Bali & Komodo – Tulamben diving trip & liveaboard Moana
During this trip you will discover two amazing places in Indonesia: Bali and Komodo. Two totally diverse places underwater. Dive in Tulamben on macro and with manta rays in Komodo.
Travel period
Features
Starting from
Combination trip: diving in east Bali & liveaboard in Komodo
Indonesia is one of the best destinations in the world when it comes to diving trips. In this trip you will visit two amazing places, both with totally different underwater experiences: Bali and Komodo.
In Bali, stay in Tulamben, in the east of the island. The village is right by the sea and is the perfect base for divers. Here lies the famous USAT Liberty wreck, a place every diver must have seen once. The wreck attracts reef sharks, turtles and countless colorful fish. There is also plenty of small life to discover, such as nudibranchs and sometimes the rare blue ring octopus. Each dive feels different and brings new surprises. After a day underwater, relax at the Siddhartha Oceanfront Resort & Spa, a comfortable hotel right on the beach with a quiet, laid-back atmosphere.
Discover Komodo by liveaboard on the sailing vessel Moana. The boat is small and comfortable, with room for up to ten guests, so everything feels personal and relaxed. From the deck, you’ll enjoy the views as you sail between islands. You’ll sail the Best Of Komodo route. Underwater, the reefs are large and full of life. Currents bring in bigger fish, and regularly you’ll encounter manta rays, sharks, rays and turtles. At Manta Point, you are often lucky enough to see several manta rays at once. Komodo is also special on land: rugged coastlines, hidden bays and, of course, the famous Komodo dragons make the island unforgettable.
Best travel time for a diving vacation to Komodo & Bali
The best travel time for diving in Bali is generally between the months of April and December. During this period it is usually dry and water temperatures are pleasant. Moreover, visibility is usually better underwater. The period from mid-September to late October marks the beginning of the so-called cold-water season, when cold deep-sea water enters the shallower waters. This season offers ideal diving conditions and mola molas are frequently seen.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for diving in Bali & Komodo 
A 3mm will almost always suffice, if you get cold really quickly you can consider a 5mm.
What will you experience on this diving vacation?
View itinerary here
Day 1 & 2 | The journey to Indonesia
Today you are leaving for Indonesia! You will fly to Bali, where you will start your journey. From Europe, you can fly to Bali on a direct flight or with a stopover in about 16 to 18 hours. You leave on day 1 and arrive on day 2.
Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will be waiting for you to take you to the Siddhartha Oceanfront Resort. The resort is located in Tulemben, located on the east side of Bali. The drive here takes about 3 hours.
Tulamben is a world-renowned, quiet dive destination best known for the spectacular USAT Liberty wreck located offshore. It is a divers’ and snorkelers’ paradise with a pebble beach, clear waters and rich coral life. A perfect start to the journey!
Day 3 to 7 | Diving around Tulamben
In the heart of East Bali you will find the most beautiful dive sites, harboring enormous diversity. If you spend the next 5 days diving here, a lot of great moments await you with the diving package included in your trip.
Sixteen dives are on your program, and believe me, you will not be bored for a moment here. The Siddhartha dive boat “Baba,” which accommodates 10 divers, ensures that every dive here becomes a personal experience.
Bali’s mesmerizing reefs are like works of art rising from the depths of the ocean. With more than 50 diving and snorkeling sites easily accessible from the Siddhartha dive center, you have an abundance of choices. Right outside the door of the resort is a stunning house reef, part of the Kubu Marine Park and almost direct access to the Boga wreck.
The other legendary dive sites of Tulamben and Amed, including the famous USAT Liberty Wreck, are just steps away.
Day 8 | Last day in Bali
Today is the last full day at Siddhartha. On day 9 you will fly on to Flores in the morning, so this means you won’t be able to do any diving on this last day. You can relax at the resort and enjoy the spa.
