Last updated: September 2026 · Prices & availability verified for the 2026/2027 season
A Komodo charter with Komodo Luxury includes the boat, crew, guide, all meals, drinking water, coffee and tea, snorkelling gear, life vests and hotel transfers within Labuan Bajo. It does not include the Komodo National Park ticket, drinks, crew gratuities or flights. Booking takes a 50% deposit, with the balance due no later than 30 days before departure for every trip type under our terms and conditions page (the open-trip page’s booking block currently shows 14 days for share-trip cabins); the balance date printed on your invoice is the one that applies. This guide collects the answers our reservations desk gives on WhatsApp every week, based on the published booking terms Komodo Luxury has operated on from Labuan Bajo since 2015.
Quick answer (2026): Every Komodo Luxury sailing, whole-boat charter or open-trip cabin, includes the vessel, crew, guide, meals, water, coffee and tea, snorkelling gear, life vests and pick-up within Labuan Bajo. Excluded: the park ticket, drinks, crew gratuities, flights and the optional drone permit. A 50% deposit secures your dates; the balance is due no later than 30 days before departure for every trip type under our terms and conditions page (the open-trip page’s booking block currently shows 14 days for share-trip cabins); the balance date printed on your invoice is the one that applies, and payments are non-refundable.
- Cost: open-trip cabin from USD 300 per person per voyage (3D2N); private charter from USD 5,300 as a 2D1N whole-boat package (Malca Voyages, 1–12 guests; 3D2N from USD 6,000) for the whole boat. 2026 published rates, checked 11 September 2026; 2027 departures quoted on request.
- Park charges: Park entry and activity charges are quoted separately for your itinerary. Ask our reservations desk for an itemised breakdown of government charges and any additional services before confirming.
- Payment: 50% deposit; balance no later than 30 days before departure for every trip type under our terms and conditions page (full payment if booked inside 30 days; the open-trip page’s booking block currently shows 14 days for share-trip cabins); the balance date printed on your invoice is the one that applies; ask the desk whether a short hold is possible.
- Timings: pick-up 08:00–09:00 in Labuan Bajo on day one; the scheduled 3D2N open trip is back in Labuan Bajo by 12:00 on the last day; confirm the return time with the desk before booking a same-day onward flight.
- Weather: the captain has final authority on board and the port authority decides whether boats sail; under force majeure the itinerary may change or the sailing be rescheduled or cancelled without refund.
What is included in a Komodo boat charter?
A private whole-boat charter includes the entire vessel and crew: air-conditioned cabins, captain and full crew, a private chef with all meals on board, drinking water, coffee and tea, a guide, snorkelling equipment, life vests, and the standard itinerary stops inside Komodo National Park. Rates are quoted for the whole boat, not per person: most VIP phinisi publish one package total per duration and guest band (2D1N, 3D2N and longer), a few vessels price per yacht per night, and each vessel page states its own basis, so one figure covers your whole group up to that band’s capacity. Published private whole-boat packages start from USD 5,300 for 2D1N with 1–12 guests on Malca Voyages (3D2N USD 6,000; 13–18 guests USD 6,000 for 2D1N and USD 6,700 for 3D2N), quoted per package on the vessel page; 2026 published rates, checked 11 September 2026; 2027 departures quoted on request. Each vessel page lists its own package or per-night rates; browse the classes on our private yacht charter Komodo page. Every vessel available for whole-boat hire, filtered by class and location, is listed on our full fleet page.
An open-trip cabin covers the same on-board essentials for one cabin on a scheduled 3D2N departure: meals, water, coffee and tea, guide, snorkelling gear, life vests and pick-up within Labuan Bajo, with the boat shared by 8 to 24 guests depending on the vessel. Cabins are sold per person, per departure, from USD 300 per person per voyage on the Komodo open trip schedule; weekday departures start from USD 220 (2026 published rates, checked 11 September 2026; 2027 departures quoted on request). All trip formats by destination, from Komodo sailings to Raja Ampat and Lombok crossings, are listed on our tour packages page.
| Item | Open trip cabin | Private charter |
|---|---|---|
| Vessel | One cabin on a scheduled phinisi shared with 8–24 guests | Whole boat, your group only |
| Captain, crew and guide | Included | Included, with a private chef |
| Meals | Included: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners on a 3D2N sailing | Included for the whole trip, menu planned per charter |
| Mineral water, coffee and tea | Included | Included |
| Snorkelling gear and life vests | Included | Included |
| Hotel or airport pick-up within Labuan Bajo | Included | Included |
| Photo and video documentation (raw footage) | Included | Included |
| Komodo National Park charges | Not included, quoted separately | Not included, quoted separately |
| Soft drinks and alcohol | Not included | Not included |
| Crew gratuities | Not included | Not included |
| Flights to Labuan Bajo | Not included | Not included |
| Drone permit (optional) | Not included, about USD 130 per drone per trip | Not included, about USD 130 per drone per trip |
| Taxes | As stated on the vessel page and quotation | As stated on the vessel page and quotation; some VVIP and superyacht rates on the private yacht charter page are listed “+ 11% VAT” or “+ 12% VAT” |
What is NOT included?
