Komodo-Maumere-Alor

The World Heritage listed Komodo National Park is one of the most iconic diving destinations in Indonesia. Its popularity grows exponentially with every passing season and keeps guests coming back for more with its unique blend of adrenaline pumping current fueled dives, stunning coral reefs, beautiful scenery and of course the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo Dragon. Whether you love big fish or are a macro enthusiast, Komodo truly has something for everyone, Manta, shark, turtles, eagle ray and even dolphins can be spotted in crystal clear blue waters of the North, while all manner of macro megastars can be spotted in the cooler, nutrient rich waters of the Southern areas of the park.  Finishing in Alor, far from the crowds, this region has fantastic macro life, stunning coral reefs, an abundance of fish, and schooling pelagic providing amazing diving.  Watch out for larger pelagic in the cooler waters of the South, including mola mola, thresher & hammerhead sharks.  During the surface interval you may even have the chance to spot dolphins or pilot whales. 

Sample Itinerary

Note:All schedules are subjected to changes according to weather, sea, diving, & local conditions.

Day 1. (1-2 dives) 3pm. Our staff will meet you upon your arrival to Komodo Airport or local hotel and transfer you to Blue Manta. Depending on arrival time, we do check dive(s) at Bidadari and night dive at Pulau Sebayor.

Day 2. (4 dives) South Komodo: Manta Alley to fly with mantas, Cannibal Rock, Torpedo Alley at Nusa Kode. 

Day 3. (3-4 dives) South Komodo, Padar Island: one of our favourite regions in the park with some stunning and diverse dive sites such as 3 Sisters and Pillarsteen.  Plus, visit to Pink Beach.

Day 4. (4 dives) North Komodo: Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, & Shot Gun at Gili Lawa Laut.  Pinnacles, drift dives full of action with hunting fish: jacks & sharks!

Day 5. (3 dives) North Komodo: Batu Balong & Mantas on the Moon (Makassar Reef).  This followed by a walk on the wide side in search of Komodo Dragons, and trekking on one of the local Islands.

Day 6. (3 dives) Maumere: nearby Pulau Babi and Pulau Besar.  Sail to Alor.

Day 7-8. (3-4 dives x2 days) Alor & Pantar Strait (Islands of Kepa, Pura, Ternate, & Buaya between Pantar & Alor); nutrient-rich adventurous currents and a diversity of dive site formations, make for an abundance of coral and fish, both big and small.  We may visit local village and substitute for a dive. 

Day 9. (2 dives) Alor; chance to repeat final 2 dives.  Then we sail back to Alor, where you spend last night on Blue Manta in Kalabahi Port.  Plenty of time to wash & dry equipment, rest & relaxation, and if need be, an early flight on trip departure day.

Day 10.  (0 dives) 5am-12pm; Check out after light breakfast & farewells, we transfer to local hotel or airport in time for Check-in & flight.  Take your pre-booked flight to Bali or Jakarta, via Kupang.

Diving days: 9 days (25 dives)

The World Heritage listed Komodo National Park is one of the most iconic diving destinations in Indonesia. Its popularity grows exponentially with every passing season and keeps guests coming back for more with its unique blend of adrenaline pumping current fueled dives, stunning coral reefs, beautiful scenery and of course the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo Dragon. Whether you love big fish or are a macro enthusiast, Komodo truly has something for everyone, Manta, shark, turtles, eagle ray and even dolphins can be spotted in crystal clear blue waters of the North, while all manner of macro megastars can be spotted in the cooler, nutrient rich waters of the Southern areas of the park.  Finishing in Alor, far from the crowds, this region has fantastic macro life, stunning coral reefs, an abundance of fish, and schooling pelagic providing amazing diving.  Watch out for larger pelagic in the cooler waters of the South, including mola mola, thresher & hammerhead sharks.  During the surface interval you may even have the chance to spot dolphins or pilot whales. 

Sample Itinerary

Note:All schedules are subjected to changes according to weather, sea, diving, & local conditions.

