Jakaré

AM: Pick up Guests at Labuan Bajo airport or Hotel in the morning then board Jakare in the port of Labuan Bajo. Welcomed drinks and snacks will be served while Cruise Director will brief the guests on the safety, onboard organization, overall itinerary and present the crew. Guests will then be shown their cabins to settle in, refresh and get ready for the start of the Cruise.

PM: Jakaré will sail toward Pulau Sebayur, approximately 10NM. This sailing time is usually a good time for resting and briefing on the cruise and activities. The guests will enjoy the nice snorkeling in the coral garden or discover the beautiful nearby beaches in Kayak and SUP and get familiar with the equipment.

Jakare will then sail southward to Pulau Kaaba (10NM) after lunch and anchor just close to the small island. We will then propose a visit of Rinca Village nearby or snorkeling and swimming around the Jakare. Bats watching will start at sunset and will last couple of hours. Guests will be able to enjoy the sundeck and watch the stars if the sky is clear.

Diver option: a refresh dive at Sebayur Kecil, easy dive for everyone to test the equipment, refresh the dive skills and get familiar with the facilities.

AM: Jakare will sail toward nearby Pulau Kambing early morning to arrive at mooring area around 7:30, early enough to start at dawn our walk to avoid the heat. Transport from Vessel to shore at Loh Buaya will be done via Dinghy and guests will be welcomed by the rangers at the little pier and brought to the national park office where the rangers will give us instructions. Guided by one of the rangers, the amazing walk in the rinca savannah will last between 30min to 2 hours depending on the circuit chosen. Komodo dragons and wild animals like wild boar or deer are commonly observed closed to the rangers station and in the wild.

After the walk, guest will get back to Jakare where they will enjoy a nice refreshing swim around the boat before taking their breakfast.

PM: Jakare will then heads for Pulau Padar (12NM). Upon arrival, we will propose activities like snorkeling, beach discovery or a Kayak / SUP ride along beautiful and untouched Padar coastline.

For the most active guests, Climb Padar view point at sunset will be organised and then return for dinner on board Jakare.

Diver Options:

• Dive at Pulau Tengah (for advanced only), this is a dynamic dive, a pinnacle well exposed in the middle of the main Komodo current stream. The walls are full of soft and hard corals and depending on the conditions, big schools of fishes can be spotted there. Turtle, sharks, jacks and other pelagic fiches play on the edge of the current

• Dive at Three Sisters: located south east of Padar, the dive site consists of 3 main big submerged rocks ranging from 3 to 30m water depth. Well known for the nudibranchs and critters diversity but also for schools of yellow and blue fusiliers, coral fishes and as well as some pelagic fishes.

• Alternatively, dive Padar Wreck just north of Padar Kecil with lots of sealife and kritters.

AM: Wake up early morning and climb Padar for a fantastic sunrise over the Komodo archipelago. Return to Jakare and enjoy a rich breakfast and jump, swim around the boat to cool down. Or alternatively and depending on the conditions, snorkelling will be organised after the breakfast.

PM: Jakare will then leave and head north. We will stop at Namo for diving and snorkelling. One or two dives will be organised there. Namo is an easy snorkelling and diving location away from the beaten track, which has a lot to offer.

After Namo, Jakare will stop in one of the most visited sites in Komodo: pantai merah or pink beach. Visit of the beautiful beach, snorkelling and diving.

From the Jakare moored at location, various activities around the nearby islands, beach, walk or snorkelling will be organised.

Guests will be able to enjoy sunset on the beach and get back to Jakare where dinner will be served.

Diver Option:

• Padar: Pilarsteen, a nice wall covered with colourful corals and sponges and full of marine life like large schools of fusiliers. The landscape is really interesting with caves and swim throughs at different depths.

• Dive Namo: often with great visibility, lots of marine life, soft and hard coral. Sharks and turtles can be spotted there.