Park entry and activity charges are quoted separately for your itinerary. Ask our reservations desk for an itemised breakdown of government charges and any additional services before confirming. The desk secures the dated tickets, ranger assignment and vessel entry before departure and needs each guest’s full name, passport number and nationality to do so. Lock your sailing dates first, because the ticket is issued for a specific entry date.
A drone permit for the park is optional. It is estimated at about USD 130 per drone, one permit per trip, and must be requested at least 7 days before departure. Alcoholic and soft drinks, personal snacks, crew gratuities and flights are never part of a trip price. Some VVIP and superyacht rates on our private yacht charter Komodo page are listed “+ 11% VAT” or “+ 12% VAT”; otherwise taxes and fees apply as stated on the vessel page and your quotation. Always read the written quotation; the figure confirmed on your invoice is the one that applies.
How does booking and payment work?
Booking follows the same five steps for a private charter and an open-trip cabin; the same five steps apply to both. Availability and the price are confirmed in writing before any money moves.
- Confirm availability. Message the reservations desk with your dates, group size and preferred boat. Ask the desk whether a short hold is possible for your dates; availability is only confirmed once the deposit is received.
- Receive availability and a written quotation. The desk replies with the boats or cabins open on your dates and their prices; for a private charter this comes with a proposed route for your group.
- Receive the invoice. The desk issues the invoice with the payment details; bank transfer and international cards are accepted.
- Pay the deposit. A 50% deposit secures the booking. Once verified, the invoice is your booking confirmation.
- Settle the balance. The remaining 50% is due no later than 30 days before departure for every trip type under our terms and conditions page (the open-trip page’s booking block currently shows 14 days for share-trip cabins); the balance date printed on your invoice is the one that applies. Confirmation, itinerary and pick-up details are then sent by email and WhatsApp.
| Trip type | Deposit | Balance |
|---|---|---|
| Private charter, booked more than 30 days ahead | 50% at booking | Remaining 50% no later than 30 days before departure |
| Private charter, booked less than 30 days ahead | Full payment at booking | Nothing further |
| Open-trip cabin | 50% at booking | Remaining 50% by the date on your invoice (30 days before departure per the terms page; the open-trip page shows 14 days) |
Every deposit is non-refundable. Rates apply to the year in which they are issued; the exact amount, currency and any transfer charges are confirmed on the invoice issued by the reservations desk. The full clauses are on our terms and conditions page, and card links, transfers and currency are covered in our guide to paying for a Komodo charter from abroad.
Can I cancel, reschedule or transfer my booking?
A cancellation by the guest at any point forfeits 100% of the payment made. Payments cannot be refunded, rescheduled or transferred to another trip. Whether a replacement guest can travel in your place is confirmed by the reservations desk case by case. Read our note on travel insurance for a Komodo liveaboard before you pay; a policy with cancellation cover is the sensible way to protect a non-refundable deposit.
What happens if the weather changes?
The captain has final authority over the sailing plan. In rough conditions the crew re-orders stops or shelters in calmer bays inside the park rather than cancelling the trip, because Komodo’s islands offer protected anchorages in most winds. Your cruise director discusses changes with you first.
Whether boats leave Labuan Bajo at all is decided by the port authority, the Harbour Master (Syahbandar), whose instructions govern departures from the harbour. If a restriction affects your dates, the crew and the desk advise on the options available when conditions allow.
Adverse weather falls under force majeure in every trip document. The itinerary may be changed or reduced, or the sailing rescheduled or cancelled, without refund. Ask the reservations desk to confirm any new date in writing before you rebook flights.
Can we request special meals: halal, vegetarian, allergies?
Yes. Menus are prepared per departure, halal cooking is the default on board, and the chef routinely prepares vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy-aware menus. When no additional special provisioning is needed there is no extra charge. A 3D2N sailing includes six meals (three breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners) and unlimited mineral water, coffee and tea. Tell the desk each guest’s requirements when booking so provisioning in Labuan Bajo is arranged before the boat leaves.
Is a Komodo charter suitable for children?
Private charters are the format most families choose: the crew knows exactly who is on board, the pace follows your group, and life jackets in children’s sizes are prepared when you tell us ages in advance. Children aged 3 and above pay the full rate on every trip type. On open trips, family cabins sleeping up to four are listed on the Catnazse schedule (Family Room, USD 430 per person at four guests) and the Malca schedule (Quad Room, USD 330 per person at four guests), 2026 published rates, checked 11 September 2026.
