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Indonesia Komodo Liveaboard

Twin Share

Double Occupancy

Single Occupancy

Floor Plan - Bajau

Flores Sea Komodo & Taka Bonerate Liveaboard Expedition

Komodo Islands, Indonesia

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Flores Sea Komodo & Taka Bonerate Liveaboard Expedition

Name: Flores Sea Komodo & Taka Bonerate Liveaboard Expedition
Rating: 5.00 (4 reviews)

9 Days • 04 June - 12 June 2027

Dive with Nomad Archipelago

Price per person:

$4,891.00 AUD

$4,891.00 AUD ~~$5,123.00 AUD~~

Tax included.

Cabin Type: Double Cabin

Double Cabin Twin Cabin Twin/Double/Triple Cabin

Accommodation: Double Occupancy

Double Occupancy Single Occupancy Twin Share

This nine-day expedition leaves Labuan Bajo and heads north across the Flores Sea to Bonerate and Kalao, then on to Taka Bonerate, a remote coral atoll national park in the Coral Triangle. You spend two full days among its islands, then work back south through the uninhabited islands of Jailamu and Panjang and the farmland of Tanah Jampea, finishing with two days in Komodo National Park. It is a route through islands far off the usual Komodo circuit, home to the seafaring Bajo people.

The days run at the pace of the islands. You might spend a morning floating over a lagoon edge where the reef drops into blue water, then walk a sandy village lane as boat builders shape the hull of a wooden lambo. On Tanah Jampea, the path leads past rice paddies and clove trees. On Rinca, it climbs dry hills where dragons rest in the shade. Nights are spent at anchor off empty beaches, with dinner cooked over coals on the sand.

Trip Highlights & Key Regional Features

Snorkel the lagoons and reef walls of Taka Bonerate National Park, a remote coral atoll in the Flores Sea
Walk through Bonerate's stilt-house village and watch traditional lambo boats being built on the beach
Explore the uninhabited islands of Jailamu and Panjang by zodiac, kayak and paddleboard
Hike through rice fields and spice plantations on Tanah Jampea
Trek Rinca Island's monsoon forest with a ranger to look for Komodo dragons
Snorkel with turtles and reef sharks in Komodo, with a chance of manta rays
Beach barbecues and sunset drinks on remote islands
Small group: a maximum of 8 guests

What's Included

8 nights' accommodation in a private en-suite cabin
All meals (full board), snacks and beach barbecues
Drinking water, tea, coffee and soft drinks
Guided snorkelling, zodiac trips and land excursions as per the itinerary, including the Rinca dragon trek
Snorkel gear, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and yoga mats
English and Indonesian speaking guides and Cruise Director
Transfers between Komodo Airport (Labuan Bajo) and the boat

Itinerary

Day 1: Labuan Bajo and Sabolan
Your Cruise Director meets you at Komodo Airport. Once on board, sail to Sabolan for your first swim and snorkel off a white-sand beach.

Day 2: Bonerate and Kalao
Walk the sandy lanes of Bonerate's main village, past stilt houses and lambo boats being built on the shore. At midday, cross the strait to the eastern tip of Kalao. Snorkel the reef, hike to the village and have drinks on the beach at sunset.

Days 3 and 4: Taka Bonerate National Park
Two days among the atoll's islands, some lived on and most empty. Snorkel the lagoon and reef edges, explore by zodiac, visit villages and finish with a barbecue on a remote beach.

Days 5 and 6: Jailamu, Panjang and Tanah Jampea
Snorkel and beachcomb around the uninhabited islands of Jailamu and Panjang. On Tanah Jampea, hike through rice fields, spice plantations and forest to quiet villages.

Days 7 and 8: Komodo National Park
Trek Rinca's monsoon forest with a ranger to look for Komodo dragons. Swim from pink-sand beaches, snorkel with turtles and reef sharks (mantas are possible), and hike to hilltop viewpoints over the park.

Day 9: Back to Labuan Bajo
Wake up off a small island 30 minutes from the harbour for a last swim and snorkel, then say goodbye to the crew and transfer to the airport.

The route depends on weather, sea conditions and park rules.

Agencies

AIDA
Apnea Academy
Apnea Total
CMAS
FII
Molchanovs
PADI
PFI
SSI
RAID
NAUI
SDI

Languages

English

Meeting Point

Click to view the location.

Komodo International Airport

Important

Requirements

Level: Beginner. This is a snorkelling expedition. No dive certification is needed, and there is no scuba diving on shared departures.
Minimum age is 7, and children must travel with an adult.
Travel insurance is required. Guests who arrange scuba on a private charter must also hold medical evacuation insurance that covers diving.
Tell the partner in advance about any medical condition that could affect your safety on board. This route is remote and far from medical facilities.
Malaria is present ashore in parts of Indonesia. Talk to a doctor about prevention before travel.

Mandatory fees

Harbour, park and fuel surcharge: USD 350 per person per cruise, paid in advance.

