Round trip through Flores & diving in Komodo from liveaboard Moana
Travel period
Features
Starting from
Round trip along the highlights of Flores & liveaboard diving in Komodo
This combination trip takes you to the versatile island of Flores and the world-famous Komodo National Park. In the first phase of the trip you will discover Flores, located between Sumbawa and the archipelagos Solor and Alor. Your round trip starts in Maumere, the largest city on the island, and takes you past the most beautiful sights of central and western Flores. Finally, the itinerary ends in Labuan Bajo, where you board the liveaboard Moana for the second part of the adventure: diving in Komodo.
Flores is known for its rich culture and unspoiled nature. From the lively atmosphere in Maumere to the impressive landscapes of West Flores, every day brings new impressions. During the round trip you will visit the colorful Kelimutu Lakes, the fishing village of Wuring, the traditional village of Wae Rebo and the 17 Islands National Park, among others.
Aboard the Moana, your diving adventure begins in Komodo National Park. This area is among the most beautiful diving destinations in the world, with a wide variety of reefs, current-rich channels and rich marine ecosystems. You have a chance of encounters with manta rays, sharks, turtles and countless colorful reef fish here.
Best travel time for a diving vacation to Flores & Komodo
The diving season extends from April to November and offers the perfect conditions with average water temperatures of 27°C and visibility up to 30 meters.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for Komodo
In most cases, a 3mm is sufficient. Sometimes a 5mm is more pleasant, especially at 27C. This depends a bit on how quickly you get cold.
What will you experience on this trip?
View itinerary here
Day 1 to 3 | Trip to Flores, Indonesia
The round trip starts on the island of Flores. The best way to reach Flores is via Bali. That’s why your journey starts today with a flight to Bali. Depending on whether it’s a direct flight and possibly with a change in Singapore, you’re about 17-19 hours away.
Because of the time difference (piece later in and the duration of the flight, you will arrive in Bali during day 2. A connecting flight to Flores is often no longer possible, and so from here you will first be taken to a hotel nearby to recover for a night before flying on to Flores.
On day 3, after breakfast, you will depart from Bali to Maumere on Flores. This domestic flight has a stopover and often takes a total of 5-6 hours. Upon arrival in Maumere on the island of Flores, you will be welcomed by a local representative. You will be taken to Sea World Club or Capa Resort for a 1st night’s stay on Flores.
Day 4 | From Maumere to Moni
After breakfast, visit Wuring, a fishing villagenear Maumere. You then proceed to Sikka, which is known for its old 1899 church and the local sale of Ikat-fabrics. At Paga Beach you have the opportunity to relax and, if you want, swim. You stay overnight in Kelimutu Eco Lodge at Moni, where the rooms have no air conditioning because of the cool hill climate. In the evening you can take a stroll through the small village Moni.
Meals included: Breakfast
+/- 100 km
Day 5 | Moni, Mt. Kelimutu & Riung
You will start your day early with an alarm clock for the spectacular adventure to Kelimutu Volcano. After a short walk of just 30 minutes, you will reach the viewpoint where you will enjoy the breathtaking sunrise. Kelimutu, also known as the “Mountain of Spirits,” is known worldwide for its unique three colored lakes: Turquoise, Brown and Black. The play of colors is caused by the dissolved minerals in the water. After the sunrise, return to the hotel and enjoy a delicious breakfast.
Then continue your journey to Riung via Ende. Along the way, you will make several stops, such as at the bustling Ndua Ria Fruit Market and the traditional village of Saga of the Lionese tribe.
As you travel on, you will be surrounded by breathtaking scenery along the scenic south coast. A highlight of this ride is a stop at the beautiful green stone beach of Pengga Jawa.
You then travel to the drier north coast of Flores. Keep in mind that the last part of the road may be in inferior condition, but it is worth it for the adventurous traveler. You will stay today at the accommodation of Pondok SVD or Café Delmar.
Included Meals: Breakfast
You will cover about 180 km this day.
Day 6 | From Riung to Bajawa
Today a boat trip to the National Park 17 Islands near Riung is scheduled. Here you can go snorkeling at a beautiful coral reef. A snorkeling kit is included with the tour. But before diving into the water, make a stop at the coastal mangrove forests, where hundreds of Flying Foxes (Pteropus bats) hang out.
During the boat ride, enjoy a delicious lunch on one of the remote islands, surrounded by breathtaking views. After lunch, you will depart for Bajawa. Along the way, visit the Soa hotspring, where hot water bubbles up from the ground. If you want, you can take a relaxing bath here.
Once you arrive in Bajawa, check into the Manulalu Villa hotel, where you can enjoy the comfortable accommodation. You will spend the night in a brand new bungalow in Bajawa called Manulalu Villa. Today you will cover about 65 km.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7 | Bajawa - Ruteng
In the morning you will visit the traditional village of Luba & Bena. This village is not only well preserved, with megaliths next to the old houses, but also has a beautiful location overlooking the majestic Mount Inerie. You will be enchanted by the atmosphere and heritage of this special village.
