15 Days Exploring Vibrant Reefs and Seeing Manta Rays, Turtles, and Whale Sharks
September 26 – October 10, 2026
October 9-23, 2026
September 17 – October 1, 2027
This fabulous West Komodo and Sumbawa liveaboard snorkeling trip is a one-way journey between Bali and Labuan Bajo in southern Indonesia. Snorkel the famous Komodo National Park with its vibrant reefs and prolific marine life. Explore more abundance beyond the park’s borders in West Komodo including a semi-active volcano with reefs that effervesce with volcanic bubbles. You will also visit Saleh Bay on Sumbawa Island, where snorkeling with whale sharks is 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. You will even have a chance to trek with Komodo Dragons!
Your home for this trip will be the brand new Naga Biru liveaboard, which is due to be completed in the first half 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 12 guests plus your guide. 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 Sumbawa, 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.
The West Komodo and Sumbawa Liveaboard Snorkeling Trip Itinerary and Map
Within the famous Coral Triangle, this tour will explore the islands of Komodo National Park and Sumbawa in Nusa Tenggara, 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 two dates for this trip offer opposite itineraries. For the first tour date, the next morning you will meet your group for breakfast, then check out and take a group flight to Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores. At the airport, you will be met by staff from the Naga Biru liveaboard, and transferred by car to the port, where you will board the yacht.
For the second tour date, the next morning you will meet your group for breakfast, then check out and be transferred by car to the port in Bali where you will board the Naga Biru liveaboard.
You will have 12 nights aboard the yacht, from which you will explore the islands of Komodo National Park and Sumbawa.
For the first tour date, at the end of your journey, you will disembark the yacht in Bali. Then you will be transferred to a comfortable hotel where you will spend one more night. Breakfast the following morning is included.
For the second tour date, at the end of your journey, you will disembark in Labuan Bajo. You will be transferred a short distance by car to the airport, for a group flight back to Bali. When you arrive in Bali, you will be transferred to a comfortable hotel where you will spend one more night. Breakfast the following morning is included.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Dates:
September 26 – October 10, 2026 (Labuan Bajo to Bali) – Available.
October 9-23, 2026 (Bali to Labuan Bajo) – Available.
2026 Trip Prices:
Grand Deluxe Cabin (Upper Deck): $7995 US per person sharing
Deluxe Cabin (Main Deck): $7495 US per person sharing
Superior Cabin (Lower Deck): $6950 US per person sharing
Economy Double Cabin (Lower Deck): $5990 US per person sharing or Single occupant $7995 US – first come first served
September 17 – October 1, 2027 (Labuan Bajo to Bali) – Available.
2027 Trip Prices:
Grand Deluxe Cabin (Upper Deck): $7995 US per person sharing
Deluxe Cabin (Main Deck): $7495 US per person sharing
Superior Cabin (Lower Deck): $6950 US per person sharing
Economy Double Cabin (Lower Deck): $5550 US per person sharing or Single occupant $7995 US – first come first served
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, at the start of the trip
- Round trip domestic flight, transfers, and connections (Bali – Labuan Bajo or Labuan Bajo – Bali) with 20kg/44lbs checked baggage
- 12 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
- 1 night accommodation at a Bali hotel with breakfast, at the end of the trip
- A guide from Ben’s team
- Marine park and port fees
- Snorkeling equipment rental
Exclusions:
- Lunch and dinner the last day in Bali
- 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.