27 Nights – 5 Destinations – Alor, Komodo, Bali, Wakatobi, Misool
October 28 – November 24, 2024
This is the snorkeling travel adventure to beat all. Join a small group of just 12 snorkelers, for nearly a month, on this Epic Indonesia snorkeling trip, exploring the most abundant and healthy reefs in the world. You will snorkel the best that Indonesia has to offer; the epicenter of marine biodiversity within the famed Coral Triangle.
You will visit Alor, Komodo, Wakatobi, and Misool in Raja Ampat, with a break in the middle to enjoy the culture, art, and beautiful landscapes of Bali.
Nearly any snorkeler would feel lucky to visit just one of these destinations. And it would be so interesting to visit them all on one trip because they are all different, in terms of the reef structures, types of fish and sea life you will encounter, and above the water landscapes. What they all have in common is a ridiculous, almost overwhelming, abundance of life. Particularly if you only plan to visit Indonesia once, this is the trip for you.
And not only are the reefs the world’s best, but each of the resorts you will be staying at are exceptional and unique, with fantastic food and service. By the end of this trip you will feel so pampered and happy that you will not want to go home.
This trip is being run by our partner and friend Ben and his team. Based in the U.K., they are experts in the Coral Triangle, run amazing excursions, and have a great appreciation for the underwater world. You can read more about Ben’s business below.
What the Snorkeling and Resorts Are Like
We have personally been to all of these destinations with Ben’s team. So we can tell you that you will not find better snorkeling anywhere in the world.
The reefs have not suffered from bleaching events like so many others in the world. The corals are healthy and so abundant and colorful that it is almost hard to take it all in. The sheer volumes of fish and creatures hearkens back to an earlier time in the world. It is a trip that will refresh your soul.
You will be exploring the biodiversity center of the region known as the Coral Triangle. The amount of fish and coral species in this area of the Coral Triangle is vastly greater than any other place on earth, with over 800 types of coral, and 2200 species of tropical fish, and six types of marine turtles.
This is such a big trip that it would be difficult to share all the details and pictures about each destination that we would like to. But, Ben’s company also runs trips to each of these destinations individually. So you can click the links below and look at those trip description pages to see many more pictures and details.
Those pages will give you a very good sense of what the resorts and the local underwater worlds are like. You just have to ignore the dates and other itinerary details on those pages, because they are for different trips. Of course the best way to learn all about this trip is to use the contact form at the bottom of this page to request more information from Ben’s team.
Alami Alor Resort, Komodo Resort and Surrounding Reefs
Alor is very remote, and very few tourists visit the area. That, combined with a lack of destructive fishing practices, means that the reefs are exceptional, unspoiled, and full of unique life. The other reason the reefs are so healthy and full of unique life is that Alor has strong currents, that flush the area with nutrients.
The Alami Alor Resort has a wonderful house reef to explore. And the resort will also take your group out twice a day on small boats, returning for lunch. Every spot you visit in Alor is very unique, from plateaus of colorful reefs, with clouds of small reef fish, to larger drop-offs, with larger species. Just some of the unique life you can see in Alor are mola mola, dolphins, frogfish, mandarinfish, and Blue Whales.
The resort itself is small and cozy. Your group will take the entire resort of wonderful waterfront cottages. You will all dine together family style, and the food is excellent.
Komodo Resort is located on its own private island, on the doorsteps of Komodo National Park. The resort has an extraordinary house reef. And your group will also be taken out by boat each day to visit the unique sea life of the area. At Komodo you will see many large creatures like sea turtles, and giant Manta Rays. The corals are also colorful and abundant, and the reef fish populations are fantastic. And yes, although it is optional, you will also have a chance to see Komodo Dragons.
The resort itself is located on a beautiful island. Your beach bungalows are well appointed, and there are trails to explore on the island, with beautiful views. The resort restaurant serves excellent food, with an Italian bent.
See more pictures and details about Alor and Komodo here. (Just ignore the trip dates and itinerary details.)
Bali
You won’t be snorkeling on Bali, but you will be relaxing at a stunning resort (to be announced as the trip gets closer). You will have a few days to relax and enjoy the culture and food of this beautiful paradise island. There will be two land tours of the stunning landscapes and iconic temples of this peaceful island.
