Dive and Explore the best of East Flores and Alor Liveaboard escorted by your Konjo representant. We elected for you the most experienced operator of the area. Leaded by Marc Heyghes, founder and owner of Seven Seas Liveaboard, this expedition is a trip of a lifetime. With their secret anchorages and uncharted dive sites, Marc and his team fine-tuned their route over the years. Pioneer explorer of Komodo and the East Flores archipelago since more than 30 years, his extended knowledge outperforms anybody on this destination.
Mark Heyghes is a pioneer explorer of Indonesia, and more specifically Nusa Tengarra. He settle in Indonesia back in the 1980’s, and became a major actor in the exploration of the Komodo National Park. Chartering regularly traditional Pinisi to keep exploring further East, he finally built Seven Seas in 2006. First operator to completely focus on providing East Flores trips, Mark has an extensive knowledge of this corner of Indonesia.
Seven Seas can accommodate up to 16 guests in 8 cabins. With over 300 trips provided, Seven Seas is one of the most experienced scuba diving liveaboard in Indonesia. Exploring the archipelago since nearly two decades, they provide high quality cruises through secrets anchorages and uncharted dive sites. Eminent Specialist of Komodo and East Flores, they have been exploring every single reef and all the coastlines of the Sunda Islands.
EXPLORE
This East Flores and Alor Liveaboard expedition is suffused with this true seamen spirit of exploration. This is why Konjo went to Mark and the Seven Seas to set up this charter. We obviously understand how important it is for our guests to have a clear vision of what they are signing up for. This is why we design a day by day itinerary, that you can download right above.
But we both know with Mark that reality at sea is different. Every sailor should be wise enough not to fight against the elements. Moon phases, tides, wind, waves are the one dictating us where to go. By reading the actual sea condition, the cruise director adjusts his route to provide the best prestation to his guests.
Don’t get me wrong, September is a really good timing to organize our East Flores and Alor Liveaboard. The probabilities to get the best conditions are quite high. However, when you know perfectly an area, you can constantly adjust your route to get the best of it. This is why it is so good to be an expert. You have backups, and a large anchorages and dive sites spectrum to fulfil the guest’s expectations.
During our Konjo liveaboard expedition, we always try one or two new dive sites. If we believe that a location has a great diving potential, we must go in the water and try it. Of course, snorkeling before is compulsory to find the best entry point. But we believe that trying new places is how you can fine-tuned itineraries, and improve skills. This is how amazing unchartered dive sites are discovered, and we will keep doing it.
The reefs of East Flores are a stunning natural feature characterized by their intricate and diverse formations of coral, providing a unique and vibrant ecosystem for marine life. Renowned for their breathtaking beauty, featuring an array of colors and patterns that make them a true marvel of the natural world. The reefs’ varied formations create a habitat that sustains a rich biodiversity of marine life, including numerous species of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks, making them a popular destination for divers and snorkelers alike.
The Nusa Tenggara Archipelago, encompasses a vast stretch of marine ecosystems with distinct differences between the north and south regions. The marine ecosystem of the Southern part of the Nusa Tenggara Archipelago is characterized by its upwelling currents, cooler water temperatures, high nutrient content, and lower visibility. Paradise for critters and invertebrates like nudibranchs, soft coral, sponges, and tunicates, it attracts also large pelagic species feeding on plankton such as manta rays. The North and its Acropora reefs are more wide angle oriented. Indeed, these conditions create a diverse and abundant ecosystem that sustains a wide variety of marine life. The diversity of diving is obvious and make this trip so unique. It ranges from exhilarating drift dive along remote rocks, walls, and seamounts to critter hunting along some muck diving black sandy slopes.
Everything can be seen in this area. Alor, is renowned for its incredible marine biodiversity and is home to a variety of shark species, including the awe-inspiring hammerheads and thresher sharks. Mola-Mola (Oceanic Sunfish), happened to be spotted by lucky divers as well in the southern part of the archipelago.
The months of September and October mark an important period for the migration of whales and dolphins around the Nusa Tenggara region in Indonesia. During this time, a variety of whale and dolphin species are known to travel through the waters of Nusa Tenggara as they make their way to their winter breeding and feeding grounds. Among the species commonly observed during this migration period are the pigmy blue whale, sperm whale, and various species of dolphins such as the bottlenose and Risso’s dolphins. These magnificent creatures can be seen from the boat traveling in large pods, often accompanied by their newborn calves.
Muck diving in East Flores and Alor is a unique and captivating underwater experience that offers a stark contrast to the traditional image of tropical coral reefs. This specialized form of diving is characterized by the exploration of the seafloor where the substrate is typically composed of sand, silt, or mud, rather than the more colorful and visually-striking coral reefs. The seafloor is home to a diverse array of bizarre and fascinating creatures, including rhinopias, flamboyant cuttlefish, seahorses, octopuses, and numerous species of colorful nudibranchs.
Amidst the azure waters of the Flores Sea lies the islands of the eastern Nusa Tengarra archipelago, whose rugged terrain rises steeply from the sea. Here, majestic peaks of verdant green tower above the dense tropical forests, their rugged slopes a testament to the island’s volcanic past. This otherworldly scenery creates a unique ambiance during our voyage. In this untouched corner of the world, time seems to slow down, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the splendor of nature and the simple joys of life.
Volcanic islands mean black sand beaches. Composed of fine grains of volcanic origin, those unique formations are a reminder of the island’s tumultuous geological past. The sand, rich in iron and titanium, shimmers under the tropical sun, providing a striking contrast to the crystalline waters of the Flores Sea. In the North of the Eastern Nusa Tengarra archipelago, Acropora coral reefs are more numerous. White sand beaches and sand banks are lapped by turquoise waters, and lined by coconut and Lontan palm trees.
Nestled amidst jagged cliffs and rocky coves, traditional villages cling to the landscape, their thatched roofs and wooden walls blending seamlessly with the lush vegetation. The air is alive with the vibrant calls of tropical birds, while the rustling of leaves and the sound of rushing streams fill the senses with the tranquility of nature. Despite its rugged beauty, the area remains a place of tranquility and simplicity. The local population, whose lives are intertwined with the land and sea, carry on their traditions of subsistence farming and fishing. In this untouched corner of the world, time seems to slow down, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the splendor of nature and the simple joys of life.
The tribes of East Flores are renowned for their exceptional handcraft, which reflects their deep connection to the land, sea, and culture. Their creations are infused with meaning, symbolism, and artistic mastery, making them an integral part of the local identity. One of the most prominent handcrafts of East Flores is the traditional weaving of Ikat textiles. Another notable handcraft is the making of wooden carvings, which range from small trinkets to large sculptures. Basket Weaving, and exceptional potteries can be found as well.
THE WHALE SHARKS EXPERIENCE
TRITON BAY | RAJA AMPAT
28th April to 09th May 2023 | From 4345 Euros
THE HAMMERHEADS EXPERIENCE
ALOR - AMBON | THE RING OF FIRE
29th Sept- 11th Oct 2023 | From 4860 Euros / Person
THE NORTH MALUKU EXPERIENCE
RAJA AMPAT | HALMAHERA
19th May to 31 May 2024 | LAST MINUTE DISCOUNT!!! 4480 Euros / Person
