Komodo to East of Flores - a 3 week Adventure on the Seven Seas

Trip Report by Lida Pet
Photos by Lida Pet, Karl Klingeler and Craig Kirkpatrick
Videos by Jane Rovins and Linda Johnston.

The area that we would explore lies within the center of the Coral Triangle, a world-renowned marine biodiversity hotspot encompassing 1.6 billion acres (approximately half the size of the United States) at the confluence of the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. The Coral Triangle region is a global conservation priority, providing habitat for 76 percent of known coral species, over 3,000 fish species, and numerous species of marine turtles, cetaceans, and sharks. The area's vast marine resources are critical for both economic- and food security; they sustain the lives of more than 130 million coastal residents and supply global markets, providing a range of goods and services that include wild-catch fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, coastal protection, and transport.

Our journey starting in Komodo and going east aligns with a string of large and often active volcanoes - part of a true Ring of Fire. Komodo is famous for its stunning dive sites, the large island of Flores is known for its excellent coffee, and the lesser known remote islands of Lembata and Alor host small human settlements who still sustain their remarkable traditional cultures and artwork. Some of the smaller islands are just inhabited by seabirds.

The natural exchange of waters in this part of Indonesia brings a wealth of nutrients, drawing whales, dolphins, rays and sharks. It is also a spawning area, nursery ground, and migratory pathway for valuable commercial species such as tuna, groupers and snappers. The large variety of coastal and marine habitats around all the islands, has allowed biodiversity to explode over hundreds of years and the number of coral species and fish species has been recorded by scientists as extremely high.

(More than a) Testimonial

"My wife and I have been on many dive liveaboard trips. We are not beginners in this experience, having been on perhaps 7-8 different boats with a range of groups, Cruise Directors, Dive Guides and in addition we've had many shore-based dive resort experiences. Against all of this, the Seven Seas team is the most professional , most enjoyable, most relaxed, most varied and, importantly, safest trip we've been on. First, starting from the top, Karl and Linda are the most professional team we've experienced. Their combined approach to guests' needs ensures that even the smallest need is met. Individual needs that are "out of the ordinary" receive "out of the ordinary" attention, removing any and all cares to ensure a special and personalised experience. Second, Seven Seas dive guides are incredibly well-trained, at once giving each diver the freedom to explore and experience the underwater world while ensuring that the group is constantly under their watchful eyes. Tender steermen are trained to track divers from above so that tenders are never far from a just surfaced diver. We just completed a 3 week trip, which is highly challenging in terms of kitchen support and variety of food to keep passengers satisfied. It is unbelievable that after 3 weeks on board the Seven Seas that on my last night I am looking forward to dinner again. Service is great! One thing that is not often seen is the back of the boat support that often goes unseen. Our rooms were cleaned, H2O provided, other needs met, laundry done on time - everything to make our trip enjoyable was accomplished almost invisibly. It is this invisible service, effortless service, that has made our Seven Seas trip stand out from all other liveaboard experiences. This is on top of being on board a beautifully laid-out boat with careful attention to details of comfort. Finally, the quality of the dive sites themselves exceeds all expectations. Sites which NO ONE ELSE knows about are the bread and butter sites of Seven Seas. This is just one more reason why the Seven Seas is the only choice for liveaboard boats in Indonesia for my wife and me. MANY THANKS!!!"

Maurice Knight (East of Flores, September/October 2014)

» Click here for more testimonials.

One charter left for East of Flores 2015

There is only one full charter for East of Flores left in all of 2015.
And the timing is perfect, September 06 to 18.
Contact us if you are interested.

Komodo & East of Flores - The trip video by Linda Johnston

Check Linda Johnston's video above with all new material from our recent Komodo/East of Flores trip. Can a liveaboard cruise get any better?