Gili Lawa Darat – Beautiful Anchorage

Indonesia is a beautiful country. With over 17,000 islands to choose from, each has its own particular charm. When cruising the archipelago we consider several criteria when choosing an anchorage. Visual beauty, access to activities, and safe harbor are the main criteria we look for. In the Komodo National Park one of our favourite anchorages is at Gili Lawa Darat.

Beautiful Anchorage with Prime Location

Gili Lawa Darat is one of two small islands on the north east coast of Komodo Island. Along with Gili Lawa Laut, these two islands create a sheltered bay that is perfect for anchoring. Nestled at the top of Komodo island, the bay is surrounded on 3 sides by gently rolling hills. The savannah like vegetation resembles the plains of Africa for a truly exotic setting. The bay is a great place throughout the year as it remains sheltered from wind and waves.

Gili Lawa Darat is surrounded by a plethora of exciting activities. The bay is the perfect spot to explore with a kayak or paddle board as the water is typically calm. Be careful going onto land however, as one side of the bay is Komodo island and there may be dragons about! Snorkelling is one of our favorite excursions in the area as the coral is outstanding. There are a dozen easy sites to reach from this anchorage, all with incredible snorkel opportunities.

Diving at Gili Lawa Darat

Of course what would a beautiful anchorage be without world class diving. This area is home to some of the best sites that Komodo has to offer. Two adrenaline pumping pinnacle dives are a mere moments away. Crystal Rock and Castle Rock are two of the most famous sites in the National Park and for good reason. These sites offer pulse pumping action with large schools of fish, sharks, turtles, and more. They are often the favorite sites for our experienced divers on board. Other sites include Shotgun and GLD Passage which boast fun drifts though the channels between the islands. These sites are not for the feint of heart! For those who prefer a quieter dive then the coral gardens along the islands are the perfect sites to explore.

Hiking and Deer Watching

Gili Lawa Darat is also an incredible place to watch the sunset. The high hill on the west side of the island faces the sunset and is the perfect afternoon activity. There are two hikes on the island, one to a short bluff and the other to the peak of the island. We suggest doing these hikes in the late afternoon to avoid the heat of the day. For lucky hikers there is a good chance of encountering the Timor Deer which are native to the area. The island itself has no dragons on it and is therefore a safe place to walk. Getting to the top just before sunset gives a wonderful view over the horizon with Komodo island in the background.

This is one of our favoured anchorages in Komodo. We think you will love visiting this area for a day or two to experience all of the exciting activities. If you would like to explore Komodo with the Samata private yacht we are looking forward to hosting you. Please Contact Us directly to discuss the perfect itinerary for your needs.