Notes

Komodo

DRAGONS - THE KOMODO NATIONAL PARK

Bima - Komodo & Rinca National Park – Bima

Komodo & Rinca National Park: The narrow straits between these two islands connect the Flores Sea with the Indian Ocean. The ebb and flow of the currents provide a continuous exchange of water and nutrients between the inner sea and the ocean creating a unique and super rich ecosystem, and a proliferation of extraordinary species such as the frog fish, or endemic species that can only be observed here, like the sea apple.

The depths are densely populated with fixed life, offering a great variety of underwater landscapes from vertical walls covered with soft corals (similar to the Red Sea gardens) to stone structures, resembling the cold water reefs of the North Sea. Due to the high degree of protection that this National Park enjoys, it is also an area of great abundance of fish, with thick schools of carangids, sweet lips and butterflies, as well as frequent encounters with manta rays and reef sharks.

LAND EXCURSIONS: additional to the traditional fish barbecue in the beach, on this route the following visits are carried out:

- One of the main attractions of this route is the mandatory visit to the Komodo & Rinca National Park to observe the famous Komodo Dragons, a carnivorous variety of lizard (Varanus Komodiensis) which can grow up to 3 meters of length. Due to the strong currents of the straits surrounding these islands, and in spite of the fact that the dragons can swim, they have remained isolated in these two remote islands. The visit is a two - three hours walk into one of the two islands, Komodo or Rinca, accompanied by a National Park guide. Depending on how lucky you are you may also see deer, wild boars, water buffalos, parrots and fowls. Wooden dragons carvings of different sizes and pearls from nearby farms can be bought from the natives living on the island.

- During the cruise you will also get the chance to explore some of the other desert islands and secluded bays where you can see flying foxes taking off to forage for food at dusk. Also visit fishing villages during the sail through this incredible and uniquely beautiful region.
 

Notes

S Sulawesi

Tukangbesi Archipelago

A deep sail and dive through the wonders of the Tukangbesi archipelago. The secret u/w crests, the lagoons, the outer reefs.

The archipelago of Tukang Besi: Situated in the Banda Sea, is without any doubt one of the best places to dive in the world as Mr. J.Y.Cousteau said during his pioneering visit in the middle of the 80s.

Operation Wallacea, a group of scientific researches assisted by British volunteers have for some time now been conducting field studies in the island of Hoga, and have confirmed the incredible diversity of marine life in this underwater ecosystem.

The archipelago is surrounded by deep waters so during the cruise it will sometimes be difficult to see the sea bottom in some dives. In one area we will find a very peculiar type of reef, called "crest". A narrow and long submarine mountain chain rising and descending to different levels, sometimes almost to the surface, with deep waters on both sides.

The waters of the Tukang Besi are inhabited by a great quantity of species, large and small, from pygmy seahorses to whale sharks. Barracudas, carangids, tuna, groupers, large napoleon fish, hunchback parrot fish, turtles, sea snakes, reef sharks, eagle rays, mobulas, all are frequent encounters in the cruises in this area. Several species of whales are also sighted occasionally from the ship while sailing. This is also the land of macro-photography with very rare species like the leaf scorpion fish, the ghost pipe fish or the blue ring octopus, besides an infinite number of nudibranchs and small crabs, shrimps.... etc, not to mention the exceptionally rich fixed life, hard and soft coral colonies, sponges and gorgonias.

One of the most exuberant underwater areas of the Indo Pacific!

LAND EXCURSIONS: additionally to the traditional fish barbecue in the beach, in this route the following visits are carried out:
- In the island of Binongko there is a small population dedicated to a humble craft industry of forges of iron. With some primitive ovens, aired by hand, they melt old pieces of steel and shape them with heavy hammers to manufacture knives and "krisses", the legendary Asian knifes with snake shape blade and with magic properties. We can collaborate with the local economy buying some of those kriss or fabrics directly woven by hand by the locals.
- In the island of Hoga, we will visit a village on stilts where the sea-gypsies live. This ethnic group, the Bajo, is found all over Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand and are not included in the census of any of these countries due to its semi nomad way of life, in continuous contact with the sea, dedicated to the pearl farming, recollection of trepang and underwater fishing. Small fishing spears and hand crafted wooden diving goggles can be bought to the locals.
- A third excursion will be decided along the way depending on the group likings. It will probably be a presentation on the works about the biodiversity of the Tukang Besi in charge of the Wallacea working team, or a representation of dances and martial arts of the Bajo natives..

Komodo & Flores

DRAGONS & VOLCANOES: Bima (Sumbawa) - Maumere (Flores)

Bima - Komodo & Rinca National Park - Riung - Maumere Bay - Maumere

Everysingle kind of different dives in one single cruise: drift dives, coralgardens, muckdiving, wrecks, walls...... satisfaction guaranteed!!

