Blue Manta Liveaboard

Cruise Itineraries

 

BLUE MANTA Boat Details   

Cruise Schedules 2022    Cruise Schedules 2023     Cruise Schedules 2024 

 

Blue Manta Cruise Destinations & Itineraries
Komodo
Komodo North/South
Raja Ampat
Maumere-Alor-Banda-Ambon
Banda Sea & Ring of Fire

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

Komodo National Park

The World Heritage listed Komodo National Park is one of the most iconic diving destinations in Indonesia. Its popularity grows exponentially with every passing season and keeps guests coming back for more with it’s unique blend of adrenaline pumping current fuelled dives, stunning coral reefs, beautiful scenery and of course the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo Dragon. Whether you love big fish or are a macro enthusiast, Komodo truly has something for everyone, Manta, shark, turtles, eagle ray and even dolphins can be spotted in crystal clear blue waters of the North, while all manner of macro megastars can be spotted in the cooler, nutrient rich waters of the Southern areas of the park.

The Komodo National Park lies in the Wallacea Region of Indonesia. It’s identified by WWF and Conservation International as a global conservation priority area, and is located in the center of the Indonesian archipelago, between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores.

Best times to visit

Although Komodo can be visited all year round, the best time to dive is during the dry season (April to November). Water temperatures in the north of the park are warm & range between 25 and 29°C. Around the central areas, the temperatures range between 24 and 28°C. The temperatures are lowest in the south, ranging from 22 – 28°C. Waters around Komodo are usually quite clear (10-30m visibility), although in the southern waters conditions are relatively more turbid.

 

Embarkation / Disembarkation

• Maumere, Flores / Labuan Bajo, Western Flores

How to get to Maumere (MOF), Flores

• Daily flights with Lion Wings & between Garuda Indonesia & Sriwijaya Air (Nam Air) cover all days from Bali to Maumere (flight time around 2 hours).

How to get from Labuan Bajo (LBJ), Western Flores 

• Daily flights with Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Sriwijaya Air (Nam Air), Lion Air or with Air Asia
• On Trip Return if you have connecting International flights home, please allow enough time between your Domestic flight landing.  

Dive Site Information

• Water Temp; South 22-26 degrees Celsius, North & Central 26-28 degrees Celsius.
• Visibility; 20-40 meters. 
• Air Temp; 25-30 degrees Celsius
• Level; intermediate to advanced. 
• Best Time to Dive; start of May to end of October

What’s included?

• Round trip transfer local Hotel/Airport – Boat
• All nights’ accommodation on Boat
• All meals (Western & Indonesian) snacks, hot beverages, coffee, tea, Milo, soft drinks
• Towels, toiletries, & cabin services
• FOC replacement if equipment breakdown
• Warm towel & drink after every dive
• Regular Air Tanks, weights, belt, 5 dive guides (1x Instructor, 4x Dive Masters)

What’s excluded?

• All flights & hotels stay
• Marine Park & Harbour fee
• Dive & Travel insurance
• Massage services
• Laundry services
• Nespresso coffee, alcohol; beer & wine
• Satellite Wi-Fi
• Diving Gear; dive computer, torch, 15L tank rental, BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins mask.  
• Nitrox Enriched Air fills
• Note; Nitrox & Diving Gear Items priced per diving day and are subject to availability.  Torch rental based on sunset/ night dive.  
• Note: Exposure suits; 3mm shorty wetsuits available ONLY.  

Trip Schedule

• Departure; 3pm, 1^st Day – Maumere, Flores.  Or earlier if everyone arrives before and all Trip Preparations completed. Free transfer from local hotel or Frans Seda Airport, Maumere to Blue Manta on Trip Departure day (transfer time 20 mins).
• Return; 5am, Last Day – Bajo Port, Labuan Bajo, Western Flores.  After a light breakfast and fond farewells, we take you to local hotel or Komodo Airport in time for Check-in & flight (transfer time 15 mins).  Note; latest BM Check-out, midday.
• Last dive ends; 12pm, Penultimate Day, followed by a walk on the wild side in search of Komodo dragons, then sail back to Bajo Port for late evening.  This allows for your minimum 18 hours’ surface interval/ No Fly Time (as recommended by PADI) before flying next day.

