Lotus Malayeka

8 days covering central, south and north Komodo, with two manta cleaning stations, the current sites of Gili Lawa and night dives at Wainilu and Padar. Up to 23 dives.

This is a sample itinerary only. The captain and cruise director choose the sites each day around weather, sea conditions and local rules.

board in Labuan Bajo, briefings and a check dive at Sebayor. A night dive if time allows.

central Komodo. Tatawa Besar is a drift over hard corals with eagle rays and blacktip sharks. Karang Makassar is a manta cleaning station on sand and bommies. Pink Beach is a gentle slope for macro, and Komodo Bay a night dive with a chance of a Spanish dancer.

south Komodo. Two dives at Manta Alley, then Tanjung Lehoksera and a night dive in Lehoksera Bay.

Padar, with Three Sisters, Secret Garden and Padar Kecil, and the hike to the Padar viewpoint.

Gili Lawa, at Castle Rock, Crystal Rock and the Shotgun drift. Strong current here, so bring a reef hook.

back in the centre. Batu Bolong, Siaba Kecil, where dugongs are occasionally seen, and Pulau Pengah. Night dive at Wainilu for frogfish and ghost pipefish.

Siaba Besar and Mawan, a second manta cleaning station at about 10 m. An optional walk ashore, then a sunset cruise past the flying fox colony at Kalong.

disembark in Labuan Bajo.

9 days in central Raja Ampat, from the Dampier Strait to Penemu, Yefnabi Kecil and Yanggefo, with stops at the Penemu viewpoint and Arborek village. Up to 26 dives.

This is a sample itinerary only. The captain and cruise director choose the sites each day around weather, sea conditions and local rules.

transfer from Sorong to the boat, cabin allocation and safety briefings, then the sail to Mioskon in the Dampier Strait.

the Dampier Strait. A check dive at Mioskon, then Sardines Reef and Sawandarek, and a night dive. Reef sharks, barracuda, Napoleon wrasse and trevally are regulars here.

Penemu. My Reef, Melissa's Garden and Keruo Channel, then the northwest side at Barracuda Rock, Anita's Garden and Batu Rufus. On land, the climb to the Penemu viewpoint and a trip round the lagoon.

Yefnabi Kecil, all four dives around the island, with a chance of manta rays.

Yanggefo, at Mayhem, Citrus Ridge and Pretty Shallow. Wobbegong sharks, batfish and reef sharks are often seen.

Manta Ridge and Manta Sandy, two cleaning stations where mantas are often around, then Arborek Jetty and a visit to Arborek village before the night dive.

two last dives, at Cape Kri, known for the number of fish on one reef, and at Lao-Lao Reef. Then the sail back to Sorong.

disembark in Sorong. Keep 24 hours between the last dive and your flight.

10 days west from Wakatobi in southeast Sulawesi, across the Takabonerate atoll, to Komodo National Park. Up to 30 dives, plus Padar, Rinca and the flying foxes of Kalong.

This is a sample itinerary only. The captain and cruise director choose the sites each day around weather, sea conditions and local rules.

board in Bau-Bau, briefings, then sail for Wakatobi. A check dive off Wanci if there is time before the overnight crossing.

Wanci, at Blue Mosque, Aquarium and Marina Tugu: hard coral gardens, turtles, reef sharks, nudibranchs and pygmy seahorses. Night dive at Marina Tugu.

Kaledupa. Fish Market, Outer Pinnacle and Hoga Ridge have walls and pinnacles with soft corals, eagle rays and schooling fish. Night dive at Hoga Bui.

Tomia, at Lorenzo Delight, Valentine Point and Starship: walls, drift dives and macro. Night dive at Waitii Ridge.

Takabonerate, one of the largest atolls in the world. Three dives on its outer reefs, a visit to its islands and lagoons, then the overnight sail to Komodo.

central Komodo, at Sebayor Ridge, Tatawa Besar and the Shotgun channel drift when the current allows. Night dive at Teluk Lawa.

north Komodo, at Castle Rock, Crystal Rock and Siaba Kecil, for schooling fish, reef sharks and Napoleon wrasse. Night dive at Pink Beach.

south Komodo. Manta Alley, where mantas are often seen, then Secret Garden for macro. Afternoon hike to the Padar viewpoint and a night dive in Padar Bay.

Batu Bolong and Karang Makassar, then a walk on Rinca to see Komodo dragons. Farewell barbecue near Kalong Island as thousands of flying foxes leave at dusk.

disembark in Labuan Bajo and transfer to the airport or your hotel.

11 days from Ternate around North Halmahera and Morotai, some of the least dived water in Indonesia: seamounts, channels, walls and wrecks from the Second World War. Up to 35 dives.

