Trans Nusa - Bima to Maumere, Indonesia Diving Expedition & Bali Eco Tour 2026
September 11 - 24, 2026
Diving Expedition: September 11 - 21, 2026
Bali Eco Tour: September 21 - 24, 2026
This epic two-week expedition combines the best of diving and eco tour of Indonesia! First, we will embark on a 9 days, 8 nights cruise aboard the world-renowned boutique liveaboard, Arenui. This journey will take us through some of the best kept secrets for diving in paradise, including rare finds like the beautiful rhinopias, plenty of pelagic action, stunning topside scenery and impressive volcanoes. Then, we will continue on to enjoy 4 days, 3 nights Bali eco tour custom designed for us by the owner of Arenui. This unique tour provides a great mix of culture, relaxation, and adventure, with a balance of natural exploration, luxury, and authentic local experiences.
Sample Itinerary:
Sept. 11 (Thr): Early morning departure from LAX (you need to be at the airport on Sept. 10, in the evening).
Sept. 12 (Fri): Arrive in Denpasar on Sept. 12. Check into the hotel. Free program for the evening.
Sept. 13 (Sat) - Embarkation in Bima & Satonda (1 dive)
Board the world-renowned liveaboard, Arenui, set sail towards Pulau Satonda.
Afternoon Dive: Satonda Reef – A gentle sloping reef with a sandy bottom that is home to a variety of critters. This dive can reveal giant frogfish nestled in sponges, mushroom coral pipefish, and the elusive Bargibanti pygmy seahorse. Nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, and other macro subjects make this site a paradise for underwater photographers.
Sept. 14 (Sun) – Saleh Bay & Sumbawa Surprise (4 dives)
Morning Dives (3 dives) at Saleh Bay
Saleh Bay is a hotspot for whale shark encounters. These gentle giants are frequently seen feeding near traditional baganfishing platforms, offering an incredible opportunity to observe them up close. You will have the chance to both dive and snorkel with whale sharks in an exclusive setting—no other groups will share the experience with us!
Night Dive at Sumbawa Surprise
This site is famous for rare critters, making it a muck diving paradise. Expect to see frogfish, flamboyant cuttlefish, ghost pipefish, and even the elusive rhinopias scorpionfish among the black volcanic sand.
Sept. 15 (Mon) – Pulau Sangeang (4 dives)
Pulau Sangeang, an active volcanic island, boasts breathtaking underwater topography with bubble vents, ridges, and diverse marine life.
Hot Rocks – Experience volcanic activity underwater as sulfurous gas escapes from the seabed. Ribbon eels, pygmy seahorses, and cowries are commonly found here.
Lighthouse Reef – A mix of drift diving and macro-friendly zones, with nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, and saw blade shrimp hidden among black coral bushes.
Black Diamond – This black sand slope is home to ornate ghost pipefish, reef octopus, and peacock mantis shrimps.
Bontoh Reef – A perfect night dive location with spaghetti garden eels, juvenile angelfish, mimic octopus, and many other rare critters.
Sept. 16 (Tue) – Pulau Banta (4 dives)
Pulau Banta, located just outside Komodo National Park, offers pristine coral reefs and a chance to spot stargazers and pelagic species.
The Canopy – A stunning coral-covered slope, where reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, and groupers roam.
Banta Wall – A dramatic drop-off with excellent visibility, making it ideal for spotting eagle rays and barracudas.
Banta Lagoon – A sheltered bay teeming with macro life, such as leaf scorpionfish and frogfish.
Stargazer Beach (Night Dive) – A sandy bottom where the rare stargazer fish, bobtail squid, and flamboyant cuttlefish can be found.
Sept. 17 (Wed) – North Komodo (4 dives)
These are among the world’s most famous dive sites.
Crystal Rock – A pinnacle dive with schools of fusiliers, anthias, and hunting trevally. Whitetip, blacktip, and grey reef sharks patrol this site.
Castle Rock – Currents bring in huge schools of fish, making this one of Komodo’s most adrenaline-filled dives.
Aquarium – A colorful reef, home to mandarinfish, cardinal fish, cuttlefish, and blue-ringed octopus.
Batu Montjo – A stunning hard coral garden in the shallows, with leaf fish, jawfish, and turtles. High chances to see the unique Spanish Dancer!A Swiss dive site name. This site is a steeply sloping reef and wall with alcoves and cracks in which many reef fish can be found. Here we should be on the lookout in the patches of Halimeda algae for the (you’ve guessed it!) halimeda ghost pipefish along with flatworms, shrimps and nudis.
Sept. 18 (Thr) – Komodo – Flores Channel (4 dives)
Sebayur Island – A mini wall dive with leaf fish, nudibranchs, and lionfish.
Tatawa Besar – A thrilling drift dive past soft coral gardens and schools of sweetlips and batfish. Mantas sometimes appear here.
