Join This 9 Day Resort Based Snorkel Safari to See the Abundance and Diversity of Sea Life in the Coral Triangle
August 18-26, 2023
We are delighted to announce this exciting trip to snorkel the stunning reefs of the Komodo islands, using the wonderful Komodo Resort as your base. We (Galen and Nicole) have done a similar shorter trip to Komodo Resort, and the snorkeling was stunning. All the underwater pictures on this page are ours from that 2019 trip.
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.
This affordable remote adventure will explore fantastic reefs, beautiful landscapes, and land-based attractions like trekking to see Komodo Dragons! The group size will vary depending on interest, but there will be a guide from Ben’s team for every 12-16 snorkelers.
Where is Komodo Resort?
After your international flight into Bali, you will meet your group and stay the first night there. The next morning you are off to Komodo Resort by plane and boat transfer.
Komodo is a national park of 26 islands which lie to the east of Bali. Taking a trip to this remote corner of Asia feels like stepping back in time.
The islands 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.
Komodo Resort is an extraordinary island resort on the outskirts of Komodo National Park. Your luxurious beachfront bungalows are en-suite and air-conditioned and the sunset beach bar is simply wonderful. The house reef offers beautiful snorkeling opportunities, but there are also lush and lively reefs within the national park, as well as the chance to snorkel with the huge and majestic manta rays.
Snorkeling in the Komodo Islands
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.
Each day your group will venture out by boat to explore neighboring reefs, and have lunch on board. There will also be a number of opportunities to snorkel the fantastic house reef at the resort.
Topside, there’s the chance to trek on Rinca Island and see the legendary Komodo Dragons lazing in the warm sunshine.
Watch This Short Highlight Video
What Is Komodo Resort Like?
You will have seven nights at Komodo Resort which is set on its own private island in a secluded area of eastern Indonesia.
Not only is it within range of some of Komodo’s finest snorkeling sites, it has a spectacular house reef, powder white sand beaches for afternoon relaxation, and accommodation finely in tune with its surroundings.
There are many reefs, islands, islets and sandy bays found within range of Komodo Resort to explore.
The 16 seafront bungalows plus 4 suite bungalows are made of teak wood, have private bathrooms, and are surrounded by the nature of a desert island.
All the rooms have air conditioning, fans, mosquito netting on the beds, hot water, and 24 hours electric power.
The open air bamboo restaurant serves international and Italian cuisine with fresh produce and fish straight from the sea.
You can enjoy daily homemade bread, pasta at dinner and pastries and cakes at breakfast.
They also accommodate dietary restrictions. Feel the breeze and enjoy the view of the ocean sipping a glass of wine.
The resort also has a new spa offering traditional Javanese massage, relaxation massage, masks and scrubs.
There is also a small gym, if you need a workout after all the snorkeling, or you can also hike the trails around the resort island for fantastic views of the neighboring islands.
The resort has a large boat dedicated to your snorkeling group that ventures out each day to explore neighboring reefs. You will often have lunch on the boat between snorkeling sessions, and there is a bathroom and changing rooms on the boat. The top deck has comfy bean bags under a shaded canopy to relax while underway. The rear of the boat has two very sturdy boarding ladders for getting back on the boat after your snorkel. There is also a zodiac inflatable boat that is always out with the snorkel group so that if anyone gets tired they can return to the main boat at any time.
Trip Details and How to Sign Up
We expect this trip to fill quickly. Your spot is reserved with your deposit of $400 US per person. Contact Ben below for deposit instructions.
Trip Date:
August 18-26, 2023 – One double occupancy room available.
Trip Price:
$3635 US per person (Twin/Double Share)
Single Person Supplement: $800 US
The initial deposit for this trip is $400 US per person. At six months before departure there is a $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 to avoid the single person supplement. If he cannot find you someone, no single supplement surcharge will apply.
Inclusions:
- 7 nights accommodation in a bungalow with full board (all meals)
- 1 night at Bali Novotel with dinner, breakfast, and transfers
- Domestic flights in economy Class with 44 lbs luggage allowance (Bali – Labuan Bajo – Bali)
- 12 boat snorkeling sessions over 6 days
- Unlimited house reef snorkeling
- Half day Komodo Dragon tour
- Services of local snorkel guides
- Entrance fees & marine park fees
- Return airport transfers
- Free WiFi high speed internet access via satellite
- 24 hours tea, brewed coffee, hot chocolate, drinking water, and daily snacks
Exclusions:
- International flights (booking available on request)
- Snorkeling equipment
- Tips
- Travel insurance
- Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, laundry and general sundries
- Spa services
Trip Organizers
Ben and his U.K. based team are the organizers and leaders of this trip (more about them below). Galen & 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 one of his snorkeling trips we found it 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. And for where they visit, and how packed they are with experiences, they are affordable.
His company is licensed and insured. Barring extreme circumstances they do not cancel trips, and all funds are held in a trust until the trip is completed giving you 100% financial security if they or any of their suppliers go out of business before the trip happens.
Learn More About the Resort
Completed Trip Dates
November 12-20, 2019
September 17-25, 2022