Want to get out and about? Several day trips can be organized, allowing you to do exactly what you feel like doing. One trip is a hike through the rice fields and a visit to the authentic village of Tenganan. It’s about a 1.5-hour drive from Tulamben, but definitely worth it. You walk with a guide through the rice fields, the forest and make a stop at Wayan. He is a beekeeper and lets you taste different things just at his home. The trip concludes in the authentic village, where your guide himself grew up. It’s a beautiful day of Balinese culture and nature.
Day 9 | Transit to Flores & embarkation on the Moana
On this day, you will fly from Bali to Labuan Bajo. A domestic flight takes about 1.5 hours. Upon arrival at Flores airport, a transfer will be waiting to take you to the ship. Embarkation starts at 11 am and the crew will be waiting for you with a welcome drink. Upon arrival, you can start unpacking your belongings in the cabin and prepare your diving equipment, because a first dive is already scheduled!
Around noon, Moana sails out toward the island of Sebayur Kecil. Here the check dive will be made. If there is enough time, a night dive can also be made.
Day 10 | Diving at Tatawa Besar, Batu Bolong, Manta Point & Gila Lawa Darat
The day begins with a dive at Tatawa Besar, a well-known spot for beautiful drift dives along colorful coral walls and reef structures. Thanks to the currents here, you float over the reef, so to speak, while schools of fish, reef sharks and turtles regularly pass by.
After breakfast, continue sailing toward the heart of Komodo National Park for a dive at Batu Bolong. This impressive underwater rock rises from the depths and is completely covered with hard and soft coral. It teems with life here, with large schools of fusiliers, snappers and jacks, while napoleon fish and reef sharks are also often seen.
After lunch, Manta Point is on the program, one of Komodo’s most famous dive sites. Here mantas gather at natural cleaning stations, where they are cleaned by small reef fish. With some luck, several manta rays will float above you at the same time, an unforgettable experience for every diver.
In the evening, take a night dive at Gili Lawa Darat, where a completely different underwater world comes to life. Octopuses, lobsters, hunting morays and fluorescent plankton provide a fascinating spectacle. You spend the night here in the quiet bay. If you don’t want to do a night dive, you can hike at sunset to the viewpoint on the hill, with a beautiful panorama of the surrounding islands and sea.
Day 11 | National Park: Castle Rock, Crystal Rock & the Cauldron
Early today, Moana sails toward the northernmost part of Komodo National Park. Here lies Castle Rock, an impressive underwater peak known for its changing currents and large concentrations of fish. During this dive you float along steep walls and plateaus, while schools of barracudas, tuna and often various species of sharks pass by. Not for nothing is this dive often considered one of the absolute highlights of the trip.
The second dive is at Crystal Rock, a beautifully overgrown rock formation completely covered with hard and soft coral. The reef is full of colorful reef fish, anemone fish and nundibranch, while larger pelagic species also show up here regularly.
In the afternoon, the program includes the Cauldron, a spectacular channel between Gili Lawa Darat and Gili Lawa Laut. The funnel-shaped passage often creates a strong current here, carrying you through the channel in a kind of natural “washing machine. Along the way you pass sponges, corals and large schools of fish, making this drift dive a unique experience.
You spend the night in North Komodo and end the day with a night dive at Gili Lawa Darat. After dark, the reef comes alive again with hunting morays, sleeping fish and active lobsters and octopuses, making for a special end to an impressive day of diving.
Day 12 | Golden Passage, Tatawa Kecil & Siaba Kecil
It promises to be another exciting day as you start at the Golden Passage, a spectacular channel between Komodo and Gili Lawa Darat. The current here will take you past steep walls, coral gardens and large schools of fish. This drift dive is known for its dynamism and rich marine life.
After breakfast, sail back toward the center of the park for dives at Tatawa Kecil and Siaba Kecil. Both sites have varied topography with slopes, pinnacles and coral formations, teeming with reef fish, turtles and sometimes larger species. You can also expect currents here, making for lively and active dives.
