Join This 12 Day Trip Exploring Renowned Komodo National Park Aboard the Luxurious Coralia
May 8-19, 2027
If you have been itching to get there, this Ultimate Komodo liveaboard snorkeling trip would be a fabulous way to explore this renowned area of Indonesia. Komodo National Park is known for its large schools of Giant Trevally and its numerous manta ray cleaning stations, and you can see gorgeous coral reefs, sea turtles, and so much more. You can also snorkel around a magnificent volcano with vibrant reefs that bubble with geothermal activity.
Your home for this trip will be the award-winning 158 foot Coralia liveaboard. It has all the luxuries and amenities of a comfortable resort, and will serve as a functional base for your breathtaking snorkeling sessions. We have taken a tour aboard the Coralia and can vouch for the high quality of the accommodation, food, and crew.
On this adventure you will explore a large territory and visit locations not otherwise accessible from a resort. You will to spend a lot of time snorkeling the stunning reefs around central, north, and south Komodo before heading further north towards the very tip of Komodo Island. Thereafter, you will leave the park boundaries for islands like Gili Banta and 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.
The yacht is chartered exclusively for the use of your group of 15 snorkelers. 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.
Get a Sense for What You Can Expect With This Video
Ultimate 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 a comfortable 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 Coralia 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 10 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?
You will be snorkeling the best areas of Komodo National Park and beyond the park boundaries at Gili Banta and Sangeang Volcano. 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.
You will board smaller tender boats, which will take you to the shallow snorkeling sites. There will be three snorkeling sessions offered per day, along with several night or sunset snorkels.
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.
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 to the northwest of Komodo National Park. 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.
In addition to the snorkeling, a trek to see the impressive Komodo Dragons will also be included.
There are two smaller fiberglass panga style boats that will be used to bring your snorkeling group to different sites, and they will always be watching your group and ready to assist. These smaller boats have ladders to help you get back on board. If you get tired during a snorkel one of those boats can quickly take you back to the mothership.
What Is the Coralia Yacht Like?
Coralia is a beautiful wooden boat built in the traditional way. It is a wonderful home from which you can safely explore the reefs of Indonesia. As you cruise between the islands you will view stunning seascapes and enjoy the company of your snorkeling group.
At 158 feet long, 30 feet wide, and displacing 361 tons, she is a good sized ship with loads of space for enjoying your leisure time and dining, both in and out of the sun. And with as many crew on board as guests you will be very well taken care of.
There is a sundeck on top, and there is an airy upper deck for dining and leisure, with plenty of loungers for taking in a sunrise or sunset with a drink in hand.
There are also air-conditioned lounge and restaurant areas on the main deck to cool down. When available there is free WiFi, but it is spotty, and only for a quick email check.
The Coralia has eight double cabins. Each cabin is air-conditioned, non-smoking, and has a spacious private bathroom with warm freshwater showers, towels, and hairdryer.
Environmentally friendly, natural soap and shower amenities are provided free of charge.
In the cabin itself guests will find cozy beds, a sofa, working desk, and closet. A safety box, regular, and USB charging stations provide further comfort.
There are four luxurious master cabins on the main and upper deck that additionally feature a private balcony, sun chair and outside sofa, where you can indulge in the tropical scenery and never miss a sunrise or sunset.
The deluxe lower cabins have either one double or two twin beds and porthole windows.
The yacht has a cozy air-conditioned restaurant where you will be served traditional Indonesian cuisine as well as international comfort foods and snacks between snorkels. They can accommodate most special diets such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and so on. But, it is a remote destination and specific food items may not be available.
And last but certainly not least, there is a spa on the top deck for massages should you like to relax even more.
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 8-19, 2027 – Available.
Trip Price:
Deluxe Cabin: $9075 US per person (Twin/Double Share)
Master Cabin: $9975 US per person (Twin/Double Share)
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 a Bali hotel with dinner and breakfast
- Round trip domestic flights, transfers, and connections (Bali – Labuan Bajo – Bali) with 20kg/44lbs checked baggage
- 10 nights accommodation and full board (all meals) on the Coralia Liveaboard
- 3-4 guided snorkel sessions per day on most days
- Marine park, port fees, and fuel surcharge
- A guide from Ben’s team
Exclusions:
- International flights and visas
- Alcoholic drinks, laundry and general sundries
- Snorkeling equipment rental
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Health insurance (compulsory)
- Spa services
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.