PETER HUGHES DIVING, DANCER FLEET -- KOMODO DANCER --
cruising the Bali, Komodo & Flores islands of South-Central Indonesia.
(All photos © Copyright Peter Hughes Diving, Inc.)
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PETER HUGHES DIVING / DANCER FLEET
EXCITING CLASSIC LIVE-ABOARD
KOMODO DANCER in INDONESIA !A popular exploratory diving live-aboard in the SE Asian Pacific.
Yes, Virginia, there is such a thing as the Komodo dragon;
& you can go see that hissing critter on this boat!
Plus thousands of fish & corals
everywhere you turn
underwater !!
Package parameters: all prices calculated for double-occupancy stateroom + 1 night in a 4-star oceanside Bali hotel (Raddin Sanur Bali Hotel) prior to boarding + all meals on vessel + island transfers on Bali. Vessel carries 16 divers + about 8 crew members. The total cruise itinerary is several hundred miles through virgin wildnerness reef sectors of the Indo-Pacific. This is bona fide liveaboard Valhalla -- on the current Queen of Indonesia live-aboards -- the MV Komodo Dancer. International air tickets to Denpassar, Bali are extra, as are tips & some side tours.
CALL US about SPECIAL DISCOUNTS that are ANNOUNCED, PERIODICALLY, throughout the YEAR !
NORMAL 2008 11-night PRICES
: 1 Owner's Suite (Queen bed on upper deck) = $3495 per diver + $90 port fees + $200 fuel surcharge + diver tariff. Non-divers get 10% discount, as do divers older than 59 years, or special coupon holders (if applicable). 2 Deluxe Cabins have single bed on top + double bed below; price = $3395 per diver + extras. 5 Twin Staterooms have two single beds in stacked bunkbed fashion; price = $3195 per diver + extras.NORMAL 2008 7-night PRICES
: 1 Owner's Suite (Queen bed on upper deck) = $2,495 per diver + $90 port fees + $169 fuel surcharge + diver tariff. Non-divers get 10% discount, as do divers older than 59 years, or special coupon holders (if applicable). 2 Deluxe Cabins have single bed on top + double bed below; price = $2,395 per diver + extras. 5 Twin Staterooms have two single beds in stacked bunkbed fashion; price = $2,295 per diver + extras.NORMAL 2009 10-night PRICES
: 1 Owner's Suite (Queen bed on upper deck) = $3,200 per diver + $90 port fees + $200 fuel surcharge + diver tariff. Non-divers get 10% discount, as do divers older than 59 years, or special coupon holders (if applicable). 2 Deluxe Cabins have single bed on top + double bed below; price = $3,100 per diver + extras. 5 Twin Staterooms have two single beds in stacked bunkbed fashion; price = $2,900 per diver + extras.|
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WONDERING about WHETHER to VISIT BALI NOW, in the wake of HEADLINES?
TIME to LOOK AHEAD, REJOICE in LIFE & WELCOME the FUTURE, LOCAL FOLKS AFFIRM ....
"Our MAGIC is INDESTRUCTIBLE," declares the energetic KOMODO DANCER SKIPPER
in a SPECIAL MESSAGE to our CLIENTS, interested in INDONESIA LIVEABOARD DIVING !
First, I would like to thank the divers who have come and dived with us on board the Komodo Dancer in spite of the travel warnings issued against Bali and Indonesia after the (two) Bali bomb blasts (in past years). Your support in these difficult times is deeply appreciated. To all of you who have bookings for next year: we look forward to welcoming you onboard for a magical dive extravaganza!
Many thanks to Peter Hughes who took the initiative to come to Bali as soon as possible after the blast to show his support to us and to the Balinese. Also many thanks to the PHD team who continually work so hard to offer divers the best dive holidays they can wish for.
During Peter's stay in Bali we were interviewed by Bloomberg News, a Jakarta TV channel and Bali TV the local channel. Those interviews gave us the chance to voice to the Balinese that we, as part of the local dive industry, are doing everything in our power to encourage people to come to Bali and dive Indonesia's amazing reefs.
We respectfully visited the devastation at ground zero where Peter met with a member of the local Banjar (Kuta-Legian administration) who was obviously very pleased with the foreign support. On the day we visited the site, Balinese were preparing the "cleansing" ceremony to recover the delicate balance between good and evil on the island. This very rare and very big ceremony was performed on the 15th of November, the same day a memorial ceremony was held in New York.
As everywhere, life goes on in Bali. Children go to school and play freely, people go to markets, temples are decorated, and on Sunday many families go to the beach. For those who still have a job, work as usual is the order of the day. And, of course, Bali's natural beauty is as abundant as always.
Bali depends largely on the tourist industry. As you can imagine, Bali's economy has been hit very hard. The Hindu population here feels that their island, their peaceful way of life was "raped". During the last 2 months many initiatives to recover the Bali tourist industry have been undertaken by the local tourist industry. Every day expatriates and locals work hand in hand to promote Bali as a still prime holiday destination. Mere condemnation and denunciation of terrorism will achieve nothing, nor will a thirst for revenge rebuild the shattered Balinese economy. Every traveler who makes their way to Bali will, however, contribute greatly to the recovery process with their confident presence and their financial vote of support.
In my personal experience living here for many years I know how hard everybody worked to make Bali the great holiday destination it has become, how they carefully integrated tourism into the traditional way of life to preserve the unique and rich Balinese culture.