After these three dives, you will head south toward Rinca Island. In the evening you will make a night dive at Wainilu, a famous muck dive site. Here you scour the sandy bottom with your lamp for unusual and often rare animals such as seahorses, ghost whistle fish, octopuses and colorful nudibranchs. A perfect place for macro photography and lovers of small marine life.
Day 13 | On land in Komodo & final dives
In the morning you will go ashore on Rinca Island, in the middle of Komodo National Park. This rugged and impressive island consists of green hills, savannas and mangroves, with beautiful views over the sea. Accompanied by a ranger, you will take a short walk through this unique landscape and get the chance to see the famous Komodo dragons up close. These largest lizards in the world live here in their natural habitat, making the visit an unforgettable experience.
After breakfast, one or two more dives are scheduled, depending on your flight the next day. These take place at Wainilu or Tengah Kecil, where you will enjoy the rich marine life of Komodo one more time. On the way back to Flores you will sail past Kalong Island. At sunset, thousands of bats fly out here simultaneously to search for food, making for an impressive natural spectacle and a wonderful end to the trip.
Day 14 & 15 | Back in Labuan Bajo & back home
In the morning, Moana will arrive back at the port of Labuan Bajo. Check-out is in the morning and you will be transferred to the airport. You will fly back home with a stopover in Bali or Jakarta.
Highlights of this trip
What can you expect from this trip to Bali & Komodo?
Diving in Tulamben
East Bali is a great place to dive. Here you will find the famous USAT Liberty wreck, one of the most photographed wrecks in the world, where reef sharks, turtles and colorful fish swim around. In addition, you can look for unusual small animals such as nudibranchs and the rare blue ring octopus. The combination of wreck, coral and small life makes every dive different and surprising.
Komodo National Park
Komodo National Park is known for its spectacular landscapes and unique wildlife. On hikes around the island, you will enjoy panoramic views of rocky shores and turquoise waters. The park is the natural habitat of the famous Komodo dragons, the largest lizards in the world, which you can see up close during an excursion. The combination of nature, adventure and special animals makes a visit unforgettable.
Diving in Komodo
Around Komodo, the marine life is very different from Bali. Because of the currents, larger fish swim there and you will regularly encounter manta rays, reef sharks and turtles. Manta Point is one of the highlights, where you often see several manta rays at once. The reefs are colorful and full of life, from small nudibranchs to impressive big fish. And you do all this from the beautiful sailing ship Moana.
The accommodation
The stay and surroundings
Siddhartha Oceanfront Resort
The Siddhartha Oceanfront Resort offers comfortable rooms with ocean views and a relaxing atmosphere. Guests can enjoy the open-air restaurant with fresh dishes, the waterfront pool or a refreshing drink at the bar overlooking Mount Agung.
The Six Elements Spa offers a variety of treatments using natural products, including signature hot stone rituals in a unique lava stone cave. For those looking to stay active, there is a modern fitness center, while the game room with pool table, darts and table tennis offers relaxation and fun.
At Siddhartha Oceanfront Resort, you can choose from the following accommodation types:
The Superior Bungalow has a private terrace with lounge chairs and a cozy seating area. Inside is a queen-size bed, a tropical bathroom and a desk. Suitable for up to 2 guests and an area of 45 m².
The Deluxe Bungalow has a private terrace with lounge chairs and a relaxation corner. Inside, there is a generous living space with a cozy sitting area by the window, a desk and an outdoor tropical-style bathroom. Many bungalows offer stunning sea views. Accommodates up to 3 guests, with 55 square meters of space and a double bed plus the option to convert the daybed into a single bed.
The Oceanfront Bungalow offers panoramic views from the outdoor terrace, equipped with lounge chairs and a cozy seating area. The bungalow has 65 square meters of comfort with a king-size bed, a desk, a spacious window seat that doubles as a daybed, and an attached tropical bathroom with an invigorating rain shower. Accommodates up to 3 guests.
