Visit the Famous Reefs and Big Creatures of Komodo and its Surrounding Islands on a Brand New Liveaboard
September 13-25, 2025
Has Komodo National Park caught your eye as a snorkeling destination? This Best of Komodo liveaboard snorkeling trip would be the perfect way to explore this abundant area of Indonesia! This 13 day trip takes place in September when many of the other liveaboards have moved up to Raja Ampat, leaving the park with fewer boats and people, so you can enjoy the snorkeling in peace.

On this safari, you will cover a lot of territory and visit locations not otherwise accessible from a resort. The plan is to spend a lot of time snorkeling the stunning reefs around central Komodo before heading farther north to explore the north end of Komodo Island and then leaving the park boundary for islands like Gili Banta and the Sangeang Volcano.

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, reef sharks, and so much more.

Your home for this trip will be the brand new Naga Biru liveaboard, which is due to be completed in the spring of 2025. It will sport all the luxuries and amenities of a comfortable resort, and serve as a functional base for your exhilarating snorkeling sessions. There are seven cabins which hold a total of 13 guests. Note that all of the images are computer rendered, as the boat is still under construction.

Although the liveaboard is brand new, the owners and managers of this liveaboard are well known to our trip partner who has organized this adventure. The owners are extremely experienced with the reefs around Komodo, and in guiding fantastic trips for snorkeling groups.
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.
Watch This Short Video for a Sense of What to Expect
The Best of Komodo Liveaboard Snorkeling Trip Itinerary and Map

Within the famous Coral Triangle, Komodo National Park is 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 Labuan Bajo on Flores Island.

After arriving, staff from the Naga Biru liveaboard will pick you up and transfer you, by car, the short distance to the port where you will board the yacht. You will have 11 nights aboard the yacht, from which you will explore Komodo National Park and its surrounding islands.

At the end of your journey, you will disembark the yacht again in Labuan Bajo. Then you will be transferred back to the airport for your final flight back to Bali where the tour ends.
What Will the Snorkeling Be Like on This Safari?
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 will 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.

The snorkeling at Gili Banta is also known for its 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.


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.
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.

Highlights on this tour should include snorkeling with mantas, floating over reefs bubbling from the volcanic activity below, watching thousands of flying foxes take to the sky at sunset, snorkeling endless stunning coral reefs, hiking Padar Island, dinners on the beach under the stars, trekking with the Komodo dragons, and so much more!
What Will the Naga Biru Liveaboard Be Like?
Naga Biru is a 35 meter wooden liveaboard 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.

She comfortably holds 13 guests in her seven elegantly designed cabins that can accommodate a variety of sleeping arrangements. With five distinct cabin types, Naga Biru Liveaboard ensures every guest finds their ideal space. Each cabin is equipped with essential comforts, including en suite bathrooms, USB charging ports, writing desks, and high-quality amenities.
There are two Grand Deluxe Cabins on the Upper Deck that have private terraces. These can be made up with two twin beds or one double. The small single cabin on the Upper Deck will be used by your guide from Ben’s team.

There are two Deluxe Cabins on the Main Deck; each has a private balcony. These rooms can have either two twin beds or one double.

On the Lower Deck there is one Superior Cabin which can be made up with two twin beds or one double.
Also on the Lower Deck there is an Economy Double Cabin, which has one double bed.


The vessel is equipped with a central lounge area on the Main Deck, where you can relax on the wrap-around sofa and enjoy delicious meals around the large dining table. They can accommodate a range of dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and certain allergies. Please give advance notice of your needs. The Naga Biru also offers plenty of outdoor space to take in all the sights from the comfortable lounging areas and bar.

For those traveling with cameras, the boat offers a dedicated camera room, also on the Main Deck, to organize and store your camera gear in between snorkels.
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:
September 13-25,-2025 – Available.
Trip Price:
Grand Deluxe Cabin (Upper Deck): $6800 US per person sharing
Deluxe Cabin (Main Deck): $6200 US per person sharing
Superior Cabin (Lower Deck): $5800 US per person sharing
Economy Double Cabin (Lower Deck): $5150 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 flights, transfers, and connections (Bali – Labuan Bajo – Bali) with 20kg/44lbs checked baggage
- 11 nights accommodation and full board (all meals) on the Naga Biru Liveaboard
- Drinking water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee
- 3-4 guided snorkel sessions per day
- A guide from Ben’s team
- Marine park and port fees
- Snorkeling equipment rental
Exclusions:
- International flights and visas
- Tips
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Health insurance (compulsory)
- 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.