Volcanic Reefs
Explore dormant volcanic islands surrounded by colourful reefs.
This 11 day holiday idea includes an eight-day cruise amongst the islands of Bali, Lombok, Moyo and Komodo; showcasing Indonesia’s volcanic islands with their vibrant cultures and kaleidoscopic waters, finishing with a Komodo dragons encounter.
Explore dormant volcanic islands surrounded by colourful reefs.
Search for the iconic Komodo dragon, witness flying foxes at dusk and snorkel with manta ray.
Experience indigenous island life from traditional boat builders to sea gypsies and ritual ceremonies.
Relax knowing you’ll gently sail to your next destination with nothing to worry about but the view.
Only by boat can visitors to this region truly explore its remote and traditional islands. With hugely experienced crews navigating the small bays and hidden coves, there are traditional Sasak villages, volcanic lakes and vibrant reefs waiting to be discovered. The crew on board our preferred boats are highly attentive and experienced with great personalities and insider local knowledge – they will take care of every aspect of your holiday. Our partners are also deeply committed to the integrity and preservation of the Indonesian Archipelago. Explorations are respectful, leaving only footprints, with their only trace being contributions to local communities.
Day 1
Bali, Ubud (Como Uma Ubud)
Days 2 - 3
Ubud (Como Uma Ubud)
Day 4
Ubud to Sanur - Embarkation
Day 5
Flores Sea Islands
Day 6
Satonda Island
Day 7
Flores Sea Islands
Day 8
Flores Sea Islands
Days 9 - 10
Komodo
Day 11
Komodo to Labuan Bajo
Day 1
Bali, Ubud (Como Uma Ubud)
Arrive in Denpasar. Transfer north to Ubud, a journey of approximately 90 minutes and check into your accommodation.
Days 2 - 3
Ubud (Como Uma Ubud)
Spend two days relaxing and exploring the area. Activities available include rafting, cooking, cycling and market visits.
Day 4
Ubud to Sanur - Embarkation
Transfer approximately 90 minutes to Sanur to board your boat and begin your cruise. Travel along the coast to visit a local fishery and coral conservation project before sailing across the famous Wallace Line.
Day 5
Flores Sea Islands
Visit a village of the famous Bajao ‘Sea Gypsies’ of Southeast Asia, and see how they live their lives so close to, on and in the water. Off the northern coast of Sumbawa the chance to swim with whale sharks.
Day 6
Satonda Island
Swim, snorkel, kayak and paddle board in the crater lake on Satonda Island. Enjoy sunset cocktails while tens of thousands of giant fruit bats emerge from their forest lair and fly out directly over the boat on their nightly foraging missions.
Day 7
Flores Sea Islands
Step ashore on an active, smoking volcanic island, where local villagers are in the process of building a fifty-plus metre, traditional wooden pinisi boat.
Day 8
Flores Sea Islands
Explore underwater coral gardens, hike to the crest of the surrounding hills, swim, paddle, kayak and relax. Swim with majestic manta rays as they feed on the current and circle the so-called cleaning stations, where small fish remove parasites from their skin.
Days 9 - 10
Komodo
Search for the iconic Komodo dragon, witness flying foxes at dusk and snorkel with turtle. Take a short drive to a local village to experience a taste of traditional life.
Day 11
Komodo to Labuan Bajo
Disembark your boat in Labuan Bajo and transfer to the airport for onward travel.
With active volcanoes and prehistoric dragons, the islands of the Komodo National Park are among the most rugged and hostile on the planet, but they also contain stunning tropical scenery. Explore the traditional island tribes of West Flores, and discover the unique wildlife of Rinca Island, including monkeys, wild boar and buffalo and, of course, Komodo dragons. A trip to the Gili Lawa Darat and Moyo Island offers incredible snorkelling and the chance for a beach barbecue on a genuine tropical island paradise.
There are plenty of boats to suit both budget and size requirements, but we pride ourselves on building relationships and with that in mind have noted details about a few of our favourites. The yachts mentioned are found in and around Komodo and Bali in our summer months (April – October) before moving to Raja Ampat for the winter. Those feeling intrepid can be part of one-off sailings between the two regions, really enabling a voyage of discovery. Read more below on the various boats.
SeaTrek operate two traditional phinisi style boats – the Ombak Putih and the Katharina, both beautifully crafted in Indonesia. At 42 metres, Ombak Putih is home to a crew of 14 and made up of 12 comfortable cabins to accommodate up to 24 guests. Katharina, with a crew of 12 and at 38 metres, is slightly smaller than her sister with only six cabins, offering a more intimate experience.
Both offer communal areas, excellent equipment for a collection of well executed, innovative and informed set departures, exploring the Indonesian archipelago. SeaTrek cruises do not offer diving, they focus on snorkelling.
Aqua Blu is a an incredibly comfortable and modern boat which also hides a fascinating history as the British Naval Explorer HMS Beagle. Dive facilities are excellent and additional comforts include a spa and plenty of space to relax on board. Choose from a range of set departures throughout the year.
Rascal is a 30-metre hand-crafted yacht with five en suite cabins. Designed in the traditional phinisi architecture, Rascal has been fitted with all the mod cons to create an innovative and luxurious onboard experience. From the huge upper deck allowing for plenty of space to relax or watch an open-air film, the delicious menus prepared with clients every whim in mind, to the expert crew who can bring to life every detail of this diverse and fascinating region.
Rascal is more akin to a luxury floating villa. Take advantage of Rascal’s Exploration Series, a relationship with Conservation International, working to protect the fragile, at risk ecosystem.
With the ability to take you to remote and hard to reach islands, Tiger Blue, is a meticulously appointed and beautifully crafted traditional timber phinisi – a traditional Indonesian two-masted sailing ship historically and still widely used for local transportation within the Indonesian archipelago. With eight crew including an expedition leader, dive master & chef, sailing through handpicked and often undisclosed diving locations, Tiger Blue is a relaxed and adventurous way of exploring this fascinating region.
Dunia Baru has a boat and dive manager who manage a crew of 16, hospitality is a way of life to them. The incredibly spacious full beam master suite, alongside the six guest cabins provide ultimate comfort. Packed full of toys, this yacht offers endless fun both on and underneath the water, guarantees to keep everybody happy.
Having been given UNESCO status with Outstanding Universal Value, Komodo National Park has been recognised as a ‘global conservation priority area’. The dry landscape above water is in complete contrast to the coral-rich waters below. Walk amongst rugged hills, pink beaches and sheer cliffs, which fall away to the ocean below. Underwater is home to a diverse collection of species with strong currents allowing sea turtles, dugons, whales and dolphins to make it home. With clear warm water, the snorkelling and diving showcase a flourishing array of marine wildlife.
A voyage in and around Komodo can take between a week to two, or longer on a private charted yacht. However, if time allows it is well worth extending to another of Indonesia’s many islands. Some time to explore the lush green paddies of Bali – home to peaceful temples and vibrant markets, travel by houseboat to explore the jungles of Borneo, home to the endangered orangutan or over to Java for some traditional culture combined with sunrises over the temples of Borobudur.
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Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
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