Wildlife
Komodo Dragons
Dragons roam the beach at Nusa Kode and the trails of Rinca, guided up close by experienced park rangers.
Private Charter Itinerary
The Westward Passage
A 7-night voyage from Komodo to Bali.
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Labuan Bajo to Bali
Route
7 Nights
Duration
310 NM
Distance
Apr to Sep
Season
The Journey
From the Land of Dragons to the Island of the Gods
This 7-night westward voyage begins in Labuan Bajo and works through the best of Komodo National Park before crossing open water into Sumbawa, past the volcanic outline of Satonda, down to the waterfalls of Moyo Island, and north along Lombok toward Gili Trawangan, arriving finally in Bali. The route moves with the prevailing winds of the dry season, making for easier sailing than the reverse direction.
Active travelers will find this itinerary well matched to their pace: dragon treks, manta snorkels, summit hikes, and a waterfall trek all feature across the week. Each day's activity is balanced against an evening at anchor in calm, sheltered bays. Bali's international airport makes for a clean disembarkation with onward connections to anywhere.
— Nikko Karki, Indo YachtsGoing west lets you finish in Bali rather than Labuan Bajo. Three days in Komodo, Sumbawa for Satonda's crater lake, Moyo for Mata Jitu, then Lombok's Gilis before the final crossing.
Komodo dragons roam the shoreline of Nusa Kode at low tide.
Experiences
Journey Highlights
The encounters and landscapes that define this passage through eastern Indonesia.
Marine Life
Makassar Reef Mantas
Oceanic mantas circle their cleaning station at Makassar Reef, possible to snorkel with on Day 3.
Landscapes
Padar's Three Bays
A summit hike on Padar delivers one of Komodo's most dramatic views: three bays in three different colors below.
The Route
Labuan Bajo to Bali
- Day 1
Nusa Kode
- Day 2
Padar Island
- Day 3
Rinca, Makassar Reef
- Day 4
Satonda Island
- Day 5
Moyo Island
- Days 6 to 8
Lombok, Bali
Click to enlarge
Day by Day
The Passage West
01
Day
Labuan Bajo, Nusa Kode
Dragons on the Shore
Board the yacht in Labuan Bajo and embark south into the Park. Settle in as the yacht delivers you to Nusa Kode, where Komodo dragons roam the beach at low tide. Anchor for the night with the dragons in view and the silence of the southern Park all around.
Cruising
38 NM
Embark
Labuan Bajo
Highlight
Dragon Sighting
02
Day
Padar Island
Three Bays at Sunrise
Wake to a view of the dragons in the soft morning light, then dive or snorkel the reefs around the island. Proceed to Padar Island and hike to the view over three bays, where white, pink, and black sand meet on three sides of a single peak. Return to the yacht for a beach BBQ and an afternoon at anchor in Padar's smooth bay.
Cruising
11 NM
Activity
Snorkel & Dive
Highlight
Three-Bay Vista
03
Day
Rinca, Makassar Reef
Dragons and Mantas
Hike Padar's peak again for a sunrise view, then head to Rinca Island for a guided trek among dragons with an experienced park ranger. Over lunch, cruise to Makassar Reef, where it's possible to snorkel with manta rays as they circle the cleaning station.
Cruising
14 NM
Activity
Dragon Trek
Highlight
Manta Snorkel
04
Day
Gili Lawa, Gili Banta, Satonda
Exit the Park
Hike Gili Lawa for a sunrise view over the Park, then lift anchor for Batumonco, a beautiful snorkeling site. Exit the Park at Gili Banta for more snorkeling, then cruise overnight to Satonda Island on the north Sumbawa coast.
Cruising
36 NM
Activity
Sunrise Hike
Highlight
Snorkel at Gili Banta
05
Day
Satonda Island, Moyo Island
Crater Lake and Waterfall
Hike around Satonda, a dormant volcano whose crater lake filled with seawater when Mount Tambora erupted in 1815. Watch thousands of flying foxes take to the sky at dusk. Over lunch, cruise to Moyo Island and Labuan Aji village, going ashore on a tender ride for a trek to Mata Jitu waterfall, made famous by Princess Diana's 1989 visit. Swim in the multi-terraced emerald pools before returning to the yacht for a sunset at anchor.
Cruising
121 NM
Activity
Crater Trek
Highlight
Moyo Waterfall
06
Day
Lombok, Gili Trawangan
Into the Gilis
Cruise northwest through the Lombok Strait and drop anchor off Gili Trawangan, where turquoise shallows and a relaxed beach town reward the passage. Snorkel the reef off the jetty, where hawksbill turtles can sometimes be seen, then enjoy sunset cocktails on deck.
Cruising
34 NM
Activity
Snorkel & Beach
Highlight
Gili Trawangan
07
Day
Gili Trawangan, Bali
The Final Crossing
Lift anchor in the morning and raise the sails if conditions allow for the crossing north toward Bali. Cruise past Bali's volcanic coastline and into Serangan harbor as the sun drops behind Mount Agung. A final dinner on deck marks the end of the passage west.
Cruising
56 NM
Highlight
Mount Agung Views
08
Day
Serangan Harbor, Bali
Voyage's End
Arrive at Serangan harbor and enjoy a final breakfast on deck at anchor. Disembark and transfer to Bali's international airport, or continue south into Bali for another day on the island.
Arrival
Morning
Disembark
After Breakfast
Depart
Bali (DPS)
Your Charter Team
Guided by Those Who Know These Waters
This passage covers a lot of water between Komodo and Bali, and it can be sailed at two speeds. Move steadily and every morning brings a new island; slow it down and a place like Satonda gets the afternoon it deserves. Tell us how your group likes to travel, unhurried or always somewhere new, and we will set the pace to suit them.
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Recommended Yachts
Recommended for This Voyage
Yachts equipped for the Komodo-to-Bali passage: family-friendly comfort and the range to combine dragons, waterfalls, and beaches in a week.
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Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time for the Westward Passage?
April through October is the dry season for this route, with consistent southeast trade winds that assist the westward run. Diving visibility in Komodo is at its best from June through September when cooler upwelling waters bring exceptional clarity to sites like Makassar Reef.
Can the route be customized?
Absolutely. This is a sample route. An extra day at Rinca, a detour north to Sangeang Volcano, or a longer stay in the Gilis can all be incorporated. Your cruise director adjusts every day around your group's interests, weather conditions, and what you discover along the way.
What diving experience is required?
Certified divers can explore Komodo's sites, including Makassar Reef and the walls around Gili Lawa, with an onboard PADI instructor. First-timers can take Discovery Dives. Snorkelers have full access to the manta encounters at Makassar Reef and the reefs around Gili Trawangan.
Is this suitable for families?
The mix of dragon treks, waterfall hikes, snorkeling, and beach time makes this one of the better family routes. Most yachts welcome children aged 6 and above. The pace moves each day to a new island, which tends to hold attention well across a wide age range.
Interested in This Itinerary?
Please get in touch to discuss planning your private charter.