Vessels
Komodo Dancer
Komodo Dancer (Donna Lattin)
Komodo Dancer, a member of the famous Peter Hughes’ Dancer Fleet, is a traditionally crafted, two-masted wooden motor sailor, 30 metres long and 9 metres wide, that accommodates a maximum of 16 passengers in 8 staterooms, each with private head and shower. Two Deluxe Staterooms on the Dolphin Deck each have one queen-sized bed beneath a single upper bed. Four Twin Staterooms each have two single bunk beds. The two Owner’s Suites on the Lido Deck has one queen-sized bed and picture window views. Each cabin provides a quiet and elegant space for relaxing, reading or sleeping. Towelling robes are provided for your stay on the boat. Clean towels are provided daily and clean sheets are provided mid-week. Complimentary toiletries are placed at the wash basin and each cabin has a built-in hairdryer. Eight crew offer superb service at all times, from morning coffee in your room to taking your tank at the dive platform on your return to the boat or providing hot towels at the end of a night dive.
The dive deck features a water fountain, mask defogging station, weight belt area, a shower, and a supply of fresh towels. Special rinse tanks for cameras are situated on the dive deck. Dive information is displayed on a large board which shows depth and marine life information. Of special interest to underwater photographers is the spacious multi-tiered, carpeted photo-table complete with cleaning materials. A full camera and video rental service is available at daily or weekly rates. The boat has a photo pro on board who will assist you with your photography and also, if you wish, take a customized video of your diving holiday. Komodo Dancer offers Nitrox facilities at an extra charge and a range of courses including PADI Advanced Open Water, IANTD, TDI and PADI Nitrox certification, Rebreather certification and Paul Humann Fish and Creature Identification. A full range of diving equipment is available for rental.
After diving most people head for the sundeck where they can relax (either in or out of the sun) and help themselves to iced drinks and delicious snacks. Freshly baked breads and biscuits show up in the morning and appetizers are served in the afternoon. Beverages and snacks are available at all times in the salon (along with a well-stocked bar). Meals are one of the highlights of the day. Hot breakfasts are cooked to order. Lunch is usually a buffet-style spread and dinner is waiter served. Wine is served with dinner and after dinner drinks are always offered.
Komodo Dancer operates a series of 10 nights cruises throughout the year. For much of the year the boat starts in and returns to Labuhanbajo, on Flores. A return flight is required from Denpasar to Labuhanbajo. In June/July and December there are some special cruises to the islands of the Alor Archipelago, departing and returning to Maumere on Flores. For the latter cruises, return flights are required between Denpasar and Maumere.
Example cruise itineraries:
KOMODO (10 nights): Day One: Early morning flight from Denpasar to Labuhanbajo on Flores. Transfer to Komodo Dancer and depart for a check-out dive. Day Two to Day Nine: Up to four dives each day at Sangeang Island, Komodo National Park and Sumbawa including Rinca Bay. Day Ten: Two morning dives north of Subawa. Day Eleven: Transfer to Labuhanbajo for the return flight to Denpasar.
ALOR, EAST OF FLORES (10 nights)
Day One: Meet a crew member at Maumere airport and transfer to Komodo Dancer. After lunch set up your gear and then head out into the Flores Sea. Day Two: Explore Maumeres Bay’s dive sites which offer muck, walls, reef and even a shipwreck. Expect wonderful corals and hundreds of fish! Day Three: Diving around the island of Lembata offers some stunning wide angle sites with dramatic sheer walls, caverns and drop-offs. Reef sharks often visit these sites. Day Four: Fierce currents sweep through the Alor/Pantar Strait (one of the fabulous things about diving the Nusa Tengarra) to produce some fabulous dive sites. Vertical walls attracts reef sharks, Mola Molas and schools of rays so jump in and enjoy what the water throws your way! Day Five: Explore the reefs, walls and muck slopes around Pura. Expect strong currents again and good fish life. Day Six: Muck diving is the order of the day inside Kalabahi Sound, a narrow stretch of water leading to the town of Alor. Day Seven: Enjoy dives at Hot Property, Ribbon Eel Run and The Lava Flow, where macro critters aboud in the black laval sands of Beangabang Bay. Night diving of course brings out a plethora of otherwise un-noticed delights. Outside of the bay the shallow reef tops are delightfully colourful and busy. Day Eight: Back in the Alor/Pantar Strait, enjoy the walls and splendid coral growth at Buaya. Day Nine: More muck diving today along the slopes and coral bommies in Lewoelba Bay. Lack of current and a variety of habitats make for some memorable dives. Day Ten: Out in the open sea at Serbete and Gedong reefs, you can enjoy the large schools of fish and a variety of reef sharks against a backdrop of soft corals. Day Eleven: Disembark Komodo Dancer after breakfast and transfer to Maumere airport for the flight back to Bali.
KOMODO: Price $3355. Includes: airport transfers prior to embarkation on Komodo Dancer and following disembarkation; 10 nights cruise on Komodo Dancer on a twin/share basis in a twin Statetroom with full board, including soft drinks, wine, beer and spirits; 9 full days of diving (up to 3 or 4 dives per day, which may include a night dive) plus one dive on the first day. Supplement to upgrade to a Deluxe Stateroom: $200. Supplement to upgrade to upgrade to the Owner's Suite: $300 Reductions for divers 65 or over, non-divers and extra weeks. In addition, there is a National Park Fee of $90 (subject to change) which must be prepaid. Single Occupancy Supplement: 65% of the cruise cost (but you can avoid paying the supplement if you are willing to share a cabin).