 
 

 

 

 

 

Komodo North/South

Sample Itinerary: Komodo North/South
(7 Days/6 Nights & 8 Days/7 Nights & 9 Days/8 Nights)

Note; all schedules are subjected to changes according to weather, sea, diving, & local conditions.

 

Embarkation / Disembarkation

• Labuan Bajo (LBJ), Western Flores

How to get to & from Labuan Bajo (LBJ), Western Flores 

• NEW; Singapore (SIN) to Labuan Bajo via Jakarta (CGK) SAME day with Garuda Indonesia
• If you arrive to Bali (DPS) by 9am on Trip Departure day you should be able to connect with Lion Air  or Sriwijaya Air (Nam Air). 
• Else stay 1 night in Bali before trip and catch early morning flights from Bali to Labuan Bajo. Early morning daily flights with Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Sriwijaya Air (Nam Air), or with Air Asia.
• On Trip Return if you have connecting International flights home, please allow enough time between your Domestic flight landing.   

Dive Site Information

• Water Temp; South 22-26 degrees Celsius, North & Central 26-28 degrees Celsius
• Air Temp; 25-30 degrees Celsius
• Visibility; 20-40 meters,
• Current; medium to strong
• Level; intermediate to advanced,
• Best Time to Dive; start of May to end of October

What’s included?

• Round trip transfer local Hotel/Airport – Boat
• All nights’ accommodation on Boat
• All meals (Western & Indonesian) snacks, hot beverages, coffee, tea, Milo, soft drinks
• Towels, toiletries & cabin services
• FOC replacement if equipment breakdown
• Warm towel & drink after every dive
• Regular Air Tanks, weights, belt, 5 dive guides (1 x Instructor, 4 x Dive Master)

What’s excluded?

• All flights & hotels stay
• Marine Park & Harbour fee  
• Dive & Travel insurance
• Massage services
• Laundry services
• Nespresso coffee, alcohol; beer & wine
• Satellite Wi-Fi
• Diving Gear; dive computer, torch, 15L tank rental, BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins mask.  
• Nitrox Enriched Air fills
• Note; Nitrox & Diving Gear Items priced per diving day and are subject to availability.
• Note: Exposure suits; 3mm shorty wetsuits available ONLY.   

Trip Schedule

• Departure; 3pm, 1^st Day – Bajo Port, Labuan Bajo, Western Flores.  Or earlier if everyone arrives before and all Trip Preparations have been completed.  Free transfer from local hotel or Komodo Airport to Blue Manta on Trip Departure day (transfer time 15 mins).
• Return; 5am, Last Day – Bajo Port, Labuan Bajo, Western Flores.  After a light breakfast and fond farewells, we take you to the Airport in time for Check-in & flight or local hotel.  Note; latest BM Check-out, midday.
• Last dive ends; 12pm, Penultimate Day, followed by a walk on the wild side in search of Komodo dragons, then sail back to Bajo Port where we spend last night on Blue Manta.  This allows for your minimum 18 hours’ surface interval/ No Fly Time (as recommended by PADI) before flying next day.

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

Raja Ampat Archipelago

 
Raja Ampat will immerse you in a diving paradise, 50,000 square Kilometers of islands & reefs, 580 kinds of coral, 1,397 species of fish including 23 endemics, this truly is the epicenter of marine biodiversity with the world’s richest collection of underwater flora & fauna. The sheer abundance of marine life, healthy colourful reefs, and diverse dive sites will leave even the most experienced divers wanting more! The stunning beauty of Raja Ampat’s exotic & enchanting islands both above and below the water will leave you in no doubt that this truly is one of the worlds premier diving destinations.   

