Batu Monco – Beautiful Anchorages Indonesia

One of the most important aspects of any journey on a private yacht is finding a beautiful anchorage. On the Samata we cruise the Indonesian Archipelago exclusively and therefore know many quiet and secluded spots. The Komodo National Park is home to some of our favourite anchorages in the country. One such location is the beautiful Batu Monco Bay on the northern end of Komodo Island.

This well sheltered bay is one of the quieter spots within the park. Although Komodo is home to scuba diving boats, they rarely venture out to the more remote areas and Batu Monco is not often on their itineraries.

Batu Monco – An Anchorage with Everything

We love this anchorage because it offers everything that makes Komodo special. The low lying hills are covered in a savanna like grass which hides deer and the occasional dragon. Sharp eyed guests often spot a small group of Timor deer walking along the beach. The local sea eagles are a constant source of delight as they glide the thermals or plunge to the ocean after a fish. Of course these terrestrial animals are only a portion of the wildlife we see in Batu Monco Bay.

Diving and Snorkeling

“Ten Foot Reef” is the name of the shallow patch of reef in the NW section of the bay. We believe this is the most beautiful coral reef in the entire Komodo National Park. Why is it named “10 Foot Reef” you may ask? All of the best attractions on this world class reef are found at 10 feet of depth (3 metres). This means that it’s a perfect site for both scuba diving as well as snorkeling.

The healthy corals are home to hundreds of species of fish that abound in a rainbow of colour. The sheltered waters inside the bay provide the perfect location for new explorers to learn the art of scuba. Our team of dive guides and instructors love this spot as the life is so prolific and the water is always calm. This mean this is the perfect anchorage for families who love to spend time in the water.

With shelter from the south and east, Batu Monco boasts flat water throughout most of the cruising season. This makes for perfect conditions to jump on our paddle boards and kayaks to explore the bay on a more personal level. Never tried paddle boarding before? Not to worry, our crew are experienced instructors and will help you on your way in no time. If you are lucky, you may even run into a giant manta ray feeding on plankton at the surface of the water.

The Best Sunset

No day at Batu Monco is complete without experiencing the finest sunset in the world! With open water to the west, the setting sun is not blocked by any major landmasses. If that is not enough, the beautiful twin peaked volcanic island of Sangeang lies a few miles to the west. This active volcano offers up an optical feast that not many other locations can match. With a constant stream of smoke emitting from it’s active peak, the volcanic ash adds incredible colors to the sunset. If you are lucky, it will even produce a small “puff” during sunset which is quite a sight to see. Even more rare is the opportunity to experience the legendary “Green Flash” as the sun sets below the horizon.

Komodo Cruises

Komodo is a year round destination. Although many boats only visit during the “high season” from June to September, it offers something special all year long. We love to cruise areas of the park that most yachts never visit. With the ease of reaching Komodo from both Jakarta or Bali, this region is a great destination for a short or long getaway. Our private yacht is the perfect ship for your family or small group to explore this beautiful corner of the world.