• Dive pantai merah or Pink Drift: this colourful and easy dive has a lot to offer, nice coral, school of fusiliers and a good selection of critters.

AM: Wake up early and sail to Central Komodo. Guest will be able to enjoy their breakfast en route toward Komodo Central. Jakare will take a mooring or anchor at Pulau Siabah or thereabout.

Divers will leave with the dinghy for Karang Makassar, the famous manta rays cleaning and feeding station.

Karang Makassar: access will be done via dinghy. This is a rewarding snorkelling site where manta rays or eagle rays may be spotted from the surface. The site is located in 8-15m water depth and manta rays are coming from all over to get cleaned by small fishes and feed from the rich nutrient filled waters. A unique spectacle offered by these majestic fishes that should not be missed.

PM: After a good break and good lunch onboard, Jakare will then move to Pulau Tatawa where snorkelling can be organised if the conditions are favourable. Another current site offering very healthy hard and soft corals and a lot of marine life. Turtles are usually spotted there.

Jakare will then sail up north to Pulau Gili Lawa and anchor in a peaceful bay (10NM). With a little bit of luck, guests may spot wild animals like wild boar or local deer on the beaches or savannah of Pulau Komodo.

Diving options:

• Karang Makassar or Mawan to see the Manta rays

• Batu Bolong for a colourful explosion: Batu Bolong is an emerging pinnacle in the middle of the channel and offers current dive on this dynamic reef facing directly the current. The soft and hard corals are really colourful and healthy, the all food chain is on open display there, from reef fishes feeding on rich waters full of nutrients to big pelagic including black tip and white tip sharks and giant trevally. Schools of yellow fins barracudas, yellow snappers, silver trevally are very common as well as dogtooth tunas. A must not to be missed.

AM: After an early morning wake up and climbing of Gili Lawa main view point, guests will enjoy the sunrise over the Komodo archipelago (subject to the island reopen for trekking).

Snorkeling at Golden Passage: both sites of the passage are exposed to current as located in the passage between Gili Lawa Darat island and Komodo Island. Both sites offer beautiful and healthy soft and hard corals as well as plentiful marine life, including turtles and sometimes pelagic hunting fishes.

Jakare will then make her way to East side of Gili Lawa in a nice bay at the passage between Gili Lawa Darat and Gili Lawa Laut.

If the conditions are favourable, we will then propose a snorkelling session at the entry or exit locations of the Coldron dive as these locations offer spectacular snorkelling due to their specific locations. Pelagic fishes, Mantas and turtle are often encountered there.

PM: Early afternoon, Jakare will sail eastward toward Labuan Bajo (16NM).

Guests will have the opportunity to review and exchange their photos or films from the wonderful time spent together. A small ceremony and good-byes from the Crew will be organised onboard the Jakare before leaving the boat to the airport or hotel at around 4PM.

Diving option :

• Golden Passage: see above.

• Crystal Rock: named for its usual crystal clear waters, this dive site is an exposed pinnacle directly facing current and attracting a lot of marine life including reef fishes themselves attracting pelagic such as reef sharks, grey sharks and giant trevally. The dive site is large enough to accommodate all diving levels, with also a large number of small creatures to be found in the less exposed gentle slopes corals.

• Coldron: the Coldron is one of the most spectacular dives of Komodo. The dive site is actually a passage between Gili Lawa Darat and Gili Lawa Laut creating an interesting topography and strong current that attracts a lot of sea life and have stunning hard coral gardens on each side of the path. Eagle ray and manta rays can be spotted there as well as lots of pelagic fishes like trevally, tunas and others. The Coldron is also home of a lot of tiny critters such as frogfishes and nudibranchs.

AM: Welcome to West Papua! Arriving at Sorong Airport, the gateway to the Raja Ampat archipelago, you are met and taken to the port to board your Indonesian schooner the Jakaré. A welcome cocktail, presentation of the premises and settling in your cabin. Before setting off, the crew will explain the safety regulations and give you more details of your cruise to the Raja Ampat.

