Bali to Komodo to Sulawesi

[Mucksavage]

Hi there

I fly into Bali in June and out of Manado in Sulawesi in July. I was hoping to spend 2 weeks in Bali, 2 weeks in Komodo and 2 weeks around Bunaken and Lembeh - all diving. Has anyone got any info on travel between the islands? Is it easy to boat from Bali to Komodo or are there flights? And same from Komodo to Sulawesi. Any help gratefully received.

o[-_-]o

 

[Kevrumbo]

Here's a route map for Lion Air Indonesia. . .

 

[kilo_fox]

The trip from Bali to Komodo is pretty easy, either by boat or by plane.
There are daily, direct flights; airlines are Pelita Air or Trans Nusa/Trigana. They have offices at the airport of Denpasar where you can also buy tickets.
A friend of mine went from Bali to Labuan Bajo (Komodo) via Lombok, it took him two days, he said it was a beautiful trip. The biggest ferry company in Indonesia is Pelni, they have a website in english: http://www.pelni.co.id/home.asp?loc=en&entId=&page=
However, I heard the time schedules are always reliable...

From Labuan Bajo to Manado however..... seems to be a tricky one. I couldn't really get something useful here (I'm writing from Jakarta), but I'll continue my research and come back to you if I find something. It actually shouldn't be so difficult seen that Sulawesi is straight North from Flores/Labuan Bajo. If really there is nothing direct from Labuan Bajo to Manado, you can for sure do Labuan Bajo - Makassar - Manado, at least by boat.

I haven't dived in Manado (yet ), but in Komodo - it is awsome diving there!! Enjoy!!

 

[pelan-pelan]

There is an excellent travel agent in Manado run by a Brit (Jeremy) with many years experience - they may be able to help. I think they are called Safari Tours or Safari Travel - a Google finds them easily.

 

[Mucksavage]

Great stuff so far, thanks everyone!

 

[kilo_fox]

However, I heard the time schedules are always reliable...

:ermm: obviously, I forgot one important word: ...the time schedules are NOT always reliable....


Otherwise, regarding the trip from Labuan Bajo/Komodo to Manado, it seems, an option which is not too time consuming would be to take the boat from Labuan Bajo to Makassar (Central Sulawesi) and continue from there to Manado by plane. I was told there is a Pelni ferry going overnight. Looks like there are no planes from Komodo to Manado, and by boat it would take you something like 5 days.