Question 1

What is a Labuan Bajo liveaboard?

Accepted Answer

A Labuan Bajo liveaboard is a boat — usually a traditional phinisi — that you sleep on for one or more nights while sailing Komodo National Park. Instead of returning to a hotel each evening, you wake up anchored beside Padar, Pink Beach, or Manta Point. Trips run from 2D1N to 4D3N and combine dragon trekking, snorkeling, and island hikes in one tailored itinerary.

Question 2

Is a Komodo liveaboard worth it compared to staying in a hotel and doing day trips?

Accepted Answer

For most travelers, yes. Day boats spend four to six hours commuting from Labuan Bajo and reach Padar and Pink Beach with the crowds. A liveaboard sleeps inside the park, so you hike Padar at sunrise and snorkel Manta Point before day boats arrive. With the park's roughly 1,000-visitor daily cap and timed entry sessions, being already anchored on-site matters more than ever.

Question 3

What is the difference between a liveaboard and a Komodo day trip?

Accepted Answer

A day trip is one long day — speedboat out, three or four rushed stops, speedboat back. A liveaboard is slower and richer: you cover the same highlights plus Kanawa, Rinca, and quieter bays, eat and sleep on board, and time each landing around the official entry sessions. Day trips suit tight schedules; liveaboards suit travelers who want the park without the sprint.

Question 4

What is the best liveaboard in Labuan Bajo?

Accepted Answer

Best depends on budget and style: budget boats run US$150–250 per person per night, midrange US$250–350, and luxury phinisi US$800–1,500 and up. Rather than chasing one famous boat, look for an operator with its own fleet and local crew. At Labuanbajoliveaboard.com we match travelers to the right vessel class — that honest matching, not a single hull, is what makes a trip best.

Question 5

Which is the best liveaboard company in Labuan Bajo?

Accepted Answer

We would point to track record: our team is operated by Komodo Luxury, sailing Komodo National Park since 2015, a TripAdvisor 2025 Travelers' Choice Award winner named Best Boat Agency in Labuan Bajo — recognition covered by Indonesian national media in 2024. Whoever you book, choose a company with a private fleet, Labuan Bajo-based crew, and transparent pricing that itemizes park fees.

Question 6

Why should I book with a local operator instead of an international agency?

Accepted Answer

Local operators own or directly manage the boats, so nothing is lost in resale margins or miscommunication. Our crew lives in Labuan Bajo year-round: we read the weather daily, work directly with park rangers, and handle Siora app bookings and timed entry sessions ourselves. International resellers mark up the same boats and can rarely adjust your itinerary once you are on the water.

Question 7

What is the difference between an open trip and a private charter?

Accepted Answer

An open trip means you share the boat with other travelers on a fixed departure date and set itinerary — the most affordable way to sail Komodo. A private charter gives your group the entire vessel: you choose the dates, route, pace, and menu. Open trips typically carry 10–20 guests; private charters run from honeymoon couples to full family groups.

Question 8

Is it worth paying extra for a private Komodo boat, or is an open trip fine?

Accepted Answer

Open trips are genuinely good value for solo travelers and couples happy with a fixed route. A private charter earns its premium when you have four or more people, want sunrise Padar without waiting on other guests, or need flexibility around the park's timed entry sessions. Split among six travelers, a private phinisi often costs little more per person than a midrange open trip.

Question 9

What exactly is a phinisi boat and why are most Komodo liveaboards phinisi-style?

Accepted Answer

A phinisi is a traditional two-masted Indonesian wooden sailing ship, originally built by Bugis and Konjo shipwrights in South Sulawesi. Modern phinisi keep the iconic silhouette but are purpose-built for cruising: air-conditioned cabins, en-suite bathrooms, dive platforms, and wide sun decks. They dominate Komodo because they handle these waters beautifully and deliver the romantic wooden-ship experience most travelers picture.

Question 10

Should I choose a traditional phinisi or a modern yacht for Komodo?

Accepted Answer

Choose a phinisi for character, space, and photogenic decks — wooden hulls, sail rigging, and lounging areas built for slow cruising. Choose a modern yacht for speed and stability if you are prone to seasickness or short on time. Most of our guests pick phinisi; crossings inside the park are short, and the atmosphere on a wooden deck at anchor is hard to beat.

Question 11

How many days do I need for a Komodo liveaboard?

Accepted Answer

Three days and two nights covers the icons — Padar, Pink Beach, the Komodo dragons, and Manta Point — without rushing. Our most-booked format is 4D3N, which adds Rinca or Kanawa and builds in slack for weather and the park's timed sessions. One night works as a sampler; five or more days suits divers chasing multiple sites across the park.

Question 12

What is the best Komodo liveaboard itinerary?

Accepted Answer

The proven route: day one, sail to Kelor or Rinca and watch sunset at anchor; day two, sunrise Padar hike, Pink Beach, then the Komodo Island ranger walk; day three, snorkel Manta Point and Kanawa before returning to Labuan Bajo. We schedule dragon walks and Padar around the morning Siora session, when the light is best and trails are quietest.

Question 13

Can non-divers join a Komodo liveaboard, or will I be bored?

Accepted Answer

Non-divers are the majority of our guests. Komodo is as much a topside destination as an underwater one: ranger-guided dragon treks, the Padar viewpoint, pink-sand beaches, and world-class snorkeling — mantas are regularly seen by snorkelers at Manta Point. Boats carry masks, fins, kayaks, and paddleboards, so a mixed group of divers and swimmers works well on the same itinerary.

Question 14

Is a Komodo liveaboard good for first-timers who have never slept on a boat?