Day 1. (1-2 dives) 3pm. Our staff will meet you upon your arrival to Komodo Airport or local hotel and transfer you to Blue Manta. Depending on arrival time, we do check dive(s) at Bidadari and night dive at Pulau Sebayor.

Day 2. (4 dives) South Komodo: Manta Alley to fly with mantas, Cannibal Rock, Torpedo Alley at Nusa Kode. 

Day 3. (3-4 dives) South Komodo, Padar Island: one of our favourite regions in the park with some stunning and diverse dive sites such as 3 Sisters and Pillarsteen.  Plus, visit to Pink Beach.

Day 4. (4 dives) North Komodo: Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, & Shot Gun at Gili Lawa Laut.  Pinnacles, drift dives full of action with hunting fish: jacks & sharks!

Day 5. (3 dives) North Komodo: Batu Balong & Mantas on the Moon (Makassar Reef).  This followed by a walk on the wide side in search of Komodo Dragons, and trekking on one of the local Islands.

Day 6. (4 dives) North Komodo: Tatawa Besar & Kecil, Siaba Kecil, & Wainilu.  Tons of Anthias, Napoleon wrasse, sharks, & excellent night dive.

Day 7. (3 dives) Maumere: nearby Pulau Babi and Pulau Besar.  Sail to Alor.

Day 8-9. (3-4 dives x2 days) Alor & Pantar Strait (Islands of Kepa, Pura, Ternate, & Buaya between Pantar & Alor); nutrient-rich adventurous currents and a diversity of dive site formations, make for an abundance of coral and fish, both big and small.  We may visit local village and substitute for a dive. 

Day 10. (2 dives) Alor; chance to repeat final 2 dives.  Then we sail back to Alor, where you spend last night on Blue Manta in Kalabahi Port.  Plenty of time to wash & dry equipment, rest & relaxation, and if need be, an early flight on trip departure day.

Day 11.  (0 dives) 5am-12pm; Check out after light breakfast & farewells, we transfer to local hotel or airport in time for Check-in & flight.  Take your pre-booked flight to Bali or Jakarta, via Kupang.

Diving days: 10 days (28 dives)

Embarkation / Disembarkation

  • Labuan Bajo (LBJ), Western Flores / Alor (ARD), East Nusa Tenggara 

How to get to Labuan Bajo (LBJ), Western Flores 

  • From Bali.  Stay 1 night in Bali before trip, then catch early morning flights from Bali to Labuan Bajo. 
  • From Jakarta.  Check international flight arrival and domestic flight departure.  You may be able to arrive to Labuan Bajo same day.  Note: Allow enough time for landing, collect luggage, clear customs, possible change in terminal, check in & boarding.  Else stay 1 night in Jakarta before trip, then catch early morning flights from Jakarta to Labuan Bajo
  • Airline carriers: Batik Air, Citlink, AirAsia Indonesia, Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Nam Air

How to get from Alor (ARD), East Nusa Tenggara

  • To Mali Airport, Alor.  From boat to airport, estimated 1hr transfer time.
  • Back to Jakarta.  Take the Lion Air morning flights (09:30-10:30) from Alor to Kupang. You can then take Garuda Indonesia onward flight (13:40-16:55) back to Jakarta.
  • From Bali. We suggest you take the Nam Air flight (09:00- 11:30) to Kupang. Then take the later Lion Wings flight (12:55-13:50) from Kupang to Alor.
  • Back to Bali.  Again, take the Lion Air morning flight (09:30-10:30) from Alor to Kupang.  You can then take Lion Air onward flight (13:30-15:15) back to Bali.

Dive Site Information

  • Water Temp: South 22-26 degrees, it can be cold in the waters around Alor and we do recommend you bring extra exposure suit for this section of the cruise.& Komodo.  Water Temp: North & Central: 26-28 degrees Celsius.
  • Air Temp: 25-30 degrees Celsius
  • Visibility: 20-30 meters
  • Current: mild to strong
  • Level: Intermediate to Advanced,
  • Best Time to Dive: start of May to end of October.  Best Time to Dive (Alor): March to December.