This is a sample itinerary only. The captain and cruise director choose the sites each day around weather, sea conditions and local rules.

board in Ternate and sail toward Jailolo. Check dive at Tanjung Kailupa, a wall and slope with sea fans and sponges.

Loloda. Kahatola Channel is a current dive past big boulders, Sidanga Passage a drift with places to rest. A visit to Kahatola waterfall, then more dives and a night dive.

Doi Island. Jackpot is a ridge of hard coral wrapped in fish, Wonderwall a wall of soft and whip corals with caverns, then Doi Channel and a macro night dive at Muka Kampung.

Womow, a seamount that comes up to about 7 m. Grey, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks and giant trevally are often here. Then Blacktip Point, and a night dive on Metita house reef for walking sharks.

Morotai. The Lopong Utara wreck lies between 30 and 50 m, so it suits experienced divers. Then Karang Buho-Buho and drifts along the walls and caverns of Wamama.

Morotai's war relics, with the wreckage of a Bristol Beaufort plane, then the deep walls of Sagolo and the drift along Kasar Wall. Night dive at Jababek.

Rao. Tanjung Garam has canyons and swim-throughs, Batu Aru walls full of fish, Saminyamau an easy slope.

Kolorai. The Canyon is one of the area's best dives, the small Sussie wreck sits between 18 and 32 m, and Kolorai Reef is a coral slope. Mobula rays and guitar sharks turn up now and then.

Metita, at Lighthouse, Deep Corner and Om Karibo, three healthy coral reefs, with a night dive on the house reef.

two dives at Dagasuli and Doi, The Boulders and Lama, where nurse sharks are sometimes seen. Then back to Ternate.

disembark in Ternate.

11 days north from Sorong through central and northern Raja Ampat, then across to Morotai and Doi in North Maluku. Up to 32 dives.

This is a sample itinerary only. The captain and cruise director choose the sites each day around weather, sea conditions and local rules.

board in Sorong and sail to Friwin Island.

the Dampier Strait. Check dive at Friwin, then Cape Kri, with schools of trevally, barracuda and sweetlips, and Sawandarek for the afternoon and night dives.

Manta Ridge, a cleaning station where you hold on with a reef hook and wait for mantas, then Mayhem, a reef top at about 7 m, and Pretty Shallow for the last dives.

Penemu. Two dives at Melissa's Garden, one of the best hard coral reefs anywhere, and Keruo Channel between them. Night dive at Galaxy, where walking sharks are sometimes found.

Kawe. Eagle Rock has soft-coral boulders, Black Rock black coral and schooling fish, Figure Eight Rock bommies full of glassfish. Mantas are possible at the first two.

Wayag. In the morning the climb to the Wayag viewpoint, then Wayag Rock and Far Out Rock, a wall with boulders and swim-throughs. Wayag access has been restricted lately: if the viewpoint or the dives are not allowed, the boat goes on toward Morotai and the plan changes.

Sayang, two dives where bumphead parrotfish and turtles are often seen. Then the overnight crossing to Morotai.

Womow, a seamount rising to about 7 m, with grey, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, giant trevally and tuna. Then Blacktip Point and a night dive on Metita house reef.

Kolorai. The Canyon, the Susi wreck at about 18 m, and a slope dive and night dive on Kolorai Reef.

Doi. Jackpot, a coral ridge with dense fish, and Wonderwall, a slope that turns into a wall of soft corals and caverns. Then the sail to Ternate.

disembark in Ternate. Keep 24 hours between the last dive and your flight.

11 days that start in southern Raja Ampat around Misool, then work north through Penemu to the Dampier Strait. Up to 35 dives, with the Piaynemo viewpoint, a village visit and a morning looking for birds of paradise.

This is a sample itinerary only. The captain and cruise director choose the sites each day around weather, sea conditions and local rules.

board in Sorong, briefings and, if arrivals allow, a check dive at Matan Island. Overnight sail to Misool.

Daram, with the pinnacles and ridges of Andiamo and Candy Store. Wobbegong sharks, Napoleon wrasse and manta rays are all possible.

Fiabacet, at Whale Rock, Nudi Rock and Tank Rock: thick coral, schooling fish, turtles and pygmy seahorses. Night dive at Romeo.

the Boo Islands. Boo West, Puri Pinnacle and Kanim have soft corals and big rock shapes, with mobula rays now and then. Sunset dive at Juliet.

Warakaraket. Magic Mountain is one of Raja Ampat's best manta sites, though mantas are never certain, then Boo Window and Boo East, with a night dive at Boo Window.

Wayilbatan, at Orange Peel, Four Kings and Wedding Cake, a trip round the lagoon, and a night dive at Batu Barracuda, where walking sharks are sometimes found.

Penemu, at My Reef, Melissa's Garden and Keruo Channel, and the hike to the Piaynemo viewpoint.