Negative travel advisories still have not all been revoked. It is more than sad to see how all suffer under the harsh judgment of western countries. The double standards that apply are rankling many industries that are trying to operate on a playing field that isn't level. How much heed should travelers pay to the warnings? Are foreigners exposing themselves to unacceptable risks when visiting Bali? On a broader picture, we live our daily lives exposed to many risks, car accidents, crime, risk of murder, and even household accidents, but these risks can be quantified so that we feel more secure in our choices. But with terrorist attacks we are faced with a new, greater uncertainty. We have no clue what may happen next.
To have freedom of choice and the choice for freedom is one of our basic rights as humans. We all like to believe that we are in control of our lives. Now we feel, because of terrorist acts, even our daily lives are affected in one or another way. So what should we do? Stay at home? Hide? Live life in fear and be involuntarily restrained? Or should we insist on having control over our lives and do the things we really want to do and enjoy our freedom? We do realize that both control and enjoyment of freedom in our lives are our personal responsibility. So instead of waiting for others to decide for us when and were we can travel, we have to decide for ourselves what kind of life we want to live based on a broad array of information resources.
Although I feel very safe living and working here, it is impossible to say that Bali is now guaranteed safe. Equally, it is impossible to say that any place is so safe. Potential visitors should try to keep matters in perspective; they are probably far more likely to be injured in a road accident in their own town than to be the victim of a terrorist bomb. The whole list of "chances are this" and "chances are that" is on our minds when we make our daily decisions. At the end of the day of balancing the risks, we know we should not put off visiting places like Bali or New York in immediate reaction to irregular events.
If we do, we would be handing victory to the terrorists. And surely that is in no one's interest. It is not arms that win wars, but ideas. While Peter was here, we discussed philosophies to cope with the tragedy. We also made many fine dives that overshadowed grim situations with pure joy. We dove in the waters of Komodo, famous for some of the best diving in the world. Together with the other 12 guests, Peter and I explored the reefs of the Komodo National Park and just had a great time on and under the water. Business as usual one could say. By now, you won't be surprised to read that the Komodo Dancer will continue to sail its planned schedule, offering those who choose to come to Bali a fantastic dive holiday.
In the name of all Balinese and the Komodo Dancer crew, we invite you to come, enjoy Bali and the diving beyond this magical island!!
Bali needs your support!!
Om Çanti Çanti Çanti Om ...
(Traditional Balinese good-bye meaning "Peace, Peace, Peace!"
Guido Brink,
Owner & Manager of the Komodo Dancer, Bali, Indonesia
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Komodo dragon, man alive, don't you just love to pronounce that phrase, jetting the air right through your front teeth -- Komodo Dragon! Fantasy becomes fact, & fact becomes the stuff of better fantasies in one of Indonesia's last frontiers of virgin scuba diving -- the central island groups surrounding Komodo, Bali & Flores islands.
Our friend Peter Hughes says, & this gent has been scuba diving in some of the world's most remote & magnificent locales for decades -- "The lure of the unexplored is irresistible, & welcome to a brand new journey to the land of Dragons & Volcanoes, a real life 'Jurassic Park' above & below the surface of the seas. This is Komodo, Indonesia, one of the last frontiers of the underwater world. This 'Land That Time Forgot' is located some 200 nautical miles east of Bali, deep in the Indonesian archipelago between the islands of Sumbawa & Flores."
But those dinosaur-brained, bullwhip-tailed, razor-toothed, speed-waddling chunks o' mean street muscle -- the Komodo dragons -- are only a fraction of the bizarre & beautiful exotica to be found here in the central Indonesia Archipelago. We're coming here for the scuba diving, most of all, right? Right on, amigos del mar. Dragons & their delightful dragon breath are just frosting on the ol' Komodo Cake. On this the latest ace of Indonesia live-aboards, it's the scuba diving that tells the true tale, & brings adventure divers from all over the world to experience that "something new" we all crave continuously in the arena of adventure sports. Adrenaline + endorphins + pure sleep amines, that's the flow of brain chemistry on this Bali - Komodo - Flores romp!
Most world-class scuba diving sites are usually formed by either volcanic formations of undersea rock OR by massive amounts of unusual limestone (coral) deposits. This portion of the very large country of Indonesia is blessed by BOTH! You will see plenty of volcanic action as you explore the numerous seamounts in the area, with vast schools of jacks, countless pelagics of multi-hued & marvelous mien, mantas like mad, the occasional whale shark, & other stunning denizens of the blue-water community. The gusting currents that surge & swirl through the deep channels between Komodo & Rinca islands produce such a wild variety of conditions that there is something here for everybody. Great visibility, drift dives, massive cliffs of black basalt, endless sheer walls & dazzling coral gardens combine to house one of the most prolific & diverse marine ecosystems on earth. The scuba diving is total brain candy down here, more than words can really convey. One need to be Salvidor Dali with a touch of Peter Max, on high-test lattes! So here we go, mates -- a Peter Hughes yacht by way of Peter Max! Always to the Max with these exceptional luxury diving yachts. Max enjoyment, max diving, max critter counts, max professional guide support, max service, & best of all -- really reasonable prices.