PM: You head off to the big island of Waigeo which joins the island of Kri to the east of Mansuar island. At the end of the day, will be the first dive in the crystal clear waters surrounded by the tropical forests of Yenbuba bay and a stroll in the village.

AM: First sunrise at sea. During the cruise, you can alternate between scuba diving and snorkeling sessions among the beautiful coral . In the Yenbuba bay, turtles and multicolored fish dance amid the magnificent corals.

PM: Relax on the beach of Yenbuba and stroll through the village. Further on, the waters of Cape Kri are home to 374 different species. One of the most varied underwater landscapes of the Raja Ampat. Third dive in Saunderek. The day ends with a visit to the village where numerous encounters await you. After sunset, you sail due North at sea crossing the Equator for a night of sailing to the Wayag archipelago.

AM: Waking up in the heart of the Wayag archipelago, one of the most beautiful of Raja Ampat: turquoise blue atolls topped by emerald green karst mountains. It is made up of more than 600 islets and cradles the greatest underwater diversity in the world. You get off the boat on Wayag Island for a hike to the top of Mount Pindito, which offers one of the most unique panoramic views in the world.

PM: Then, two dives await you as well as many aquatic activities: kayaking or stand up paddle. Underwater, you get to meet the majestic manta rays in a secret spot as well as superb giant clams over a meter wide. Night at anchor in an unforgettable lagoon.

AM: At dawn, depart the Wayag Islands and sail towards Kawe Island on your majestic schooner. You cross the equator again to reach the day’s diving and snorkelling spots. At Black Rock, you can swim in the middle of the coral gardens where large Napoleon fish roam.

PM: Travelling west along Kawe Island to reach Eagle Rock. It is not uncommon to see manta rays dancing and some carpet sharks hiding in the reefs. Sailing continues south-east to Aljui Bay. Anchorage in front of a pearl farm

AM: After a few days of sailing, everyone is settled on board and harmony reigns on the boat. Before going back to sea, you visit a pearl farm to understand the process of cultivating and harvesting of these little jewels of the Pacific. The adventure continues towards the island of Wofoh to indulge in your favorite activities: beaches, snorkelling and diving. Turtles are generally found in this corner of paradise. Go kayaking to discover the deserted white sand beaches. Masks and snorkels are enough to admire the gorgonian forests as far as the eye can see.

PM: In the afternoon, head southwest towards the island of Maniafun where you anchor for the night.

AM: With everyone still sleeping the boat weighs anchor as it reaches Pienemu Island in the light of day. On the program, here are two renowned diving spots. Keruo Channel, an incredible passage between two islands and Melissa’s Garden, refuge of the wobbegong, the famous carpet sharks. A striking spectacle of a beautiful totally virgin underwater world in the midst of multicolored corals.

PM: After lunch, the boat drops anchor near the entrance to a lagoon. Walk and explore to admire the karst mountains of Pienemu. Underwater or on land, nature is lush and unspoiled. In the afternoon, the cruise continues to Yangello Island in the middle of a peaceful mangrove. Gourmet dinner is served on board in a heavenly setting.

AM: The morning activities include, diving and kayaking exploration of the mangrove of Yangello. Aboard the schooner , you will sail toward Arborek Island. Exceptional snorkeling off the coast of Arborek: harmless tortoises and gray reef sharks are abound. Stroll through the Papuan village and relax on the beach.

PM: You embark again for Manta Sandy, a virtual cleaning station where manta rays come to be pampered by wrasses and butterfly fish. You will catch a glimpse of the ballet of the immense black manta rays. From the boat, you might see them jump out of the water. As the sailboat continues on its way to Mioskon Island, you can enjoy the scenery from the deck of the boat.

AM: Located near Mansuar Island. The day begins at dawn for several extraordinary diving sessions at renowned spots of Mioskon, Blue Magic, Sardines reef and other incredible places. This area of ​​the Strait of Dampier is prone to currents, the seabed is composed of intact corals and schools of fish of different kinds including pygmy seahorses.

