Planning a Komodo family dive/snorkelling trip between May-July 2013

[jelly belly]

Hi ScubaBoarders,

We are a family of four (2 kids, 7 and 10yrs old) seeking a Komodo liveaboard and some Island exploration for a week anytime between May-July 2013 - at reasonable cost and comfort. The kids would be snorkelling, while we dive. Any recs on quality operators that are kid-friendly, family-oriented? Nothing worse than being on a boat where divers find kids a nuisance or interfering with thier vibe on board.

We live in Jakarta, and are flexible on times anywhere between May-July 2013.
Who best to contact locally in JK, to help us get an "honest-broker" package deal?

Much appreciated - my dream trip...
Jelly Belly

 

[boletus1973]

Hi Jelly Belly,
my wife and I went to Komodo 3 times and in September we will go there for the fourth time!
We booked the liveaboard directly with the owner without a travel agency, so the price is reasonable.
They often have kids on their boats, so they are used to having to do with children.
Two years ago we were on the boat together with a french family with a kid 8 years old without any problems.

The owner has 3 boats all year long in Komodo, and 2 of these are perfect for a family(4 to 6 guest maximum).
You can take all the boat and do your trip without the limits of other guest.. a real dream trip!

If you have Facebook, you can see photos of the boat and of Komodo of course at this link
http://www.facebook.com/CrocieraKomodoAridive
The page is in Italian because they want to promote Komodo also to the Italian divers, but the owner is a
polish young woman and she speaks very well english and indonesian (and other 3 or 4 languages :shocked2: ).
In this moment the owner, Alexandra, is in Bali and she will stay there for the coming months.
Because she has a child 3 years old, she understand very well the problems of a family.
If you want, I can give you her email address so you will contact Alexandra to check price and availability.
Let me know!

 

[Tippytoes12]

Hi there

We went to Komodo with Mermaid 2 and booked direct with the company. The trip was amazing.Black ?manta also do this route , we dived with them in the Similans a few years ago, they have now moved down to Komodo for half the year and Raja Ampat the other half.

Cannot praise these boats , crews etc highly enough.

 

[Will Rogers]

Hey Jelly,

We did the same trip with our kids last May and early June when they were 8 & 10. After much research, I opted for the Moana (Liveaboard diving holidays, Bali, Komodo, Indonesia, Moana - Moana Cruising), a wonderful wooden phinisi boat. Moana was particularly appealing with kids as they only charged half price for our children (rather than full price) and provided a dedicated crew member to watch our kids, take them snorkeling, etc. while we dived. Great crew and very kid friendly operation. I've done enough liveaboards to know that not all operations would be.

We booked directly with the Moana folks and they were very responsive by e-mail (they are based in Austria I believe). Late May is a wonderful time to go as the islands are still very green and the weather generally lovely.

It it a great trip and a incredible adventure for kids. They are still talking about swimming with the black tip sharks almost a year later. You are welcome to e-mail me if you have any specific questions. Have fun!

Will