WHERE IS THE KOMODO NATIONAL PARK IN INDONESIA?
The Komodo National
Park is part of the
Republic of Indonesia
and is located 8 to
degrees south of the
equator between Java
on the West and
Lombok and the rest of
the Lesser Sunda
Flores, Sumba and
Timor) on the East.
Flying time to your
embarkation point in
Bali from Jakarta is about 1.5 hours, from Singapore 2.5 hours, from Perth
(Australia) 3 hours, from Hong Kong about 4.5 hours, and from Sydney /
Melbourne about 5.5 to 6 hours.
WHAT KIND OF DIVING IS FOUND IN THE KOMODO NATIONAL
Komodo Dancer visits dive sites between Bali and The Komodo National Park, part
of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Any time of the year this area of Indonesiaoffers good
diving. Visibility may vary from season to season but 10 to 30 meters (35 to 100 ft.)
can be expected at most dive sites.
In 2009 and 2010 Komodo Dancer will offer 10 night
cruises featuring an enhanced itinerary that allows guests more time diving,
more time in the signature area of the Komodo National Park and an
opportunity to explore the newly discovered area of the Sangeang Islands. To
achieve this, each sailing of the Komodo Dancer will be a one way cruise that
will either begin in Bali and end in Komodo National Park or will begin in
Komodo National Park and return to Bali. Guests will fly one way to either
return to Bali or reach the vessel to begin their voyage on a domestic air carrier.
The description below is based on a Bali-
Komodo itinerary. (The return direction will
bejust the opposite itinerary.) The first day of your
cruise is used to set up gear and perform
the cruise briefing. After lunch, most guests
are up on decks enjoying the vistas found
along the beautiful coast of Bali and
Lombok on this full day of sailing (approx.
20 hours), The first stop is Satonda, just
off of the northern coast of Sumbawa, for
your check-out dive. A MANDATORY“check-out”dive will be required for
EVERY diver on the first day of the
charter, regardless of previous diving
experience or certification. You'll enjoy
maximum bottom time on virgin reefs
that have experienced minimum human
impact as you dive the islands east of
Bali . There are sandy slopeswith big
coral heads on the southern part of the
island and on the northwestern tip a
fantastic wall. Currents are moderate.
Water temperature is usually around
Our next stop is at Banta Island. We are now much closer to Komodo so you will be
able to experience the diving conditions that characterize this region. A dive at GPS
point will show what you are in for once you start diving in Komodo National Park.
Shark sightings on this current blown pinnacle are common. The other Banta dive
sites closer to the island are extremely rich in soft and hard coral with a wide variety
of reef fish. The sites closer toBanta Island are a macro photographers dream.
From here on in, it is excitement all the way as we move into the Komodo National
Park. You will spend the central part of your dive experience here exploring the
stunning dive sites inside the park.Incredible marine diversity, spectacular
marine life and exciting dive and land adventures are your reward.
Many of our guests are avid photographers who like nothing more than hunting
out weird and wonderful critters on the reef, sand or silt. As part of the newly
expanded Komodo Itinerary we have
added two locations to the west of the
Komodo National Park – Sangeang, an island volcano to the north of East
Sumbawa and Bima Bay, an inlet that meanders down toBima town on
Sumbawa. There are two specific sites in both of these areas that are producing
a dazzling array of rare creepy crawlies on a regular basis – “Estuary” on
Sangeang and “Fuzzy Bottom” at the entrance to Bima Bay. Both are similar in
that they are slightly current swept, as is Lembeh and while not entirely muck,
they do share similar bottom compositions – fine to coarse sand.
At the conclusion of your cruise you will make your way to Flores Island and Labuhanbajo
Airport (LBJ) where you will board a domestic flight which will return you to Bali (DPS).
IN WHAT TIME ZONE IS BALI LOCATED?
The Indonesian archipelago is
spread over three time zones.
Nusa Tenggara, and is 8 hours
ahead of GMT.
