Indonesia: Timor to Sangeang Nov/Dec ’27

Indonesia: Timor to Sangeang Nov/Dec ’27

Indonesia: Enchanting Isles from Timor to Sangeang

November/December 2027

Awe-Inspiring Indonesia: Journeying from remote Timor & Sumba to Komodo’s endemism hotspot. Onwards to our favorite sites around Sangeang and the captivating Muck Magic of Bima Bay!

All aboard the luxurious Damai I

Join Richard and Wendy’s ‘Our Beloved Seas‘ expeditions in the heart of the Coral Triangle

Kupang (Trip 1 start)

Labuan Bajo (Trip 1 end, Trip 2 start)

Bima (Trip 2 end, Trip 3 start)

Labuan Bajo (Trip 3 end)

Trip 1: Kupang (Timor) to Labuan Bajo (Komodo) 
8-19th November 2027

Contact us about availability

Trip 2: Labuan Bajo (Komodo) to Bima (Sumbawa)  
21st November – 2nd December 2027

Contact us about availability

Trip 3: Bima (Sumbawa) to Labuan Bajo (Komodo)
4-15th December 2027

Contact us about availability

With Indonesia as their second home, Richard and Wendy’s bond with this breathtaking region makes this voyage truly extraordinary. Aboard Damai I, we’ll chart an enchanting course from Kupang to Labuan Bajo and on to the Muck Magic of Bima Bay and Sangeang IIsland, uncovering some of the most spectacular diving on offer. From vibrant reefs teeming with life to the hidden treasures of muck diving, every dive promises discovery. Add to that a dazzling array of endemic and newly discovered marine species, and you have an adventure that’s as thrilling as it is unforgettable. Let’s dive into the muck magic!

TRIP ONE

Trip start: 8th November 2027

Trip end: 19th November 2027

Prices start from: $7,715.00

Availability: Contact us about availability

Depart from: Kupang

Return to: Labuan Bajo

TRIP TWO

Trip start: 21st November 2027

Trip end: 2nd December 2027

Prices start from: $7,715.00

Availability: Contact us about availability

Depart from: Labuan Bajo

Return to: Bima

TRIP THREE

Trip start: 4th December 2027

Trip end: 15th December 2027

Prices start from: $7,715.00

Availability: Contact us about availability

Depart from: Bima

Return to: Labuan Bajo

Trip I:

Kupang > Labuan Bajo

We begin our journey toward the western tip of Indonesian Timor, heading west to briefly explore the island of Rote before continuing to Savu Island. Both islands are rich in biodiversity and home to many endemic species, making them fascinating to explore. On a previous trip, we even discovered fishes typically found only in Thai waters! As we travel west to Sumba, we will continue exploring this little-known but highly promising region. Finally, we’ll make our way to Komodo National Park, where we’ll likely wrap up the trip with a few dives at some of our favorite sites.

Trip II:

Labuan Bajo > Bima

Starting in Labuan Bajo, the gateway to Komodo, we’ll head west to explore the east coast of Sumbawa. From there, we’ll continue to Sangeang, where we’ll spend the bulk of our diving. We visited a few years ago, and it remains one of our most requested destinations. The area is known for its exceptional muck diving, with an abundance of nudibranchs and fascinating critters. After Sangeang, we’ll head to Bima Bay—an absolute mecca for muck diving. The diversity of species and unique behaviors make it an unforgettable experience.

Trip III:

Bima > Labuan Bajo

For our final trip, we’ll spend time in Bima Bay and around Sangeang Island, hopefully exploring sites we haven’t had a chance to visit yet. After that, we plan to venture to the east coast and southeast corner of Sumbawa Island, where many promising bays await exploration. These areas can only be visited during the golden window around December. Of course, weather conditions can be unpredictable, so our plans will depend on that. But with such a rich and diverse region, we’ll never run out of places to explore!

* Of course exact route sometimes change to do weather, but this is our planned itinerary as it stands!

MY DAMAI I was built in Tanjung Bira, South Sulawesi, by Pak Hadji Baso, the most prestigious builder in the area in 2009. The collaboration of traditional skills with years of experience in the Indonesian liveaboard diving industry has created a remarkable vessel.

MY DAMAI I have been designed to offer a personal service dedicated to small groups. With an overall length of 40 meters (130 feet) and a beam of over 8 meters (26 feet) the vessel has 7 staterooms with a choice of single cabins, twins, doubles or two spacious master cabins. With sizes ranging from 18 sq meters / 194 sq feet for the single cabin to 40 sq meters / 430 sq feet for the master cabin, all are furnished with either queen- or king-sized beds, en-suite toilets, and showers.

The vessel has been designed with three large deck areas for relaxing in sun or shade and enjoying rejuvenating massage and spa treatments. Specifically designed for divers, the vessel offers large dive stations with individual rinse tanks, a camera room with separate workstations, and an integrated 110v and 220v charging station for each photographer.

