KOMODO & NUSA TENGGARA

Year:2002

Diving Dragon Island

Season: Year round diving (optimum: April-November)

Visibility: 10-35 metres

Water temperature: 26-28°C

The long chain of islands extending eastwards from Bali are known to Indonesians as the Nusa Tenggara (or Southeast Islands). The western part of this little-known region is now explored by our top quality liveaboard: Komodo Dancer. The latest addition to the Peter Hughes Dancer Fleet, Komodo Dancer, offers cruises all year from Bali to Komodo, the island known worldwide for its population of Komodo Dragons, the planet's largest extant lizard - an agile predator that can grow up to 3 metres in length!

During the cruise you will stop to dive some beautiful dive sites that have been found around the smaller islands of the region such as Satonda, Banta, Sangeang and the Gilis. Some time will be spent at Komodo Island itself, where there will be an opportunity to look for Komodo Dragons. The reefs of the Nusa Tenggara are for the most part very well preserved, although there is some minimal damage from blast-fishing in some areas. Both schooling fish and larger pelagics, plus turtles, dolphins and, possibly, pods of Pilot Whales, make for interesting and varied diving.

Satonda Island, half way along the northern coast of Sumbawa, has some fascinating dive sites where the reefs are in excellent shape and hold a wide range of corals and fish life. Sand Chute consists of a sandy slope with coral and sponge outcrops, but the highlight here is 'magic rock' - a bommie at 22 metres that packs a multitude of marine life into every nook and cranny! Juvenile angelfish abound, presenting everyone with identification problems as the young fish are so different from the adult forms. Hingebeak shrimps, cleaner shrimps, nudibranchs in fabulous green, orange and black, sweepers, a variety of leafish, wonderfully camouflaged decorator crabs, upside down jellyfish, Croccodilefish and Stargazers illustrate the variety of species that occur here.

Within the Komodo National Park is the habitat for about 1000 fish species, over 250 species of reef-building corals, at least 105 species of crustaceans and over 70 species of sponges. Little wonder this relatively newly discovered area is proving highly appealing to more adventurous divers. At Larry's Yellow Wall two yellow-clad reef walls are separated by a sand valley, and were recently described by our own Malcolm Hey as "the most beautiful walls I have ever seen"! An abundance of yellow crinoids, yellow cascading coral and plentiful soft Dendrophyllia corals in shades of soft yellow cover every spare centimetre. A unique dive site!

Cannibal's Rock is a pinnacle rising to within a few metres of the surface where Pygmy Seahorses have been spotted anchored to sea fans. Both hard and soft corals cover the pinnacle and hide a stunning variety of creatures. Crinoids, tunicates, cowries, fire urchins, pretty spotted Coleman Shrimps and zebra crabs find Cannibal's Rock a suitable home. Larger creatures attracted to this area include huge tuna and ocean-roaming jacks.

Sangeang Island lies at the eastern end of Sumbawa. Underwater photographers are advised to take the wide-angle lens if offered a dive on Mentjeng Wall where a shore-line wall at 15 metres leads to a point which is covered with very pretty soft corals and crinoids. Below the wall a rubble slope hosts colonial anemones, a variety of nudibranchs (mating pairs make excellent subjects for photographers!), Ornate Ghost Pipefish, and those superb walking 'plants'- crinoids - hanging on to the rubble.

We don't usually write-up inland locations amongst our dive sites, but there has to be an exception when it comes to Komodo Island for everyone will want to be amongst those who 'hunt' for the famous Komodo Dragon, the world's largest and most ferocious lizard. Up to 3 metres in length, their diet consists mainly of wild deer, wild boar and sometimes other 'dragons'. They can eat up to 80% of their body weight at one sitting! According to local reports (or perhaps legend), at least 8 humans have been attacked or eaten by dragons. However, it is most likely that you will encounter these creatures lying on a log in the morning sun, or seeking shade later in the day. The flicking tongue will not be issuing forth smoke and fire, but is used as an organ for detecting smell. With luck, you may catch a glimpse of one 'jogging' along the beach.

KOMODO DANCER

New to the famous Peter Hughes' Fleet of liveaboard boats is Komodo Dancer, 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. Five Twin Staterooms each have two single bunk beds. The Owner's Suite 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 photo supplies and small towels. E-6 processing is available daily. Light tables are always available for slide viewing. 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 out of Benoa Harbour, Bali for 7 and 11 nights cruises. Seven nights cruises operate from Monday to Monday (but the package starts on Sunday with an overnight stay at an hotel on Bali) and 11 nights cruises operate from Wednesday to Sunday (with the package commencing on Tuesday), throughout the year. Please contact our office for cruise dates.