In the afternoon, you will depart for Ruteng. Along the way, make a stop in Aimere, where you can witness the process of processing palm wine. A fascinating glimpse into the local craft tradition. Next, visit Liang Bua Cave, where the bones of the short Homo Floresiensis, also known as the “hobbit,” were recently unearthed by scientists. An intriguing place full of archaeological significance.
You will stay overnight at the comfortable Spring Hill Bungalow or Sindha Hotel in Ruteng, where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. In total, you will cover about 133 km today.
Day 8 & 9 | Ruteng, Denge & Wae Rebo Trekking
In the morning you will leave for Denge. Along the way, stop at the beautiful cobweb rice fields in Cancar, which offer breathtaking views. Upon arrival at Denge Village, enjoy lunch at a local guesthouse before starting the trek to Wae Rebo.
To get to Wae Rebo, use an Ojek (motorcycle cab) that will take you to Post 1, called Wae Komba. From there, the hike begins uphill through the rainforest. After about an hour of trekking from Denge, you’ll reach Wae Lomba, a beautiful creek where you can relax in the natural pools before continuing your trek.
You continue uphill to Post 2, called Pocoroko, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the south and the Savu Sea. This is also the last place where you have cell phone connection. The next stop is Nampe Bakok, where you have a full view of the traditional village of Waerebo.
In the late afternoon you will arrive in Waerebo, where you will be warmly welcomed. Dinner will be provided in the village and you will have the rest of the afternoon to explore the village and its surroundings and experience the local way of life. You stay overnight in one of the traditional houses, where you share accommodation with the hospitable locals. Keep in mind that the accommodation is very basic, but it offers a unique cultural experience.
The next morning you will return downhill following the same route until you reach a point where the car is ready to take you to Labuan Bajo. Lunch will be arranged along the way. You will arrive in Labuan Bajo late afternoon or early evening and be dropped off at Hotel Bintang Flores, where you will stay in a Deluxe room (or similar hotel).
Meals included: Breakfast (day 8&9), Lunch (day 8&9), Dinner (day 8)
Day 10 | Cunca Wulang Canyon - Caci performance
You will depart in the morning for Cunca Wulang Canyon, located 30 km east of Labuan Bajo. This area is surrounded by a tropical rainforest. You will be impressed by the beautiful waterfalls that empty into freshwater pools and then continue as a series of smaller waterfalls and rivers several miles downstream. Among other things, you can hike and swim in the refreshing waters here.
The walk to Cunca Wulang from Wersawe Village is particularly pleasant, lined by rice fields in various stages of their planting and harvesting cycle. Along the way, you will also encounter vanilla, coffee, candlenut and cocoa plants.
Lunch will be provided with a lunch box. On the way back, we make a stop at the village of Melo to witness the impressive whip dance (Tari Caci) famous among the Manggarai people of West Flores. In the afternoon, we return to Labuan Bajo and are taken to the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 11 | Start of the Komodo liveaboard
Today the liveaboard starts and you board the beautiful sailing ship Moana. You start with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and then board the transfer to Labuan Bajo harbor, the starting point of the liveaboard. Embarkation starts at 11 am and the crew will be waiting for you with a welcome drink. After arrival you can unpack your gear 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 is made. If there is enough time, a night dive can also be made.
Day 12 | 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 13 | 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 14 | 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 15 | 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 the hike, 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 last 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 16 & 17 | Back in Labuan Bajo & back home
In the morning, the Moana arrives back at the port of Labuan Bajo and the last day of this round-trip liveaboard trip has arrived. A transfer is waiting to take you to the airport of Labuan Bajo. You will fly back home with a transfer in Bali.
The accommodations
The ship and its facilities
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 travel package is € 3.499 per person based on two people in one room/hut. The trip can be extended as desired. A number of things are included by default 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.
Would you rather dive first and then go on a tour? That is of course also possible. We can easily adapt the program to your wishes.
Want to know more about the possibilities? Get in touch with us!
Included in this trip, from € 3.499 p.p.
- Round trip
- Listed accommodations
- 1 night stay with locals in Wae Rebo
- Accommodation based on meals mentioned in daily program
- Riung boat ride
- Liveaboard Moana
- 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 as mentioned in program
- Cabin towels, deck towels, beach towels
- General
- Overnight stay near Bali airport incl. breakfast
- Return transfers
- VZR & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flights from € 1.300 p.p.
- Dive & Travel Insurance
- Visa to Indonesia (approx. €30)
- Liveaboard: National Park Fees (€150)
- Alcoholic beverages on board Moana
- 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
- Rental diving equipment (€225)
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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.
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