruise through the night towards Komodo National Park.
Day 3 Wednesday: We are up early today for a glimpse of the sunrise as we arrive at Gili Lawa Laut, in the northern area of Komodo National Park. The park is located in the region known as Wallacea, denoting the overlapping of Australian and Asian biogeographical areas. This overlapping ensures an interesting mix of bird species. There is a splendid assortment of dive sites just outside this picturesque bay. Typically, in the north we have larger schools of fish, good visibility, and some current. Between dives, you may want to take the opportunity to hike to the top of the hill, where you will be able to catch a glimpse of the magnificent panorama of the entire Komodo Archipelago. We anchor in a quiet bay for the night.
Day 4 Thursday: Dragons wait for no man! We have an early start today at 7:00AM to meet our park ranger for a guided hike into the interior of Komodo Island, where we hope for sightings of prehistoric Komodo dragons. This World Heritage site, the only place on earth that these giant monitor lizards can be found, was recently designated as one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Once back onboard, a scrumptious lunch will be served on deck. Enjoy the beautiful ocean views as we head towards south Komodo. We will make a stop along the coast for diving, and then continue on to Lehok Sera for a dusk dive to search for the elusive mandarin fish. We anchor for the night in this quiet and picturesque bay. Weather permitting dinner will be served topside.
Day 5 Friday: We leave early morning for Langkoi, also known as Manta Alley, on Komodo’s south coast. We are on a manta quest today; we have planned for two dives here, where we hope to see these magnificent animals gracefully feeding. This area typically has much cooler temperatures with nutrient rich waters, and lower visibility. However, during the summer season between November through March, we often find water temperatures and visibility have improved in the southern region of Komodo. After our dives, we enjoy lunch as the boat moves towards the south of Rinca to an area known as Nusa Kode. With the towering cliff walls surrounding all sides, the landscape in this remote area is breathtaking. Our third dive today will be our first macro dive of the trip. Between dives, we will jump into the dinghy and have a shore excursion of sorts to get up close to the resident dragon population here. Weighing up to 350 pounds and with a total length of over 10 feet, these fearsome hunters can charge swiftly to bring down a variety of prey, some as big as a water buffalo. After the sun sets, we prepare for a night dive, and a late dinner.
Day 6 Saturday: Mornings and evenings in Nusa Kode (a.k.a. Horseshoe Bay) are a time where you can spot dragons wandering along the beach foraging for food. Monkeys, deer and hunting sea eagles are also known to make an appearance. There are two dives planned for this area, one of which will be the famous ‘macro temple” of Cannibal Rock. Depending on the season, almost everything you can find in a critter book has been sighted here. During lunch we journey back up north for diving in Padar, where temperatures start to get warmer and visibility gets a bit better. Later in the afternoon, we go ashore for a hike across the island for a spectacular view of the sunset, and enjoy a sundowner. We overnight here in a quiet bay and there is a possibility for a night dive (for those who abstained from the sundowner!)
Day 7 Sunday: We leave Padar in the early morning to enter an area known as ‘current city’ for our diving day. Here, there is generally better visibility and larger schools of fish. In the late afternoon, we make our way north. At Wainilu, you can go ashore for a short walk up a small hill for a nice view of Rinca and the surrounding islands. We anchor for the night and prepare for a night dive in Wainilu. There is a wide range of possible animals on this white sand slope, bobtail squid, starry night octopus and fingered dragonet are frequently sighted here.
Day 8 Monday: We’ve saved the best for last! We spend the morning diving around the northern most boundary of the Park off the uninhabited islands of Gili Lawa Laut and Gili Lawa Darat. No Komodo dive itinerary is complete without a stop at Castle Rock and Crystal Rock, these world famous dive sites are some of the fishiest sites in the park. In late afternoon, we say goodbye to Komodo National Park and start our journey back westward. We anchor for the night in Banta Island and plan for our last night dive of the cruise. Looking westward, towards Sangeang’s active volcano, we typically have some of the best sunsets of the trip!
Day 9 Tuesday: We depart very early morning for the volcanic island of Sangeang, whose most recent eruption was last year. As we approach, you can see lava steaming as it flows from the crater edge towards the sea. The black sandy bottom makes for spectacular diving. Dive sites such as, Hot Rocks and Black forest, gaseous sulfur bubbles up from the ground, creating an underwater Jacuzzi! At the end of our diving day, the crew will put up all the sails for a brief photo opportunity and give us a glimpse of the Adelaar in full glory. We sail further west towards Bali, sailing through the night for Moyo Island.
Day 10 Wednesday: We arrive at Moyo Island early this morning. Our final two dives will be along the fringing reef outside the main village. An optional shore excursion to the nearby waterfall, takes you through the local village. You are welcome to visit the village school where smiling children show you their classroom, and take the opportunity to practice their English. The walk to the waterfall takes us down a road lined with ‘living fences’, passing herds of goats and water buffalo. If you are interested in the local flora our guide will point out the cashew, teak trees and other locally grown plants along the way. Once at the waterfall, those daring enough can grab the rope, swing out over the falls and drop into the pool below! While we are gone, the crew will have washed and dried all our dive gear. This means once back aboard, we can sit back, relax, and enjoy a gourmet lunch as we head back, bound for Bali.
