Between the beautiful Indonesian islands of Sumbawa and Flores is Komodo National Park. Though the park itself is most renowned for its resident Komodo dragons, a plunge under the sea reveals hundreds of colorful species of fish, manta rays, corals, turtles, and more. To see for yourself, here are our ten suggestions for the best Komodo liveaboard boat to go on.
The dive sites in Komodo are known to have strong currents and offer a variety of dive conditions ranging from rocky, to deep, to coral gardens, within the park itself. There are over forty sites to choose from and experiencing the park from a liveaboard is the only way to reach sites that are hard to access – but totally worth it once you do.
If you’re not already an experienced diver, consider getting your advanced open water certificate or refreshing your dive skills with a few fun dives before hopping on board.
THE KOMODO LIVEABOARD BOATS – A COMPARISON
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
4 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN DIVING WITH A LIVEABOARD IN KOMODO, INDONESIA
1. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO TO KOMODO?
The best time to go to Komodo National Park is during the region’s dry season, which takes place from March to October. During the wet season, many liveaboard boats service the southern part of the national park or other islands of Indonesia where the weather is less likely to pose a problem.
For the best prices, fewer crowds, and great weather, head to Komodo National Park during the shoulder season in the months of March to June or the end of August to October.
2. WHAT’S YOUR BUDGET?
No matter what your budget is, you should never sacrifice money for safety. Before boarding any dive boat, check that the company has reputable dive accreditations and a safe history.
Liveaboard trips range from $1,500 to $6,000 depending on your living conditions, duration of the trip, and sites that the boat will be heading to. Some liveaboards have extra taxes, port fees, or transport fees that you should ask about before booking your trip.
Before choosing a boat, it’s smart to decide what’s important to you. Are you willing to sleep in a dorm bed to go on a longer trip? Or are you willing to go on a shorter trip if it means you’ll be comfortable the entire time?
There is always a quality versus quantity balance that comes into play when choosing the best liveaboard for you.
3. WHAT MARINE LIFE DO YOU WANT TO SEE?
Many divers will say that Komodo National Park is one of their favorite dive regions in all of Indonesia, if not the world – and for good reason! From large animals like manta rays, eagle rays, sharks, dolphins, and sea turtles to schools of fish to pygmy seahorses and nudibranchs, there’s no shortage of marine life around the park.
Manta rays tend to come during the wet season, so dive from August to December if swimming with those intelligent creatures are a priority. Otherwise, you’re likely to see all types of marine creatures no matter when you go. To learn more about manta rays, you’ll love reading this article about the secret lives of manta rays by the San Diego Union Tribune.
4. WHAT GEAR SHOULD YOU BRING?
Since you will be diving frequently and likely won’t have anywhere to swap gear if your rental gear doesn’t fit properly, you should bring your own. In addition to your dive gear, you’ll also want to pack a book for down time, comfortable clothes for lounging, and toiletries that you’ll need. The region is known for being off-the-grid, so don’t expect reliable Wi-Fi or phone reception on any vessel.
If you’re an underwater photographer, you’ll want to also pack your dive camera, lenses and strobes to capture the beauty of Komodo.
Check out our dive travel packing list to make sure you don’t leave any important pieces of gear at home.
VIDEO: SCUBA DIVING IN KOMODO
KOMODO LIVEABOARD REVIEWS
THE BEST 7 KOMODO LIVEABOARD BOATS OF THE YEAR
LA GALIGO
Photo Credit: La Galigo Liveaboard
La Galigo is a 33-meter-long liveaboard with seven luxury cabins each with a private hot shower and bathroom, air conditioning, and daily housekeeping. There is a lounge room with flat screen TV and PS4 as well as a deck where you can bond with your dive buddies over a cold drink. The liveaboard has an average of 12 crew members per every 10 guests. You can rent dive gear if booked in advance. La Galigo caters for divers looking for adventure with the right amount of comfort.
