Indonesia: Cruising the Komodos with Aman (6 days)

Take a leisurely breakfast at the luxurious Amanwana resort before embarking on this six-day cruise around the Komodos. First up is the uninhabited Satonda – an island looking like something straight out of a shipwreck movie. Here, you’ll take lunch before diving, kayaking and exploring the nearby caves. Then, it’s back to the boat for a sunset dinner and overnight cruise towards Komodo National Park.

Wake up to the lulling rocking motion of the sea, ready for another full day of activities and exploration. Peer out of your cabin window down to the pristine reefs of Batu Moncho Bay – if you’re lucky, you might be able to spot the manta rays or dolphins that often make an appearance. Before lunch, there’s time for a dive or snorkelling session around the white sanded beaches. The cruise heads on to Gili Lawa Laut in the afternoon where there’re more diving opportunities around The Channel, the lighthouse or the surrounding underwater sea mounds of Crystal and Castle Rocks. Dinner is on board the Amandira.

More diving awaits on this third day around the action-packed reefs. Lunchtime will be spent cruising down the Komodo straits, and on the way there is ample opportunity to snorkel around the many small islets towards Makassar Reef (and hopefully catch a glimpse of the mantas). The voyage in the evening takes you to Pink Beach on Komodo Island, one of the main destinations home to the Komodo Dragons. Just before this, a sunset ride (in a dingy) awaits, taking you to see the thousands of bats around a popular cave.

Day four is your first chance to get up close and personal (but not too close) with the famous Komodo Dragons. The guided tour will take on a morning stroll around a section of the island, where you’ll see the prehistoric-looking beasts in their wild, natural habitat. Don’t forget to look out for the monkeys, deer and many variety of birds too. After the trek, it’s back on board for an afternoon cruise towards Waimalu Island for a dive and a BBQ on the beach underneath the stars.

Explore Rinca Island’s national park with an early morning trek; watch out for more of the dragons, as well as many other varieties of wildlife that have adapted to the harsh conditions on this desolate island. After trekking it’s back to the boat and into the sea again for one last bit of diving action (or snorkelling) around Sebayor Island, which is where you’ll spending this final night.

After breakfast at Sebayor Island, take time to relax and unwind - or jump back into the sea again to say goodbye to the beautiful reefs below. The cruise makes its way onto Labuan Bajoharboron Flores Island which is where you’ll catch your flight back to Bali - marking the end of this six-day cruise around Komodo and its surrounding islands.