A Komodo snorkelling trip for non-divers

First, what the boat is. Maheswari is a snorkel boat, with snorkelling gear, life jackets and a tender in every fare. Divers who want tanks book a dive boat for those days, and we say it in the first lines so the plan is clear from the start.

What the boat does offer is a route built around water. The 3D2N has five snorkel stops, each a different reef or a different current, and the days between are short walks and meals on deck. For a party of six who swim and do not dive, that is a good use of three days.

The park ticket covers snorkelling inside the park, and the fare covers the gear. Read on for the five stops in order, and the occasions page for other ways to use the boat.

Here is the order of the day for a party of swimmers. At 10:00 the car collects you, a welcome drink is poured, and the boat sails at 10:30. After the Kelor trek and lunch, Manjarite Beach is the first snorkel of the trip, an easy one, with a snack and the Kalong sunset to follow.

Day 2 starts with Padar and breakfast, then Pink Beach for the second swim. After the Komodo trek and lunch come Taka Makassar's shallow reef and, last, Manta Point in the afternoon current.

On day 3 Siaba is the swim before breakfast, then an early lunch and Labuan Bajo by late morning.

The tide and the current can swap Taka Makassar and Manta Point, and the captain decides on the day.

For six guests the whole boat costs IDR 58,000,000 (≈ USD 3,558) on the 3D2N, which is IDR 9,670,000 (≈ USD 593) each. Six guests sleep in three cabins on queen beds. Other lengths are on the charter price list, and the classes on the cabins page.

The five stops are not equal. Pink Beach, Manjarite and Taka Makassar are easy, with shallow reef and mild current. Siaba is a reef known for turtles. Manta Point is the demanding one: a strong current, guided drifting along the reef, and a life jacket or a confident swimmer advised.

Sort your six by confidence before you write, and tell us the split. A guest who prefers to stay on board at Manta Point loses nothing else on the route.

A certificate is welcome aboard, and the plan stays a snorkelling plan: Maheswari carries snorkelling gear rather than tanks.

Many couples and families travel with one certified diver and one snorkeller. If that is you, book the snorkel route on Maheswari for the whole party, and arrange diving separately with a dive operator for the days you choose.

The boat carries navigation and radio equipment: AIS, radar, a compass, GPS, an SBB radio and a VHF radio. It has nothing to do with diving, and it tells you the boat is equipped for the sea it sails.

Sandals or trekking shoes, a backpack, emergency cash, personal medicines, sunblock and sunglasses go on the bring list. For a swimmer, add a rash vest or a long-sleeved top for the sun and a dry bag for the tender.

A guest who swims with fins should bring their own; tell us, and we note it for the crew. The gear on board is shared, so a mask that fits your face is worth bringing.

Current at Manta Point can be strong. April to June and October and November give the calmest, clearest water, and December to February and July to September give the best manta chances. The months page sets them out.