PM: On your comfortable ship, you sail to the island of Friwen, ideally situated for exploring the surroundings. Whilst watching the sunset, you will enjoy an excellent dinner on board. Night at Anchor.

AM: Wake up early for a hike on dry land in the middle of the jungle listening to the sounds of the birds of paradise, an endemic species of West Papua. Ride in a dugout canoe then walk for about 30 minutes in the company of your local guide. The day continues with a dive at Mike’s Point or Friwen Wall in the Strait of Dampier. A festival of colorful underwater life comes alive in front of your masks. Nearby Gam Island, is a spot renowned for the diversity of species evolving in the splendid coral plateau.

PM: Return to Friwen Island for a swim, snorkel or just relax on the deck of the boat. In the evening, a beach barbecue is organized specially for you.

AM: When you wake up, the boat will have already been sailing for several hours to Sorong. Enjoy the last moments on this unique boat. The morning is devoted to discussions with the crew who accompanied you during this cruise to the Raja Ampat. Have your logbook validated, exchange your photos and addresses.

PM: In the early afternoon, you disembark from the boat and are back on the mainland. It’s time to say goodbye to your crew and get back on the road with your private driver for your transfer to the airport or hotel. End of our services.

AM: Pick up the guests at Ambon Airport early morning and then boarding Jakare at Teluhu. After introduction to our boat, our crew, safety procedures and presentation of the itinerary Jakare will leave for Nusa Laut and stop over at Pulau mamala for a check dive/snorkelling.

PM: After the check dive Jakare will head East toward Nusa Laut where we will stay overnight

AM: We will plan three dives out of a reef, either slope or wall diving. Snorkeling sessions are also amazing there with healthy reefs full of life.

PM: After the dives and snorkeling sessions, Jakare will sail overnight southward, toward Pulau Suanggi.

AM: Jakare will arrive in Suanggi early morning. We are planning 3 dives there on slopes and pinnacles and hope to encounter Hammerhead sharks.

PM: Latest by mid-afternoon, Jakare will sail to Banda Neira to arrive at sunset in this beautiful harbour. Overnight in Banda Neira Harbour.

AM & PM: This group of islands around Banda Neira is famous for its history (famous for being the only place where Nutmeg grew) and also its spectacular and exceptional diving. The three days stay around Banda Island will be dedicated to visit historical places (museum and fort) and dive various exceptional dive sites including in Banda Neira (lava Flow & Batu Kapal) Pulau Hatta (Karang Hata, Tanjung Buton, the Wall) and Pulau Run. Sea live if abundant there and the chances of encountering large pelagic are high, including the famous schools of Hammerhead sharks, mobula rays, dog tooth tunas and enormous schools of fusiliers. We will also show you the famous mandarin fish and other small critters in the port of Banda.

At day 6, after the exploration of band island and diving in Pulau Hatta, we will sail overnight to Pulau Manuk (weather permitting).

AM & PM: This group of islands around Banda Neira is famous for its history (famous for being the only place where Nutmeg grew) and also its spectacular and exceptional diving. The three days stay around Banda Island will be dedicated to visit historical places (museum and fort) and dive various exceptional dive sites including in Banda Neira (lava Flow & Batu Kapal) Pulau Hatta (Karang Hata, Tanjung Buton, the Wall) and Pulau Run. Sea live if abundant there and the chances of encountering large pelagic are high, including the famous schools of Hammerhead sharks, mobula rays, dog tooth tunas and enormous schools of fusiliers. We will also show you the famous mandarin fish and other small critters in the port of Banda.

At day 6, after the exploration of band island and diving in Pulau Hatta, we will sail overnight to Pulau Manuk (weather permitting).

