Ayvara Cruise vs Malca Voyages: Choosing the Right VIP Luxury Phinisi for Your Komodo Tour

Setting sail in Komodo National Park aboard a luxury phinisi is one of the most iconic travel experiences you can have in Indonesia. With dramatic seascapes, world‑class snorkeling, komodo dragon, and legendary islands like Padar and Rinca waiting to be explored. Yet as you start planning, you might quickly feel overwhelmed by the choices of the best boat. Which one is truly the perfect fit for you? Two premium vessels that consistently rise to the top of travellers’ lists are Ayvara Cruise and Malca Voyages, both promising elevated comfort, stylish design, and immersive exploration of Komodo’s breathtaking archipelago. So, which will deliver the ultimate luxury experience, the intimate exclusivity of Ayvara or the spacious elegance of Malca? Let’s dive into everything you need to know about Ayvara Cruise vs Malca Voyages in this article before choosing your dream Komodo sailing adventure.

Key Takeaways

• Both Ayvara Cruise and Malca Voyages are VIP-class luxury phinisi in Komodo, offering elevated comfort, curated itineraries, and access to iconic destinations and prime snorkeling spots.
• Ayvara Cruise is ideal if you value intimacy and privacy, with 7 ocean-view cabins accommodating up to 15 guests, creating a calmer, more exclusive onboard atmosphere.
• Malca Voyages suits travelers who enjoy space and social interaction, featuring 7 cabins for up to 21 guests, generous communal areas, and added comforts like an onboard jacuzzi.
• The onboard experience differs in pace and atmosphere, where Ayvara feels more unhurried and personal, while Malca offers a livelier yet still refined sailing environment.
• Both yachts are available for open trips and private charters through Komodo Luxury, allowing you to choose the experience style that best matches how you want to explore Komodo.

Ayvara Cruise: Personalized Luxury and Exclusivity

Ayvara Cruise is a Komodo VIP-class luxury liveaboard launched in 2025, offering an intimate sailing experience with a maximum capacity of 15 guests across 7 ocean-view cabins. This limited number of cabins creates a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere onboard, allowing you to explore each destination without feeling crowded or rushed. As a result, the overall journey feels noticeably more private, an important consideration for travellers seeking a truly high-end liveaboard experience in Komodo National Park.

Beyond its scale, Ayvara’s layout and onboard amenities further reinforce its refined character. All cabins are thoughtfully positioned to face the sea, ensuring uninterrupted views of Komodo’s dramatic landscapes, while selected cabins feature private balconies for added comfort and exclusivity. The spacious 360-degree rooftop deck naturally becomes a focal point for unwinding, enjoying sunrise and sunset moments, or simply taking in the scenery between activities. Combined with modern touches such as onboard Starlink internet and elegant communal spaces, Ayvara Cruise sets a clear benchmark for boutique luxury.

Malca Voyages: Spacious Comfort and Social Elegance 

Malca Voyages is a VIP-class luxury Komodo liveaboard that suits you if you enjoy a refined sailing experience with a slightly more social and spacious onboard environment. Designed to accommodate up to 21 guests across 7 well-appointed cabins, Malca offers a comfortable balance between privacy and shared spaces. This larger capacity creates a livelier atmosphere compared to more intimate boutique vessels, while still allowing you to explore Komodo National Park at a relaxed and enjoyable pace.

Beyond its capacity, Malca Voyages stands out through its thoughtfully designed communal areas and relaxation-focused amenities. The vessel features generous sun decks, shaded lounges, and a dedicated rooftop area where guests can unwind between activities. One of its signature highlights is the onboard jacuzzi, adding a layer of comfort after snorkeling or island excursions. Combined with air-conditioned indoor spaces and attentive crew service, Malca Voyages delivers a VIP-class liveaboard experience that emphasizes comfort, social connection.

Read more: Malca Voyages Review: A Comfortable Phinisi for Effortless Luxury Komodo Sailing

Ayvara Cruise vs Malca Voyages: Side-by-Side Comparison

If you’re looking for a clear, at-a-glance comparison between Ayvara Cruise and Malca Voyages, this breakdown highlights the key differences that matter most to your Komodo sailing experience. Here’s how the two vessels compare across essential travel categories:

Features & Design in Ayvara and Malca

Ayvara Cruise and Malca Voyages are both VIP-class phinisi yachts, but they differ in how their features and design prioritize intimacy versus space in shaping your onboard atmosphere. Here’s how each vessel approaches features and design in a way that directly affects how you experience the journey:

• Ayvara Cruise: Designed as a boutique VIP-class liveaboard, Ayvara emphasizes refined details, clean modern lines, and a well-balanced layout that feels calm and private. Features like ocean-view cabins, selected private balconies, and a spacious 360-degree rooftop deck create a seamless connection between comfort and Komodo’s surrounding scenery.
• Malca Voyages: As a VIP-class phinisi with a larger overall footprint, Malca focuses on generous communal spaces and relaxation-driven features that support a more social onboard flow. Its multiple open decks, classic wooden design, and onboard jacuzzi are thoughtfully arranged to encourage shared moments while still maintaining a high level of comfort throughout the cruise.

