Discover Komodo & The Spice Islands

Bali really is as alluring as everyone says. This island, slightly bigger than Delaware, has it all: beaches, volcanoes, terraced rice fields, forests, renowned resorts, surfing, golf, and world-class dive sites. But what sets Bali apart from other nearby tropical destinations is Balinese tradition, and villagers dedicated to celebrating it. The hundreds of temples, dances, rituals, and crafts linked to their ancient Hindu faith aren't a show for tourists, but a living, breathing culture in which visitors are warmly received by the Balinese, who cherish their own identities.

Welcome to Bali, the Island of the Gods. One of 18,000 islands that make up the country of Indonesia, Bali is spectacularly beautifully, culturally diverse and brimming with luxury. Scenic Eclipse II will be waiting for you off the coast of Benoa, a peninsula on the southern edge of the island.

Board your 6-star Discovery Yacht this afternoon and be warmly greeted by the crew, shown to your spacious ultra-luxury suite and meet your butler. Join fellow guests on the Sky Deck for a glass of Champagne to toast the start of an incredible journey.

Please book your flight to arrive into Denpasar prior to 02:00 PM.

This beautiful part of the world is tailor-made for island hopping and your Discovery Yacht will call at two island ports today, both off the north coast of Sumbawa. The first is Moyo Island, described as an Eden in the Flores Sea. The whole island is a national park, and the surrounding waters are a marine reserve, making Moyo one of Indonesia’s key conservation sites.

Whale Shark Swimming: Hop on a Zodiac to swim alongside gentle whale sharks, considered the largest species of shark.

Set off at midday for the nearby Satonda Island, a small ring-shaped island with a lake in the centre. The island is believed to be an ancient volcano that rose from the depths of the ocean and even today Satonda is shrouded in local myth and mystery. The water here is clear and calm, making for exceptional swimming, snorkelling and diving.

Discovery: Satonda National Park: Satonda is small island with a large lake on the inside. Guests can undertake a walk into the lake and swim/snorkel from the beach.

Pink Beach earned its name for the way the beach can appear to have a rosy hue in certain lights. The color comes from small flecks of red coral mixed in with the fine white reef sand. With a few trees along the beach for shade, this stretch of coast makes a fine place to relax or enjoy a snorkel or dive in the crystal clear waters. It is possible to spot a striped clown fish nestled among the protective tentacles of its sea anemone host, or to see a grouper lazily swimming by a flamboyant soft coral. The reef here is now protected by law and the maturing corals are a joy to behold.

Today you’ll see the famed Komodo dragon, a unique species of lizard that has been roaming this island for millions of years. Stretching up to three metres in length, they can weigh over 150kg.

Komodo Dragon Walking Tour: Join an expert guide for an unforgettable walking adventure, encountering these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

Discovery: Board Scenic Eclipse II again at midday to cruise around the island to the famous Pink Beach, one of just seven found anywhere in the world. Swim and snorkel in the vibrant turquoise water to admire hundreds of species of coral and an abundance of fish. 

Flores Island is fast becoming one of Indonesia’s most popular destinations. It was founded by the Portuguese in the 15th century and spent many years as the trade and administrative centre of the region.

Your Discovery Yacht will be docked in the centre of the city. Wander the streets at your leisure and soak in its cool maritime flavour. Witness the Portuguese connection and rich Catholic history in the buildings that surround you. Admire the famous Katedral Reinha Rosari, known as the Church of Iron and resembling an ornate Disney castle.

Larantuka Traditional Village Tour: Visit a Larantuka village, known for singing local folk stories, and enjoy a traditional performance. The tour includes Ikat weaving, traditional music and dance, local refreshments, a visit to a local school, the historic Catholic Cathedral, and a bustling food market. 

Tonight, you will sail past an extraordinary island around 11 pm. Pulau Komba is home to Mount Batu Tara, an active volcano that erupts every 20 minutes. Even at night, the glowing lava and explosive spray are visible. 

After sailing across the Banda Sea, you will arrive at Alor Island. The easternmost and largest of the 20 islands in the Alor archipelago, Alor has rugged volcanic terrain dotted with traditional villages full of striking architecture and well-preserved customs.

Alor Island is home to a number of unique Indigenous tribes that live in the same way they have for thousands of years. Visit a local village this morning to see the striking architecture and well-preserved customs.

Alor Cultural Highlights: Discover the cultural highlights of Alor on this tour, featuring visits to traditional villages, vibrant markets, and historical sites. Experience local customs, traditional dances, and the rich heritage that defines this unique region.

Just after midday you’ll set sail for Sika Island, a tiny outcrop off the north coast of Alor. This beautiful island is a conservation area and best known for its population of dugongs, which float gracefully through the crystal-clear water munching on sea grass and can be spotted from the Sky Deck (Deck 10) or the Observation Lounge through the Swarovski crystal telescopes.

This afternoon, enjoy time relaxing on a secluded beach or taking part in marine activities.

Banda Neira is the main island and town of the minute Banda Archipelago in the Banda Sea some 2500 kilometers away from Jakarta. Although the Portuguese already contacted the Banda Islands for nutmeg and mace in 1512, it was only ninety years later that the Dutch established a trading post on Neira and neighboring Lonthor to export the spices. Rivalries between the Dutch and the British led to forts being built –the ruins of Fort Nassau and the restored Fort Belgica can be visited on Banda Neira. The area surrounding the town still has nutmeg plantations and several sites relate to the Dutch spice trading time.