Tatawa Kecil – Canyons and swim-throughs, where crocodile fish and schooling fusiliers are common.
Siaba Kecil – A turtle haven, where hawksbill and green turtles feed among hard corals.
Sept. 19 (Fri) – Walk with Dragons & 2 Dives
Morning Dives:
Takat Makassar – A high-speed drift dive, where manta rays, turtles, and sharks are regularly seen.
Siaba Besar – A macro hotspot, featuring frogfish, ghost pipefish, and devil scorpionfish.
Afternoon: Walk with Komodo Dragons at Loh Buaya
Trek through Komodo National Park to see the legendary Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. Spot wild boar, deer, and exotic birds along the way.
Sept. 20 (Sat) – Central Flores (2 dives)
Palu’e Island: A remote paradise north of Flores, with stunning underwater topography, dramatic walls, and crystal-clear visibility.
Raja River – A vertical wall adorned with massive sponges, gorgonian sea fans, and black coral bushes. Leaf scorpionfish and juvenile reef fish thrive here.
Palu’e Deep Blue – A steep drop-off with unspoiled reefs, offering spectacular visibility and rare pelagic encounters.
Sept. 21 (Sun) – Disembarkation and Fly to Bali
Disembark in Maumere after breakfast, transfer to the airport
Morning flight from Maumere to Bali.
Private transportation: upon arrival at Bali Airport, your private driver will transport you to Tajaprana Bisma Boutique Resort in Ubud.
Check-in and settle into your luxurious room with stunning views of Ubud’s natural surroundings, relax after a day of traveling.
Gourmet dinner.
Sept. 22 (Mon)
Start your day with a leisurely breakfast at the resort.
Mid-morning visit to the surrounding neighborhoods, perfect for some light shopping or trekking through the monkey forest. The landscape is breaktaking!
Afternoon excursion to Gunung Batur Volcanic area. Private guided transportation included.
Sept. 23 (Tue)
Morning : relaxation at the beautiful resort; perhaps a spa treatment.
Afternoon excursion to famous rice field & Balinese temple surrounds with serene and majestic views.
Gourmet dinner and farewell party.
Sept. 24 (Wed)
Enjoy the resort in the morning.
Check-out from the resort before noon.
Private minivan transfer to the airport around 4:30pm. Arrive in LAX on the same day at 7:30pm. Home sweet home.
Expedition Includes:
One night hotel accommodations with breakfast and airport transfer in Bali.
9 days, 8 nights full on-board accommodations in double/twin cabin on the world’s best dive liveaboard, Arenui.
All meals and soft drinks on-board
25 dives with 4 to 1 DM ratio
Tanks and weights.
Islands and villages land excursion.
Ground transfers in Indonesia
Welcome massage
Government taxes
All meals in Bali
Boutique hotel accommodations in Bali (double occupancy)
Cultural tours and activities in Bali
Escort by Ocean Safari professional dive leader/photographer with unparalleled service.
Exclusions:
International and domestic flights
Onboard telecommunications
Onboard alcoholic beverages
Administration/port clearance fee: $150
National Parks Entrance and Diving Fee: $210 (may increase without prior notice)
Fuel surcharge: $150
Nitrox
Laundry service
Massages other than the welcome massage
Travel and dive insurance
Crew Gratuities
Alcoholic beverages in Bali
Spa treatments in Bali
Tips in Bali
Arenui Costs: (based on Double Occupancy):
Deluxe cabin: $5988 (12 spots)
Master suite: $6488 (4 spots)
Bali Eco tour costs:
Double occupancy: $1388
Single occupancy: TBA
Payment:
|
PAYMENT SCHEDULE |
AMOUNT |
PAYMENT DUE DATE |
|
1st Deposit |
$1500 |
Upon Reservation |
|
2nd Deposit |
$1500 |
Sept 12, 2025 |
|
3rd Deposit |
$1500 |
Feb 12, 2026 |
|
Final Payment |
Balance Remaining |
Before May 12, 2026 |
* For credit card payment please add 3%
Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance is optional. However, over the years, we have seen how valuable and beneficial travel insurance can be. These policies will help cover the expenses when your trip is interrupted due to events such as weather, mechanical breakdowns, missed flights/connections, or when someone else has a dive/medical emergency that prevents you from diving.
We want to help offset the cost of travel insurance and will sponsor 5% of the cost as store credit if you use the links from our website to purchase travel insurance from DAN. We highly recommend it!
Cancellation Policy:
Before Sept 1, 2025, 1st deposit forfeited. No refund on first deposit.
After Sept 1, 2025, 1st and 2nd deposits forfeited (unless replacement can be found, then 1st deposit forfeited only).
After Feb 1, 2026, 1st, 2nd and 3rd deposits forfeited (unless replacement can be found, then 1st deposit forfeited only).
After May 1, 2026, no refund (unless replacement can be found, then 1st deposit forfeited only).
