Diving
Manta Alley
Dive Langkoi where oceanic mantas gather in the channel; possible sightings on most visits between May and October.
Private Charter Itinerary
Crossing the Wallace Line
A 10-night dive expedition, round-trip from Bali.
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Bali Roundtrip
Route
10 Nights
Duration
648 NM
Distance
Apr to Sep
Season
The Journey
Into the Fishiest Waters on Earth
Depart Serangan Harbor, cross the Wallace Line where the Asian and Australasian faunal worlds split, and sail into Komodo National Park for 10 nights of diving at sites that have few equals anywhere on the planet. This is a round-trip, returning to Bali, so no domestic connections are needed.
Designed for dedicated divers, this itinerary works through Komodo's most storied sites: Cannibal Rock's macro abundance, Manta Alley's oceanic mantas, Castle Rock's schooling pelagics, and Sangeang's black volcanic seafloor vents. Non-divers are equally well served, with crater lake hikes, dragon encounters, and a waterfall jump on Moyo to round out the days.
The pace is deliberate: two to three dives per day, with afternoons reserved for hikes, surface intervals, and late sunsets. This itinerary includes overnight passages to fit the best sites into 10 nights.
— Nikko Karki, Indo YachtsThree night dives, Cannibal Rock for muck, Sangeang's lava-warmed reef on the way home. This itinerary is for divers who already know what they want.
Komodo's nutrient-rich currents, where giant mantas circle cleaning stations at dawn.
Experiences
Journey Highlights
The encounters that define this dive-focused expedition through volcanic Indonesia.
Volcanic Diving
Hot Rocks, Sangeang
Black volcanic sand slopes where sulfur bubbles up through hydrothermal vents, alive with unusual critters found nowhere else.
Wildlife
Rinca's Dragons
Tender ride to Rinca for close-up views of Komodo dragons beachcombing the shoreline in the morning quiet.
The Route
Bali, Round-Trip
- Day 1
Serangan, Bali
- Day 2
Satonda Island
- Days 3 to 8
Komodo National Park
- Day 9
Sangeang Volcano
- Day 10
Moyo Island
- Day 11
Return to Bali
Click to enlarge
Day by Day
The Dive Expedition
01
Day
Serangan Harbor, Bali
Crossing the Line
Board and depart from Serangan Harbor on an overnight cruise east. Somewhere between Bali and Lombok, cross the Wallace Line, the biogeographic boundary that separates the Asian and Australasian worlds. Settle in with a sundowner as Bali's Mount Agung recedes behind you.
Cruising
158 NM
Highlight
Wallace Line Crossing
02
Day
Satonda Island, Sumbawa
The Crater Lake
Dive the reefs along Satonda's sloping sandy bottom, rich with colorful corals and reef fish. Hike to the island's saltwater crater lake, formed when nearby Mount Tambora erupted in 1815. Cruise overnight into Komodo National Park.
Cruising
112 NM
Activity
Reef Dives
Highlight
Satonda Crater Lake
03
Day
Komodo National Park, North
Sunrise Anchorage
Wake early to catch the sunrise and a chance to see unique bird species in a quiet northern bay. Dive magnificent sites with large schools of fish and clear visibility. Hike the hill above the anchorage for a panorama of the Komodo archipelago.
Cruising
16 NM
Activity
Sunrise Birdwatching
Highlight
Komodo Panorama
04
Day
Langkoi, Nusa Kode
Manta Alley and the Dragon Shore
Leave early for Langkoi, known as Manta Alley, for possible sightings of oceanic mantas in the channel. Cruise to Nusa Kode for a macro dive beneath towering cliffs, then take a tender ride for close-up views of Rinca's beachcombing Komodo dragons. An optional night dive rounds out the day.
Cruising
12 NM
Activity
Rinca Dragons
Highlight
Manta Alley
05
Day
The Macro Temple
The Macro Temple
Dive the famous Cannibal Rock, where almost every sea critter in the book can be found in a single dive: pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, frogfish, and ghost pipefish sharing a single wall. Also watch for monkeys, deer, and sea eagles on the Nusa Kode cliffs. Cruise to Padar, dive in warmer, clearer water, hike to the three-bay sunset viewpoint, then an optional night dive.