The luxurious Pool villa with two bedrooms and direct access to the sea offers a whopping 228+ sqm of living comfort. Enjoy two spacious master suites with private tropical bathrooms, a cozy lounge and dining area, a convenient kitchenette and a spacious sun terrace overlooking your private pool and garden. The villa accommodates up to 5 guests, and each master suite has a king-size bed.
Moana Cruising
Moana Cruising is a boutique liveaboard that immediately catches the eye. Built in 2004 in traditional style as a classic Phinisi schooner, the ship features iconic blue sails that give it a characterful appearance. With room for up to 10 guests, the Moana always sails with small groups, which ensures a personal and relaxed atmosphere.
The ship is led by Austrian Susan and Josh, who together with their experienced Indonesian crew ensure a professional and welcoming experience. Everyone on board can count on personal attention, making the cruise both comfortable and well-organized.
The Moana has five cabins with private bathrooms and air conditioning. There are 2 types of cabins: a double cabin with a double bed and a twin cabin with 2 single beds (bunk beds). Both type of cabins have the same price.
Healthy and tasty meals are served on board, prepared with fruits and vegetables from organic farmers from the Labuan Bajo and Flores region, completely without artificial additives.
On the spacious teak upper deck you can relax, sunbathe or enjoy meals at the long wooden table. The ship also has a comfortable salon with air conditioning, television, music facilities and a video projector. For those who wish, it is possible to sleep under the stars at night, with blankets available for extra comfort.
Travel costs
What is included
This dive vacation to Bali and Komodo is available from US$ 4.235 per person based on two people in one cabin/room. The diving trip can be extended as desired. A number of things are included as standard in this travel package.
Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about this group trip to Bali and Komodo? Get in touch with us!
Included in this diving trip, from US$ 4.235 p.p.
- Siddhartha Oceanfront Resort
- 7 nights in a Superior Bungalow
- Stay on a bed & breakfast basis
- Dive package with 10 dives
- Nitrox for certified divers
- Moana liveaboard
- 5 nights in a double or twin cabin
- Accommodation on full board basis
- Drinking water, coffee/tea, soft drinks
- Snacks
- Dive package with 12 dives
- Land excursions
- Cabin towels, Deck towels, Beach towels
- General
- Return transfers
- VZR & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flights from US$ 1.145 p.p.
- Dive & Travel Insurance
- Visa to Indonesia (approx. €30)
- National Park Fees Komodo (€150)
- Alcoholic beverages on board
- Tips to crew (approx. €30 per day)
✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe. However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide. Booking your own flights is of course also possible.
Optional
- Siddhartha: Upgrade to half board (breakfast & dinner), €25 p.p.p.d.
- Siddhartha: Diving equipment rental (€25 p.p.p.d.)
- Moana: Rental diving equipment (€225)
Email this diving holiday
Want to save or share the details of this diving trip with someone? You can do so by sending the trip by email.
Where may we send the email to?
Frequently asked questions about this liveaboard
Diving general
An Open Water certification is sufficient for this liveaboard trip. There is no indication that you must have done a minimum number of dives. Just keep in mind that there can be considerable current during the dives. So it’s definitely nice if you already have some experience with this.
During this trip you will make different types of dives: reef dives, wreck dives, drift dives and deep dives. You will always receive a clear briefing beforehand.
The dive sites are close by. Sometimes you go directly from the yacht, sometimes from a zodiac.
Yes, it is possible to make night dives. In Brothers, it is not possible to make night dives.
Yes, PADI courses are given.
Diving equipment
Both tanks are available.
Only a few 15L tanks are available.
Yes, you can. If you bring your own equipment it’s no problem at all.
Yes, you can use nitrox free of charge if you are certified for it.
Yes, you can rent diving equipment free of charge.
You leave your diving equipment on the dive deck of too boat. You get your own spot and box here, so you always find all your gear in the same place.
Related diving trips
We are EWDR