Day 11 Thursday: We arrive in Serangan Harbor, Bali around 08-12 AM. After breakfast, before we take you to shore, you will have a chance to say goodbye and see you again (sampai jumpa lagi) to our Captain and crew. Transfers can be arranged to take you to your next destination.
Komodo & Rinca Sailing Cruise
This is a 10 night voyage back in time. We start the journey by sailing along the eastern coastline of Bali, allowing spectacular views of the towering volcanoes on the “Island of the Gods”. Passing through the Lombok Strait we cross the famous faunal divide – the Wallace line. In the distance there are spectacular views of Mt. Rinjani, the second highest volcanic peak of Indonesia.
Highlights of the Komodo & Rinca sailing cruise include:
Moyo Island: This small island, once a game preserve for the officials in the former Suharto regime, it is now a sleepy island with some traditional local villages. It is also home to the luxurious ‘jungle retreat’ called Amanwana from the Aman group of hotels. Guests are housed in upmarket tents, with full amenities.
Satonda Island Reserve: The small island of Satonda, which sets just off the northern coast of Sumbawa, is home to a colony of fruit bats. Sunset skies are filled with these flying foxes, as they take their nightly journey across to the mainland to feast on fruit.
Dragon on Rinca - Loh Buaya and Loh Liang Ranger stations: The islands of Komodo and Rinca each have a ranger station which serves as a home base for a small group of Komodo National Park Rangers. Early morning is the best time to set out on a nature walk to explore these two preserved habitats of the world’s largest lizard – the Komodo dragon. Weighing up to 350 pounds and with a total length of over 10 feet, these fearsome hunters charge swiftly to bring down a variety of herbivores including barking deer, feral pigs and even wild horses.
The islands of Komodo and Rinca each have a ranger station which serves as a home base for a small group of Komodo National Park Rangers. Early morning is the best time to set out on a nature walk to explore these two preserved habitats of the world’s largest lizard – the Komodo dragon. Weighing up to 350 pounds and with a total length of over 10 feet, these fearsome hunters charge swiftly to bring down a variety of herbivores including barking deer, feral pigs and even wild horses.
Deer in Komodo National Park: The saliva is extremely poisonous. if their bite does not bring an animal down immediately, the prey will later succumb to a fatal infection. Individual Komodo Dragons live over 60 years, but the species has been around for 10 million years. Mating takes place in June or July, and their nests harbor clutches of up to 30 eggs. The hatchlings climb into the trees and hunt insects, rodents, and small birds. As they grow, their hunting skills become more refined, and their prey larger. By two years of age, the young dragons are easily able to bring down a small deer.
View from Gili Lawa Laut: Gili Lawa Laut: One of the islands you will visit is the island of Gili Lawa Laut, which lies just off the northern tip of Komodo. Here you’ll catch a magnificent aerial view of the islands of the Komodo National Park. On a clear day you may even be able to see all the way to Flores! The crescent sandy bay offers some superb opportunities to swim and snorkel.
Padar Island: This island sits between Komodo and Rinca islands and once hosted a small group of Komodo Dragons. Padar has some very nice beaches and guests enjoy the short hike ashore to cross over to the other side of the island for a spectacular sunset. If you happen to be there during full moon, you will be treated to a view of the moon rising as you cross back over to return to the Adelaar.
Sangeang Island: An active volcano, which recently erupted and still billows smoke from one of the vents from time to time. At night, the red glow of lava, flowing down the side, can still be seen as we approach.
The island is mostly uninhabited, but villagers from the mainland come daily in small boats, to tend to gardens. There is a very nice herd of water buffalo (Kerbau) that live in the forest along the shoreline.
Manta Ray Special
Manta rays are regularly encountered in the Komodo National Park. However, for true manta lovers, there are never enough mantas. In consequence, one of our Komodo cruises will be slightly adjusted to spend more time in areas of Komodo preferred by mantas. We invite a marine biologist to join us on these special trips. She/he talks about her work in the field, as well as what they are doing to help protecting these elegant and graceful creatures. Through their presentation, they’ll explain everything there is to know about manta rays. Including that they are no longer called “mantas”. Our Manta special itinerary varies due to the season and the availability of our specialist.
Coral Reef Special
As all Adelaar’s routes being located on the coral triangle, it seemed like a must for us to organize a trip dedicated to Coral Reef rehabilitation. While only covering 1.6% of the planet’s oceanic area, the region has 76% of all known coral species in the world. On these special cruises, we’ll host a coral specialist who’ll lead a course about corals, workshops, and identification games, as well as an excursion to a coral rehabilitation center on the North coast of Sumbawa.
Whale shark Special
Twice a year we invite a marine biologist from Conservation International to join us & explore an exciting new destination, where a permanent aggregate of whale sharks have recently been discovered. CI has been instrumental in tagging the sharks and educating the local villages on conservation measures to preserve the habitat of these gentle giants. This is why they will be giving presentations about their work with Indonesia’s whale shark population and how we can help them in their endeavors. Our whale shark excursions are a part of our Bali-Komodo routes. Each departure is timed to coincide with a new moon, as it is apparently the best time for an encounter.
All these itineraries are aligned with their commitment to keep the oceans safe - see the Marine Conservation page