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Indonesia diving is all about discovery, dazzling depth of critter count. These are among key operative words on the Peter Hughes Komodo Dancer. There are scores of species down here that bio-taxonomists have yet to even name & classify. Between the seamounts are vast unexplored coral reefs, often in shallow water perfect for live-aboard divers, & teeming with unusual tropical reef fish. In fact, this area plays host to more than 1,100 different species of fish (the best Caribbean islands offer around 700, by comparison). With a careful eye, even the most jaded fish watcher will discover hundreds of new species of brilliantly colored reef fish; plus an astounding array of invertebrates, some of which have never even been properly identified! Topside, the tropical island seascape is festooned with islands & islets & motus & atolls of every description, their volcanic bases gnawed away by eons of ocean waves, but their crowns are distinctive & unique. While Bali is green & tropically lush, Komodo is much dryer & features grassy meadows & a "desert" type feel to the landscape. Hence a perfect habitat for its most famous residents, the Komodo dragons, the largest lizards on earth.
Whether you are ripping along the top of a seamount on a lickety-split current dive, or whether you might be poking around in the shallows late in the day or night, or trekking the flower-rich, friendly islands on a topside adventure, Komodo, Indonesia is calling you, big time ... Peter Hughes Komodo Dancer is the answer, folks. Come drink in the very best scuba diving in the world. THIS IS NO HYPERBOLE, AMIGOS del MAR.
It is a simple unvarnished fact. Move over, Red Sea. Move over Maldives. Move over Cocos, Galapagos, Palau & PNG. Who's your Daddy now? Indonesia diving is like a long wet kiss from Aphrodite on the half-shell, 4 or 5 times a day until your senses are flaming & flapping like some red flag in a sweet hot summer breeze that just won't quit. Indonesia diving rocks, & you roll along, gently, to the easy rhythm of life in the world's most extensive string of tropical islands. Komodo diving is beyond belief, baby. Let the good times roll.
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PETER'S SCUBA DIVING TIPS:
Cooler water (68-76 degrees F.) in the south, due to Indian Ocean currents. Viz typically 40 to 80 feet in this area. Northern water washed by Flores & Banda Sea much warmer (76 - 84 degrees) & viz usually in excess of 100 feet, often more. All cruises explore both the southern & northern areas of Komodo, with occasional weather exceptions.Peter Hughes assures us that, "The political situation is stable in this area of Indonesia, no threats to travelers, that we know of thus far." Thus far, he is right, folks. Peter is talking straight. But further north & NE of these islands are other sectors of Indonesia that have experienced some distressing political turmoil in the last couple years. Check our new article on Indonesia's current challenges, in the "John & Susan's Coconut Telegram" page, easily found at the bottom of the Information Kits directory on our U.S. Dive Travel Home Page. We want you to make a good clean decision, based on the facts, not on conjecture or wishful thinking. Your safety means a heck of a lot more than anything else to us.
NEWS RECAP: The M/V KOMODO DANCER
finished construction in February 2002. This is a motor/sailer, capable of cruising under sail most days, in a swift & efficient manner & then when needed it can average 10-12 knots under engine power. The combination is perfect for the waters of Indonesia. The Peter Hughes Komodo Dancer is sitting pretty, in the water, engines & transmissions fully installed, & final outfitting of the 8 cabins (16 passengers) & interior space is underway. The boat is being built & managed in Indonesia through PHD's partners, Meridian Worldwide Ltd. & P.T. Ombak Putih.This scuba diving live-aboard will be based in Bali & cruise the waters of Bali, Komodo (also a national park), & Flores Islands. Air travel is through Bali. Travelers on all cruises will also have opportunities for land-based excursions. Additional land culture/travel tours available as extensions to the live-aboard adventure itineraries of Peter Hughes Komodo Dancer.
BEST to PLAN AHEAD:
This superbly-run live-aboard is currently accepting dive travel bookings for groups & couples well into 2005 -- so come aboard the MV Komodo Dancer. Long may she ride the waves of central Indonesia , safe & sound & happy as a kid in a big blue puddle of spring.|
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KOMODO DANCER – FORMAL VESSEL
SIZE & EQUIPMENT SPEC’S
(Most texts here below are
courtesy of our travel partners at the Peter Hughes Dancer Fleet + the owners
of Komodo Dancer.)
KOMODO DANCER -- TYPICAL
CRUISE ITINERARIES (Bali
- Komodo –
[ 7- NIGHT ITINERARY / 5.5 Dive Days ]
The Komodo Dancer covers the
Lesser Sunda Islands region of
Day 1: Benoa
09:30 – We depart Benoa for Satonda.
Day 2: Satonda
We arrive at Satonda & select dives
from sites such as
Day 3: Gilli Banta
We arrive at Gilli Banta & select
dives such as Star Wars, GPS Point,
Day 4:
We arrive at KNP Loh Liang & select
dives such as Dragon Walk,
Day 5: Nusa Kode
We depart Padar. Arrive Nusa Kode & select
dives such as Cannibal Rock,Yellow Wall. Night Dive Cannibal Rock. Plan on a
Day 6: Langkoi / Gili Lawah Darat
Depart Nusa Kode. Arrive Langkoi & select
dives such as Manta Alley. Depart Langkoi. Dive Pygmy
Day 7: Gili Lawah Laut / Batu Moncho / Satonda
Depart Gilli Lawah Darat.
Day 8: Benoa,
Arrive
Benoa,
[ 11- NIGHT ITINERARY / 9.5 Dive Days ]
Day 1:
Wednesday -- Departure
09:30 - Depart Benoa for Satonda.
Day 2:
Thursday -- Satonda
Arrive at Satonda & we get down to the
fun, selecing our dives from sites such as
Day 3:
Friday -- Gilli Banta
Arrive at Gilli Banta & select dives
from sites such as Star Wars, GPS Point,
Day 4:
Saturday --
Arrive at KNP Loh Liang. Dragon Walk.