What's included?

  • Round trip transfer local Hotel/Airport - Boat
  • All nights' accommodation on Boat
  • All meals (Western & Indonesian) snacks, hot beverages, coffee, tea, Milo, soft drinks
  • Towels, toiletries & cabin services
  • FOC replacement if equipment breakdown
  • Warm towel & drink after every dive
  • Regular Air Tanks, weights, belt, 5 dive guides (1x Instructor, 4x Dive Masters)

What's excluded?

  • All flights & hotels stay
  • Marine Park & Harbour fees 
  • Dive & Travel insurance
  • Fuel surcharge (if applicable). Please see our Booking Information page 'Fuel surcharge' section for more details and fees per person.
  • Massage services
  • Laundry services 
  • Nespresso coffee, alcohol; beer & wine
  • Satellite Wi-Fi
  • Diving Gear; dive computer, torch, 15L tank rental, BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins mask.  
  • Nitrox Enriched Air fills
  • Note: Nitrox & Diving Gear Items priced per diving day and are subject to availability.
  • Note: Exposure suits; 3mm shorty wetsuits available ONLY.   

Trip Schedule

  • Departure; 3pm, 1st day - Bajo Port, Labuan Bajo, Western Flores.  Or earlier if everyone arrives before and all Trip Preparations have been completed.  Free transfer from local hotel or Komodo Airport (15 mins) to Blue Manta on trip departure day.
  • Return; 5am, last day - Alor, East Nusa Tenggara.  After a light breakfast and fond farewells, we take you to local hotel or Mali Airport, Alor in time for check-in & flight or local hotel (transfer time around 1 hour).  Note: latest BM check-out, midday, trip return day.
  • Last dive ends; 12pm (midday), penultimate day. Plenty of time for R&R while we sail back to Alor where we spend last night on Blue Manta.  This also allows for your minimum 18 hours’ surface interval/ No Fly Time (as recommended by PADI) before flying next day.

Blue Manta Reminders

Travel Documents

  • COVID-19 requirements & protocols in Indonesia and on your trip.  Please see our COVID-19 Travel & Visa Information page to help prepare and plan in advance for your travels and entry into Indonesia, as detailed by the Government of Indonesia.
  • Guest Info. We MUST receive guest’s details well in advance in the trip Note: Late receipt of Passport details may very likely lead to delayed departure & significant changes to the itinerary.
  • Visa On Arrival (VOA), single entry is now available for many countries and Visa Exemption Arrangement (VEP) for some ASEAN countries for stay up to 30 days. VOA cost: IDR 500,000 (approx. EUR 32 / USD 35). Payment can be done by: Visa, Mastercard or Debit Card or Cash Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Note: Please check here for eligibity. If you are from one of countries not on the VOA or VEA lists, or if you simply wish to get a visa in advance, you MUST apply for an eVisa (B211A) online PRIOR to arrival before entering all other airports.
  • Passport. Please ensure your passport is in good order, has enough pages, is valid for at least 6 months, and that you are able to enter Indonesia. Check with your local Embassy of Indonesia if unsure.
  • Departure Tax. Indonesia Passenger Service Charge (IPSC) has changed (Mar-2015) to be included in your flight ticket price. Please check though as previously it was 200,000IDRp to leave Indonesia, & up to 75,000IDRp for Domestic flights. Carry small bills, Indonesia Rupiah preferred, as often no change given.

