Adelaar has always been committed to keeping the marine environment safe and is determined to fight for its preservation. Yet, among all the possible & noble initiatives, three of them hold a very special place in our heart. We sail through the Coral Triangle, so our first concerns naturally go to the reef that is home to hundreds of species and contributes to the health of an entire ecosystem. Also threatened by mankind, Manta rays & whale sharks are two incredible species that we would love to see swimming peacefully in the Indonesian waters. Discover how Adelaar contributes to marine conservation and join us on a trip to help preserve the species!

Adelaar has always been committed to keeping the marine environment safe and is determined to fight for its preservation. Yet, among all the possible & noble initiatives, three of them hold a very special place in our heart. Discover how Adelaar contributes to marine conservation and join us on a trip to help preserve the species!

“Manta rays, the ocean giants”

Two types of Manta ray species can be seen in the Komodo National Park. The Reef Manta Ray (Manta Alfredi) and the Giant Manta Ray (Manta Birostris). The average wingspan for these giants can get up from 5 to 7 meters wide and they weigh about 1350kg. They have settle their home in Komodo long before any liveaboard came to explore these remote waters. Now, both species are listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Anthropogenic threats include pollution, entanglement in fishing nets, but also direct harvesting for their gill rakers for use in Chinese medicine. Together with conservation organisations, we help raising awareness within the local populations as well as diving community in order to preserve these giants from an extinction.

The trip

For true manta lovers, there are never enough mantas! In consequence, one of our Komodo cruises will be slightly adjusted to spend more time in areas of the park preferred by mantas. A marine biologist is on board to talk about her work in the field, as well as what they are doing to help protect these elegant and graceful creatures. Through their presentation, they’ll explain everything there is to know about manta rays. Including that they are no longer called “mantas”. 

Manta rays conservation Indonesia

“Manta rays, the ocean giants”

Two types of Manta ray species can be seen in the Komodo National Park. The Reef Manta Ray (Manta Alfredi) and the Giant Manta Ray (Manta Birostris). The average wingspan for these giants can get up from 5 to 7 meters wide and they weigh about 1350kg. They have settle their home in Komodo long before any liveaboard came to explore these remote waters. Now, both species are listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Anthropogenic threats include pollution, entanglement in fishing nets, but also direct harvesting for their gill rakers for use in Chinese medicine. Together with conservation organisations, we help raising awareness within the local populations as well as diving community in order to preserve these giants from an extinction.

The Manta ray trip

For true manta lovers, there are never enough mantas! In consequence, one of our Komodo cruises will be slightly adjusted to spend more time in areas of the park preferred by mantas. A marine biologist is on board to talk about her work in the field, as well as what they are doing to help protect these elegant and graceful creatures. Through their presentation, they’ll explain everything there is to know about manta rays. Including that they are no longer called “mantas”. 

“Conservation is much more than a stand alone victory. More than a one-time culmination of effort and intention, effective conservation is a lifetime of commitment, requiring constant care and vigilance. To believe otherwise is not only to court disillusionment and failure, but to imperil our most treasured resources.”

Shawn Heinrichs

Coral reef conservation Indonesia

“In 100 years, 50% of all species could be gone”

The Coral Triangle is a marine area located in the western Pacific Ocean that includes the waters of Indonesia. Nearly 600 species of corals are home to six of the world’s seven marine turtle species and more than 2000 species of reef fish. Besides, the local population of Indonesia also depends on the well-being of the coral reefs. So, the challenge we now face is to protect those reefs and help inhabitants develop sustainable everyday life solutions. The survival of one of the world’s most diverse habitats is at stake.

The trip

As all Adelaar’s routes are located on the coral triangle, it seemed like a must for us to organize a trip dedicated to Coral Reef rehabilitation. On these special cruises, we’ll host a coral specialist who’ll lead a course about corals, workshops, and identification games, as well as an excursion to a coral rehabilitation center on the North coast of Sumbawa.

