2026/2027 Planning Guide
10+ years of seasonal data across our 50+ vessel fleet. Real-world experience, not tourism brochure idealism. Know your season. Choose your dates.
At a Glance
| Month | Conditions | Pricing | Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Variable | Premium++ | 8+ months |
| Feb | Improving | Standard | 4-5 months |
| Mar | Good | Standard | 4-5 months |
| Apr | Excellent | Mod-Premium | 4-5 months |
| May | Excellent | Premium | 5-6 months |
| Jun | Excellent | Premium | 5-6 months |
| Jul | Excellent | Premium | 5-6 months |
| Aug | Excellent | Mod-Premium | 3-4 months |
| Sep | Good (declining late) | Moderate | 3-4 months |
| Oct | Transition | Moderate | 3-4 months |
| Nov | Variable | Mod-Low | 2-3 months |
| Dec | Variable | Mod (late: Premium) | 2-3 (late: 8+) |
Detailed Analysis
Wet
Unless sentimental, skip it. February is calmer, cheaper, better.
Routes: Classic, Grand Circuit
Transition
Underrated. Tourism dropping, prices dropping, visibility improving. 4-5 crossing departures.
Routes: Classic, Extended, Banda Sea
Improving
Sweet spot for Sumba+RA. Pasola festival in Sumba (Feb 22-Mar 22). Cultural + diving.
Routes: Sumba+RA, Classic, all routes
Dry begins
Critical month. Komodo enters peak. Best-value month for Komodo+RA and Flores+RA.
Routes: Komodo+RA, Flores+RA, all routes
Peak dry
Genuinely peak everywhere. Guaranteed conditions, premium pricing. Every operator running.
Routes: All routes optimal
Peak dry
Excellent + Forgotten Islands becomes feasible. Cooler water, stronger winds late month.
Routes: All routes + Forgotten Islands
Peak dry
EU school holidays = highest demand and pricing. Book 6+ months ahead or skip for August.
Routes: All routes
Late dry
Our recommendation: peak conditions without peak pricing or crowds. EU families back in school.
Routes: All routes optimal
Dry tail
Swing month. Early Sep = late dry. Late Sep = unpredictable. Aim early-mid for Komodo.
Routes: Komodo early month, Classic
Transition
Criminally underrated. Optimal Banda Sea pelagics. Forgotten Islands prime. October fills fast.
Routes: Banda Sea, Forgotten Islands
Wet begins
Last month for Forgotten Islands. Good value. Fewer tourists. 3-4 dives instead of 4-5.
Routes: Forgotten Islands LAST, Banda early
Wet
Early Dec: good value. Dec 15-31: holiday premium, heavy crowding. Avoid late month unless planned.
Routes: Classic early month
Match Your Priority
August or September. Peak-quality diving, moderate pricing, lower crowds than May-July.
May-June. Premium pricing, higher crowds. Book 5-6 months ahead.
November-December or February-March. Moderate to low pricing, acceptable conditions.
Banda Sea = October. Forgotten Islands = October or November. These windows are non-negotiable.
May-September, with May-July optimal. Book 5-6 months ahead.
Lead Times
Peak (May-Aug)
months ahead
Shoulder (Sep-Nov)
months ahead
Low (Dec-Apr)
months ahead
January requires 8+ months. Deposits (25%) secure dates. Final payments due 60 days before departure. 90+ day cancellation = full refund. 60-89 days = 50%. Under 60 = no refund. Travel insurance mandatory.
Know Your Season
Choose your dates, confirm availability, and book your crossing. 50+ vessel fleet positioned year-round across West Papua.
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