AM & PM: This group of islands around Banda Neira is famous for its history (famous for being the only place where Nutmeg grew) and also its spectacular and exceptional diving. The three days stay around Banda Island will be dedicated to visit historical places (museum and fort) and dive various exceptional dive sites including in Banda Neira (lava Flow & Batu Kapal) Pulau Hatta (Karang Hata, Tanjung Buton, the Wall) and Pulau Run. Sea live if abundant there and the chances of encountering large pelagic are high, including the famous schools of Hammerhead sharks, mobula rays, dog tooth tunas and enormous schools of fusiliers. We will also show you the famous mandarin fish and other small critters in the port of Banda.

At day 6, after the exploration of band island and diving in Pulau Hatta, we will sail overnight to Pulau Manuk (weather permitting).

AM: Jakare will arrive in Manuk early morning. The Island is located approximately 60 NM South from Pulau Hatta, right in the middle of the Banda Sea. We are planning 3 dives there mainly on pinnacles and hope to encounter Hammerhead sharks and other great pelagic.

PM: By late-afternoon, Jakare will sail overnight back to Banda Neira to arrive at sunrise. Overnight at Banda Neira or other place depending on the weather (weather permitting, Jakare will stay overnight at Pulau Manuk).

AM&PM: Day 8 will be an occasion to return to Banda Neira and explore additional dive sites or enjoy again the best of the diving sites around the islands (alternately more diving will be proposed at Pulau Manuk and Pulau Hatta).

AM: Arriving early at Pulau Suanggi, from Banda Neira, we will propose another day exploring this exceptional dive site allowing more chances to encounter the Hammerheads. 2 or 3 dives will be proposed at pinnacles or slopes.

PM: Jakare will then leave for Ambon by early evening. Overnight sailing to Ambon.

AM: The last day will be dedicated to travel back to Ambon (mainly overnight) and get ready for the end of the cruise.

PM: Arrival by mid-day. Filling the diving log books, stamping the logbook by the Diving Instructor / dive master and exchanging addresses and photos from the wonderful time spent together. A small ceremony will be organized on board the Jakare before leaving the boat to the airport or hotel.

AM: Pick up the guests at Ambo Airport and then boarding Jakare.

PM: Depending on the time of arrival, the first day will be dedicated to settle in, introduction to our boat, our crew, safety procedures and presentation of the itinerary and various options. Possibly a check dive will be done.

AM&PM: The second day will be dedicated to a check dive (if not done the first day) and two muck dives will be organized in the bay of Ambon. We will leave for Nusa Laut after dinner and sail overnight.

AM: Jakare will arrive in Nusa Laut early morning. The Island is located approximately 55 NM West from Ambon. It lies just off the south-western corner of Saparua island, separated from it by a deep channel.

PM: We will plan two dives out of a reef, either slope or wall diving. After the dives Jakare will sail overnight southward, toward Banda Island (80NM).

AM&PM: This group of islands around Banda Neira is famous for its history (famous for being the only place where Nutmeg grew) and also its spectacular and exceptional diving. The two days stay around Banda Island will be dedicated to visit historical places (museum and fort) and dive various exceptional dive sites. Sea live if abundant there and the chances of encountering large pelagic are high, including the famous schools of Hammerhead sharks, mobula rays, dogtoooth tunas and enormous schools of fusiliers. We will also show you the famous mandarin fish and other small critters in the port of Banda.

AM: This group of islands around Banda Neira is famous for its history (famous for being the only place where Nutmeg grew) and also its spectacular and exceptional diving. The two days stay around Banda Island will be dedicated to visit historical places (museum and fort) and dive various exceptional dive sites. Sea live if abundant there and the chances of encountering large pelagic are high, including the famous schools of Hammerhead sharks, mobula rays, dogtoooth tunas and enormous schools of fusiliers. We will also show you the famous mandarin fish and other small critters in the port of Banda.

PM: After the exploration of Banda Islands, we will sail overnight north easterly toward the south-eastern point of Seram island namely a small island called Pulau Koon (85NM).