Day 5:
Sunday -- Nusa Kode
Depart Padar. Arrive Nusa Kode & select
dives from sites such as Cannibal Rock, Yellow Wall, Night
Dive Cannibal Rock. Plan on a
Day 6:
Monday --
Langkoi / Sebayur
Depart Nusa Kode. Arrive
Langkoi. Dive Manta Alley (Ronald - Advanced Open Water Naturalist). Depart
Langkoi. Arrive Sebayur. Dive Sebauyr Kecil West
(Ronald - Nitrox Dive 1). Night Dive Sebauyr Kecil East.
Day 7:
Tuesday: Tatawa / Gili Lawah Darat
Depart Sebayur. Arrive
Tatawa Kecil (Ronald - Nitrox Dive 2). Dive Tatawa Kecil. Depart for Gilli
Lawah Darat. Arrive Gilli Lawah Darat & select dives from sites such as
Pygmy Paradise & GLD Passage.
Day 8:
Wednesday -- Gili Lawah Laut / Batu Moncho
Depart Gilli Lawah Darat.
Day 9:
Thursday -- Gili Banta / Sangeang
Depart Batu Moncho. Arrive
Gili Banta. Dive GPS Point.
Day 10:
Friday – Satonda / Madang
Arrive at Satonda & dive sites such as
Lost Boys or
Day 11:
Saturday -- Tulamben
Arrive at Tulamben. Dive USAT
Day 12:
Sunday -- Benoa,
09:00 - Arrive Benoa,
TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE for
Where is
The name
What kind of diving is found in
M/V Komodo Dancer
visits dive sites between Bali & the
After a very long
cruise (approx. 20 hours), the first stop on either a 7 night cruise (5.5 dive
days) or 11 night cruise (9.5 dive days) is normally the small island of
Satonda, just off of the northern coast of Sumbawa, for your check-out dive.
You'll enjoy maximum bottom time on virgin reefs that have experienced minimum
human impact as you dive the islands east of
Our next stop is
at
From here on in
it is excitement all the way as we move into the
When we leave the
park we will then start to make our way back to
How will we dive from the M/V Komodo
Dancer?
TENDER DIVING IS
THE RULE RATHER THAN THE EXCEPTION. We will offer up to three or four dives per
day (weather & sea conditions permitting) from our two tenders with runs of
approximately 5 - 10 minutes to each dive site.
The M/V Komodo
Dancer features two fiberglass dive tenders 6 meters (18 ft.) in length for up
to 8 guests on each, plus staff. Tenders will be boarded from the port side of
the M/V Komodo Dancer via stairs from the Dive Deck. Our experienced crew will
be available to assist with the boarding & disembarking process to & from
the dive tenders. Generally guests get on board in full dive gear (except for
fins & mask). Our expertly trained crew will hand down cameras & other
peripheral equipment. Guests will then don fins on the short rides to the dive
site. For those scuba divers who require special assistance, we will always
conscientiously endeavor to provide it, of course, for your enhanced safety
& comfort. Backward roll entry from the tender is normally the most
convenient way to get into the water. To re-board the tenders, guests are asked
to remove their gear in the water & hand it up our staff, then they will
use the wooden ladder placed over the side. All tanks & gear will be
returned to the Komodo Dancer by our crew for air or nitrox fills between
dives.
Please be advised
that due to frequently strong currents in some Indonesia live-aboard diving
sites it is MANDATORY for each diver to carry an emergency SMB (safety
sausage), Dive Alert (personal air horn), & mini-strobe light on all dives.
If you do not bring these devices with you, they can be provided for daily or
weekly rental while on board the M/V Sky Dancer. A Mini-B (personal locator
beacon) is also highly recommended. If you do not bring a Mini-B with you, one
can be provided for your use while on board, however, quantities may be
limited. If you do not possess any of the above safety equipment items, please
notify our office prior to departure.
What kind of weather can I expect on a
typical
January
88 / 74°
19" of rainfall, on
the average; peak of the monsoon season.
February
88 / 74°
14" of rainfall, on
the average; the monsoon season wanes a bit.
March
88 / 74°
13" of rainfall, on
the average; monsoon season still diminishing.
April
88 / 74°
7" of rainfall, on
the average; beginning of the drier season.
May
88 / 73°
5" of rainfall, on
the average; segueing into dry season, now.
June
87 / 71 °
3" of rainfall, on
the average; yay, dry season here again – ta da!
July
87 / 70°
1" of rainfall, on
the average; dry season in full swing, yessiree.
August
87 / 70°
1" of rainfall, on
the average; dry season, oh joy!
September
89 / 71°
1" of rainfall, on
the average; dry season, more wonderful weather.
October
90 / 73°
2" of rainfall, on
the average; oops, dry season starting to wane.
November
90 / 75°
6" of rainfall, on
the average; oh yeah, segueing into rainy season.
December
88 / 74°
14" of rainfall, on
the average; heah come dat ol’ rain again ! ;)
What does my M/V Komodo Dancer package
include?
All staterooms
are air-conditioned & fitted with private heads & showers, sinks, &
porthole views (except the Owner’s Suite which has window views). Breakfast
cooked-to-order, buffet lunch & a fine plated meal at dinner are served
daily in addition to fresh mid-morning & mid-afternoon snacks. Beverages
(alcoholic & non-alcoholic) are complimentary while on board. Bathrobes
& some toiletries are available for your use on board. The M/V Komodo
Dancer is equipped with hairdryers in each stateroom. Linens are changed
mid-week & fresh towels are placed in each stateroom daily as needed.
