Lesser Sunda & Forgotten Islands
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Lesser Sunda & Forgotten Islands 11 Days / 10 Nights
A liveaboard is the only way to access this far-flung corner of the world, which as a result is amazingly well-preserved. As one of the first leisure boats to have reached this area, we have made a point of building a relationship based on trust and mutual respect with the inhabitants of these incredibly beautiful villages. Each day, we explore the shores of another active volcano, with its unique environment and cultural customs.
Our liveaboard route includes long stretches of open sea and is therefore very weather-dependent. The best conditions are usually found in September, October & November, and April & May.
Day 1
Maumere Bay
Day 2
Lembata
Day 3
Alor
Day 4
Wetar
Day 5
Gunung Api
Day 6
Nyata
Day 7
Lailawan
Day 8
Dai
Day 9-10
Dawera – Daweloor
Day 11
Saumlaki
1
Welcome Aboard
We’ll pick you up in style at your hotel or Maumere airport, the capital of Flores Island where the Lesser Sunda Islands cruise will begin. You’ll settle into your traditional phinisi liveaboard that you will be calling home for the next few days. We’ll set sail, so you can enjoy your first dip in the sea that very afternoon. You can either go for an easy check dive or go snorkeling on the shores of a nearby island, before enjoying a sunset drink while cruising towards the remote eastern seas.
Lembata
You’ll wake up to a view of the magnificent Lewotolo active volcano, the shores of which are peppered with small traditional villages. The perfectly flat waters of this bay are home to world-class dive sites, including the wall of Bacatan Legend and the black sandy slopes of Lamarian. You’ll get to see everything, from big schools of fish on the wall to tiny rare creatures camouflaged in the volcanic sand.
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Alor
Here, you’ll meet the friendly children of Alor who spend their lives on tiny banana boats and in the water. Your eyes will feast upon the colourful sarongs and scarves handcrafted by local weavers and presented to you by locals in boats. And of course, you’ll enjoy the waters of these straits, renowned for their diverse marine life. There’ll be plenty of beautiful dive sites to pick from depending on currents. Tides permitting, you can spend the afternoon at Sika Peninsula with the local friendly dugong.
Wetar
Reong Island, just off the coast of Wetar, is a small island surrounded by healthy coral reefs and white sandy beaches. It is the door to the deep Banda Sea, and as a result is home to a high concentration of large fish. Swim, dive or snorkel these rich waters, where you can admire forests of black corals being patrolled by reef sharks, tunas and eagle rays.
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Gunung Api
Weather permitting, we’ll explore the isolated active volcano of Gunung Api, which rises from the depths to just 300 metres above sea level. The hot sands are the perfect environment for sea snakes, which thrive here and are not aggressive, so you can enjoy observing these graceful creatures while snorkeling or diving. And when you look up, you’ll see hundreds of boobies, frigates and other sea birds swooping and swirling in the sky.
Nyata
Manuk rises from a depth of 7000m to just 200m above sea level, and is the epitome of our Banda Sea liveaboard. Dozens of sea bird colonies patrol the skies above this very active volcano, thanks to which there are breathtaking lava. Next stop, the uninhabited island of Nyata with its pristine white sandy beach, fantastic coral reefs, and schooling jacks, sharks and tunas. We only recently discovered this unspoilt paradise, which boasts an incredible range of landscapes despite being such a small island. Colourful coral walls, sandy slopes, perfect beaches for sunset drinks – and still so much left to explore… flows to explore underwater. You’ll get to see sea snakes swimming gracefully around massive sponges, and perhaps even dolphins, hammerhead sharks and huge tunas.
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Lailawan
You’ll enter the realm of the Forgotten Islands at Lailawan and Sermata where you’ll be mesmerised by all the shades of blue. In these endless reefs, you’ll encounter huge groups of all sorts of species, from the bumphead parrot fish to barracudas, jacks and the colourful butterfly fish. These are some of the richest reefs in Indonesia and certainly some of the least well-known – exploring them is a must!
Dai
You’ll get to meet the local people of Dai Island who live in tiny villages nestled in between deep waters and high cliffs. Next, you’ll plunge into the fringing reefs where you can see huge schools of fish gathering, sometimes even hammerhead sharks. This is an island of extremes: from the landscapes to the shimmering waters, from the rich biodiversity to the strong local cultural traditions. Dai is sure to remain engraved in your memory for a long time to come…
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9-10
Dawera – Daweloor
The village of Welora on Dawera is one of the jewels of the Forgotten Islands thanks to its sheer beauty, friendly locals, tasty coconut liquor and rich coral reefs. To this day, every corner we have explored on this picturesque island warrants a return visit. We’ll then anchor close by in a protected bay, to enjoy a peaceful last night in paradise.
Saumlaki
We will cruise back to Saumlaki for our last delicious breakfast and check out before noon. After sharing photos and farewells, our crew will arrange your transfer to the airport or hotel, with a stop at the village of Tumbur, famous for its wood-carved sculptures. Hopefully you can enjoy the final leg of your journey as you head home, your head filled with memories that will last a lifetime.