AM: We will reach Pulau Koon in the early morning and plan our dives according to the tides and currents. The dives there offer plenty of marine life, from big fishes to small reef creatures. The all food chain is on open display, from reef fishes feeding on rich waters full of nutrients to big pelagic creatures, including schools of fusiliers and surgeon fishes, giant trevallies, large groupers but also sharks and sometime manta or mobula rays.

PM: After two dives at Pulau Koon, around the same dive site, Jakare will head to Pulau Madorang on the way to South Raja Ampat (20NM). We will stop for a wall dive and then head north and sail overnight to Misool (92NM).

AM&PM: We will arrive by midday in the Misool Area and will start the discovery of underwater and above water wonders in coordination with the local authorities and hotels. Hence the locations and dive sites below may be explored in a different sequence depending on the situation at the time of the cruise.

In the Boo area, we will dive Boo Window, a reference dive site with extraordinary tunnels or openings piercing the rock from the surface to underwater below. Other dive sites include Bo West, Magic Mountain and/or Yiliet Kecil, both sites knowns for their huge gorgonian sea fans and lots of reef fishes and sea life including turtles, reef sharks and barracudas and even some mantas if we are lucky.

AM&PM: We will arrive by midday in the Misool Area and will start the discovery of underwater and above water wonders in coordination with the local authorities and hotels. Hence the locations and dive sites below may be explored in a different sequence depending on the situation at the time of the cruise.

In the Fiabecet area, we will dive a well-known and famous Fiabacet Ridge where pelagic fishes and turtles can be seen. This site offers great underwater ridges connecting Tank Rock and Nudi Rock sites. Fiabacet Pinnacle and Whale Rock offer great soft corals and are rich in healthy fish life including small creatures like seahorse Barbiganti and Denise pygmy.

AM&PM: We will arrive by midday in the Misool Area and will start the discovery of underwater and above water wonders in coordination with the local authorities and hotels. Hence the locations and dive sites below may be explored in a different sequence depending on the situation at the time of the cruise.

We will dive in the breath-taking Neptune Fan Sea channel and its profusion of big gorgonians sea fans. We will also dive Four King where a very healthy fish life (both pelagic and coral fishes) can be observed in a very specific underwater topography made of four pinnacles. Other nice dive sites include Barracuda point, wedding cake and dunia Kecil.

AM&PM: We will arrive by midday in the Misool Area and will start the discovery of underwater and above water wonders in coordination with the local authorities and hotels. Hence the locations and dive sites below may be explored in a different sequence depending on the situation at the time of the cruise.

Pele’s Playground, the most westerly site of the Waaf’s island group delivers often a spectacle with schools of anchovies and pelagic predators. Kaleidoscope, on Pele North West side, is well known for its black coral and multi colors soft corals and gorgonian fans. Manta rays have been spotted in this area where again very healthy fish live can be observed in shallow and deeper parts.

AM: We will arrive by midday in the Misool Area and will start the discovery of underwater and above water wonders in coordination with the local authorities and hotels. Hence the locations and dive sites below may be explored in a different sequence depending on the situation at the time of the cruise.

Balbulol offers not only excellent diving sites but also amazing landscape above water with crystal clear water, limestone mounts and small hidden lagoons. The dive sites include Baby Rock, Balbulol Corner, Balbulol plateau and many others. Drop off, canyon, pinnacle and a healthy fish life with beautiful hard and soft corals in shallow waters.

PM: Guest may enjoy discovery of the surrounding with Kayaks and SUP as well as superb snorkeling. Jakare will leaves for Sorong in the afternoon and will sail overnight (80NM).

AM: The last day will be dedicated to travel back to Sorong (mainly overnight) and get ready for the end of the cruise. Filling the diving log books, stamping the logbook by the Diving Instructor / dive master and exchanging addresses and photos from the wonderful time spent together.

PM: A small ceremony will be organized on board the Jakare before leaving the boat to the airport or hotel.