 

Sample Itinerary: Raja Ampat – Misool
(7 Days/6 Nights & 8 Days/7 Nights & 9 Days/8 Nights & 10 Days/9 Nights & 11 Days/10 Nights)

Note; all schedules are subjected to changes according to weather, sea, diving, & local conditions.

Day 1. (0-1 dives) 3pm Trip Departure day.  Our staff will meet you upon your arrival to Sorong Airport or local hotel and transfer you to the awaiting Blue Manta.  Arrivals before midday are best so we can make check dive at Red Light District (Lampu Merah) just outside Sorong before we get underway by 3pm for overnight sail. 

Day 2. (4 dives) Misool; Wayil area with its beautiful lagoon for boat tour and super dives.

Day 3. (3 dives) Misool; Fiabacet & Boo area.   Sail to overnight to Central & North Raja Ampat.

Day 4. (4 dives) Pianemu area; including famous Melissa’s Garden and stunning View Point hike.

Day 5. (4 dives) Manta ridge & Dampier Strait

Day 6. (4 dives) Kri area; including Big Fish, Cape Kri, Sardine Run, & excellent night dive.

Day 7. (2 dives) Misokon island; including Blue Magic & Yellow Fever.   Sail back to Usahamina pier, Sorong where you spend last night on board.  Plenty of time to wash & dry equipment, have lunch, rest & relaxation, and if need be, an early flight on Trip Departure day.

Day 8.  (0 dives) 5am-12pm. Check out after light breakfast, farewells, and transfer to local hotel or airport.  Departure from Sorong to Manado/ Makassar/ Jakarta/ Denpasar.

Diving days: 7 days (22 dives)

Embarkation / Disembarkation

• Sorong (SOQ), West Papua

How to get to & from Sorong (SOQ), West Papua

• It is easiest to fly through to & from Sorong (SOQ) via Jakarta (CGK), Makassar (UPG Ujung Pandang), Bali (DPS, Denpasar), or Manado (MDC). 
• Please refer to our Trip Schedule before booking your Domestic flights.
• Domestic Airlines; Garuda Indonesia (direct CGK-SOQ & return) / Sriwijaya Air / Lion Air  / Batik Air.  Air Asia also offer a direct service 4 times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri, & Sun) if this fits well with your Trip Schedule.
• International Airlines; Silk Air operates regularly from Singapore to Manado.  Garuda Indonesia fly daily from Singapore to Makassar, then Domestic flight to Sorong, then via Jakarta on way back (same day).   

Dive Site Information

• Water Temp:  27-30 degrees Celsius
• Air Temp: 27-32 degrees Celsius
• Visibility: 15-30 meters
• Current: mild to strong
• Level: Intermediate to Advanced,
• Best Time to Dive: October to April (less rain & much less wind; perfect for diving)

What’s included?

• Round trip transfer local Hotel/Airport – Boat
• All nights’ accommodation on Boat
• All meals (Western & Indonesian) snacks, hot beverages, coffee, tea, Milo, soft drinks
• Towels, toiletries & cabin services
• FOC replacement if equipment breakdown
• Warm towel & drink after every dive
• Regular Air Tanks, weights, belt, 5 dive guides (1x Instructor, 4x Dive Masters)

What’s excluded?

• All flights & hotels stay
• Marine Park & Harbour fee  
• Dive & Travel insurance
• Massage services
• Laundry services 
• Nespresso coffee, alcohol; beer & wine
• Satellite Wi-Fi
• Diving Gear; dive computer, torch, 15L tank rental, BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins mask.  
• Nitrox Enriched Air fills
• Note; Nitrox & Diving Gear Items priced per diving day and are subject to availability.
• Note: Exposure suits; 3mm shorty wetsuits available ONLY.   

