Lesser Sunda Island Cruise

Day 1

Labuan Bajo / Rinca (D)

Upon arrival in Labuhanbajo, we will go to the village of Melo to attend a performance of the traditional ‘whip-dance’, a test of daring and skill for which the men of the Western portion of Flores are famous. Two men, protected by rattan shields, accompanied by an orchestra of local instruments, hit each other fiercely with a rattan whip. Lightning quick moves defend each from the objective…to inflict a wound on the back of the other. The winner is loudly applauded and cheered. Upon return we embark onto the sailing vessel. After a few hours of sailing we will stop at the small island of Kelor to swim and snorkel and visit the adjacent island of Kukusan where we meet a settlement of the Bajau people. These ‘sea gypsies’ live in houses on stilts over the water. Originally from Sulawesi and formerly fully nomadic, living on their boats, nowadays the Bajau often occupy more permanent settlements.

Day 2

Rinca / Komodo (B/L/D)

You will visit the ranger station of Loh Buaya on Rinca Island for a first possible encounter with the famous Komodo dragons. This dry and rugged island is well-known for its diverse wildlife. Apart from the dragons, we may spot monkeys, wild buffalos and deer. From the top of the hills, the scenery is spectacular. In the afternoon we go to one of the beaches nearby for some excellent snorkeling.

Day 3

Komodo / Banta (B/L/D)

We wake up with the boat at anchor off Komodo Island, one of eighty odd islands of Komodo National Park. We will go ashore at the ranger station in Loh Liang for an early morning ranger guided trek through the Park searching for the Komodo Lizards. In the setting of a dry and rugged landscape we will meet these unique creatures that are obviously misplaced in today’s world. After re-embarking we will sail to a beach, called ‘red-beach’ because of the particles of red coral mingled within the sand. Here we will swim and snorkel over one of the ‘richest’ reefs in Eastern Indonesia. We will be stunned by the incredible variety of coral and fish on display underneath our arms and legs. Later in the afternoon we will make a stop at Gili Lawa Darat. The brave make it to the top of this island that offers one of the best views of the Komodo archipelago.

Day 4

Banta / Satonda (B/L/D)

In the morning we have our breakfast off the beach of Gili Banta, uninhabited and perfect for some excellent swimming and snorkeling. Following this daily excursion among underwater creatures, we will proceed to the east coast of Sumbawa to visit the village of Wera. Wera is a Buginese settlement famous for its boat building. Here we will see various types and sizes of traditional styled craft in various stages of construction. Many of the centuries old construction techniques are retained today and are examples of the way our schooners were built in recent years. We will stroll through the village and enjoy the our time with the friendly local people. Night sailing headed west.

Day 5

Satonda / Lombok (B/L/D)

We set foot on land at the little known island of Satonda with its stunning crater lake and beautiful coral gardens. Located just a couple of miles off the north-west coast of Sumbawa, Satonda is what remained of an extinct volcano of which the caldera was filled with water when nearby Mount Tambora erupted in 1815. It was the biggest volcanic eruption in the collective memory of mankind, much larger than Krakatoa. With an estimated volume of 160 cubic kilometres of rocks and ash ejected from the volcano the following year became known as the “year without a summer” because of the effect on North American and European weather. A highlight of our visit to Satonda is the sight of many thousands of flying foxes that commute at dusk from the island to feed on the mainland, returning before first light the next day. From Satonda we sail to the island of Moyo. Here we will land on the West coast of the island and take a short jungle walk to a local waterfall. We will plunge in the pool at the bottom and sense the chill of the sweet fresh water. Night sailing to east Lombok.

Day 6

Lombok (B/L/D)

Docked in Labuhan Lombok, east Lombok, after breakfast we will board a local coach for a tour into the interior of east Lombok. This relatively rural and traditional region is largely untouched by the busy tourist areas frequenting the West part of the island (Senggigi Beach, Gili Islands). We will visit a pottery village, attend a local dance performance and enjoy a real Sasak (indigenous people of Lombok) lunch on the way. After re-embarkation we move to the small island of Kondo, where we will visit a coral conservation project and have a refreshing swim and snorkel inspection of the local reef. Long night sail to the southwest coast of Lombok Island.

Day 7

Lombok / Bali (B/L)

The last day on aboard begins with a relaxing morning on a desert beach at Gili Nanggu (just off the coast of southwest Lombok), our last opportunity for snorkeling and enjoying the warm equatorial waters. Mid-day will mark our departure sail back to Bali with lunch and time to pack enroute. In Serangan east Bali, we will disembark and say goodbye to the crew and see you off to your next or final destination.

Ombak Putih Vessel
Lesser Sunda Island