Check The Latest Price At:
Liveaboard.com | Diviac
CALICO JACK
Photo Credit: Calico Jack Liveaboard
This traditional, hand-made liveaboard is 30 meters long and combines modern luxury with antique style. The boat has four rooms with en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning, daily housekeeping, kayaks, an outside dining area, charging stations, and has a staff of eight crew members. With two dive tenders and multiple onboard air compressors, divers can take the plunge up to four times per day. For an all-around great liveaboard that doesn’t break your budget, opt for Calico Jack.
Check The Latest Price At:
Liveaboard.com
ARENUI
Photo Credit: Arenui Liveaboard
A real beauty of a boat, the 43-meter Arenui Liveaboard offers five-star service for divers of all abilities. Each of the eight cabins have air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, daily housekeeping, and is decorated with objects made by Indonesian artists. On the top deck, dine in a luxury restaurant with local cuisine made by top notch chefs. On the Arenui, you’ll feel pampered with their massage services and shaded relaxation areas. Those who have been on this liveaboard in the past frequently cite great customer service.
Check The Latest Price At:
Liveaboard.com | Diviac
SAMAMBAIA
Photo Credit: Samambaia Liveaboard
Samambaia is a traditional Indonesian sailing vessel that services over four main areas of the Komodo National Park like Ambon, Labaun Bajo, Serangan, and the Banda Islands. This 40-meter vessel has air conditioned cabins decorated with local artwork and batik pillows. The master cabin has a king size bed and 180-degree ocean views. When not diving, guests can enjoy the air conditioned TV lounge room or relax in one of the deck’s lounge chairs. Most meals are buffet style, so guests can eat however much they need to refuel for the next day’s dive. If you’re looking to splurge, you can’t go wrong booking the master room on Samambaia.
Check The Latest Price At:
Liveaboard.com | Diviac
WAOW
Photo Credit: WAOW Liveaboard
The WAOW vessel was handcrafted by Indonesian ship makers to bring divers to the most remote sites in Indonesia. The 10 cabins are spacious, have air conditioning, private bathrooms, personal entertainment systems, daily housekeeping, and soft beds. The ship has massage areas, a room to view your photographs, a hammock, and even a shaded deck. During your surface interval, try your hand at standup paddling, kayaking, or snorkeling. Each meal is three courses and is a mix between Western and local dishes. If you want an authentic Indonesian experience paired with a luxury atmosphere, opt for the WAOW liveaboard.
Check The Latest Price At:
Liveaboard.com | Diviac
DEWI NUSANTRA
Photo Credit: Dewi Nusantra Liveaboard
This spacious, beautifully crafted 57 meter liveaboard has 9 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms with hot water showers, air conditioning, and is the perfect spot to relax after a long day of diving. On the main deck, guests can eat in the outdoor dining area or lounge in the ship’s entertainment room. Divers get free nitrox, kayak rentals, and can view their pictures on the onboard computer. Dinner is a three-course meal and divers can refuel on snacks throughout the day. This is a perfect fit for nitrox divers who are all about adventure.
Check The Latest Price At:
Liveaboard.com | Diviac
SY ADELAAR
Photo Credit: SY Adelaar Liveaboard
The SY Adelaar is a tasteful 38-meter-long Dutch schooner liveaboard with spacious cabins. Though it was built in 1902, it has recently gone through a complete renovation making it a one-of-a-kind antique ship with modern features and teak wood detailing. Every room has en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, flat screen TVs with thousands of movies and entertainment options to choose from. The SY Adelaar also takes pride in their food, prepared by their specially trained Balinese chefs. If you want classic yacht luxury, this is the perfect fit.
Check The Latest Price At:
Liveaboard.com | Diviac
OTHER DIVING LIVEABOARDS
Which One Do You Think Is The Best Raja Komodo Liveaboard Trip?
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost for you. Regardless, we do not partner with any specific brand and nobody pays us to write about their product. We use programs like Amazon, REI, LeisurePro and others to keep our site independent. You can read more about how do we review here.
The post The 7 Best Komodo Liveaboard Trips appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.
from The Adventure Junkies http://ift.tt/2g3TTfe
No comments:
Post a Comment