Trip Schedule

• Departure; 3pm, 1^st Day, Sorong, West Papua. Or earlier if everyone arrives before and all Trip Preparations have been completed.  Free transfer from local hotel or Domine Edward Osok Airport, Sorong to Blue Manta on Trip Departure day (transfer time 20-30 mins). 
• Return; 5am, Last Day, Sorong, West Papua.  After a light breakfast and fond farewells, we take you to the Airport in time for Check-in & flight or local hotel.  Note; latest BM Check-out, midday.
• Last dive ends; 12pm (midday), Penultimate Day. Plenty of time for R&R while we sail back to Sorong where we spend last night on Blue Manta.  This also allows for your minimum 18 hours surface interval/ No Fly Time (as recommended by PADI) before flying next day.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Ambon-Banda Island-Ring of Fire

 

Sample Itinerary: Ambon –  Banda – Ambon
(8 Days/7 Nights & 9 Days/8 Nights & 10 Days/9 Nights & 11 Days/10 Nights)

 

Embarkation / Disembarkation

• Ambon (AMQ) / Ambon (AMQ)

How to get to Ambon (AMQ)

• We will be there to transfer you to the Blue Manta (10 minutes transfer)
• Lion Air daily flights from Bali via Makassar or Manado, Garuda Indonesia or Sriwijaya Air from Jakarta via Makassar, and Batik Air direct to Ambon (flight time around 3 hours). 
• Note; this trip is scheduled to start 2pm, Trip Departure day.  If your domestic flight arrives to Ambon after 13:00 then we request you arrive the day before NOT on Trip Departure day?

How to get from Ambon (AMQ)

• Lion Air daily flights from Ambon to Bali, or with Garuda Indonesia or Sriwijaya Air to Jakarta via Makassar or direct to Jakarta with Batik Air. Early morning flights should give you best chance of making connecting International flights (flight time around 3 hours).

Dive Site Information (Banda-Ambon)

• Water Temp:  26-28 degrees Celsius, however deep water upwelling’s & thermoclines especially in Sept-Nov can mean temps as low as 25C.
• Air Temp: 22-31 degrees Celsius
• Visibility: 15-30 meters
• Current: medium to strong
• Level: Intermediate to Advanced,
• Best Time to Dive: October to April (less rain & much less wind; perfect for diving)

What’s included?

• Round trip transfer local Hotel/Airport – Boat
• All nights’ accommodation on Boat
• All meals (Western & Indonesian) snacks, hot beverages, coffee, tea, Milo, soft drinks
• Towels, toiletries, & cabin services
• FOC replacement if equipment breakdown
• Warm towel & drink after every dive
• Regular Air Tanks, weights, belt, 5 dive guides (1x Instructor, 4x Dive Masters)

What’s excluded?

• All flights & hotels stay
• Marine Park & Harbour fee  
• Dive & Travel insurance
• Massage services
• Laundry services
• Nespresso coffee, alcohol; beer & wine
• Satellite Wi-Fi
• Diving Gear; dive computer, torch, 15L tank rental, BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins mask.
• Nitrox Enriched Air fills
• Note; Nitrox & Diving Gear Items priced per diving day and are subject to availability.
• Note: Exposure suits; 3mm shorty wetsuits available ONLY.   

Trip Schedule

• Departure; 2pm, 1^st Day – Laha Bay, Ambon.  Or earlier if everyone arrives before and all Trip Preparations completed.  Free transfer from local hotel or Pattimura Airport, Ambon to Blue Manta on Trip Departure day (transfer time 10 mins).
• Return; 6am, Last Day – Laha Bay, Ambon.  After a light breakfast and fond farewells, we take you local hotel or Pattimura Airport, Ambon in time for Check-in & flight (transfer time 10 mins).  
  Note; latest BM Check-out midday, Trip Return day.
• Last dive ends; 12pm, Penultimate Day, then sail back to Ambon where we spend last evening onboard.  If you have booked an early flight then you may have to skip 1 or 2 dives to allow for your minimum 18 hours’ surface interval/ No Fly Time (as recommended by PADI) before flying next day.

