Gili Lawa: Dramatic Peaks & Current Pinnacles
The gateway to north Komodo — dramatic volcanic peaks, a sunrise or sunset hike at Gili Lawa Darat, and the current-swept pinnacles that open the expedition.
Trip Packages
Extended Komodo Liveaboard: 8–11 Nights
Quick Answer: An 8–11 night Komodo liveaboard is a private-charter expedition that strings together north Komodo's current-swept pinnacles, the central "legendary reef" at Batu Bolong, and south Komodo's manta and macro sites, plus Komodo dragon trekking and the Padar viewpoint — the whole Komodo Island Liveaboard park in one voyage instead of one region. Price starts from USD 5,300 per night.
The Full-Park Expedition Format
Flexible length. Most Komodo liveaboards run 3–7 nights around one region; at 8, 9, 10 or 11 nights you choose how much of the south to add onto the same modular route, rather than picking a fixed itinerary.
Comprehensive coverage. North, central and south Komodo in a single voyage — Gili Lawa's pinnacles, Batu Bolong's reef hub and Manta Alley's cleaning stations — instead of rushing between them on separate trips.
Ideal traveler. Because of the added distance, this length is almost always a private charter — best suited to repeat visitors, photographers and dive clubs rather than first-time guests with limited leave.
How the route is built
One Route, Three Modules
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01
North Komodo — Gili Lawa's Pinnacles
Castle Rock and Crystal Rock deliver advanced drift dives with grey reef sharks, trevally and Napoleon wrasse in 25–30m visibility. Cauldron/Shotgun and a Gili Lawa Darat hike round out the module.
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02
Central Komodo — Dragons, Padar & Batu Bolong
Ranger-guided Komodo dragon trekking at Loh Liang, a sunrise climb of Padar Island and Pink Beach snorkeling, then Batu Bolong — Komodo's most famous pinnacle reef — plus the relaxed drift dives of Tatawa Besar and Siaba Besar.
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03
South Komodo — Manta Alley & the Buffer Days
A second ranger-guided dragon trek at Loh Buaya on Rinca Island opens the module, followed by Manta Alley, Cannibal Rock and a Torpedo Alley night dive. The final nights become a buffer — a repeat visit to whichever site had the weakest conditions. Shorter 8–9 night charters compress this module; the full 11-night version gives it room to breathe.
Choosing Your Length — 8, 9, 10 or 11 Nights Compared
| Length | Days Aboard | Typical Dive Count | Regional Coverage | Best Suited To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 nights | 9 days | 18–22 dives | North + central in full, south as a 2-day block | Full park on limited leave from work |
| 9 nights | 10 days | 20–24 dives | North + central + a fuller south loop | Photographers wanting unhurried macro time |
| 10 nights | 11 days | 22–27 dives | Full north-to-south route, repeat visits to signature sites | Divers who've done Komodo before, want the deep cut |
| 11 nights | 12 days | 24–30+ dives | Everything above, plus weather buffer and optional extended land time | Dive clubs & private groups built around a specific season window |
Dive counts vary with weather, group fitness and dives-per-day preference. Price start from USD 5,300 per night; exact charter cost also depends on yacht class, cabin configuration and group size — see our Komodo liveaboard price guide.
North Komodo
Castle Rock & Crystal Rock: Advanced Drift Dives
Grey reef sharks, trevally and Napoleon wrasse in 25–30m visibility — two of north Komodo's best drift dives, best suited to current-experienced divers.
Cauldron & Shotgun: Signature Channel Dive
A fast, current-driven channel dive through Gili Lawa's narrows, usually paired with the island's panoramic viewpoint hike.
Central Komodo
Komodo Island: Dragon Trekking at Loh Liang
Ranger-guided Komodo dragon trekking at Loh Liang, followed by reef dives nearby — the park's namesake island and its most iconic land encounter.
Padar Island: Sunrise Viewpoint Climb
A sunrise climb to Padar's three-beach panorama, one of the most photographed views in Indonesia.
Pink Beach: Rose-Hued Snorkeling
Red-coral-tinted sand and shallow coral gardens make this a relaxed snorkeling stop between dive days.