“In 100 years, 50% of all species could be gone”

The Coral Triangle is a marine area located in the western Pacific Ocean that includes the waters of Indonesia. Nearly 600 species of corals are home to six of the world’s seven marine turtle species and more than 2000 species of reef fish. Besides, the local population of Indonesia also depends on the well-being of the coral reefs. So, the challenge we now face is to protect those reefs and help inhabitants develop sustainable everyday life solutions. The survival of one of the world’s most diverse habitats is at stake.

The Coral trip

As all Adelaar’s routes are located on the coral triangle, it seemed like a must for us to organize a trip dedicated to Coral Reef rehabilitation. On these special cruises, we’ll host a coral specialist who’ll lead a course about corals, workshops, and identification games, as well as an excursion to a coral rehabilitation center on the North coast of Sumbawa.

“The innocence of nature deserves the power of mankind.”

Ben Hicks

“The gentle giants are vulnerable due to poor scientific knowledge”

The Whale shark, like other shark and ray species, is a slow growing animal with low fecundity. Although not mainly hunted for their fins, in some parts of the world, whale sharks still are actively hunted by fishermen, mainly for their meat. Because they often aggregate during surface feeding, they are quite vulnerable to boat strikes and to being caught. Yet, one of the most critical things about whale sharks is that there is very little knowledge of their biology and reproduction. That provides a big challenge for us to properly protect them. The money raised during the #GoTagMe campaign will therefore be used to purchase tags & then host a tagging operation of Indonesian Whale Sharks aboard Adelaar.

The trip

Each year, we include a whale shark excursion on designated Komodo to Bali trips. We set aside a half day, which is timed to coincide with a new moon, as it is apparently the best time for an encounter. On our return voyage to Bali, we make a detour into Teluk Saleh Bay on the north coast of Sumbawa, where a permanent aggregate of whale sharks have recently been discovered. Conservation International was instrumental in tagging the sharks and educating the local villages on conservation measures to preserve the habitat of these gentle giants. 

 

Whale shark conservation

“The gentle giants are vulnerable due to poor scientific knowledge”

The Whale shark, like other shark and ray species, is a slow growing animal with low fecundity. Although not mainly hunted for their fin, in some part of the world, whale sharks still are actively hunted by fishermen, mainly for their meat. Because they often aggregate in the surface feeding, they are quite vulnerable towards boat strike and by catch. Yet, one of the most critical thing about whale shark is that there’s very little knowledge of their biology and reproduction. That provides a big challenge for us to properly protect them. The money raised during the #GoTagMe campaign will therefore be used to purchase tags & then host a tagging operation of Indonesian Whale Sharks aboard Adelaar.

The Whale Shark trip

Each year, we include a whale shark excursion on designated Komodo to Bali trips. We set aside a half day, which is timed to coincide with a new moon, as it is apparently the best time for an encounter. On our return voyage to Bali, we make a detour into Teluk Saleh Bay on the north coast of Sumbawa, where a permanent aggregate of whale sharks have recently been discovered. Conservation International was instrumental in tagging the sharks and educating the local villages on conservation measures to preserve the habitat of these gentle giants.

Book your Marine Conservation Cruise

Join one of our Marine Conservation Cruises in Indonesia and become an active member of the change. Aboard Adelaar, the utmost
importance is attached to the preservation of the environment as well as the protection of the vulnerable wildlife.
Learn everything you need to know about Manta Rays, Whale Sharks and Corals by boarding these dedicated trips!

Check availability

Charter the boat

Book your Marine Conservation Cruise

Join one of our Marine Conservation Cruises in Indonesia and become an active member of the change. Aboard Adelaar, the utmost importance is attached to the preservation of the environment as well as the protection of the vulnerable wildlife. Learn everything you need to know about Manta Rays, Whale Sharks and Corals with our marine biologists by boarding these dedicated trips!

Availability

Charter the boat

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