Cruise Itineraries

On 7 nights cruises, Komodo Dancer departs from Benoa Harbour, Bali at lunch time, steaming overnight to Satonda Island for the first day of diving. From there the boat heads out to the Gili Islands, northeast of Lombok, for the second day of diving and then onwards for two days around Komodo. The last two days of diving are spent at Banta Island and Sangeang Island. Passengers disembark from Komodo Dancer at 0900 on the last morning and are transferred to the airport or an hotel. 11 nights cruises spend extra days diving in the Gili Islands and around Komodo.

A Peter Hughes' Dancer Fleet brochure is available from our office on request.

7 nights cruise

£1325 for a Twin Stateroom.

£1395 for a Deluxe Stateroom.

£1466 for the Owner's Suite.

11 nights cruise

£1817 for a Twin Stateroom.

£1888 for a Deluxe Stateroom.

£1957 for the Owner's Suite.

Includes:

· Airport/hotel/boat transfers at Denpasar if arriving/departing on the cruise departure/completion dates.

· 1 night accommodation in a good quality hotel in Bali on the night before the cruise.

· 7 nights or 11 nights cruise on Komodo Dancer on a twin/share basis with full board, including soft drinks, wine, beer and spirits.

· 5 or 9 full days of diving (up to 4 or 5 dives per day, including night dives) plus one or two dives on the last day, cylinders and weights.

· Port tax.

Non-divers: A 10% reduction applies.

Additional Cruise: A 10% discount applies.

Single Occupancy Supplement: If you are travelling alone and are willing to share a twin cabin with a fellow passenger of the same sex you can avoid paying any supplement. If you prefer to have a cabin to yourself a 50% supplements applies and the deposit requirement is doubled.

Deposit: £600 (7 nights cruise); £900 (11 nights cruise).

FLIGHTS

The airfares shown are the least expensive fare category available at the time of going to press. We will quote you the airfare applicable, based on current fare levels and booking class availability, at the time of booking. The usual airfare deposit is £100.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES

Daily midday departures from London (Heathrow) to Denpasar via Singapore, arriving the following afternoon. There are daily return flights in the evening from Denpasar, via Singapore, arriving at London (Heathrow) the following morning.

Flights are available from Manchester at no additional charge.

£608 for departures 1 January-21 March, 1 April-30 June, 1 September-9 December.

£795 for departures 22-31 March, 1 July-31 August, 10-31 December.

Includes:

· Scheduled flights London (Heathrow)/Singapore/Denpasar/Singapore/London (Heathrow) by Singapore Airlines.

MALAYSIA AIRLINES

Daily midday departures from London (Heathrow) to Denpasar via Kuala Lumpur, arriving the following afternoon. There are daily return flights in the afternoon from Denpasar, via Kuala Lumpur, arriving at London (Heathrow) the following morning.

Flight connections are also available from Manchester to Denpasar at no additional charge. Flights depart from Manchester on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Return flights leave Denpasar on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

£624 for departures 1 January-21 March, 1 April-30 June, 16 August-9 December, 25-31 December.

£686 for departures 22- 31 March.

£861 for departures 1 July-15 August, 10-24 December.

Includes:

· Scheduled flights London (Heathrow)/Kuala Lumpur/Denpasar/Kuala Lumpur/London (Heathrow) by Malaysia Airlines.

Business Class Upgrades: These are available on Malaysia Airlines between the UK and Denpasar at attractive rates. Please contact our office for details.

Overnights in Bali: £20 per night bed and breakfast on a twin/share basis at the Sativa Hotel, Sanur. This pleasant hotel comprises mostly detached bungalows in Balinese style. Rooms are well-appointed with en-suite facilities, air conditioning and a balcony or veranda overlooking the landscaped swimming pool. The Rose Restaurant serves European, Chinese and local specialities, while the unique William Bar, a sunken bar in the pool, provides drinks and light snacks. Other facilities include safety deposit box, 24 hour reception, room service, money changing facilities, fax service and car rental. A single supplement £20 per night applies. The Sativa Hotel is very well situated for Benoa Harbour and therefore most suitable for overnight accommodation either before or after a liveaboard cruise. Please note: pre-arranged airport/hotel transfers cost £5 each way per person or per couple.

SINGAPORE STOP-OVERS

Why not take the opportunity to explore Singapore as part of your holiday? Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines fly between London and Singapore daily and stop-overs are available at no additional airfare. We can arrange your hotel accommodation: for details please see the Sipadan entry in this brochure.

COMBINING KOMODO

WITH WAKATOBI

As all holidays to Wakatobi start and end in Denpasar, Bali, why not add on a visit to this extraordinary place? Simply add the cost of your chosen Komodo diving holiday to the cost of your Wakatobi adventure and include the cost of any necessary additional overnight stays along with the cost of international flights.