Wildlife
Komodo Dragons
The world's largest lizards in their natural habitat, unchanged for approximately 1.4 million years.
Private Charter Itinerary
To The Land
of Dragons
A 10-night expedition from Bali to Komodo.
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Bali to Labuan Bajo
Route
10 Nights
Duration
322 NM
Distance
Apr to Sep
Season
The Journey
Where the Wallace Line Divides Two Worlds
From Bali, you sail east through an archipelago few travelers ever see. Past volcanic islands wreathed in morning mist. Through straits where manta rays gather in their hundreds. To a national park where dragons still walk the earth.
This is not a cruise. It's an expedition into one of the planet's most biodiverse marine ecosystems, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
— Nikko Karki, Indo YachtsTen nights gives Komodo room to breathe. Three nights to get there, four nights inside the Park, two nights for the return. Anything shorter is just dragons and dive sites in a hurry.
Waters so clear you see thirty meters down, home to the world's largest manta population.
Experiences
Journey Highlights
The encounters that define this voyage.
Marine Life
Oceanic Mantas
Oceanic mantas with wingspans up to five meters circle the cleaning stations at dawn.
Landscapes
Volcanic Vistas
Otherworldly terrain shaped by fire, crater lakes, pink beaches, savanna hills.
The Route
Bali to Komodo
- Day 1
Serangan
- Day 2
Kramat
- Day 3
Satonda
- Day 5
Gili Banta
- Day 7
Makassar Reef
- Day 11
Labuan Bajo
Click to enlarge
Day by Day
The Expedition
01
Day
Serangan Harbor, Bali
Your Expedition Begins
Depart midday, cruising up Bali's eastern coastline and across the Lombok Strait with views of Bali's Mount Agung and Lombok's Mount Rinjani volcanoes. Cruise overnight to Kramat Island.
Cruising
121 NM
Embark
Midday
Highlight
Volcano Views
02
Day
Kramat Island
Kramat's White Sand
Wake to Kramat Island's gorgeous white sand beaches and clear water, ideal for water sports, snorkeling and check dives. Enjoy a relaxing picnic on the beach while savoring the surrounding tropical environs.
Cruising
43 NM
Activity
Beach & Snorkel
Highlight
Beach Picnic
03
Day
Satonda Island
The Crater Lake
Hike to Satonda's saltwater lake with views of Mount Tambora. Watch thousands of flying foxes take to the skies at sunset.
Cruising
76 NM
Highlight
Flying Foxes
04
Day
Sangeang Volcano
The Active Volcano
Watch local shipwrights handcraft traditional boats. Dive or snorkel at 'Hot Rock Reef', where fissure vents emit sulfur bubbles.
Cruising
25 NM
Highlight
Hot Rock Reef
05
Day
Gili Banta
Gateway to Komodo
The last island before Komodo National Park. Divers and snorkelers will see hard corals, hawksbill turtles and schooling fish.
Cruising
20 NM
Highlight
Turtle Reef
06
Day
Gili Lawa Darat
Welcome to Komodo
Indonesia's top underwater destinations await, trevally, groupers, barracudas, and white tip reef sharks. Hike to a viewpoint at sunset.
Cruising
4 NM
Highlight
Sunset Hike
07
Day
Makassar Reef, Komodo
Swimming with Giants
Swim with manta rays at Makassar Reef, take a tender ride to the Golden Passage between two islands or kayak the calm bays. Oceanic mantas with wingspans up to five meters glide to their cleaning station.
Cruising
7 NM
Activity
Snorkel & Dive
Highlight
Manta Rays
08
Day
Padar Island
Padar's Three-Bay View
Take a brisk morning hike to Padar's summit for the view over three bays, where white, pink, and black sand meet on three sides of a single peak. Wakeboard and kayak in Padar's smooth bay, then walk to Pink Beach in the afternoon.
Cruising
10 NM
Activity
Sunrise Hike
Highlight
Pink Beach
09
Day
Rinca Island
Where Dragons Rule
Anchor in the bay where the Park's most active dragons sun-soak on the beach. Take a guided walk to see the dragons up close.
Cruising
13 NM
Highlight
Dragon Trek
10
Day
Bidadari Island
Farewell Beach BBQ
One last dive near Gili Lawa Laut. Cruise to Bidadari for a relaxed beach BBQ on white sand to commemorate your adventures.
Cruising
3 NM
Highlight
Beach BBQ
11
Day
Labuan Bajo, Flores
Until Next Time
Enjoy a last dip in the water before the tender takes you to the harbor for disembarkation. Transfer to Komodo Airport for your onward flight, back to Bali or wherever your next adventure leads.
Disembark
Morning
Transfer
Harbor to LBJ
Your Charter Team
Guided by Those Who Know These Waters
This itinerary is built from trips we have run before, and the days that made those trips are the ones we have kept. Where it goes from here depends on you. Some groups want an extra morning with the dragons, others would trade it for a quiet anchorage and a long lunch. Tell us who is coming and what they care about, and we will set the week up around them.
"
Recommended Yachts
Recommended for This Voyage
Yachts equipped for the Bali-Komodo crossing: range for the transit, dive operations for the park, and the comfort for longer charters.
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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.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time for this expedition?
April through September offers calm seas, optimal visibility, and the best conditions for both diving and dragon encounters. Peak season runs June through August with the driest weather.
Can the route be customized?
Absolutely. Your cruise director will adapt every day to your interests, weather conditions, and discoveries. Want more diving? Extended hikes? It's your expedition.
What diving experience do I need?
Certified divers can explore Komodo's prime dive sites like Batu Bolong and Castle Rock. First-timers can try Discovery Dives with PADI instructors. Snorkelers have equally extraordinary encounters, mantas often feed at the surface.
Is this suitable for families with children?
Many families see this as the ultimate adventure, shared discovery, digital-free days, and experiences children remember forever. Most yachts welcome families with children aged 6 and above.
Interested in This Itinerary?
Please get in touch to discuss planning your private charter.