Guests have the opportunity to dive up to three or four times per day. Filled
tanks, weights & weight belts are included.
For what additional expenses am I
responsible?
No air transportation
is included in the M/V Komodo Dancer package. Departure tax must be paid at the
airport. Airport tax levied on passengers for international travel is Rp.100,000 (approx. USD $10) & must be paid in the local
currency which is the Rupiah. Dive instruction, dive & photo equipment
rentals & Boatique purchases must be settled on board prior to departure.
The method of payment for these items may be in US dollars or Rupiah,
Traveler's Checks or credit cards (MasterCard or Visa are accepted). NO
PERSONAL CHECKS ARE ACCEPTED. No additional meals or beverages on shore are included, however, there are many quality affordable
restaurants in or near the hotel. Crew Gratuities are not included.
How do I get to the Hotel from the
airport?
Three one way
transfers are included in the Komodo Dancer package. These are usually from the
Airport to your hotel, from your hotel (usually the Raddin in Sanur) if hotel
is located in the areas of Kuta (Tuban, Legian, Seminyak, Kerobokan), Denpasar,
Sanur & Jimbaran, to the Komodo Dancer & then from the Komodo Dancer to
the
How do I get to the M/V Komodo Dancer?
Transfer to the
M/V Komodo Dancer from the hotel is scheduled for approx. 8:00 am. All guests
should stand by in the hotel lobby at least 20 minutes prior to ensure a timely
transfer. The M/V Komodo Dancer usually departs the dock at approx. 9:00 am
depending on flights, baggage, sea & weather
conditions. If you decide to use a taxi service for any reason, we highly
recommend that you use only the blue taxis that are very reliable & a very
good value. Some of the El Cheapo taxi
guys might take you on a bit of “tour” – if you know what we mean – so keep
your eyes peeled, amigos
For guests making
their own way to the Komodo Dancer, the boat is located near the public
terminal of PELNI in
What do we do on the last day of the
charter?
The M/V Komodo
Dancer returns to port on the morning that you disembark the boat. For those
guests with a late flight home, our crew will happily make arrangements for a
day room at a local hotel or organize a day tour to give you time to off gas
& enjoy the land sites that Bali has to offer. All tours are at additional
charge, but are highly recommended if you can take some extra time to absorb
& truly appreciate the subtle complexities of this gentle & delightful
Indonesian culture. Guests who choose to extend their stay on
Is it customary to offer a gratuity to the
crew?
Aboard the M/V
Komodo Dancer gratuities are not included on any cruise. Like Scarlett O’Hara, these superb
professionals, a very hard-working & dedicated crew, “rely
on the kindness of strangers” for a little extra boost in their
livelihood, as do all excellent service-industry pros. Please be kind & think of all they do
when you make your freewill choice at cruise’s end. We prefer that our guests
reward our crew based on performance. If the crew performs to your
expectations, we suggest that a gratuity of approximately 10 - 12% of the
published package price be considered normal aboard a liveaboard dive boat.
Payment of gratuities is entirely at the discretion of the guest. It is the policy
on Dancer Fleet sm vessels to pool any collected gratuities & divide these
among the crew, since we believe no one crew member has the opportunity to give
exceptional service without the assistance & support of all other crew
members. Payment of gratuities can be by cash or credit card.
Will there be any opportunities to go
ashore during this
Komodo is famous
for its 'dragon'. Varanus komodoensis is a huge, fast lizard
locally called 'ora', the largest monitor lizard in the world. This sucker can
really book, guys, so please do not monkey around with it. Your guides will wisely insist that you give
these Komodo Dragons a seriously wide berth, as they can be extremely dangerous
when hungry, threatened or provoked. You
have the possibility to go on land & do a 2-hour
walk on Komodo. Experienced park rangers will show the natural habitat of this
fascinating predator. The trek usually starts around 7:30 am, the best time to
find the dragon.
If I am traveling as a single will I have
a roommate?
All rates are
quoted on a share basis, therefore, unless you require
a guaranteed single room & pay an additional 65% supplement, you will very
likely be sharing your stateroom with one other guest of the same gender.
How do I get to Bali for my
M/V Komodo Dancer
departs from & returns to
What travel documents will I need?
All visitors
traveling to
Do I need trip insurance for the KOMODO
DANCER vacation?
One word: yessirree ! Some more words … We strongly recommend that
each guest purchase comprehensive accident, medical, baggage & trip
cancellation & interruption insurance when space is reserved. Trip
insurance will protect you from financial disappointment in the event that
unforeseen circumstances prevent the vessel from making its scheduled trip. In
an event where it is necessary to cancel or interrupt a charter due to weather
or any matter beyond the control of Peter Hughes Diving, Inc., there will be no
refund or credit issued. We also recommend diving accident insurance. Please
inquire with our reservation office for assistance.
What formal paperwork will I need for my
Please bring your
certification card & log book(s) for verification of your dive training
& experience. You will be required to complete & sign a standard
release & waiver form prior to your arrival. Please remember that you alone
are responsible for determining your medical & physical fitness to dive or
to take part in any other activities during this trip. PLEASE REMEMBER that ALL SCUBA DIVING ACTIVITIES
ARE CONDUCTED at YOUR OWN RISK. We take no responsibility with respect to
your determination. If you have any questions concerning your medical or
physical fitness to dive or take part in any such activities, please consult
your personal physician.