 Our Beloved Seas Indonesia Itinerary *Exact routes can vary

Inclusions:
Food & Beverages
Diving
Marine life talks by Dr Richard Smith
Airport transfers to meet Damai
Nitrox
Laundry
Dive gear

Exclusions:
Port & Harbour Fees
Long Distance Fuel Fees
Airfares, both domestic and international
Spirits and wine (one serve of wine is provided with dinner)

Please contact us for prices. Starting at $7,715.00 for a Deluxe cabin twin share

Register your interest or join the waitlist

1 + 1 =

The talks enhance the diving experience and encourage new interest outside the obviously spectacular! Friendly, approachable organisation

Martin

United Kingdom

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AMAZING! Richard is able to make scientific talks hugely entertaining . I learnt so much, and every dive after the talks I found myself on the hunt for the new critters I had just learnt all about. Brilliant!

Madeleine

Australia

Philippines: Off the Beaten Path II – Feb ’27

Philippines: Off the Beaten Path II – Feb ’27

Philippines: Further Off the Beaten Path – Feb 2027

We’re heading back to take a deeper dive into the Coron Islands and explore an entirely new area!

Three x 10 night trips aboard Atlantis’ new

Infiniti liveaboard

Join Richard and Wendy’s ‘Our Beloved Seas’ expedition to explore some of the least frequently visited areas of the Coral Triangle

Coron Islands (start and end Trips 1 & 2, start Trip 3)

Trips 1 & 2: Coron is full of newly discovered micro-endemics and some yet to be named!

Cuyo Archipelago

Puerto Princesa (end Trip 3)

29th Jan – 8th Feb ’27

Trip 1: Coron return

Spaces – Contact us about availability
22nd Feb – 4th March ’27

Trip 3: Coron to Puerto Princesa 

Spaces – Contact us about availability
10-20th February ’27

Trip 2: Coron return

Spaces – Contact us about availability

As one of the six Coral Triangle countries, the Philippines boasts unparalleled marine biodiversity. We’ve explored several locations across the region, but one place truly called for a revisit: Coron.

During our February 2024 trip, we encountered all three Altricthys brooding micro-endemic damselfish species—plus, Rich discovered what is likely a new species in this genus. We also documented a dottyback that had never been photographed alive, and Wendy captured an eerie, ghost-like image of the elusive and beautiful Labracinus atrofasciatus—the only known photo of this fish in the wild.

The moment we left, we knew we had to return. So when Atlantis announced their new liveaboard, offering more space and greater comfort, we jumped at the chance to charter two more trips. This time, we’ll revisit sites in Coron and the Calamianes Islands, hoping to rediscover some of these rare fishes, while also venturing to the remote Cuyo Archipelago in search of even more new species.

We can’t wait!

TRIP ONE

Trip start: 29th January 2027
Trip end: 8th February 2027
Prices start from: US$ 7,880
Availability: Spaces
Depart from: Coron
Return to: Coron

TRIP TWO

Trip start: 10th February 2024
Trip end: 20th February 2024
Prices start from: US$ 7,880
Availability: Spaces
Depart from: Coron
Return to: Coron

TRIP THREE

Trip start: 22nd February 2024
Trip end: 4th March 2024
Prices start from: US$ 7,880
Availability: Spaces
Depart from: Coron
Return to: Puerto Princesa

We start and end the trips in Coron, which is a direct flights from Manila. We will explore and revisit some of the sites around Coron and the Calamianes Islands that we visited in 2024. We will then head out to the Cuyo Archipelago to really go off the beaten path we some real gems in our sights! The third trip starts in Coron, then explores around Western Coron (weatrher permitting) heading part Linapacan and down the eastern side of Palawan visiting some offshore islands on the way.

Atlantis has a new liveaboard, which is much bigger and comfortable. It technically accommodates 25 divers, but we are capping the group at 18 allowing us ample space. It has a large camera room, and a huge comfortable salon.

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Trip 3 heads south along the east coast of Palawan and ends in Puerto Princesa

Food & Beverages
Nitrox
Diving
Marine life talks by Dr Richard Smith

Exclusions
Ground transfers
Marine Park Fees (paid on board)
Alcoholic beverages
Dive and travel insurance (which are mandatory)

Prices start from $7,880.00 per person twin share

AMAZING! Richard is able to make scientific talks hugely entertaining . I learnt so much, and every dive after the talks I found myself on the hunt for the new critters I had just learnt all about. Brilliant!

Madeleine

Australia

Days to departure

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

Register your interest or join the waitlist

1 + 12 =

The talks enhance the diving experience and encourage new interest outside the obviously spectacular! Friendly, approachable organisation

Martin

United Kingdom