Are drinks and alcohol included?
Mineral water, coffee and tea are included throughout the trip; personal snacks are not, so pack your own. Alcoholic and soft drinks are not provided by default and are not part of any trip price. You are welcome to bring your own, or the desk can arrange a purchase in Labuan Bajo before departure when you send your list in advance.
What time is pick-up and when do we return?
On day one you are collected from your hotel or the airport between 08:00 and 09:00 WITA. Transfers cover the Labuan Bajo mainland near the harbour only; accommodation on other islands or in the Manjaga area is outside the pick-up zone. Pick-ups run in a staggered sequence from several hotels, so a short wait is normal, and the driver contacts you that morning. Arrive in Labuan Bajo the day before if you can; guests arriving on the day must be in town and ready by 09:00, and Komodo Luxury is not responsible for flight delays or cancellations. Direct and connecting flights operate from Bali (DPS), Jakarta (CGK) and Surabaya (SUB); the Bali flight takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, with typical one-way fares of USD 40–80.
On the final day the boat returns to Labuan Bajo and drop-off to your hotel or the airport is included; the published 3D2N open-trip itinerary sails back after the morning snorkel and is in port by 12:00, while a private charter’s return time follows the itinerary agreed with the desk. For a same-day departure, send your flight details to the desk before you book so it can check the return time against your flight and time the transfer to match, allowing for check-in and any operational delay.
How fast does the team reply?
The Komodo Luxury reservations desk works Labuan Bajo office hours (WITA), when it reconfirms availability and issues invoices. Reach the team on WhatsApp at +62 811 3823 875 or at [email protected] with your dates, group size and boat preference; availability for your dates is confirmed by the desk before anything is paid.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Komodo National Park fee included in the charter price?
No. Park entry and activity charges are quoted separately for your itinerary. Ask our reservations desk for an itemised breakdown of government charges and any additional services before confirming. The desk arranges the dated tickets, ranger assignment and vessel entry before you sail once it has each guest’s name, passport number and nationality.
How much deposit do I need to book a Komodo charter?
A 50% deposit secures the boat or cabin. The balance is due no later than 30 days before departure for every trip type under our terms and conditions page (the open-trip page’s booking block currently shows 14 days for share-trip cabins), and if you book inside 30 days full payment confirms the booking; the balance date printed on your invoice is the one that applies. Deposits are non-refundable.
Can you hold a cabin or boat while I decide?
Ask the reservations desk whether a short hold is possible for your dates; availability is only confirmed once the deposit is received. No payment should be made until the desk has confirmed availability and issued your invoice.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my Komodo trip?
No. A cancellation by the guest at any time forfeits 100% of the payment made, and payments cannot be refunded, rescheduled or transferred to another trip. Whether a replacement guest can travel in your place is confirmed by the reservations desk case by case.
What happens if bad weather stops the trip?
The captain has final authority over the sailing plan, and whether boats leave Labuan Bajo at all is decided by the port authority, the Harbour Master (Syahbandar). Adverse weather is force majeure: the itinerary may be changed or reduced, or the sailing rescheduled or cancelled, without refund. The crew and the desk advise on the options available when conditions allow, and any new date is confirmed in writing by the reservations desk.
Can the chef cater for vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free guests?
Yes. Halal cooking is the default on board, and vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy-aware menus are prepared at no extra charge when they need no special provisioning. Tell the desk each guest’s requirements when booking so the chef can plan the menu before the vessel leaves Labuan Bajo.
Do children pay the full rate on a Komodo charter?
Children aged 3 and above are charged the full rate on every trip type; the rate for younger children is confirmed by the reservations desk when you book. On open trips, family cabins for up to four guests are listed on the Catnazse and Malca schedules. Tell the desk your children’s ages when booking so life jackets in children’s sizes are prepared on board.
Are drinks and alcohol included on the boat?
Mineral water, coffee and tea are included throughout the trip. Alcoholic and soft drinks are not provided by default. You are welcome to bring your own, or the desk can arrange a purchase in Labuan Bajo before departure when you send your list in advance.
Ready to plan dates and boats? Compare every class and published whole-boat rate on our Komodo yacht charter page, then message the desk for a written quotation. Komodo Luxury is a luxury yacht charter group and phinisi operator arranging sailings from Labuan Bajo since 2015, TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice 2025 & 2026.
Arriving via Bali? VIP arrival assistance is available through Bali Fast Track Airport, and pre/post-trip planning through Bali Luxury Concierge.
A line-item breakdown of what’s included in a Komodo charter helps compare quotes fairly.