Komodo & Rinca National Park: The narrow straits between these two islands communicate the Flores Sea with the Indian Ocean. Their tide currents provide a continuous exchange of water and nutrients between the inner sea and the ocean creating a unique ecosystem, favoring the biodiversity and the proliferation of peculiarities like the frog fish or endemic species that can only be observed here, like the sea apple. The depths are densely populated with fixed life, with great underwater variety of landscapes, from diving in vertical walls covered with soft corals resembling the Red Sea gardens to stone structures resembling the cold water reefs of the North Sea. Due to the high degree of protection that this National Park enjoys, it is also an area of great abundance of fish, with thick schools of carangids, sweet lips and butterflies, as well as frequent encounters with manta rays and reef sharks.

Pulau Paloe: North of Flores, this volcanic island is surrounded by deep waters and offers interesting diving in deep walls with caves and overhangs where large groupers, lobsters and moray eels live. All around, bat fish, white and black tip sharks and big tuna swim in the open waters. Large formations of black coral, gorgonias and barrel sponges decorate the seascapes during the dives in this exceptional island

Bay of Maumere: It is extremely interesting to dive in waters that once were considered exceptional, the headquarters of the most reputed World Championship of Underwater Photography, until in 1992 an earthquake followed by a tsunami wave hit with anger all the area. Ten years later the walls that surround these islands have managed to recover practically in their totality from that natural disaster and they actually offer good dives in mild currents, with a healthy population of gorgonias and sponges, with big groupers lurking in crevices, antias and butterfly fish. In the blue big tuna and carangids patrol the depths seeking for their prey.

LAND EXCURSIONS: additionally to the traditional fish barbecue in the beach, in this route the following visits are carried out:

- One of the main attractions of this route is the mandatory visit to the Komodo & Rinca National Park for the observation of the famous Komodo Dragons, a carnivorous variety of lizard (Varanus Komodiensis) which can grow up to 3 meters of length. Due to the strong currents of the straits surrounding these islands, and in spite of the fact that the dragons can swim, they have remained isolated in these two remote islands of prehistoric look. The visit is a two - three hours walk in one of the two islands, Komodo or Rinca, accompanied by a National Park guide, depending on how lucky we would be that day we will see, apart from the dragons, deer, wild boars, water buffalos, parrots and fowls. Wooden dragons carvings of different sizes and pearls from nearby farms can be bought to the natives of the island.

- During the cruise we will disembark in desert paradise beaches and fishing villages that we will find while sailing in this incredible area.

- Optional and out of the cruise programm we can arrange an excursion to the Kelimutu National Park in the island of Flores, one of the most visited natural wonders of Indonesia. After a very early drive you arrive early in the morning to the top of the volcano, to be at the summit with the sun rise, the best moment of the day to enjoy the magnificent view of the three different colour lakes, black, red and green. This excursion is not only one of the greatest tourist attractions of the region, but also a very important area of myths and legends. This excursion can be arranged before or after the crusie but always starting from Maumere. Ask for prices depending on how many you are.

 

Banda Sea

Banda Sea

One of the very few opportunities for a great sea adventure yet in the world. Exploration, discovery, outstanding diving, isolated and lush islands. Everyday a new wonder !

Exploratory Cruise: Very, very few operators sail through this remote waters, that is why this can still be named a real diving exploratory cruise. We have done it several times and can tell you by heart this Cruise is really worthy!!!

Bay of Maumere: It is extremely interesting to dive in waters that once were considered exceptional, the headquarters of the most reputed World Championship of Underwater Photography, until in 1992 an earthquake followed by a tsunami wave hit with anger all the area. Ten years later the walls that surround these islands have managed to recover in their totality from that natural disaster to the scientists surprise and they actually offer excellent dives in mild currents, with a healthy population of gorgonias and sponges, with big groupers lurking in crevices, antias and butterfly fish. In the blue big tuna and carangids patrol the depths seeking for their prey.

Straits of Alor: Like Komodo and Rinca, the straits between the islands of Pantar and Alor, East of Flores, are simply superb. The currents are not for beginners, but with good chase boats taking care and our well trained crew, we will dive with security through these beautiful and deep straits home of the greater biodiversity of the planet. The macro lovers will enjoy the colourful chromodoris nudibranchs, the curious shrimps and strange crabs, while those of you watching the blue will frequently make out large groupers, rays, and black tip sharks, as well as occasionally grey tips, silver tips and at times even Whale Sharks. In the anchorages of the islands of Adonara and Lomblen great dives at less depth and in more protected waters can be done, with the classical exuberant coral gardens and schools of tropical fish. The straits are also the place to see large whales in transit. In this area we have sighted dolphins of various types, pilot whales and even killer whales.