Cruising
18 NM
Activity
Macro Diving
Highlight
Cannibal Rock
06
Day
Wainilu, Rinca
Current City
Dive the exhilarating currents of Wainilu, with larger schools of fish and excellent visibility. Afternoon hike affords a view over Rinca and the surrounding islands. On an optional night dive it is possible to see bobtail squid, starry night octopus, and fingered dragonet on the white sand slope.
Cruising
26 NM
Activity
Rinca Hike
Highlight
Wainilu Currents
07
Day
Gili Lawa Laut, Gili Lawa Darat
The Fishiest Dives in the Park
Dive Castle Rock and Crystal Rock, two pinnacles where trevally, barracudas, groupers, and white tip reef sharks converge in staggering numbers. Wave farewell to Komodo National Park and anchor overnight at Banta Island, where a final night dive is possible behind Sangeang's glowing volcano.
Cruising
31 NM
Activity
Banta Anchorage
Highlight
Castle Rock & Crystal Rock
08
Day
Sangeang Volcano, Sumbawa
Lava, Sulfur, and Vents
Depart early to watch lava flow from Sangeang's crater edge into the sea. Dive Hot Rocks and Black Forest where sulfur bubbles up through volcanic seafloor vents, a landscape unlike any other reef on this route. Sail overnight toward Moyo.
Cruising
16 NM
Activity
Volcano Views
Highlight
Hot Rocks & Black Forest
09
Day
Moyo Island, Sumbawa
Waterfalls and Last Dives
Arrive at Moyo for final reef dives over healthy coral in clear water. Walk through the island village to the waterfall, grab the rope, swing out over the falls, and drop into the pool below. Back onboard, enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise toward Bali.
Cruising
117 NM
Activity
Reef Dives
Highlight
Moyo Waterfall
10
Day
Cruising, Return to Bali
The Long Sail Home
Spend a final night at sea cruising west, with a last sunset over the Lombok Strait and the Wallace Line to re-cross. Arrive in Bali on the morning of Day 11 for a last breakfast onboard, then disembark and transfer to your onward destination.
Cruising
142 NM
Highlight
Serangan, Bali
Your Charter Team
Guided by Those Who Know These Waters
The route on the page is the foundation. The trip you actually sail is the one we build once we know who is aboard, what they have done before, and what they came here to find. Some of the best days on this crossing are the ones we add after that conversation. Tell us about your group and we will take it from there.
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Recommended Yachts
Recommended for This Voyage
Yachts equipped for the full round-trip Komodo dive itinerary: range for the return crossing and dive operations for the park's premier sites.
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View ItineraryFurther Reading
From the Journal
Dispatches from Indonesia's most extraordinary waters. Yacht features, expedition reports, and the stories behind our most memorable charters.
Practical Reading
Charter Guides
Everything you need to know before chartering in Indonesia. From costs and logistics to destination comparisons and packing lists.
LogisticsUltimate Guide to Komodo Dragons
How to reach Komodo and what to expect on arrival.
Read guide
UnderwaterBest Diving in Indonesia
Where to dive in Indonesia, region by region.
Read guide
TimingBest Time to Charter
There is no single best season, only the right region for your dates.
Read guide
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What dive experience do I need for this itinerary?
Most of Komodo's best sites require an Advanced Open Water certification, as currents can be strong at Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, and Wainilu. Cannibal Rock and Satonda's reefs are accessible to Open Water divers. Non-divers can snorkel the shallower sites and still encounter mantas from the surface at Manta Alley.
Is this suitable for non-divers?
Yes, with reservation. The itinerary is designed around diving, and days are structured around dive times. Non-divers are well served by snorkeling at Satonda, Nusa Kode, and Gili Banta; by the dragon encounters on Rinca; by the Satonda crater lake hike; and by the Moyo waterfall. It works best when the full group has at least a snorkeling interest.
How does the overnight passage schedule work?
Three overnight passages are built into the 10 nights: Bali to Satonda, Satonda to the Komodo National Park entrance, and Sangeang to Moyo. These are covered while guests sleep, arriving ready to dive. The yacht carries enough fuel for continuous running and the crew handles all passages without disturbing guests.
Can the route be customized?
Absolutely. If conditions favor a different order, or if guests want more time at a particular site, the cruise director adapts on the day. Want extra time at Cannibal Rock? An additional pass at Manta Alley? That conversation happens every morning at the dive briefing. No two charters run this route identically.
Interested in This Itinerary?
Please get in touch to discuss planning your private charter.