Visit the Renowned Reefs and Big Creatures of Komodo and Sumbawa on This Fantastic 11 Day Safari
May 20-30, 2026
We are excited to share with you this Komodo and Beyond Liveaboard snorkeling trip. This adventure starts in eastern Flores, Indonesia, then visits renowned Komodo National Park with its big fish action, then travels around a magnificent volcano with reefs that bubble with geothermal activity, with a final stop at a bay where whale sharks are as close to guaranteed as you’ll get in the wild.

You will experience a vast array of types of reefs, each with its own unique blend of marine life that inhabits them. You can expect to see just about every type of anemonefish in Indonesia, cuttlefish, octopus, various species of crab and shrimp, nudibranchs, manta rays, several species of turtles, scorpionfish in all shapes, sizes, and colors, sea snakes, whale sharks, and so much more.

The well-appointed Mermaid I liveaboard will serve as your floating home for this trip. This itinerary is offered several times per year and this trip is reserved exclusively for snorkelers. Your group of 14 snorkelers will board the yacht in Maumere and disembark in Bali.

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.
The Komodo and Beyond Liveaboard Snorkeling Trip Itinerary and Map

Within the famous Coral Triangle, this tour will explore the Lesser Sunda Islands, also known as Nusa Tenggara, in southern Indonesia.
After your international flight into Bali International Airport (DPS), you will check into the Novotel Bali Airport Hotel to relax and recover from your long journey. There will be a group dinner to welcome and introduce everyone.
The next morning you will meet your group for breakfast, then check out and take your group flight to Maumere on the island of Flores. At the Maumere airport, you will be met by staff from the Mermaid I liveaboard, and transferred by car to the port, where you will board the yacht.

You will have nine nights aboard the yacht, from which you will explore the islands to the west of Maumere. At the end of your journey, you will disembark the yacht in Bali. Then you will be transferred back to the airport where the tour ends.
What Will the Snorkeling Be Like on This Safari?
You will be exploring Komodo National Park, Sangeang Volcano, as well as Sumbawa which is home to Saleh Bay, where you can snorkel with whale sharks. The beauty of a liveaboard is that the itinerary can change to experience the best weather and water conditions, and the best times for viewing marine life. So while there is a route on the map above, the order of things and specific spots will be based on current conditions.


Snorkeling in Komodo
The islands in Komodo National Park are volcanic in origin with striking rugged hillsides of dry savanna and green thorny vegetation surrounded by beautiful sandy beaches.
You will see other boats out on the water, mostly with divers. But with few snorkelers on the water, you will generally have the reefs to your group.
Below the surface you can expect truly world class snorkeling. Being in the Coral Triangle, it offers an abundance of marine bio-diversity. You have many opportunities to see larger species in Komodo. There are manta ray cleaning stations scattered throughout the park. It isn’t uncommon to have encounters with large numbers of these majestic creatures, as well as eagle rays. Schooling pelagics, reef sharks, and Giant Trevally also make frequent appearances. And you are very likely to see many large sea turtles tucked into corals for a break, or coming to the surface for air.



Komodo has big tidal ranges, with strong currents, which is one of the reasons the reefs are so healthy. So you will often be led by your guide in a drift snorkel along a reef, or even around a small island, and get picked up in a different spot by the boat.
You will explore a variety of reefs, with expansive coral fields of many types, anemones, sponges, and reef fish galore. This makes the snorkeling suited to a variety of preferences.
Besides the nearly overwhelming number of small reef fish, you will also commonly see Napoleon Wrasse, and schools of jacks, fusiliers, spadefish, and trevally, and many more. Beautiful small nudibranchs are commonly sighted, as are colorful tunicates, and cephalapods like cuttlefish and octopus.

Topside, a tour to see the legendary Komodo Dragons lazing in the warm sunshine is also included.

The snorkeling in West Komodo National Park and Gili Banta are known for their currents which move nutrients through the area. This creates vibrant coral reefs full of sea life, and attracts large schools of fish, like tuna and jacks, along with big pelagic creatures like sharks, manta rays, mobula rays, and eagle rays. Your guides will time your snorkels for slower currents and you will always drift with them.