Gam and Yanggefo, at Mayhem, Citrus Ridge and Pretty Shallow.

Cape Kri, Sardines Reef and Sawandarek, a visit to Sawandarek village and a last night dive.

two dives around Wai, then Birie Island for birds of paradise and hornbills, and a farewell barbecue.

disembark in Sorong.

12 days from Kaimana in West Papua to Sorong. It starts with the soft corals of Triton Bay and ends in the protected reefs of Misool, in southern Raja Ampat. Up to 35 dives.

This is a sample itinerary only. The captain and cruise director choose the sites each day around weather, sea conditions and local rules.

board in Kaimana harbour, boat and safety briefings. No dive today: the boat sails as soon as everyone is on board.

Triton Bay, at sites such as Little Komodo, Saruenus Island, Bo's Rainbow, Seventh Heaven and Batu Jeruk. The bay is known for its soft corals and black coral bushes, and for a flasher wrasse found nowhere else.

Namatote, where fishermen's floating platforms (bagan) draw baitfish. Whale sharks often come to feed under them, and dolphins sometimes pass, but neither is certain. The boat then heads for Momon.

the reefs and offshore atoll of Momon, with hard coral gardens, and a shore visit to Kiti-Kiti, a waterfall that drops straight into the sea.

Pulau Pisang. The Dome is a wall of soft corals and sea fans with caverns. T-Bone Reef is a ridge that starts at about 5 m and runs down a deeper slope.

into Misool, around Daram.

Fiabacet, Boo and Warakaraket, inside Misool's no-take zone: ridges, walls, pinnacles and submerged reefs with big sea fans and dense fish. Manta rays are a chance in the currents.

Wayil, with Four Kings, four pinnacles thick with fish, and a last dive at Orange Peel, a ridge and wall in soft coral. The boat then sails for Sorong.

breakfast on board and disembark in Sorong. The last dive is on day 11, so keep 24 hours between it and your flight.

12 days south from Sorong through Misool, then east along the West Papua coast to Triton Bay and its whale shark platforms. Up to 35 dives.

This is a sample itinerary only. The captain and cruise director choose the sites each day around weather, sea conditions and local rules.

board at Sorong harbour, cabin allocation, briefings and safety drill, then the overnight sail to Misool. No dive today.

Wayil. A check dive at Wedding Cake, then Four Kings, four coral pinnacles ringed by reef fish, and Batu Barracuda for the afternoon and night dives.

Fiabacet, Boo and Warakaraket, in Misool's no-take zone, where the reefs are some of the healthiest in Raja Ampat. Expect ridges, walls and pinnacles, giant sea fans and thick schools of fish, with a chance of manta rays.

Daram. Andiamo is a coral-covered pinnacle, Karang Daram a reef that breaks the surface at low tide, and Candy Store a wall of ridges and swim-throughs.

Pulau Pisang, with the soft-coral wall and caverns of The Dome and the ridge of T-Bone Reef.

Momon, with hard coral gardens and a trip ashore to Kiti-Kiti, where a waterfall runs straight into the sea.

Triton Bay, at Little Komodo, Saruenus Island, Bo's Rainbow, Seventh Heaven, Batu Jeruk and others. Soft corals, black coral forests and the Triton Bay flasher wrasse.

two dives under the bagan fishing platforms at Namatote, where whale sharks and dolphins often come for the baitfish, though not on every trip.

disembark in Kaimana and transfer to the airport or your hotel. Keep 24 hours between the last dive and your flight.

13 days from Sorong to Kaimana, with an extra day in Misool compared with the 11-night version. Up to 39 dives.

This is a sample itinerary only. The captain and cruise director choose the sites each day around weather, sea conditions and local rules.

board at Sorong harbour, briefings and safety drill, then sail overnight to Misool. No dive today.

Wayil. Wedding Cake for the check dive, Four Kings and its four pinnacles, then Batu Barracuda for the afternoon and night dives.

Fiabacet and the no-take zone around it: ridges, walls and submerged reefs with big gorgonians and schooling fish. Manta rays are possible in the current.

Boo and Warakaraket. Magic Mountain is one of Raja Ampat's best manta sites, though mantas are never guaranteed. Boo Window and Boo East have swim-throughs, soft coral and good macro. A night dive ends the day.

Daram, with Andiamo, Karang Daram and Candy Store. Wobbegong sharks turn up on some Misool dives.

Pulau Pisang, at The Dome and T-Bone Reef.

Momon, hard coral reefs and the Kiti-Kiti waterfall that falls into the sea.

three days in Triton Bay, at sites such as Little Komodo, Saruenus Island, Bo's Rainbow, Seventh Heaven and Batu Jeruk.

Namatote's bagan platforms, where whale sharks often feed on the baitfish.

disembark in Kaimana. Keep 24 hours between the last dive and your flight.

