We are pleased to offer divers 2 stunning destinations for the price of 1 as we cruise to both of the Nusa Tengara destinations; Komodo and Alor!

Arenui - the boutique liveaboard - sets sail from the remote Indonesian port of Labuanbajo on July 7th 2013 for an incredible 13-night cruise, visiting the best dive sites of Nusa Tengara (from Komodo to Alor), ending in Maumere on July 20th 2013.

Make sure you grab a space on this cruise while you still can, as most of our 2013 cruises are now fully booked.

More on Nusa Tengara

Indonesia is packed with incredible dive sites as well as photogenic topside scenery, but for many divers this archipelago is mainly famous for Bali or maybe Manado and Sulawesi or perhaps Raja Ampat. Those are all great dive destinations but why limit yourself to these well-known spots when there’s nothing like exploring new and unchartered waters. That’s what makes the Nusa Tengara area so special, as it offers many untouched and unexplored dive sites with peaceful island villages during surface intervals.

West Nusa Tengara is part of the Lesser Sunda islands, in the east of the Indonesia archipelago. The West Nusa Tenggara or ‘Nusa Tenggara Barat’ area includes Lombok (a peaceful and increasingly popular alternative to Bali) and Sumbawa. The East Nusa Tenggara or ‘Nusa Tenggara Timur’ area features Flores (in Komodo National Park), the Alor archipelago (known for its world-class diving against a backdrop of steaming volcanoes), Sumba (a rugged and remote but very beautiful island) and also the Solor archipelago, the Sawu Islands and West Timor.

So what can you expect when you cruise and dive these different destinations?

In Komodo, be simply amazed by the diversity of underwater life on display! The Komodo National Park (recently added to the new ‘7 Wonders of Nature’ list) offers excellent muck diving, but also outstanding pelagic action - so whether its nudibranchs and rhinopias you’re after, or manta rays and schooling fish, this cruise really has it all. One of Komodo’s diving highlights is a dive over hot springs at an underwater volcano, plus we also explore a popular site called Castle Rock; a great opportunity to try out a 'reef-hook' dive as you secure yourself to the rock and float in the current, watching the schooling fish and predator/prey action! Not forgetting the area’s famous dinosaur who roams this land, which guests can meet up close on our visits to Rinca Island; home of the Komodo dragons!

In Alor, be among the privileged few divers who have explored one of the best kept secrets for diving in paradise. Keep your eyes open for rare finds like the beautiful rhinopias but also plenty of pelagic action from pilot whales to mola mola. Alor boasts stunning topside scenery and impressive volcanoes, plus our trips include a visit to the famous Pura Island villagers, who splash out of their wooden dugout canoes and dive underwater with home-made goggles fashioned from wood and glass bottles.

Hear from our onboard cruise director about diving Komodo and Alor, from the 2012 season:

“Komodo National Park has spoiled us this year with some outstanding diving. Manta rays gave our guests fantastic shows at Takat Makassar, a great drift dive in the channel between the islands of Komodo and Flores. The Komodo Dragons posed agreeably during the walks at Rinca and Komodo Island. Sharks cruised in front of us at Castle and Crystal Rock. Turtles munched corals and didn’t mind the cameras at the beautiful dive site of Tatawa Besar. All season huge cuttlefish modelled for the photographers at Sebayur. A large school of barracudas circled divers at Batu Tengah. Giant frogfish blended into the sponges at Three Sisters on Padar Island. A hairy frogfish gulped down worms on night dives at Torpedo Alley. The sheer variety of nudibranchs at Cannibal Rock stunned the divers. Mandarin fish danced around inside the hard corals at Pink Beach. The wonderful dives were endless. On our final Komodo cruise, at Manta Alley, a Mola Mola spent the entire first dive being cleaned not even slightly disturbed by our divers; these fantastic creatures are deep sea fish so it was extremely lucky for our guests to see one. Smiles all round!

In Alor our guests were wowed by the famous dive site Clown Valley also known as Anemone City. The whole reef is completely covered in anemones; it is a sight to behold. Diving at the amazing muck diving sights of Alor uncovered all the best critters, including the holy grail of fish - Rhinopias. Guests also enjoy photographing and videoing the children underwater in Alor wearing their homemade goggles (from old glass bottles). In Kalabahi bay mating pairs of squid laid eggs on mooring lines. Mandarin fish mated at Yan Village on Pura Island. And whales, dolphins and mola molas put in an appearance in the fast currents between Pantar and Alor Island. Takpala village on Alor Island is one of very few villages still living a traditional Abui tribe existence. The villagers perform dances and rituals for us – an exceptionally unique experience for our guests to remember. Of course the shopping for a hand woven ikat (traditional sarong) is a great part of the tour too.”

**Day-by-day Itinerary
"ALOR-KOMODO" **7-20 JULY 2013 (14 Day/13 Night_ Labuanbajo-Maumere Cruise

**Day 1 Embarkation in Labuanbajo

Day 2, 3, 4 Loh Liang or Loh Buaya (walk with dragons)/Komodo-Flores Channel

Loh Liang or Loh Buaya (walk with dragons**)

Your day begins with an exciting visit to Komodo National Park, as you take a stroll with the famous dragons! As you walk along the paths, local guides will point out wild deer, boar and bird life, but keep a careful lookout for the giant lizards which have made this region their home. Don’t forget your camera, as there are usually good opportunities for close-up shots when you get to the ranger station. More here...