 
 

 

 

 

 

Maumere-Alor-Banda-Ambon

Sample Itinerary: Maumere –  Ambon
(11 Days/10 Nights & 12 Days/11 Nights)

We begin our journey discovering pristine coral reefs around Alor & Lembata where fantastic macro life, stunning coral reefs and schooling fish provide amazing diving far from the crowds, you may even have the chance to spot pilot Whales or Dolphins during surface intervals. Heading towards the infamous Ring of fire, let our experienced crew show you these remote and almost untouched locations with wonderful reefs and stunning drop offs.  Marine life here is in abundance from macro critters, sea snakes and schooling fish to the ‘big fish’ favorites such as manta rays, reef sharks and even the chance to encounter Scalloped Hammerheads.  Finsihing with mucks diving in/ near Ambon

 

Embarkation / Disembarkation

• Maumere (MOF), Flores / Ambon (AMQ)

How to get to Maumere (MOF), Flores

• Daily flights with Lion Wings & between Garuda Indonesia & Sriwijaya Air (Nam Air) cover all days from Bali to Maumere (flight time around 2 hours).

How to get from Ambon (AMQ)

• Lion Air daily flights from Ambon to Bali, or with Garuda Indonesia or Sriwijaya Air to Jakarta via Makassar or direct to Jakarta with Batik Air. Early morning flights should give you best chance of making connecting International flights (flight time around 3 hours).
• Note; if staying in Ambon please review our ‘Ambon Hotels’ section in the Fact Sheet for included drop offs from Laha Bay to local hotel.  If NOT local then OWN way to hotel.

Dive Site Information 

• Water Temp: 26-28 degrees Celsius, however deep water up-welling’s & thermoclines especially in Sept-Nov can mean temps as low as 25C.  Alor Water Temp; 22-26 degrees, it can be cold in the waters around Lembetta & Alor and we do recommend you bring extra exposure suit for this section of the cruise.
• Air Temp: 22-31 degrees Celsius
• Visibility: 20-30 meters
• Current: medium to strong
• Level: Intermediate to Advanced,
• Best Time to Dive: mid-March to end-April, & mid-September to early December

What’s included?

• Round trip transfer local Hotel/Airport – Boat
• All nights’ accommodation on Boat
• All meals (Western & Indonesian) snacks, hot beverages, coffee, tea, Milo, soft drinks
• Towels, toiletries, & cabin services
• FOC replacement if equipment breakdown
• Warm towel & drink after every dive
• Regular Air Tanks, weights, belt, 5 dive guides (1x Instructor, 4x Dive Masters)

What’s excluded?

• All flights & hotels stay
• Marine Park & Harbour fee  
• Dive & Travel insurance
• Massage services
• Laundry services
• Nespresso coffee, alcohol; beer & wine
• Satellite Wi-Fi
• Diving Gear; dive computer, torch, 15L tank rental, BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins mask.  
• Nitrox Enriched Air fills
• Note; Nitrox & Diving Gear Items priced per diving day and are subject to availability.
• Note: Exposure suits; 3mm shorty wetsuits available ONLY.    

Trip Schedule

• Departure; 3pm, 1^st Day – Maumere, Flores.  Or earlier if everyone arrives before and all Trip Preparations completed.  Free transfer from local hotel or Frans Seda Airport, Maumere to Blue Manta on Trip Departure day (transfer time 20 mins). 
• Return; 5am, Last Day – Laha Bay, Ambon.  After we give you a breakfast and after farewells take you your or local hotel or Pattimura Airport, Ambon in time for Check-in & flight (transfer time 10 mins).  Note; latest BM Check-out midday, Trip Return day.
• Last dive ends; 12pm, Penultimate Day, then sail back to Ambon where we spend last evening onboard.  If you have booked an early flight, then you may have to skip 1 or 2 dives to allow for your minimum 18 hours’ surface interval/ No Fly Time (as recommended by PADI) before flying next day.