How much should I pack for this
Please plan to
travel light, as on all liveaboards space is limited. We recommend that you
pack your gear in soft luggage such as duffel bags for easy stowage & leave
those large, rigid suitcases at home to add to your comfort in your cabin. For
guests who plan an extended stay on land, it is advised to pack separately the
gear you will require on board. M/V Komodo Dancer has storage facilities on
shore for items you will not require on board or for large suitcases once you
have removed the necessary items for your trip. Clothing should be lightweight,
comfortable sportswear & bathing suits are a must. A light sweater or
jacket is ideal for evening. Dress aboard M/V Komodo Dancer is always casual,
however, it should be noted that in Indonesia, certain customs of dress should
be respected, so please bring a sarong or other cover up to wear when on shore
or in sight of shore.
Additional items
you may want to bring are sunscreen, sunglasses, GOOD WALKING SHOES, A HAT OR
VISOR & BUG SPRAY OR LOTION IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR TIME ON SHORE.
Hairdryers are provided in each cabin. You may wish to pack your regulator,
dive computer, mask, bathing suit, & change of clothes & essential
items in your carry-on bag. This will make it easier in the event your luggage
is delayed. Please check with your airline as to what weight restrictions will
apply to your carry-on & checked luggage.
What if I am prone to seasickness, on the
Strong currents
& winds may cause moderate movement of the vessel at times. If you have a
tendency toward seasickness we strongly urge you to bring some sort of
over-the-counter motion sickness medication or consult your doctor about
prescription brands, such as the trans-dermal patch. Chewable ginger tablets or
capsules of powdered ginger have also proved to be very effective. The M/V
Komodo Dancer carries its own stock of anti motion sickness medication.
What if there is an emergency on board
this
The M/V Komodo
Dancer crew is trained in first aid & diving accident management. The boat
is equipped with a complete first aid kit & a high capacity oxygen system.
It should be noted that the closest hyperbaric chamber is located on Bali (34
hours cruise from
How can my family or business associates contact
me in case of an emergency?
Your family may
contact you in the case of a medical emergency by calling the emergency number
(305-778-8004)
after hours. The M/V Komodo Dancer is equipped with satellite communications (62-868-1170-0416), however, the cost of
both incoming & outgoing calls is very expensive & guests will be
charged on board for incoming & outgoing calls. Our local agent in
Are any specific immunizations required
for my
The Center for
Disease Control in
What kind of meals are
prepared on this
Meals prepared by
your on-board chef consist of both Asian & Western influenced cuisine. If
you have any special dietary requirements, please advise
our
What kinds of beverages, soft &
alcoholic, are available on KOMODO DANCER?
M/V Komodo
Dancer’s selection includes fruit juices, soft drinks, plenty of iced water,
tea & coffee, & a limited selection of beer, wine & alcoholic
beverages. Fresh milk may not be available, although UHT long life milk is
provided on board. Herbal teas are not always available. We recommend that you
purchase any special brands of alcoholic beverage that you may want to consume
on board M/V Komodo Dancer at the Duty Free Shop at any airport. We encourage
you to consume lots of non-alcoholic liquids during the week to avoid dehydration.
If you have a favorite libation you cannot do without we suggest you purchase
this at a Duty Free shop & bring it with you as our selection is sometimes
limited by the nature of our location.
REMEMBER: Alcohol & diving DO NOT
MIX. For your safety, we recommend that the consumption of any alcoholic
beverage be delayed until your dive day is complete. FRIENDS
DON'T LET FRIENDS DRINK & DIVE!
Is smoking permitted on this
No cigarette,
cigar or smoking of any kind is permitted on the M/V Komodo Dancer, except in
the designated outdoor smoking area of the Lido Deck. Smoking is not permitted
in any area where all guests must be assembled for any reason, for example, at
dive briefings.
Is there any alternate entertainment available
on board?
M/V Komodo Dancer
has a multi-system TV/video unit for videotape & video camera playback, a
compact disc player, & cassette deck. There is a slide projector & viewer
on board. If you have a favorite movie, a slide show or a video to share, we
encourage you to bring it along! You may also bring your own favorite music
tapes, CD's, etc. A small library of books for exchange is maintained on board,
as well as fish identification books for reference.
How can I pay for my sundry purchases on
board this
The M/V Komodo
Dancer has a small on-board ãBoatiqueä which sells a selection of logo
clothing, custom jewelry, sundries, diving accessories, film, batteries,
logbooks, etc. A crewmember will gladly assist you with your purchases at any
time during the week. The local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah. The exchange
is floating so you may want to research the rate at the time of your departure.
The US Dollar is the only other currency accepted on board. ATM machines are
conveniently located in the airport & around
In what time zone is
The Indonesian
archipelago is spread over three time zones. Central Indonesia Standard Time
covers East & South Kalimantan,
What languages are spoken on board this
There are about
583 languages & dialects spoken in the archipelago. Bahasa Indonesia is the
national language which is akin to Malay, written in Roman script & based
on European orthography. In all tourist destination areas English is the number
one foreign language. Our crew will converse in English with the guests. They do a great job & as sharp as tacks,
no worries.
What electrical current is available on
the KOMODO DANCER?
The electrical
current on M/V Komodo Dancer is 220 volts. So guests may wish to bring a
converter with them for the use of small appliances in your stateroom. There is
a charging station in the Salon which offers access to 110V power. On all of
Bali &
Are my valuables safe on board KOMODO
DANCER?
