Manta Expedition with the Manta Trust | Komodo to Bali | 30 Oct – 11 Nov 2027
Thirteen days aboard Naga Biru, from Komodo National Park west through Gili Banta, Sangeang and Sumbawa to Bali, with the focus on manta rays. A Manta Trust researcher sails with the group and gives talks and presentations through the trip.
Part of Naga Biru Expeditions, run with Manta Expeditions, a company affiliated with the Manta Trust.
The expedition
Komodo has one of the largest reef manta populations in the world. The route spends its first week at the park’s manta cleaning stations, including Manta Alley and Karang Makassar, and adapts to where the mantas are being seen. Late October and November is a season when mantas may be courting, and Komodo is one of the places where black-morph reef mantas turn up. Neither is ever certain.
Manta Expeditions trips include workshops on manta photo-identification, so guests can add their own pictures to the Manta Trust’s research.
The route
- Day 1: board in Labuan Bajo, check dive at Sebayur Kecil and welcome drinks.
- Days 2 to 4: central and south Komodo, the manta days. Manta Point and Mawan, flying foxes at sunset, a ranger walk to see the dragons on Rinca, Police Corner, Secret Garden, where mobula rays are sometimes seen, and the climb up Padar. Then a full day at Manta Alley, with three dives there and a night dive in Komodo Bay.
- Days 5 to 7: Batu Bolong, the manta sites again or Turtle City depending on conditions, Siaba Kecil and Tatawa, then north to The Shotgun, Crystal Rock and Castle Rock, with a sunset walk on Gili Lawa.
- Day 8: Gili Banta, at High Voltage, Gallery Rocks and Star Wars, and a barbecue on the beach.
- Day 9: Sangeang volcano, at Bubble Rocks, Lighthouse Reef and Teknik Reef, and a visit to a village.
- Day 10: Sumbawa Wall, Satonda, and the walk to Satonda’s saltwater crater lake.
- Day 11: Saleh Bay, with two whale shark swims at the fishing platforms. Sightings here are frequent but never guaranteed. Night dive at Moyo.
- Day 12: the last dives at Angel Reef and Little Angel Reef off Moyo, then about 18 hours of sailing to Bali.
- Day 13: disembark in Bali after breakfast.
The cruise director and captain adjust sites and timings to weather, currents and the wildlife.
Key trip details
- Dates: 30 October to 11 November 2027, 12 nights
- From Labuan Bajo (Komodo) to Bali
- Open to divers from Open Water level
- A Manta Trust researcher on board for the whole trip
Prices
Per person, in USD. The Manta Trust researcher is included. Government fees are paid on top: USD 35 per person per day, check-in and check-out days included, so USD 455 for the 13 days.
- Lower Deck cabin: USD 5,385 sharing (about EUR 4,775), USD 8,420 single
- Superior cabin: USD 5,935 sharing (about EUR 5,265), USD 10,025 single
- Deluxe cabin, with balcony: USD 6,485 sharing (about EUR 5,755), USD 11,010 single
- Grand Deluxe cabin, with terrace: USD 7,040 sharing (about EUR 6,245), USD 12,005 single
- Upper Deck single cabin: USD 8,420 (about EUR 7,470)
Inclusions
- Cabin, all meals, coffee, tea, water, soft drinks and post-dive snacks
- Diving with guides, four divers per guide at most, nitrox for certified divers, weights and belts
- Snorkelling, with gear and guides
- Land excursions as per the route
- Starlink Wi-Fi, where coverage allows
- The Manta Trust researcher on board
- Transfers between the harbour and one downtown hotel or the airport on the first and last day
Exclusions
- Flights and hotels before and after the cruise
- Government fees, USD 35 per person per day
- Travel and dive insurance, which is mandatory
- Visas, airport taxes and excess baggage
- Dive gear rental, courses and drone permits
- Alcoholic drinks, crew tips and personal expenses
Komodo, Alor and the volcanic islands west to Bali, on Naga Biru’s longer trips.
Naga Biru is a 35 m phinisi built in 2024. Most of the year she runs dive trips of five to seven nights in Komodo National Park. A few times a year she leaves those routes for longer expeditions: crossings to Alor and to Bali, and in 2027 a trip built around manta rays with Manta Expeditions, a company affiliated with the Manta Trust.
Expeditions in 2027
Manta Expedition, Komodo to Bali
30 October to 11 November 2027, 12 nights. Manta cleaning stations in Komodo, Sangeang volcano and the whale sharks of Saleh Bay, with a Manta Trust researcher on board. From USD 5,385 per person (about EUR 4,775).
Komodo to Alor
10 to 22 July 2027, 12 nights. The long way from Komodo National Park to the Alor archipelago, by way of Riung, Maumere and Lembata. From EUR 3,960 per person (about USD 4,465).
Alor to Komodo
2 to 14 September 2027, 12 nights. The same crossing the other way, from Alor back to Komodo National Park. From EUR 3,960 per person (about USD 4,465).
New expeditions are added here as the operator announces them.
The boat
Naga Biru has seven cabins, each with its own bathroom and air conditioning. The two Deluxe cabins have a private balcony and the two Grand Deluxe cabins a private terrace. Nitrox is included for certified divers, and each guide leads four divers at most. She is run by Komodo Dragon Liveaboards from Labuan Bajo, the operator of Naga Biru and Putri Naga.
Info & Booking Request
Any question about this expedition or want to join one? We reply within 24hrs.