The heart of the Old World global spice trade, Banda Neira has retained a unique historic mix of culture, nature and wildlife. At the focal point of Indonesia’s Spice Islands, Banda was prized by European, Arab and Chinese traders until the late 1800s. Experience a flashback to these times as you watch traditional war canoes guide us into Banda Harbour.

Community Visit: Explore well preserved Fort Belgica on your walking tour, providing a fascinating insight into Dutch colonisation and enjoy a traditional dance and music performance.

This small isolated island is a hidden gem located off the north coast of the Bomberai Peninsula. Known for its limestone formations, Papuan rock art and burial caves, the area has around 24 endemic species of rainbow fish.

Discovery: Join your Discovery Team and cruise by Zodiac to explore the 20,000-year-old rock art between Arguni and Andamata villages. Enjoy watching village life as you pass the shores of this beautiful island. 

Today sail into the other-worldly splendour of the Raja Ampat Islands. With more than 1,500 sparsely populated islands peppered across the ocean north of West Papua, this isolated archipelago is often called ‘the last paradise on earth’. Because of its remote location, Raja Ampat is largely untouched by mass tourism.

Yenwaupnor; West Papuan Experience: In the afternoon, be immersed in the local culture by attending a traditional performance at Yenwaupnor Village. Here, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy traditional dances, music, and rituals performed by the indigenous community, providing a deeper understanding of the local heritage and way of life.

Famous for it's natural beauty, Wayag island, is characterized by turquoise lagoons, lush karst islands and dramatic rock formations rising from crystal-clear waters. As your Discovery Yacht sails into the bay, you will be in awe of this postcard-perfect panorama that captures the essence of an untouched tropical paradise.

Discovery: The bay’s many coves and inlets make for good snorkelling or scenic cruising by Zodiac. The calm waters are also ideal for exploring under your own pace, so set out for the day in one of the kayaks, stand-up paddleboards or dive with a SEABOB.

You’ll head south to Misool Island this morning. One of the “Four Kings”, the largest islands of the group, it has a permanent population of around 5,000 scattered around a few villages. It’s also home to a handful of resorts – look out for the overwater bungalows clinging to the coast.

Misool is one of the few places where biodiversity is improving. The clear waters are home to a dazzling array of corals and fish, and you can spot whales, sharks and dolphins frolicking in the open ocean. Enjoy more swimming, snorkelling and watersports such as diving below the surface with a SEABOB or bounce on the inflatable trampoline.

Discovery: View the incredible limestone karst formations, discover ancient rock art, wander along trails that give unique birds eye views of the area and snorkel on the world’s most diverse reefs.

The Kei islands are home to some of the most beautiful, pristine and untouched beaches in the world. They are the most accessible islands of southern Maluku and offer visitors a tranquil escape from the bustling nature of Darwin. Referred to as the hidden gems of Indonesia, Kei Islands are relatively unknown and therefore make for the perfect place to enjoy a day of swimming and snorkelling on an idyllic uninhabited picture postcard tropical island.

There are millions of impressive beaches in Indonesia yet the ones you’ll see today might be the country’s most beautiful. The Kai Islands are part of the Maluku Province and are made entirely of white sand and coral. Talcum powder beaches are lapped by the strikingly blue waters of the Banda Sea and fringed with lush rows of palm trees. Despite their jaw-dropping beauty, these islands remain far off the tourist trail, and you’re unlikely to see another visitor.

Discovery: Spend today relaxing on the beach, swimming or snorkelling in the warm water.

Darwin is Australia's most colorful, and exotic, capital city. Surrounded on three sides by the turquoise waters of the Timor Sea, the streets are lined with tropical flowers and trees. Warm and dry in winter, hot and steamy in summer, it's a relaxed and casual place, as well as a beguiling blend of tropical frontier outpost and Outback hardiness. Thanks to its close proximity to Southeast Asia and its multicultural population it also seems more like Asia than the rest of Australia. Darwin is a city that has always had to fight for its survival. The seductiveness of contemporary Darwin lifestyles belies a history of failed attempts that date from 1824 when Europeans attempted to establish an enclave in this harsh, unyielding climate. The original 1869 settlement, called Palmerston, was built on a parcel of mangrove wetlands and scrub forest that had changed little in 15 million years. It was not until 1911, after it had already weathered the disastrous cyclones of 1878, 1882, and 1897, that the town was named after the scientist who had visited Australia's shores aboard the Beagle in 1839. During World War II it was bombed more than 60 times, as the harbor full of warships was a prime target for the Japanese war planes. Then, on the night of Christmas Eve 1974, the city was almost completely destroyed by Cyclone Tracy, Australia’s greatest natural disaster. It's a tribute to those who stayed and to those who have come to live here after Tracy that the rebuilt city now thrives as an administrative and commercial center for northern Australia. Old Darwin has been replaced by something of an edifice complex—such buildings as Parliament House and the Supreme Court all seem very grand for such a small city, especially one that prides itself on its casual, outdoor-centric lifestyle. Today Darwin is the best place from which to explore Australia's Top End, with its wonders of Kakadu and the Kimberley region.

Your Discovery Voyage ends in Darwin. Sitting at the crossroads of Australia and Asia, this tropical capital is rich in history, culture and natural wonders. Darwin is packed with galleries and museums that celebrate its unique cultural blend, plus delicious restaurants that draw from nearby Asian nations.

After an unforgettable voyage, it’s time to farewell your fellow guests and crew. Take with fond memories of the places you have seen, once-in-a-lifetime moments and the unrivalled ultra-luxury experience on board Scenic Eclipse II.

#Spa treatments at additional cost. +All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits.  Specialty restaurants require a reservation, enquire on board.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the voyage will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.