Whale Sharks, Corals & Dragons

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enquire now 8 Days From NZD $7,089 pp twinshare
 Cruise
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Have you ever imagined the feeling of soaring weightlessly over a school of majestic giant manta rays?

Would you like to experience the beauty of snorkelling above kaleidoscopic, colourful and diverse coral reefs?

How about having that butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling while swimming with whale sharks, the largest but most gentle animals in the ocean?

Do you want to feel your senses come alive as you walk with the ancient Komodo dragons, the world’s largest lizard?

Or perhaps to just sit quietly and cradle your morning coffee as you breathe in the cool early morning ocean air while watching the sunrise over the stunning volcanic landscapes.

If this sounds like you, then come fill your senses with eight days and seven nights of snorkelling, trekking, iconic wildlife encounters and tropical island exploration as we cruise between Bali and Komodo along Indonesia’s Ring of Fire.

Highlights

• Komodo National Park

• Bajao ‘Sea Gypsies’

• Bali

 

ITINERARY

D A Y 1 – 2

– For the first night, you will be staying at a beachside resort on an island just outside of Labuan Bajo, the gateway to the Komodo National Park. You will have the afternoon free to relax and unwind with a swim or a snorkel. – An opportunity to watch Caci (Whip) dance performance is in the agenda for you. Local ‘strongmen’ perform a ritual whip-fight between two rivals in which the players, each armed with a rattan shield and a whip, will try to hit each other while dancing to the rhythm of traditional acoustic instruments. – We will have a chance to snorkel at a coral restoration project where you may see how massive the corals have grown after they were first transplanted in 2017. – A chance to watch fruit bats flying out of their roost to the mainland at sunset to look for food is such a nice experience especially when done from the comfort of our ship.

D A Y 3 – 4

– We will have a chance to look for Komodo Dragons. They are a species of lizard found in the Indonesian islands of the Komodo National Park. It is the largest living species of lizard, growing up to a length of 3 meters and weighing up to approximately 70 kilograms. – Swim with manta rays as they feed on the current and circle the so-called cleaning stations, where small fish remove parasites from their skin. – Snorkel at an island which is a favourite hangout of sea turtles, where we will have a chance to swim with these gentle reptiles as they cruise along the shallow water of the reef. – Exploring an uninhabited island with pure white sand with some sparkles of red sand. Beautiful coral reefs laid parallel across the beach. – Visit a volcanic island where local villagers are boat-builders experienced in building traditional wooden pinisi boat, with the same pedigree and history of SeaTrek’s very own ships. Walking around this small village, get a feel for their simple way of life, chat with the locals and maybe buy some handmade textiles as a momento.

D A Y 5 – 6

– We will visit a strange and mystical volcanic island with a sunken crater lake in its centre that was filled with saltwater when the nearby Mt Tambora erupted in 1815, causing a tsunami that flowed into the crater is believed to be magical by local people. A recent research pointed out that the reefs found in the lake are similar to those found in the Precambrian era. We will have the chance to swim, kayak, and paddleboard on the lake. – A chance to swim with a gentle giant of the sea – Whale Shark. We can’t make any promises, as we don’t have these wild animals on a leash, but fingers crossed we will. These massive but harmless animals have long congregated here but now, thanks to travelers like you, we have formed a mutually beneficial alliance with the local fisherman who have their traditional small floating fishing platforms in the bay. – Whale sharks are under constant threat due the sky-high value of their fins, but thanks to your visit with us, these fishermen are paid a healthy fee for spotting where the whale sharks are and letting us in the water by their boat platforms to be up-close to one of the largest creatures in the ocean. As a result the fisherman are very glad to protect these beautiful animals and you get to be a conservationist.

D A Y 7 – 8

– Visit a village of the famous Bajao ‘Sea Gypsies’ of Southeast Asia, and see how they live their lives so close to, on, and in the water. – Another relaxing afternoon awaits as we land on a nearby uninhabited island, where once again we will relax and enjoy snorkelling, kayaking and paddle boarding. – Wake up at anchor off the coast of Bali before we say goodbye to the crew and start our tour back to the south of Bali. – Along the way, experience the best that East Bali can offer can offer with a tour of its deep culture and glorious landscapes and dine on some of Bali’s freshest and most delicious traditional cuisine.

Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

SHIP INFORMATION

Ombak Putih & Katharina

Vessel Type: Yachts

Katharina Length overall: 38 metres

Ombak Putih Length overall: 42 metres

Passanger Capasity: Katharina 12 / Ombak Putih 24

Offering many of the creature comforts of the modern world, our two wooden pinisi ships, Ombak Putih and Katharina, are part of a beautiful, centuries-old maritime tradition of hand-crafted boat-building now classified as a UNESCO cultural heritage. Built by the highly-skilled seafaring peoples of Sulawesi, using hand tools and traditional methods of construction, the design of these gaff-rigged ketches has been adapted and passed down from father to son for centuries. Interestingly, the pinisi fleet still forms the massive bulk of Indonesia’s cargo and transport network today.

Our boats are outfitted with up-to-date safety equipment and communications technology, and equipped with high-quality tenders, kayaks, stand-up-paddle boards and snorkelling gear. Our comfortable cabins are located below decks and offer all the necessary amenities, including double beds or twin bunks, private en-suite bathrooms, lots of natural light, individually controlled air-conditioning, ample storage space, and plenty of electrical and USB outlets.

In 2014 and 2015 respectively, working with the unique legacy these vessels represent, Katharina and Ombak Putih both had major refits. Their transformation was an exercise to conserve their authenticity, using traditional materials, and shaped by highly skilled Indonesian craftsmen of the same cultural heritage that built them.

KATHARINA SPECIFICATION

Six superior cabins with en-suite bathrooms. Saloon & bar. Outdoor covered dining area. Rooftop lounge area. Kayaks. Stand-up-paddle boards (SUP). Snorkelling equipment. Fishing gear. Two tender boats. Full complement of crew: engineering and service,

International standard navigation & safety equipment (including radar and satellite phone).

SLEEPING CONFIGURATION

2 x double bed cabins

2 x triple cabins (one double bed & one upper single bunk – bunk ideally suitable for child 12 or under)

2 x twin bunk cabins (one above the other)

OMBAK PUTIH SPECIFICATION

Twelve superior cabins en-suite bathrooms, Salon & bar.Outdoor covered dining area, Rooftop lounge. Kayaks, Stand,up-paddle boards (SUP). Snorkelling equipment. Fishing gear, Three tender boats. Full complement of crew; engineering and service.

International standard navigation & safety equipment (including radar and satellite phone).

SLEEPING CONFIGURATION

6 x double bed cabins

2 x triple cabins (one double bed and one upper single bunk – bunk ideally suitable for child 12 or under)

4 x twin bunk cabins (one above the other)

WHAT’S INCLUDED 

Inclusions

• Voyage on board in selected cabin category
• All meals while on board
• Non-alcoholic beverages
• Snorkel gear for use throughout the voyage
• Excursions as per the itinerary
• English speaking tour guide
• Transfers between Airport and Ship (and vice versa) Except in Serangan, Bali

 

Exclusions

• International and domestic flights
• Travel insurance
• Passport and Visa costs
• Alcoholic beverages
• Gratuities (Recommended US$10.00 – $20.00 per person/per day)

Images courtesy of Wild Earth Travel 

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