SEA SAFARI · EXPEDITION
Komodo
Herp & Dive Add-On
- Next departure
- December 2026
- Duration
- 7 days / 6 nights
- Experience level
- Scuba certified for dive days; herping requires night-hike tolerance
- Group size
- Small expedition cohort, typically ≤12 guests
- Nearest airport
- LBJ (Komodo Airport, Labuan Bajo)
The Experience — Komodo National Park & Labuan Bajo, Indonesia
The Expedition
After Sumatra’s humidity bath, Komodo trades canopy roots for oceanic currents and reptilian giants. By day you trace Komodo dragons along island ridgelines with park rangers; by twilight you slide into macro mode for blue-phase pit vipers and gecko eyes glowing in beam scatter. Mixed in are scuba days on current-swept seamounts famous for mantas, sharks, and rainbow reef walls. Andrew helps guests marry terrestrial and underwater storytelling — knowing when to push ISO on a night hike versus when to sacrifice bokeh for focus stacking underwater. This segment is designed as a back-to-back add-on with Serpentine’s December circuit, but it can fill on its own for divers who crave BOTH dragons and pelagic drama.
What's Included
Included
- 6 nights hotel or liveaboard-style lodging (per Serpentine’s confirmed manifest)
- Dragon trekking fees with licensed rangers
- Scheduled boat days for diving and herping logistics
- Breakfasts plus listed lunches and dinners when operating offshore
- Tanks, weights, and guided dives for certified divers on scheduled dive days
- Andrew’s dual-terrain photography support
Not Included
- International flights and domestic connections
- Nitrox or rental equipment beyond standard packages
- National park surcharge changes if Indonesia adjusts fees mid-season
- Travel insurance covering diving depth (mandatory)
- Alcohol and boutique meals ashore
- Staff gratuities
Wildlife targets
What you might meet
Primary target
Komodo dragon
Largest living lizard; always with armed rangers nearby.
Primary target
Blue pit vipers & cryptic snakes
Night walks around trunks and stairs; strict stance rules.
Possible encounter
Manta rays
Cleaning stations when moon and tides cooperate.
Possible encounter
Reef sharks
Grey and whitetip pulses on seamounts.
Primary target
Critters & coral gardens
Pygmy seahorses, nudis, and pastel soft corals for macro rigs.
Day by day
Field rhythm
Day 1 — Arrive Labuan Bajo
Airport pickup, sunset orientation, contracts, and gear segregation (terra vs aqua).
Day 2 — Dragon trekking day
Morning boat to ranger-led trails; telephoto ethics and heat management.
Day 3 — Dive / snorkel day — north
Two-tank or snorkel zodiac sessions targeting mantas and jacks.
Day 4 — Herping night — coastal
Lowland snakes, amphibians, and skinks around sustainable light discipline.
Day 5 — Dive day — current corridor
Advanced profile for experienced divers; alternate snorkel for non-scuba guests.
Day 6 — Micro herp & village buffer
Visit viewpoints or community projects; optional spa recovery afternoon.
Day 7 — Final dragon sail
Repeat priority species for anyone who missed crisp angles; last sunset at sea.
Day 8 — Departure
Breakfast, airport transfer, weight checks for camera housings.
The order flexes with weather and wildlife — every day is built around the best available window.
Gallery
From past departures
Logistics
Stay & vessel
Where you stay
- Twin-share rooms (upgrade on request)
- Early breakfasts; packed lunches in the field
- Ground transfers on scheduled arrival and departure days
- Photography etiquette coaching with Andrew
- Daily debrief; the plan flexes with conditions
- Wi-Fi variable by property / region
On the water
- Small, fast craft chosen for the site
- Small groups, with a spotter on wildlife days
- Shade, drinking water, and dry storage
- Padded camera stowage and a rinse point
Exact property and vessel are confirmed in your pre-departure guide.
Dates & Availability
The Next Departure
2026
Before you go
Questions, answered
What scuba certification is required?
Open Water Advanced or equivalent experience is strongly recommended for Komodo currents. Bring proof of certification and recent dive logs.
Can non-divers enjoy the trip?
Yes — snorkel-focused zodiac runs and dragon treks keep terrestrial guests busy, but pricing may not differ much from diver rates.
How physically intense is the dragon trek?
Short but hot hikes with little shade. Carry water, wear sturdy shoes, and obey ranger positioning at all times.
Do I need both Sumatra and Komodo?
No, but they are choreographed back-to-back for guests who want one freight train of biodiversity.