Snorkeling in Sumbawa
The Sangeang Volcano sits on an island off the northeast corner of the island of Sumbawa. It is still semi-active and you can snorkel in the bubbles that rise from the black sands surrounding it. You can also explore the hyper-rich reefs which are unlike any of the other reefs in the region as a result of its nutrient-dense volcanic substrate. These colorful coral reefs pop against the black sand background, and there are many unique creatures to spot, too.
Saleh Bay on the north side of Sumbawa is becoming famous for its large population of whale sharks. They are the largest shark and also the largest fish in the world. These giant but gentle creatures can reach a length of 65 feet long (20 meters), but average 48 feet (14.5 m). They are slowing moving, and are filter feeders. They draw in large quantities of water, and filter out all the small life in the water, like small fish and plankton.

In Saleh Bay, your guides will seek out the large fishing platforms called bagans. The whale sharks like to hang out around these floating structures. They come right up to the nets full of tiny baitfish and suck in some tasty food.

Most of the snorkeling sites will be reached via a zodiac RIB as pictured below. There is a ladder and the Mermaid crew are on hand to assist with water entry and exit. A certain level of fitness is required to climb the ladder.

What Is the Mermaid I Liveaboard Like?

Mermaid I is a 92 foot (28 meter) long, twin-engine steel motor yacht, purpose-built for snorkeling and diving. She has been exclusively chartered for this snorkeler-only adventure. She is a very comfortable and safe ship for exploring the remote regions of Indonesia.

There are a number of types of cabins aboard. On the Main Deck there is one Master Cabin, with a king size bed, near the bow, and four Deluxe Cabins, with king size or twin beds. All Main Deck cabins have en-suite bathrooms, panoramic sea view windows with doors opening onto the gangway.
There are two Lower Deck Cabins, with a double bed below a single bed. These cabins offer en-suite bathrooms and direct access to the Main Deck gangway.
All cabins are air-conditioned, with iPads for TV, toiletries, and towels.



The restaurant, on the Upper Deck, will serve all your meals. It has large windows so you can enjoy the views while you eat. Meals are delicious and prepared Asian and western style. Most dietary limitations can be accommodated with prior notice. The restaurant also has more comfortable seating, a multimedia entertainment center, and a reading library, including marine life ID guides.


Mermaid I offers two outside decks. The first is at the stern on the Upper Deck, is shaded with comfortable seating. The other is a Sun Deck, which is above the first one. It has areas with shade and sun, with cushioned sun beds. This is a great place to relax or enjoy a massage.


Mermaid I has a large dive deck and platform for gearing up and boarding the snorkel boats. There are freshwater showers for rinsing off the salt. Many fresh water rinse tanks are available for your cameras and gear.

Trip Details and How to Sign Up
This is a small group charter and we expect it to fill quickly. Your spot is reserved with your deposit. Contact Ben below for deposit instructions.
Trip Date:
May 20-30, 2026 – Trip full, request to be waitlisted below.
Trip Price:
Master Cabin: $8485 US per person sharing
Deluxe Cabin: $7985 US per person sharing
Lower Deck Cabin: $7485 US per person sharing
The initial deposit for this trip is $800 US per person. At 12 months before departure there is a $1000 US per person interim deposit, and at six months there is another $1000 US per person interim deposit. 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 at Novotel Bali Airport Hotel with dinner and breakfast
- Round trip domestic flight, transfers, and connections (Bali-Maumere) with 20kg/44lbs checked baggage
- 9 nights accommodation and full board (all meals) on the Mermaid I Liveaboard
- Drinking water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee
- 3-4 guided snorkel sessions per day
- Komodo dragon tour
- A guide from Ben’s team
- Marine park and port fees
Exclusions:
- International flights and visas
- Snorkeling equipment
- Tips
- Travel and health insurance
- Alcoholic drinks, laundry and general sundries
Trip Organizers
Ben and his U.K. based team are the organizers and leaders 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.