We recommend that
you leave all your vulnerable valuables at home as they are not appropriate for
an adventure cruise. Stateroom keys are available if you choose to use one, but
there is no safety box.
Is the water on board this
All water on the
M/V Komodo Dancer is a mixture of desalinated water & spring water from
shore. Although the desalinated water is suitable for drinking, the mixture is
not recommended for drinking; it works best for showers & brushing teeth,
or cleaning gear, etc. No worries,
How can I celebrate a special occasion?
Our crew is always
delighted to help you celebrate any special occasion on board including
birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons or weddings. Kindly advise our
Can I earn advanced diving certification
or specialties on board?
Several diving
specialty courses are offered on the M/V Komodo Dancer, but it is necessary to
give at least one month notice to Peter Hughes Diving, Inc.®
in advance of your charter date to ensure that an instructor will have the time
available & that all required paperwork is complete. VERY IMPORTANT: IF YOU
INTEND TO RECEIVE DIVING INSTRUCTION ON BOARD, YOU MUST COMPLETE A MEDICAL
STATEMENT IN ADVANCE & RETURN IT TO PETER HUGHES DIVING, INC.® PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. A doctor's note may be
required if you answer yes to any of the questions on the medical statement. A
list of available courses & prices is located on our website. Guest (Non-Crew)
Instructors are permitted to give instruction on board if they are in current
teaching status with their certifying agency & if they maintain underwater
liability insurance. They must obtain a list of companies from Peter Hughes
Diving, Inc.® to
be additionally insured on their Certificate of Insurance. Payment for
instruction will only be accepted on board, not in advance.
Are Nitrox fills available?
The M/V Komodo
Dancer is equipped with Enriched Air facilities. Nitrox fills of 32% are
normally available to all CERTIFIED Nitrox divers. Nitrox certifications are
also available on board to all certified divers. Our purpose in providing
enriched air Nitrox for the use of our guests is to give those who are
unfamiliar with this new technology an opportunity to become certified Nitrox
divers & to give those already certified an enhanced safety factor in the
face of extensive, repetitive dive profiles in remote regions of the world.
Nitrox is not offered for extended range diving.
What specific scuba diving
equipment will I need to bring?
Equipment
provided aboard the M/V Komodo Dancer includes tanks, weights & weight
belts. The basic diving equipment required is a regulator, depth & pressure
gauge, watch or bottom timer, buoyancy compensation device (BCD), mask, fins,
snorkel & wetsuit. An SMB (inflatable signaling tube),
DIVE ALERT (air horn), & MINI-STROBE ARE MANDATORY EQUIPMENT FOR EACH
DIVER. We suggest that you bring your own, although the M/V Komodo
Dancer does stock a limited supply available for daily or weekly rental. BE
ADVISED THAT WE REQUIRE AT LEAST TWO LIGHT SOURCES FOR ALL NIGHT DIVES. We
strongly recommend the use of chemical (Cyalume) light sticks. You may bring
your own or purchase them on board. Additional recommended equipment: dive computer,
dive light (with extra batteries or charging unit). Water temperatures can
range from approx. 22° C (72° F) to 28° C (83° F), with this in mind a 3 mm or
5 mm wetsuit is recommended. Dive skins will not be sufficient for most divers.
Are dive gear & photo / video
equipment available to rent on board?
M/V Komodo Dancer
has a limited amount of diving equipment available for rent, so it is critical
that you advise our
Can I fish or spearfish?
Nope. Nope again. Guests are prohibited from bringing game-taking
equipment on board the M/V Komodo Dancer, such as Hawaiian slings, spear guns.
Guests may remove nothing from the sea. Ever. Period. It is against
the law to take anything from The Komodo National Park.
Could I ever be refused service?
Peter Hughes
Diving, Inc.®, M/V Komodo Dancer, its owners & employees reserve the right
to refuse service to any guest whose behavior is determined by the Captain to
be a danger to the safe operation of the vessel (such as causing a fire hazard
by smoking in prohibited areas). Divers who exhibit objectionable personal
conduct, drug use or lack of sufficient diving skills can be refused air fills
or put ashore at the Captain's discretion.
What other important information should I
know?
Controlled substances & illegal drugs
are strictly prohibited aboard M/V Komodo Dancer. Penalties for the sale, use or possession
of controlled substances in
Prior to any
diving from the M/V Komodo Dancer, you will be required to provide us with
acceptable evidence of your diving certification & your level of
experience. You will also be required to execute a legally binding release of
M/V Komodo Dancer, Meridian Worldwide, Ltd., Peter Hughes Diving, Inc., their
officers, directors, employees & agents from any claims, causes of action,
damages or liabilities which may arise from or in connection with your diving
activities & to acknowledge that you understand the risks attendant with
diving & to personally assume all such risks.
While we provide
dive briefings prior to dives & limit our diving to no-decompression sport
diving, each diver is responsible for his or her individual profile consistent
with the standards & limitations of his or her certifying organization.
Special note to our esteemed clients, from
Peter Hughes, Dancer Fleet Founder:
PLEASE respect
the environment & dive safely. The crew of M/V Komodo Dancer & Peter
Hughes Diving, Inc.® encourage PERFECT BUOYANCY skills & basic
ecological concepts in order to minimize any detrimental effects of divers
& scuba diving within the reef system. We also offer & strongly
encourage awareness-oriented courses such as Reef Ecology & Zen Diving.