Domestic Flights

  • Please book BEFORE confirming your International flights to ensure you make your connection to Labuan Bajo & from Alor. 
  • We STRONGLY recommend 1 night stay in Bali before your trip to make connecting Domestic flight.
  • Travel agent: If you require assistance with your itinerary: obtaining an e-visa, booking domestic flight tickets, hotels, transfers, and additional land arrangements etc, we can recommend local Indonesian Travel agents, our friends at Come2Indonesia.  Contact Rendy & the team here tour2@come2indonesia.com.. Note: If booked with credit card please ensure the card is with you upon check-In or have an official Airline form filled in & signed by card holder authorizing the use of.
  • Our ticketing agents are not responsible for any flight delay or cancellation, luggage lost or delay.
    Early Arrivals; we can help recommend local hotels where we can pick you up on Trip Departure day. If needed transfers can be arranged for a nominal fee. Day of trip all included.
  • Baggage Allowance. Most airlines allow 10-20kg/ pax check, & 7kg carryon.  Additional weight is charged per/kilo (USD2-3/ kilo). Maximum allowance between 20-30kg. Check with our receommended travel agent or your airline carrier (if booking directly) for actual details.

Health & Insurance

  • Dive Insurance; compulsory for this trip.  We also strongly advise you get adequate travel insurance. Please check your travel insurance policy for your diving needs.  If not covered then we recommend DiveAssure for their single trip policy cover.
  • Dive Computer; compulsory on this trip.  We have rentals onboard if you do not have.
  • Follow Safe Diving Practices at ALL times plus No Deco Diving and No Solo Diving.
  • Travel insurance is compulsory for our trips. Our trips are not inclusive of any form of insurance. White Manta Diving cannot be held responsible for any trip disruption or cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control or any flight / hotel expenses. This includes any costs related to COVID-19 issues, resulting in delay/ medical/ extraction/ quarantine/ or trip costs incurred due to potential positive testing / refusal of admittance to the country or your trip, before, during or after. We strongly recommend all guests purchase adequate travel insurance, as such an occurance will affect all guests on trip. Please see our Booking Information page 'Travel Insurance' section for more details and recommended insurers.
  • Exposure Suit; recommended to bring your own 5mm long semi-dry, rash-vest & hood for Southern Komodo & Alor cooler waters (between 22-26 degrees Celsius)

Internet/ Mobile

  • Satellite Wi-Fi
  • Mobile signal; local Telkomsel is best local card to buy.  Not long after you leave port we have has intermittent/ limited mobile signal until we return.
  • Telkomsel prepaid card is the best value. Plus can add credit to top up!!!

Trip Extras payment onboard

  • By Credit card comes with 4.5% additional handling fee.
  • By Cash we accept US Dollars, Euro, Singaporean Dollars, and Indonesian Rupiah.  Please ensure ALL bills are in good order; NOT worn or torn and unmarked or we are UNABLE to accept.  Exchange rates differ for USD100/50 bills and USD20/10 bills. Current Exchange rate. ATMs available in town.

Trip Extras

  • Marine Park & Harbour fee; US$250 per person
  • Fuel Surcharge fee; USD200 per person.
  • Massage US$35/ hour,  Laundry services (US$10/ basket)
  • Nespresso coffee: US$2, beer US$4, wine US$30-50
  • Satellite Wi-Fi US$50 for trip per person.
  • Nitrox; US$20/ diving day or US$7/ fill.

Equipment rental

Diving gear: Full Set US$50/ diving day (except large tank & torch) or if individual items then following rates apply per diving day*

  • BCD US$15
  • Regulator US$15
  • Dive computer US$15
  • Wetsuit US$5
  • Fins US$5
  • Mask US$5
  • Large tank US$15
  • Torch* US$10 per sunset/ night dive.

Diving gear items priced per diving day*. Please provide sizes in advance of the trip, as all gear is subject to availability. If not known then provide your height, weight, shoe size, where applicable.

  • Note: Torch rental* price is per sunset/ night dive.
  • Note: Exposure suits: 3mm shorty wetsuits available ONLY.    
  • Note: Large tank AL100, 100 cu ft (13.2 liters)
  • Note: Gear included: Regular air tank AL80, 80 cu ft (11.1 liters), weights, belt.
  • Note: Additional tank US$15/ day