Komodo Island Escape aboard Samara 1

Our adventure begins in Labuan Bajo on Flores Island, where you are met and transferred to Samara I. After boarding our traditional Indonesian phinisi, we set sail through a landscape of rugged islands, sheltered bays and clear tropical waters. Our first stop is Kelor Island, where a short hike leads to a viewpoint overlooking the surrounding islands and coastline. We continue to Manjerite, known for its sheltered snorkelling waters and coral reefs, before visiting Pink Rock for further opportunities to snorkel, swim or explore by paddleboard. As the afternoon draws to a close, we arrive at Kalong Island, home to a large colony of flying foxes. At sunset, thousands of these fruit bats emerge from the mangroves, filling the evening sky as they fly towards Flores in search of food. We watch this remarkable natural spectacle before continuing towards Padar Island, where we anchor overnight.

Meals:  L,D

We begin the day with an early morning hike on Padar Island, one of the most recognisable landscapes in Komodo National Park. The trail climbs through open, grassy hills to a viewpoint overlooking three sweeping bays, with beaches of contrasting colours set against the island's rugged ridgelines and surrounding turquoise waters. After returning to the vessel for breakfast, we visit one of Padar's distinctive pink sand beaches, where fragments of red coral mixed with pale sand give the shoreline its unusual colour. There is time to swim or snorkel before we continue to Komodo Island, home to the world's largest living lizard. Accompanied by local park rangers, we explore the island's dry savanna and woodland in search of Komodo dragons. Found naturally on only a handful of Indonesian islands, these remarkable reptiles can grow to more than three metres in length. Our guided walk offers an opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat and learn about the conservation of this unique species. In the afternoon, we visit Pink Beach on Komodo Island, where coral reefs close to shore provide opportunities for snorkelling among tropical fish. We can also enjoy swimming, paddleboarding or relaxing on the beach before returning to the vessel for the evening.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we explore the rich marine environments of Komodo National Park, where the meeting of ocean currents creates nutrient-rich waters supporting an exceptional diversity of coral and marine life. Our first destination is Manta Point, a well-known gathering area for reef manta rays. These large filter-feeding animals are regularly encountered in the surrounding waters, and conditions permitting, we may have the opportunity to snorkel alongside them. We continue to Taka Makassar, a small crescent-shaped sandbar surrounded by shallow turquoise waters. This isolated stretch of white sand provides a striking contrast to Komodo's rugged islands, with opportunities to swim, snorkel or simply enjoy the surroundings. Later, we visit Siaba Island, also known as Turtle Point, where sheltered coral reefs and seagrass habitats attract green sea turtles. We explore the underwater environment in search of turtles and the many species of tropical fish found around the island. Our day concludes at Sebayur Besar Island, where we enjoy a barbecue dinner on the beach before spending our final night onboard.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we explore the waters surrounding Sebayur Kecil and Sebayur Besar, two islands known for their coral reefs and diverse marine life. The reefs support a variety of hard and soft corals, colourful reef fish and other marine species, providing a final opportunity to experience Komodo's underwater environment. After our morning snorkelling activities, we return to the vessel for lunch as we cruise through the islands towards Labuan Bajo on Flores. Our journey concludes on arrival in Labuan Bajo, where we disembark and transfer to the airport or a local hotel. NB* The itinerary may be altered based on the weather and sea conditions.

Meals:  B,L