Bali GMT +8
WHAT LANGUAGES ARE SPOKEN ON BOARD?
There are about 583 languages and dialects spoken in the archipelago. Bahasa
Indonesia is the national language. In all tourist destination areas English is the
number one foreign language.
Our crew will converse in English with the guests.
WHAT WEATHER CONDITIONS CAN I EXPECT IN KOMODO
The Komodo National Park is a
destination that offers great
diving year round. The area is
much drier than Bali (shown in
the table) and lies within one of
the driest regions of Indonesia
with an annual rainfall of
between 800m and 1000m.
For 8 months of the year, there
is little to no rainfall and almost
savanna like conditions. Once
the rains do come, everything
turns green for a few short
April , May, October,
November, and December are
some of the best times for dive
travelers to visit Komodo
April and May are very good
because it is just after the “wet
season” so everything in the Komodo Park is alive and green. The diving on the
south and the north sides of the park are blessed with good visibility and hardly any
October, November, and December are also very good for the same reasons,
except that it is right before the start of the rainy season. During these months the
south of the Park is at it's peak and we are able to reach some of the best dive
sites of Indonesia such as Cannibal Rock, Yellow Wall, Manta Alley, and W-reef.
Although, January and February have the heaviest rainfalls, even then, it hardly
ever rains all day and still offers great diving.
vary by location
77 / 84 f
25 / 259 c
75 / 82 f
24 / 28 c
72 / 82 f
22 / 28 c
WHAT CURRENCY IS USED?
Rupiah (IDR) is the official currency and is divided into 100 sen. Foreign currency can
easily be exchanged at banks, hotels and money changers in major tourist destinations;
US dollars is the most accepted currency. Cash often yields a better exchange rate than
travelers checks, which are not always accepted. It is recommended that travelers
checks also be in US dollars. Also, be aware that both banks and money changers can
be very picky about the cash notes that they will accept; they often refuse notes that are
anything less than near-mint condition and new. Most major credit cards are accepted at
hotels, restaurants and stores catering to the tourist trade. ATMs are available
centers. Small change is often unavailable so keep small denomination notes and
coins for items like bus fares, temple donations and cool drinks. It is recommended
that you exchange approx. $100.00 USD to the local currency for island tipping and
small pocket change.
WHAT DOES MY KOMODO
All staterooms are airconditioned
and fitted with
private toilets, showers and
sinks. Breakfast (cooked to
order), buffet lunch and an
elegant meal at dinner with
table side service are served
daily in addition to fresh midmorning
Bathrobes and some toiletries are available for your use onboard. The Komodo
Dancer is equipped with hairdryers in each stateroom. Linens are changed midweek
and fresh towels are placed in each stateroom daily as needed. Guests
have the opportunity to dive three or four times a day including a night dive on
most days. Filled tanks, weights and weight belts are included. Three ground
transfers are also included and vary slightly based on the direction of your
itinerary. On our one way voyages (Bali to Komodo or Komodo to Bali) one way
flights on a domestic airline with a 99lb (45kg) luggage allowance are included
FOR WHAT ADDITIONAL EXPENSES WILL I BE RESPONSIBLE?
No international air transportation is included in the Komodo Dancer package.
There is a departure tax on passengers for international travel of IDR100,000
$10.00USD) payable at the airport. One hotel night in Bali is required
prior to boarding Komodo Dancer. One hotel night in Bali is be required upon
disembarking Komodo for guests on the Bali-Komodo itinerary. Dive instruction,
dive and photo equipment rentals and “Boatique” purchases must be settled
onboard prior to departure. Depending on your travel plans, additional ground
transfers may be required. Excess baggage charges are applicable on domestic flights for weights over 99lbs (45kg). Acceptable methods of payment include:
US Dollars, IDR (Indonesian Rupiah), Traveler’s Checks, or Credit Cards (Visa
or MasterCard). NO PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED. No
additional meals or beverages on shore are included. Alcoholic beverages and Crew gratuities are not
A BRIEF HISTORY OF INDONESIA
The name Indonesia has its roots in two Greek words: "Indos" meaning Indian
and "Nesos" which means islands. It is an appropriate description of the
archipelago as there are estimated to be a total of 17,508 islands, of which only
about 6,000 are inhabited, stretching for 5,150 km between the Australian and
Asian continental mainland and dividing the Pacific and Indian Oceans at the
The islands and people of Indonesia constitute the fourth most populated nation
in the world. As a democratic republic, Indonesia is divided into 27 provinces
and special territories and classified geographically into four groups. Bali is part
of the Lesser Sundas, a chain of small islands stretching eastward.