Experience & Activities in Ayvara Cruise and Malca Voyages

Both Ayvara Cruise and Malca Voyages offer curated Komodo itineraries and exclusive experiences, but the onboard atmosphere shapes how you personally enjoy each activity throughout the voyage. Here’s how the experience and activities differ when you sail with each yacht:

• Ayvara Cruise: With a maximum of 15 guests, activities on Ayvara feel more unhurried and personalized, allowing you to enjoy snorkeling, island hopping, and scenic cruising without feeling rushed. The smaller group size also makes transitions between destinations smoother, giving you more time to fully immerse yourself in Komodo’s natural highlights.
• Malca Voyages: Malca delivers a dynamic VIP-class experience that balances exploration with social interaction, making activities feel more lively and engaging. With more guests onboard, shared moments such as guided excursions, deck lounging, and sunset gatherings become a central part of the journey, ideal if you enjoy a vibrant cruise atmosphere.

Cabins & Accommodation in Ayvara and Malca Voyages

While Ayvara Cruise and Malca Voyages both operate in the premium segment, their cabin layouts and guest capacity create noticeably different onboard dynamics for you. Here’s how each vessel approaches comfort, space, and privacy during your Komodo sailing experience:

• Ayvara Cruise: Ayvara offers 7 ocean-view cabins with a maximum of 15 guests, resulting in a quieter and more intimate onboard atmosphere. With fewer people sharing common areas, you can enjoy a stronger sense of privacy, especially in select cabins that come with private balconies overlooking the sea.
• Malca Voyages: Malca Voyages is configured with 7 cabins accommodating up to 21 guests, allowing for a more energetic and social cruise environment. While the guest count is higher, the cabin layout and shared spaces are designed to remain comfortable, making Malca appealing if you enjoy interaction without sacrificing overall comfort.

Crew & Service Onboard Ayvara Cruise vs Malca Voyages

Service quality plays a defining role in how refined your Komodo sailing experience feels, and this is where the difference between Ayvara Cruise and Malca Voyages becomes more personal. Here’s how onboard service is delivered on each yacht:

• Ayvara Cruise: With a smaller guest count, the crew on Ayvara can provide more attentive and personalized service throughout the journey. From meal service to activity coordination, interactions feel unhurried and intuitive, allowing you to relax knowing that details are handled seamlessly without constant reminders.
• Malca Voyages: Malca Voyages operates with a larger onboard dynamic, supported by an experienced crew accustomed to managing group-oriented service. The approach is efficient and well-structured, making sure activities, dining, and daily schedules run smoothly, especially for guests who appreciate an energetic and well-organized cruise atmosphere.

Cost of Ayvara and Malca

The cost of sailing with Ayvara Cruise or Malca Voyages largely depends on how you choose to experience the journey, whether as a Komodo private charter or a Komodo open/shared trip, as both yachts are available for either option. Private charters offer full exclusivity and flexible itineraries, making them ideal if you value privacy and customization, while open trips provide a more social experience with a structured route at a more accessible investment level. Since Ayvara Cruise and Malca Voyages are part of Komodo Luxury’s own fleet, pricing is transparent and tailored to your travel dates, group size, and preferred cabin category. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, you can simply reach out to our team via WhatsApp, where our travel specialists will help you choose the best option based on how you want to experience Komodo.

Read more: Ayvara Cruise Review: The Ultimate Luxury Sailing Experience in Komodo National Park

Ayvara Cruise vs Malca Voyages: Which One Suits Your Dream Voyage?

Both Ayvara Cruise and Malca Voyages are Komodo VIP-class luxury phinisi designed to deliver a refined sailing experience, and the right choice ultimately depends on the atmosphere you feel most comfortable with. Ayvara Cruise offers a more intimate onboard setting with fewer guests, making it well suited if you value privacy, tranquility, and a slower pace throughout the journey. Meanwhile, Malca Voyages presents a slightly more social environment, ideal for travelers who enjoy shared moments and a lively yet elegant ambiance at sea. Neither experience is inherently better than the other, as both yachts are thoughtfully crafted to showcase Komodo’s beauty in their own way; what truly matters is choosing the style of voyage that aligns with how you want to enjoy every moment of your journey.

Let’s Experience Komodo Liveaboard Aboard Ayvara Cruise and Malca Voyages with Komodo Luxury!

Ayvara Cruise vs Malca Voyages ultimately comes down to how you want to experience Komodo at sea. Ayvara Cruise offers a more intimate and tranquil onboard atmosphere, ideal if you value privacy and a slower, more immersive pace, while Malca Voyages delivers a refined yet more social sailing experience with generous shared spaces. Both yachts are thoughtfully designed to showcase Komodo National Park’s iconic landscapes, marine life, and island highlights in comfort and style, allowing you to enjoy the destination in a way that feels personal and unhurried.

If you’re curious about what it truly feels like to sail aboard Ayvara Cruise or Malca Voyages for your Komodo liveaboard, Komodo Luxury makes the experience seamless from start to finish. As a luxury boat charter specialist with over a decade of expertise, we curate premium liveaboard journeys through a carefully selected fleet, including Ayvara Cruise and Malca Voyages as part of our own collection, supported by experienced local guides, attentive crew, and consistent recognition from international travelers on platforms like Tripadvisor.

So, let’s reach out to us via WhatsApp and book your Komodo Island tour aboard Ayvara Cruise or Malca Voyages now!