From Alor, we will sail Northeast through a volcanic chain of islands situated in the middle of the Banda Sea. These remote islands separated by some tens of miles one from the other are surrounded by deep and vertical walls overlooking one of the biggest depths in the Indian Ocean: 7.000 meters!.

Banda Archipelago: Known as one of the areas with greater potential for diving in Indonesia, this group of islands offer dives of all types: from "lagoons" with shallow waters, to adrenaline drift dives along deep walls decorated with an extensive marine profusion of life and a great abundance of fish. This is one of the regions in Indonesia with smaller environmental impact caused by the hand of man.

Sorong: The west tip of the greater island of the world, New Guinea, politically divided in two halves: the independent country of Papua New Guiney (PNG) in its more eastern half, and the province where Indonesia ends towards the east, now called Papua and previously known as Irian Jaya.
This really is the last frontier for adventure. Exploratory diving together with one of the really few remaining wild regions on this planet. Leaving from the port of Sorong, in the "Bird' s head peninsula", we will travel through the archipelago of the Four Rajas (Rajah Empat), among the island of Waigeo to the north and Misool to the south. The area where we will sail holds the record of the biggest number of different species counted in a single dive. National Geographic compares the species found here with the ones that can be seen in Palau. The reefs of Rajah Empat enjoy a healthy marine biodiversity with more than 400 species of coral having been discovered here. Besides the abundance of fauna, this region contains numerous wrecks of Japanese ships and aeroplanes from the terrible battles held during the Second World War in this area.
All the ingredients for a perfect adventure!

LAND EXCURSIONS: additionally to the traditional fish barbecue in the beach, in this route the following visits are carried out:

- Climbing of the Lewotolo Volcano of 460 m of height in whose skirt there is an abandoned village which was inhabited by merchants who traded with the sailors of these seas. In this village we can still find the remainders of that commerce: Chinese porcelain, elephant ivory and old tusks, a cannon from an old Portuguese schooner, drums and spears. The excursion takes some 3 hours, and has magnificent views on the surrounding bay.

- additionally to the traditional fish barbecue in the beach, in this route we will carry out a minimum of four land excursions visiting fishing villages, climbing steep hills to see some of the most magnificent landscpaes in the world and, of course, walk through the forest early in the morning to find the magnificent Paradise Birds, other excursions are to be determined.....remember this is an Exporatory Cruise.

Any way, Pak Ambo, the captain of the SMY Ondina, worked during 5 years in this region as captain of another Pinisi Schooner and has a deep knowledge of the area.

 

Raja Ampat

BIRDS OF PARADISE: Sorong and the Rajah Ampat archipelago

Sorong - Sorong (West Papua)

The Rajah Ampat archipelago..... it owns the worldwide record of the greatest number of different species found in one single dive. What else do we need to say?..... ok, just add the most pristine and colourful coral gardens, outstanding landscapes, primitive fishing villages and, of course, Birds of Paradise!

The west tip of the second largest island in the world, New Guinea, politically divided into two halves: the independent country of Papua New Guinea (PNG) to theeast, and the eastern-most province of Indonesia,West Papua, formerly known as Irian Jaya.

This really is the last frontier for adventure. Exploratory diving together with one of the really few remaining wild regions on this planet. Leaving from the port of Sorong, in the "Bird's head peninsula", we will travel through the archipelago of the Four Rajas (Rajah Ampat), passig between the islands of Waigeo to the north and Misool to the south. The area where we will sail holds the record of the greatest number of tropical coral species ever counted in a single dive loctaion. National Geographic compares the species found here with the ones that can be seen in Palau. More than 400 species of coral having been discovered here. And besides the abundance of fauna, this region contains numerous wrecks of Japanese ships and aeroplanes from the terrible battles held during the Second World War in this area. All the ingredients for a perfect adventure!

LAND EXCURSIONS: additional to the traditional fish barbecue in the beach, in this route we will carry out a minimum of three land excursions visiting fishing villages, climbing steep hills to see some of the most magnificent landscpaes in the world and, of course, walk through the forest early in the morning to find the magnificent Paradise Birds. Pak Ambo, the captain of Ondina, worked for 5 years in this region as captain of another Pinisi Schooner and has a deep knowledge of the area.

N Sulawesi

Lembeh Strait, Bangka Archipelago, Togians Islands, Banggai Archipelago

The Lembeh Strait needs little introduction as one of the World's most renowned critter destinations.

The Ondina sets out to discover all of the best diving on the Moluku Sea side of the Minahasa Peninsular, including the Bangka Archipelago on eth noirther tip of and the remote Togian Islands. 

On the route south, Ondina also visits the banggai archipelago on its way to Wakatobi in the south east of Sulawesi

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