A rich history of kingdoms, conquests, colonialism, trade and natural disasters
has bequeathed it with an exhilarating kaleidoscope of cultures and traditions,
people, languages and religions, aspirations and problems, and the dramatic
scenery of changing landscapes. It is the combination of the friendly people, the
natural attractions, the great variety of things to see and do, and the year-round
pleasant climate that make this such a desirable vacation destination. And then
there is Bali's special "magic", which is difficult to explain.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE KOMODO NATIONAL PARK
Komodo National Park was established in 1980 and was declared a World
Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1986. The
park was initially established to conserve the unique Komodo dragon (Varanus
komodoensis), first discovered by the scientific world in 1911 by J.K.H. Van
Steyn. Since then conservation goals have expanded to protecting its entire
biodiversity, both marine and terrestrial.
The majority of the people in and around the Park are fishermen originally from
Bima (Sumbawa), Manggarai, South Flores, and South Sulawesi. Those from
South Sulawesi are from the Suku Bajau or Bugis ethnic groups. The Suku
Bajau were originally nomadic and moved from location to location in the region
of Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara and Maluku, to make their livelihoods.
Descendents of the original people of Komodo, the Ata Modo, still live in
Komodo, but there are no pure blood people left and their culture and language
is slowly being integrated with the recent migrants.
Little is known of the early history of the Komodo islanders. They were subjects
of the Sultanate of Bima, although the island’s remoteness from Bima meant its
affairs were probably little troubled
by the Sultanate other than by occasional
demand for tribute.
HOW DO I GET TO THE KOMODO NATIONAL PARK?
All passengers arrive into Bali by air. Bali’s International Airport, Ngurah Rai,
(airport code DPS) in Denpasar will be your final destination. Commercial
airlines with service to Bali, Indonesia include Cathay Pacific, Continental
Airlines, China Air, Singapore Air, Garuda Indonesia , and Thai Airlines among
Komodo Dancer departs and/or returns to Benoa Harbor near Denpasar.
If you are traveling on one of our one way journeys (Bali to Komodo or Komodo
to Bali), a one way domestic air flights with 45kg of luggage allowance will need to be purchased no matter which itinerary you are on, we will arrange this for you and include it on your invoice. The price is about $150 dependant on the currency exchange at the time.
You will need
to arrive in Bali and overnight in a hotel the night before embarkation as
boarding and or domestic flights out occur in the morning. A second hotel
overnight is recommended at the end of your cruise prior to departing on your
international flight home. This is a required overnight on the Bali-Komodo oneway
itinerary as domestic flight times back to Bali do vary.
WHAT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WILL I NEED?
YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO POSESS A PASSPORT VALID FOR AT LEAST
SIX MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF ARRIVAL AND HAVE PROOF OF
The Free Visa Facility (length of stay max 30 days) will be issued to citizens of
the following countries: Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand,
Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macao, Morocco, Chile, and Peru.
The Visa-on-Arrival Facility (length of stay max. 30 days) will be issued to
citizens of the following countries: Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, New Zealand,
Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United
Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and the United States. The fee varies
between $10USD and $25USD depending on the length of stay.
Citizens of countries not stated above are required to apply for a visa at the
Indonesian Embassy/Consulate in their country of domicile.