Please remember
you are a guest in a foreign land. You need to respect the local population
& adapt to their customs & culture rather than expecting them to adapt
to yours.
FACTS about the BALI
REGION & those celebrated KOMODO DRAGON LIZARDS
It is hoped that
on every cruise at some point we will be able to go ashore at
This next Komodo Dragon Text has been adapted by the Dancer Fleet from a
"Scientific American" article by renowned author & scientific / cultural
observor Mr. Claudio Cioffi.
The Komodo Dragon, as befits any creature evoking a mythological beast,
has many names. It is also the Komodo monitor, being a member of the monitor
lizard family. Varanidae, which today has but one genus, Varanus. Residents of
the
The first
question usually asked about Komodo Dragons is, how big do they get? A robust
mature, male Komodo, is about 2.5 meters long & weights
45 kilograms. The largest verified specimen reached a length of 3.13 meters
& was purported to weigh 166 kilograms. More typical weights for the
largest wild dragons are about 70 kilograms; captives are often overfed & overweight.
Although the Komodo can run briefly at speeds up to 20 kmh, its hunting
strategy is based on stealth & power. It spends hours lying motionless,
waiting to pounce on a deer, board, goat or anything edible passing by –
including hapless humans. ;)
Monitors can see
objects as far away as 300 meters, so vision does play a role in hunting,
though their eyes are better at picking up movement than at discerning stationary objects. Their retinas possess only cones, so
they may be able to distinguish color but have poor vision in dim light.
Despite a mention
in the first scientific paper reporting its existence that dragons appeared to
be deaf, later research revealed this belief to be false - the animal does
hear, but in a restricted range, probably between about 400 & 2,000 hertz.
(Humans hear frequencies between 20 & 20,000 hertz.) This limitation stems
from varanids having but a single bond, the stapes, for transferring vibrations
from the tympanic membrane to the cochlea, the structure responsible for sound
perception in the inner ear. Mammals have two other bones working with the
stapes to amplify sound & transmit vibrations accurately. In addition, the
varanid cochlea, though the most advanced among lizards, contains far fewer
receptor cells than the mammalian version. The result is an animal that is
insentient to such sounds as a low-pitched voice or a high-pitched scream.
Vision & hearing
are useful, but the Komodo Dragon's sense of smell is
its primarily food detector. Its long, yellow forked tongue samples the air,
after which the two tongue tips retreat to the roof of the mouth, where they
make contact with the Jacobson’s organs. These chemical analyzers “smell” by
recognizing airborne molecules. The concentration present on the left tongue
tip is higher than that sampled from the right, telling the Komodo that prey is
to be found on the left. This system, along with an undulatory walk where the
head swings from side to side, helps the dragon sense the direction of
odoriferous carrion from as far away as four kilometers, when the wind is
right.
The Komodo makes
its presence known when it is about one meter from its intended victim. The
quick movement of its feet sound like a “muffled
machine gun,” according to Walter Auffenberg, who has contributed more to our
knowledge of Komodo than any other researcher. Auffenberg, a herpetologist at
the
When a Komodo
ambushes its prey, it attacks the feet first, knocking the animal off balance.
When dealing with smaller prey, it may lunge straight for the neck. The basic
strategy is simple: try & smash the quarry to the ground & tear it to
pieces. Strong muscles driving powerful claws accomplish some of this, but the
Komodo Dragon's teeth are its most dangerous weapon.
They are large, curved & serrated, & tear flesh with the efficiency of
a plough parting soil.
Its tooth
serrations harbor bits of meat from the Komodo Dragon's
last meal, either fresh prey or carrion. This protein-rich residue supports
large numbers of bacteria. In the saliva researchers have found some 50
different bacterial strains, at least seven of which are highly septic. If the
prey somehow maneuvers away & escapes, chances are that its victory will be
short-lived. Infections resulting from the Komodo bite will probably kill it
within one week; its attacker, or more likely other Komodo Dragons, will then
consume the corpse. The Komodo bit is not deadly to another Komodo, however.
Dragons wounded in battle appear to be unaffected by these otherwise deadly
bacteria.
The muscles of
the Komodo Dragon's jaws & throat allow it to
swallow huge chunks of meat with astonishing rapidity: Auffenberg once observed
a female who weighted no more than 50 kilograms consume a 31 kilogram boar in
17 minutes. Several moveable joints, such as the intramandibular hinge that
opens the lower jaw unusually wide, help in the bolting. The stomach expands
easily, enabling an adult to consume up to 80 percent of its own body weight in
a single meal, which most likely explains some exaggerated claims for immense
weights in captured individuals.
Large mammalian
carnivores, such as lions, tend to leave 25 to 30 percent of their kill
unconsumed, declining to eat the intestines, hide, skeleton & hooves.
Komodo Dragons eat much more efficiently, forsaking only about 12 percent of
the prey. They eat bones, hooves & swaths of hide. They also eat
intestines, but only after swinging them vigorously to scatter their contents.
This behavior removes feces from the meal. Because large Komodo Dragons
cannibalize young ones, the latter often roll in fecal material, thereby
assuming a scent that their bigger brethren are programmed to avoid consuming.
Although males tend to grow larger & bulkier than females, no obvious morphological differences mark the sexes. One subtle clue does exist: a slight difference in the arrangement of scales just in front of the cloaca, the cavity housing the genitalia in both sexes. While sexing Komodo Dragons remains a challenge to researchers, the dragons themselves appear to have little trouble figuring ;out who is who. With a group assembled