Batu Bolong: Komodo's #1 Pinnacle Reef
Anthias clouds, bumphead parrotfish and, current permitting, reef sharks and dolphins overhead — the module's centerpiece dive.
Tatawa Besar & Siaba Besar: Relaxed Reef Hubs
Easier drift dives with strong wide-angle photography potential, giving the central module a slower-paced pair of days.
South Komodo
Rinca Island: Dragon Trekking at Loh Buaya
A second ranger-guided dragon trek, this time at Loh Buaya, positioned as the gateway to the south before the boat continues toward Nusa Kode.
Manta Alley: Flagship Manta Cleaning Station
One of the park's best manta cleaning and feeding stations, best October–December — the reason most extended charters push this far south.
Cannibal Rock & Torpedo Alley: Macro & Night Diving
Macro-heavy reef life by day and electric rays and critters on a Torpedo Alley night dive — unhurried time here is what the extra nights are for.
What's Included in an Extended Expedition
| Typically Included | Typically Not Included |
|---|---|
| Cabin accommodation for the full charter length | Komodo National Park entrance & activity fees (confirm current rates at booking) |
| All meals and drinking water onboard | Alcoholic drinks |
| Dive guide, tanks, weights & basic dive gear | Nitrox and full personal gear rental (available on request) |
| Ranger-guided Komodo dragon trekking | Travel and dive insurance |
| Crew, captain & onboard safety briefings | Tips for crew (customary, not mandatory) |
Trekking on Komodo and Rinca must go through an official park ranger, and park bookings run through the online SiORA system — we handle permit and ranger logistics as part of the charter.
Planning an Extended Charter
Why Go Longer
- A proper south Komodo block — Manta Alley, Cannibal Rock, Torpedo Alley — instead of a single rushed detour
- A second pass at your best sites if currents or visibility weren't perfect the first time
- More night dives and a slower-paced Komodo dragon trek
- Weather buffer — a shut-down site costs you a plan B, not the trip
Best Time to Sail
- North & central Komodo (Castle Rock, Batu Bolong, Gili Lawa) peak April–October with 25–30m visibility
- South Komodo (Manta Alley, Cannibal Rock, Torpedo Alley) peaks October–December for manta activity and macro life
- Late September–November overlaps both windows, though manta season timing differs by region
Private Charter, Your Route
- 8–11 night trips are arranged as private charters, not fixed-cabin departures
- We propose a yacht and a north/central/south weighting based on your priorities and certification level
- A 50% down payment secures the charter and dates; the balance is due no later than 30 days before departure (or 30% + 20% + balance if booking a year ahead)
Who This Package Is Perfect For
Repeat visitors who've already sailed a 4D3N or 7D6N trip and want the sites they missed, underwater photographers who need unhurried macro time, and dive clubs chartering the whole yacht where cost-per-diver drops.
First-time visitors with limited leave, or travelers who mainly want Padar, Pink Beach and a couple of easy dives, are usually better served by our 3D2N Open Trip or a 4–7 night itinerary — you can always come back for the extended route once you know Komodo suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cost depends on yacht class, cabin type and group size, since these are private charters rather than fixed per-cabin rates. As a rough guide, pricing scales roughly with nightly rate × trip length. See our price guide or WhatsApp us for a quote.
Cabin accommodation, all meals, dive guiding and basic gear, and ranger-guided Komodo dragon trekking are typically included. Park fees, alcohol, nitrox, extra gear rental and insurance are usually charged separately — always confirm the exact list with your operator.
A 10-night booking is the most complete single-trip way to cover north, central and south Komodo together, including dragon trekking, Padar, Pink Beach and the full manta/macro circuit. Shorter trips can be excellent too, but they typically focus on one region.
Manta activity differs by region: north/central mantas peak November–February, while south Komodo's Manta Alley peaks October–December. Late September through November can catch both windows, but confirm current sighting patterns with your operator.
Not necessarily for the whole trip. North Komodo's pinnacles (Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, Batu Bolong) involve strong currents best suited to Advanced Open Water divers with drift experience, while south Komodo's Manta Alley is generally accessible to confident Open Water divers with guide supervision. Tell us your certification level when booking.