Wakatobi Resort and Reefs
Wakatobi Resort and its house reef is located right in the middle of the Coral Triangle, and has some of the richest numbers of fish and coral species on earth.
The resort can only be accessed from a private charter, and the reefs are in the Wakatobi National Park that is protected, so they are particularly pristine. The resort has a great house reef, and you will also have unlimited boat snorkeling to visit neighboring snorkel spots that are abundant.
The resort is world-class, with beautiful beach bungalows, and a beach restaurant that serves a wide variety of traditional to international dishes.
See more pictures and details about Wakatobi here. (Just ignore the trip dates and itinerary details.)
Misool Resort and Reefs
Misool, in Raja Ampat, is our favorite snorkeling destination in the world (so far). Misool Eco Resort is located in a 500 square mile Marine Protected Area. And thanks to years of conservation work the corals and reef life are flourishing, and getting better every year. The combination of just a mind-blowing volume of fish and corals, along with an amazing resort on a private island, makes it a place you will never forget. In fact we donate to their conservation efforts every month because we love what they are doing so much.
We could go to Misool and only snorkel their house reef and be content. It is fantastic, with vast schools of fish that never seem to end, sea turtles and small sharks everywhere, and beautiful corals. And each day the resort will also take you out on small boats to explore reefs that are close by, each unique and stunning. Manta rays, sharks, huge schools of parrotfish, and great night snorkeling, are just some of what await.
This is not to mention the stunning accommodations, the resort service, and food, are all outstanding.
See more pictures and details about Misool here. (Just ignore the trip dates and itinerary details.)
Your Indonesia Travel Itinerary
Hello Indonesia!
This is a long trip, with a good number of inter-island flights, over land transfers, resort and hotel changes, and even boat trips. But Ben’s team is extremely experienced in Indonesia travel, and run group snorkeling trips to each of these destinations every year. They will make it all easy. Once you arrive in Indonesia your snorkeling group will have a guide from Ben’s team, who will be with you every step of the way, taking care of all of the travel details.
Arrive Jakarta, Indonesia
You will fly from your home to Jakarta International Airport (CGK) on the island of Java. You will make your way to your Jakarta hotel to relax for a bit. You will meet your group leader and the rest of your snorkeling group at the hotel restaurant for dinner. Your guide will then go over what the next day or two will look like.
Group Flight to Alor – 5 Nights at Alami Alor Resort
The next morning your group will take a flight to the island of Alor, where you will be met by staff from the Alami Alor Resort. They will transfer you to the resort, which is a 50 minute drive. You will spend the next five nights at the resort, your days filled with exceptional snorkeling.
Group Flight to Labuan Bajo – 5 Nights at Komodo Resort
After leaving Alor, your group will then fly to Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores. Staff from the Komodo Resort will transfer you to the port where you will board the resort’s spacious boat that will take you the private island where the resort is located. Days of snorkeling joy to follow.
Group Flight to Bali – 3 Nights in a Resort
Your group will then fly back to Bali to take a short break from snorkeling. You can relax in a beautiful resort and you can enjoy a land tour, and evenings filled with relaxing dining.
Group Flight to Wakatobi – 4 Nights at Wakatobi Resort
Your group will fly from Bali to Wakatobi Resort’s private air strip, where you will be transferred by a short boat ride out to the Wakatobi Resort. Days more snorkeling bliss to follow.
Group Flight to Bali then Makassar – 1 Night in Makassar
Your group will fly back to Bali then on to Makassar, overnighting at a comfortable hotel, before flying on to Sorong the next morning. This may change if a more convenient flight becomes available.
Group Flight to Sorong – 7 Nights at Misool Eco Resort
After flying into Sorong, your group will be met by the Misool Eco Resort staff, and transferred to the resort’s luxury speedboat, for a 4-5 hour ride through the beautiful islands of Raja Ampat to Misool. The boat is fully covered and very comfortable, with air-conditioning, a restroom, snacks and drinks. Believe it or not, despite all you will have seen, the next seven days of snorkeling will blow your mind.
Return to Sorong – 1 Night at a Sorong Hotel
Misool Resort will take you back to Sorong on their speedboat, and you will stay one night at a comfortable Hotel in Sorong.
