Critters and Giants Expedition June 2020

Postponed to 2021

Big Animals and World Class Critters on One Trip!

21 June – 2 July 2020

We are very happy to introduce an exciting new trip for 2020.  This special itinerary is a great new twist on the typical Komodo itinerary, we are hosting an exciting, customized Big Animals Expedition!  On this trip we will be concentrating on encounters with whale sharks and manta rays.  Of course, we will also find time to interact with a few Komodo Dragons!  However, this doesn’t mean we will be ignoring what has made the region famous.  In between encounters with these oceanic giants, we will be hitting the best critter spots as well.  This journey is a one of a kind adventure with the largest variety of attractions in Indonesia.

Whalesharks Mantas and More!

We are working with the management of the Samambaia to create a one of kind itinerary for this trip.  Unlike most Komodo trips, which try to visit all of the best sites, we will be concentrating on sites with Big Animals and Critters.  Whalesharks are high on everyone’s diving bucket list, so we will spend two days with these gentle giants.  We never tire of diving with mantas, they are one of the most charismatic big animals in the ocean.  Komodo has an amazing variety of sites which feature manta rays, but Manta Alley is the best.  Our plan is to spend two mornings at this incredible site where trains of mantas often appear. However, it’s not only the big animals on our radar.  The Komodo region is one of the most productive critter destinations in Indonesia.

Dates and Itinerary

The Big Animals Expedition runs from 21 June to 2 July 2020. Our host for this exciting trip is the Samambaia Liveaboard, a traditionally designed Indonesian Phinisi.  The trip will start in Bali on the 21st of June, therefore no domestic flights are needed.  We will depart from south Bali near Sanur, therefore, no diving will happen on that day.

21 June – board the boat and overnight travel, in other words, relax and gear setup day

22 June – East Lombok/West Sumbawa, diving

23 June – early morning adventures with whalesharks, diving in the afternoon near Moyo Island

24 June – early morning adventures with whalesharks, diving in the afternoon at Satonda

25 June – critter focused diving around the island of Sangeang

26 June – diving the beautiful reefs of Banta Island area, perhaps a visit to the beach

27 June – morning diving around Manta Alley in south Komodo, weather permittiing.  Afternoon diving in south Komodo

28 June – morning diving around Manta Alley in south Komodo, weather permitting. Afternoon diving in south Komodo or Padar

29 June – diving in the famous Horseshoe Bay.  Encounter Komodo Dragons on the beach for wonderful photo opportunities

30 June – diving in central or north Komodo National Park

1 July – morning dives in central or north Komodo National Park, after that a relaxing afternoon or non diving activities

2 July – departure in Labuan Bajo, flight to Bali or Jakarta

We will be flying domestically on the 2nd of July, therefore, we recommend that international flights are planned for 3 July.

The Samambaia and Pricing

The Samambaia is the perfect vessel for our Big Animals Expedition.  She comfortably holds 14 passengers with 6 double/twin rooms and 1 Double Master cabin. A spacious camera room is a wonderful feature for underwater photographers on this trip. On days where there is no whaleshark activity planned we will do up to 4 dives per day.

The Master Cabin is already sold out for this sailing.

There are 6 standard cabins, priced at USD $5368 per person based on twin/double share.  2 cabins are double only, 2 are twin only, and 2 can be either twin or double.

These prices do not include Komodo Park fees ($125 at time of publishing), Harbour and Fuel charges of $225, and Whaleshark fees $100 per person per day.

Check Out Our Other Trips

Have a look at our Upcoming Trips page to see all of the trips we have available.

Please Contact Us today to secure your place for this very special trip!