From Komodo to Maluku with Marta, Marine Biologist - From Komodo to Ambon

Description

This is a new 13-day voyage we have created for 2026 that takes the northern route from Komodo as we make our relocation crossings to the Moluccan Islands. Starting with Komodo dragons and manta rays in the Komodo National park, we head north across the Flores Sea to the Bonerate Archipelago, the world’s third largest coral atoll, past an uninhabited seamount that is home to hundreds of thousands of seabirds, head to the Wakatobi National Park, famed for its reefs, band cross the Banda Sea following the Sula Archipelago as we make our way to Ambon in the Moluccas. Along the way we will snorkel amazing reefs, visit with the Bajau “Sea Gypsy” people, visit with some “local heroes” at a giant clam restoration project, meet with shipbuilders on a remote islands shipyard where many pinisi boats just like ours are under construction, swim with stingless jellyfish, visit with local people, lie on deserted tropical beaches and swim in gin clear waters, as we explore some of Indonesia’s remotest regions. So remote, you won’t see another traveller for days and days at a time. If you like solitude and open ocean, experiencing different cultures and islands, and seemingly endless snorkelling, then this is the adventure for you.

Trip Name

From Komodo to Maluku with Marta, Marine Biologist - From Komodo to Ambon

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Yacht Length overall: 38 metres Passanger Capacity: 14 Led by Captain Ferdi and operated by a crew of 12, the 38-metre Katharina sits low in the water, making her a most beautiful looking boat. Built in 1995 in Kalimantan, her slim hull was originally planned for use as a commercial freighter before she caught our eye with her simple lines and sleek structure. After her 2014 interior refit, her transformation is a conservation exercise back to authenticity of a mighty seafaring tradition. Not only is the Katharina very elegant on the water, she is also fast becoming a classic yacht, as very few of these original designs remain. Accommodating just 12 guests in six cabins, with a salon & bar, two sun decks, and an outdoor dining area, she offers a more intimate experience.

Itinerary

Day 1 - D a y s 1 - 2

- We start the cruise in a big way with giants looming large in your first two days: Komodo dragons, flying foxes and manta rays, three of the biggest and most impressive animals in Indonesia.- Take a privately arranged, ranger-led walk around the island of Rinca, where we will see not only the dragons, but also their preferred menu of prey – monkeys, deer, pigs, and buffaloes.- Snorkel on some of Komodo National Park’s best reefs to see sea turtles, masses of fish, and some amazingly rich coral reefs.- At sunset we will gather on the deck and be witness to a most spectacular event as thousands of flying foxes leave their mangrove forest homes en masse on their nightly fruit-foraging missions.

Day 2 - D a y s 3 - 4

- Bonerate archipelago is rarely visited by tourists outside of SeaTrek, and seeing this open-air boatyard is an experience to be savoured. We walk amongst the hulls and hulks of a huge unlaunched flotilla of pinisi ships being built on this remote island archipelago. We will meet the shipwrights and discover their age-old traditions of shipbuilding that they have practiced for centuries.- As we walk through the villages and along the beaches and meet the locals, you will gain a new appreciation for island life and for the kind of boat you have been cruising with for the past thirteen days.- Snorkel some fabulous reefs in the third largest atoll in the world and see a huge abundance of fish, corals and all the creatures and plants that dwell within.

Day 3 - D a y s 5 - 6

- Literally meaning “High Rock”, we visit the island of Batuatas, which takes its name from the nigh and dramatic cliffs that line its western coast. We visit a famous local blacksmiths where the local craftsmen use hand-operate bellows on the furnace in the blacksmiths shop to produce machetes and knives for that are highly sought-after right across Indonesia.- If the tides and currents are in our favour we pass by an uninhabited sea mount in the middle of the Flores Sea where tens of thousands of seabirds call home. It’s rich in upwelling nutrients and a perfect habitat for fishing and raising their young.- We spend time in the Wakatobi National Park, a very hard to reach archipelago filled with fascinating culture and also one of Indonesia’s best national parks, with outstanding underwater life natural beauty. At Hoga Island, we will snorkel the island’s famous drop off, with a beautiful reef and myriad fish species of all types and sizes.

Day 4 - D a y s 7 - 8

- We will visit a Bajau “Sea Gypsy” settlement, Here, you’ll see how the Bajau people live in, on and above the water and how their community thrives in harmony with the ocean. Known for their ability to read the weather, hold their breath for extended periods and their exceptional freediving skills, and their deep connection to the sea, the Bajau depend entirely on marine life for survival. Meeting them in person is a truly unforgettable experience.- The Bokan islands are an area of unsurpassed beauty and today will be a day of marine exploration and relaxation as we snorkel, swim, paddle around the glorious reef, beach and island with giant clams scattered around the area.- We pay a hands on visit to some “local heroes” at an NGO doing great work with giant clam restoration on the surrounding reefs, in addition to working with local fishermen in finding sustainable solutions for overseas markets and the live aquarium fishing trade.

Day 5 - D a y s 9 - 1 0

- Crossing to the Sula Archipelago, we visit a local village village, where we will meet Kadai tribe, one of the four indigenous tribes of Taliabu Island. They speak limited Indonesian but welcomes visitors with genuine warmth and friendliness. Once known as skilled hunters, they now focus more on agriculture, though traditional hunting is still practiced today.- We have the rare privilege to swim in a small marine lake filled with stingless jellyfish, one of only 20 lakes of its kind in the world. Stingless jellyfish exist as a result of evolutionary adaptation in isolated marine lakes where they have no natural predators and have developed alternative ways to obtain food.

Day 6 - D a y s 1 1 - 1 3

- Enjoy some relaxing time on the beach swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking and snorkelling on the white sand beaches and reefs of the western end of the Sula island chain.- Visit Manipa Island, a place said to have magical powers, because none of the colonial powers ever took hold here. We will visit a village to experience their food production technologies, which include sago production, nutmeg and cashew plantations, as well as a pot-distilled volatile oil called “kayu putih”, famed throughout Indonesia as a universal panacea: cosmetic, antiseptic, insecticide, decongestant, analgesic, stimulant and tonic.- On our last day, we will arrive in Ambon where everyone will say their goodbyes to the crew, the tour leaders, and fellow guests who have been our family for the past two weeks.

Day 7 - Please note:

Our mission is to provide the best experience possible for our guests given the current conditions and when unexpected opportunities for adventure may present themselves along our cruise routes. Sometimes weather conditions, tides or other local factors dictate that we need to vary from the published route, and at times there are special opportunities to explore and discover new locations, events and activities. These explorations will always be a definite enhancement to the published itinerary and will be undertaken after discussion and agreement among guests. Ultimately, the boat captains and your tour leader will make decisions to maximize trip safety and your overall enjoyment, so please come prepared to be flexible!

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Whether it’s swimming with whale sharks & mantas rays, or leisurely gliding along a stunning tropical reef surrounded by myriad fish and corals, snorkelling lies at the very heart of what we do at SeaTrek. We do it well and we do it often
usually twice a day for an hour or more at a time. No matter if you are a novice or a seasoned pro, our tour leaders will ensure that you have everything you need to have some of the best underwater experiences of your life.