Group Flight to Jakarta
The next morning your group will fly to Jakarta, where you will say your goodbyes and catch whatever international flight home you have arranged. The tour unfortunately is over.
Trip Details and How to Sign Up
This is a small group trip and we expect it to fill quickly. Your spot is reserved with your deposit. Contact Ben below for deposit instructions.
Trip Dates:
October 28 – November 24, 2024 – Trip full, request to be waitlisted below. There is also a 2025 trip and a 2026 trip.
Price:
$14450 US per person (Twin/Double Share)
Note that this price includes almost everything after you arrive: hotels, resorts, meals, snorkel boat tours, park fees, seven flights between islands, and a tour guide. There are a few exclusions you can read about below.
The initial deposit for this trip is $1500 US per person. At twelve months before departure there is a $1500 US per person interim deposit. Six months before departure there is an interim payment of $3000 US per person. The final balance will be due three months before departure. A few payment options are available including debit and credit cards.
Individual travelers – Ben will happily find someone of the same sex for you to share a room with. If he cannot find you someone, no single supplement surcharge will apply.
Inclusions:
- 1 night accommodation in a Jakarta hotel with breakfast
- Round trip domestic flights, transfers, and connections (Jakarta – Alor – Komodo – Bali – Wakatobi – Bali – Makassar – Sorong – Misool – Sorong – Jakarta) with 20kg/44lbs of luggage
- 5 nights Alami Alor Resort, Sea View Room, full board, 8 boat snorkeling sessions plus unlimited house reef
- 5 nights Komodo Resort, Deluxe Room, full board, 8 boat snorkeling sessions plus unlimited house reef
- 4 nights Wakatobi Resort, Palm View Room, full board, 3 full days of unlimited boat and house reef snorkeling
- 3 nights at a resort in Bali, breakfast, 2 half day land tours
- 7 nights Misool Resort, Water Cottage, full board, 10 boat snorkel sessions plus unlimited house reef snorkeling
- 1 night Sorong Hotel and 1 night Makassar Hotel with breakfast and dinner
- All marine park fees
- Tour guide from Ben’s team and local ones at each destination
Exclusions:
- International flights (booking available on request)
- Travel and health insurance (compulsory)
- Snorkeling equipment
- Tips
- Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
- Lunch and dinner in Bali
- Dinner in Jakarta on arrival day
- Lunch and dinner on departure day
- Sundries, laundry services, souvenirs, etc.
- Komodo Dragon optional tour
- Alor local village optional tour
- Additional boat snorkel sessions not listed above
Trip Organizers
Ben and his U.K. based team are the organizers of this trip (more about them below). Galen and Nicole from TropicalSnorkeling.com are promoting this trip, but all signups, trip organization and payments are made to and managed by Ben’s team. TropicalSnorkeling.com does receive a referral fee in exchange for promoting the trip, at no extra cost to attendees.
How to Sign Up or Learn More?
Use the contact form below to contact Ben and his team to request more information about them and express your interest in signing up. They will get back to you shortly with full details.
More About Ben and Our Partnership
Ben (pictured with Nicole) is our friend and snorkeling trips partner. He and his team are based in the U.K. and have over 20 years of experience guiding in Asia and beyond. He has been running his own business since 2010 and is primarily offering guided snorkeling trips, but he started with diving. He began offering snorkeling specific trips because he was aware that snorkelers often get the short end of the stick when thrown in with divers. He and his team love the freedom and low stress of snorkeling, and are very aware of the different needs of snorkelers versus divers, in terms of the reef depth, and calm surface conditions needed.
From our experience going on some of his snorkeling trips we found them very well organized, the guides were fantastic and very helpful, and the underwater experiences were exceptional. Snorkeling groups really get the benefit of all of Ben and his guides’ years of experience in the water, and with different resorts and liveaboards.
All of his trips are small groups of 12-18 guests, or with a similar ratio of snorkelers to guides. These are premium trips including nearly everything you will need, accommodation, meals, transportation, and more.
His company is licensed and insured. Barring extreme circumstances they do not cancel trips.
Learn More About the Resorts
Completed Trip Dates
April 12 – May 10, 2023