13 days east from Alor across the Banda Sea to Ambon: Alor's muck and walls, the remote reefs of Wetar and Nyata, two mid-ocean atolls, the volcanoes of Serua and Manuk, the spice island of Banda Neira and Suanggi. Up to 40 dives. Hammerheads are possible at several stops, never certain.

This is a sample itinerary only. The captain and cruise director choose the sites each day around weather, sea conditions and local rules.

board in Kalabahi, Alor, with briefings and a check dive in Kalabahi Bay, known for rare critters. A night dive if time allows.

Alor. Munaseli in northeast Pantar, a wall and ridge with lots of fish, then the arches of Pulau Ternate. On the way, a stop near Sikka Island, where dugongs are sometimes seen.

Wetar, one of the least visited islands in the Banda Sea: walls, hard corals and usually clear water.

Nyata, with caverns, swim-throughs, ridges and hard coral from the shallows to deep water.

Terbang Selatan, walls of soft coral and giant barrel sponges. Dogtooth tuna are often seen here.

the mid-sea atolls of Karang Nil Desperandum and Karang Dusbourg. Steep walls and strong current bring pelagics, with a chance of hammerhead schools.

Serua, a volcano rising from deep water, where upwellings draw pelagic fish.

Manuk, known for its many sea snakes, with hammerheads seen in the deeper water on some dives.

Banda Neira. A morning ashore at the Dutch fort and colonial town, then dives at Pohon Miring, a wall with swim-throughs, and Batu Kapal, a pinnacle and ridge.

Suanggi, a small island with hard coral gardens, lots of fish and a good chance of dogtooth tuna and hammerheads.

two dives on the hard corals of Nusa Laut, then the overnight sail to Ambon.

disembark in Ambon. Keep 24 hours between the last dive and your flight.

the Alor route run the other way, 13 days from Ambon through the Banda Islands and the Forgotten Islands to Kalabahi. Up to 40 dives.

This is a sample itinerary only. The captain and cruise director choose the sites each day around weather, sea conditions and local rules.

board in Ambon, briefings and a check dive at Laha in Ambon Bay, one of the best muck sites in Indonesia. A night dive if arrivals allow.

Suanggi, four dives on hard coral reef. Watch the blue for hammerheads and dogtooth tuna, though neither is guaranteed.

Banda Neira. A guided visit to the Dutch fort above the town, then Pohon Miring and Batu Kapal.

Manuk, a volcanic island with rough topography and many sea snakes. Hammerheads are a real chance here.

Serua, another volcano, with coral gardens and lots of fish.

the remote atolls of Karang Dusbourg and Karang Nil Desperandum: walls, plateaus, reef sharks and schooling fish, with hammerheads in season.

Terbang Selatan, soft-coral walls and huge barrel sponges, with dogtooth tuna and reef sharks.

Nyata, caverns, ridges and swim-throughs on coral that runs from the shallows down the wall.

Wetar, three dives on walls and hard corals that few boats ever reach.

Alor. Munaseli in northeast Pantar, the arch at Pulau Ternate and the reefs around Pantar.

two muck dives in Kalabahi Bay, for frogfish, seahorses, octopus, ghost pipefish and other critters.

disembark in Kalabahi, Alor. Keep 24 hours between the last dive and your flight.

from Ambon through the Banda Islands and across to the soft corals of Triton Bay, then on to Sorong. Days 1 to 11 follow Lotus's 11-night Ambon, Banda Neira and Triton Bay itinerary. This departure runs 13 nights and ends in Sorong, and Lotus has not yet published the plan for the last part.

This is a sample itinerary only. The captain and cruise director choose the sites each day around weather, sea conditions and local rules.

board in Ambon, briefings and, if arrival allows, a check dive at Laha, known for rare macro life.

Suanggi, four dives including a sunset dive. Hammerheads come here in season, and are never a sure thing.

Pulau Run, walls and hard coral gardens with plenty of reef fish, and a sunset dive.

Banda Neira. Batu Kapal and Pohon Miring, an afternoon visit to Fort Belgica above the town, and a night dive.

two dives at Pulau Hatta, then Karang Hatta, an atoll known for clear water. Overnight sail to Pulau Koon.

Koon, known for its fish: big schools of black snapper, batfish, bigeye trevally and barracuda. Then the long crossing east to Momon.

the atolls of Momon and a rock near Kiti-Kiti, with a visit to the waterfall that falls into the sea.

Triton Bay, at Saruenus Island, Little Komodo, Bo's Rainbow, Batu Jeruk, Seventh Heaven and others: soft corals, black coral forests and the Triton Bay flasher wrasse.

Namatote's bagan platforms, where whale sharks and dolphins often feed on the baitfish.

the sail north to Sorong, and disembarkation there. Lotus will confirm the plan for these days.