Optional extras

Single occupancy: 75% surcharge (USD 5,880 for 8 nights).
Alcoholic drinks: sold on board. You can bring up to 1 litre of alcohol into Indonesia.
Crew and Cruise Director gratuities: 5 to 10% of the cruise price recommended.
Card payments on board: 1.85% to 3.5% fee.
Scuba diving (private charters only): USD 55 per dive with equipment. Discover Scuba costs USD 100 for the first dive, then USD 55 per dive.

Good to know

Cabins have ceiling fans, not air conditioning.
There is no Wi-Fi on board, and mobile signal is limited or absent around Taka Bonerate.
Power is 220V with European two-pin sockets.

Cancellations

Life happens so we keep cancellations simple. Enjoy free cancellation for 14 days from the time of booking or find an equally qualified suitable replacement up to 30 days prior to diving.

More Information

Life on board: With only 8 guests, the boat feels more like a shared home than a hotel. You can lounge on the open foredeck, eat in the covered main-deck lounge, or head to the upper deck for its shaded bar, sun deck and space for morning yoga. Cabins are cleaned daily. After dark the boat runs on solar batteries, so it sits quietly at anchor.

Dining: Trained chefs cook three meals a day plus snacks, using produce bought at local markets. Menus switch between Indonesian dishes and Western plates, with beach barbecues on remote islands along the way. Tell the partner about dietary needs when you book.

Built for diving: Shared departures are built around snorkelling. Snorkel gear is supplied, guides lead every water session, and a zodiac takes you to reef edges and quiet beaches. Bajau has a purpose-built snorkel and dive room with a rinse station, first aid kit and emergency oxygen. Scuba is only available if you charter the whole boat.

The vessel: Bajau is a handcrafted wooden yacht built in 2022 from ironwood and teak. She is about 27 m (90 ft) long, with 4 en-suite cabins for 8 guests and a crew of 8 to 9. On board are a 5.5 m zodiac, a watermaker producing 8,000 litres a day, 10.8 kWh of solar panels and 28 kWh of lithium batteries. Cabins are cooled by ceiling fans and sea breeze, not air conditioning.

Rooms

Twin Share

Two bunks (90 x 200 cm), with a private en-suite bathroom and a fan. One on the Bajau only.

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5 stars: 4 (100%)
4 stars: 0 (0%)
3 stars: 0 (0%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)

I just came back from the most memorable experience on the Bugis. If you're planning a trip to Labuan Bajo, I highly recommend this live aboard boat. It's a hidden gem!

Boat: Clean, comfortable, peaceful. Unlike other boats, the Bugis is the only fully sustainable boat in the area. It doesn't have loud generators from air conditioners or obnoxious motor sounds. Instead, one can actually enjoy the calming sounds of the water, breathe fresh air, and be at peace 24/7. The rooms are also clean and have good air circulation, so even though there isn't air conditioning, I still felt comfortable.

Crew: Skilled, hospitable, kind. Getting to know the crew was one of my favorite parts of this trip. Everyone is a master at their craft. Their passion for sustainability and showing people the true Indonesia is evident.

Food: Props to the chef! Every meal was delicious - made to order breakfast, fresh caught seafood, traditional Indonesian dishes, fresh baked breads and sweets daily. If you appreciate good food (like I do), the Bugis is the boat for you.

Excursions: Amazing snorkeling & trekking! I've had the privilege to snorkel all around the world and this experience on Bugis tops them all. The crew is extremely knowledgeable and respectful of the area and marine life. They took us to all the best snorkeling spots away from other tourist boats. We saw turtles, sharks, mantarays, and thousands of the most colorful and beautiful fish in the world. We also had the opportunity to visit a local village, which was a highlight.

Thank you, Bugis and crew, for an unforgettable experience! I can't wait to come back again.

What an amazing liveaboard experience!

What an amazing liveaboard experience!

I imagine that this is the closest thing to a private charter without the sky high prices. The crew was attentive and highly skilled in their roles. The chef made creative and delicious meals and snacks throughout the day and accommodated various dietary concerns. The captain showed us everywhere we were going. The hostess brought welcome drinks every time we returned from an excursion. And, of course, Jimmy, the cruise director and dive master safely and adeptly guided us to the best places where we say manta rays and turtles!

And finally, even though I had a concern that there was no air-conditioning on this boat, that turned out not to be an issue. The cabins were cool throughout the night because of good fan circulation. And you also have the option of sleeping on the deck which was beautiful because you could see the stars at night with no light pollution and no noise!

We will return!

Amazing experience on the Bugis!

Amazing experience on the Bugis! The boat is super quiet and confortable, the crew is simply amazing and Jean-Michel was a great guide to all our snorkeling outings and great company on the boat! We came with our two children 8 and 9 years old, and they had the best time of their lives! Great for parents and kids! Wholeheartedly recommend ??!

Had an amazing experience with Nomad.

Had an amazing experience with Nomad. had a cruise from Sorong to kendari. We are completely alone most of the time. Jimmy planned the trip really well. Attentive crew, amazing food, cozy cabin. Grateful for the experience

Flores Sea Komodo & Taka Bonerate Liveaboard Expedition