Accepted Answer

Yes — most guests are first-timers. Boats anchor in calm, sheltered bays overnight, so you sleep on still water, not open sea. Cabins on midrange and luxury phinisi have air-conditioning and private bathrooms, and the crew handles everything from meals to park permits. If you are nervous, start with a 2D1N or 3D2N trip in the calm April–November dry season.

Question 15

Is it better to stay in Labuan Bajo and do several day trips, or book one liveaboard?

Accepted Answer

If you only have one spare day, a day trip is the answer. With two or more days, a liveaboard almost always wins: less time commuting, sunrise access to Padar, calmer snorkeling before the crowds, and roughly comparable cost once you add up separate day boats, hotel nights, and daily park fees of IDR 250,000 plus guide and conservation fees paid in-app.

Question 16

What makes Labuanbajoliveaboard.com different from other liveaboard operators?

Accepted Answer

We are the liveaboard arm of Komodo Luxury, sailing Komodo National Park since 2015 with our own private fleet and a crew based permanently in Labuan Bajo. Komodo Luxury won TripAdvisor's 2025 Travelers' Choice Award and was named Best Boat Agency in Labuan Bajo. That means direct boat control, honest vessel matching, and itineraries planned around real park rules — not reseller promises.

Question 17

How many people are usually on an open trip Komodo boat?

Accepted Answer

Most open-trip phinisi carry between 10 and 20 guests, spread across shared and private cabins. Smaller boutique departures cap at 8–12 for a quieter deck and faster landings — worth asking about before you book. Ranger walks split into groups of five or fewer anyway, since park trekking fees are charged per group of up to five people.

Question 18

Are Komodo liveaboards suitable for families with children?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with the right boat and pace. We recommend private charters for families: you set wake-up times, keep swims to sheltered bays, and shorten the Padar hike as needed. Kids love the dragon walks — rangers keep everyone at a safe distance — and snorkeling straight off the boat. Ages six and up handle a 3D2N itinerary comfortably.

Question 19

Do Komodo liveaboard boats have private bathrooms and air-conditioning?

Accepted Answer

On midrange and luxury phinisi, yes — expect air-conditioned cabins with en-suite bathrooms and hot water. Budget boats in the US$150–250 per person per night band may use fan-cooled cabins and shared bathrooms, which is exactly where the savings come from. Always confirm cabin specifics before booking; we list them plainly for every vessel in our fleet.

Question 20

Is Labuan Bajo still worth it, or is Komodo too crowded now?

Accepted Answer

More worth it than ever, honestly. Since April 2026, the park caps visitors at roughly 1,000 per day with mandatory booking through the official Siora app and three timed entry sessions — so Padar and Komodo feel noticeably calmer than in the peak over-tourism years. The trade-off is that you must book ahead; we handle Siora slots for every guest as part of the trip.

Question 21

How much does a Labuan Bajo liveaboard cost per person per night?

Accepted Answer

In 2027 there are three clear bands: budget boats at US$150-250 per person per night, midrange phinisi at US$250-350, and luxury vessels at US$800-1,500 and up. Cabin, meals, crew, and activities are usually covered; Komodo National Park fees are paid separately through the Siora app. At Labuanbajoliveaboard.com we always break the quote down line by line so you can compare boats fairly.

Question 22

What is the average price for a 3-day 2-night Komodo liveaboard trip?

Accepted Answer

A shared-cabin 3D2N open trip averages US$450-700 per person on budget boats and US$750-1,050 on midrange phinisi. Luxury 3D2N charters start around US$1,600 per person. Budget another US$45-55 per person for two days of entrance, guide, and conservation fees plus your share of ranger fees, all handled through the official Siora app.

Question 23

How much does a luxury liveaboard in Komodo cost?

Accepted Answer

Luxury liveaboards run US$800-1,500+ per person per night, with full-vessel charters priced by the boat rather than per head. That tier buys en-suite designer cabins, a private chef, dedicated guides, and a fully tailored itinerary. Our team (operated by Komodo Luxury, sailing since 2015) manages a private fleet across this range, so we can match the vessel to your group and dates.

Question 24

What is included in a Komodo liveaboard price?

Accepted Answer

Standard inclusions are your cabin, all meals and drinking water, the crew, snorkeling gear, tender transfers to the islands, and a set itinerary of stops such as Padar, Pink Beach, and Manta Point. Diving packages, alcohol, and Komodo National Park fees are usually priced separately. Always ask for a written list of inclusions before you pay — good operators provide one without being asked.

Question 25

What extra fees should I expect that are not included in the liveaboard price?

Accepted Answer

Typically excluded: Komodo National Park entrance, guide, and conservation fees (about US$22 per person per day in 2027, paid via the Siora app), ranger trekking fees per island, the IDR 25,000 harbour fee, alcohol, dive gear rental, crew tips, and travel insurance. Flights to Labuan Bajo are never included. Confirm each line item in writing so there are no surprises at the pier.

Question 26

How much are the Komodo National Park entrance fees in 2027?

Accepted Answer

For foreign visitors in 2027: entrance is IDR 250,000 per day (about US$16), plus a guide fee of IDR 75,000 per day and a conservation fee of IDR 25,000 per day — roughly US$22 daily, all paid inside the official Siora app. Ranger trekking fees are charged separately per group of up to five: IDR 200,000 on Komodo, IDR 200,000 on Rinca, and IDR 150,000 on Padar.

Question 27

What is the Siora app and do I really have to use it?

Accepted Answer

Yes — since the 2026 pilot, booking Komodo National Park entry is mandatory through the official Siora app, which caps visitors at roughly 1,000 per day and assigns one of three timed sessions: 06:00-11:00, 11:00-15:00, or 15:00-18:00. Entrance, guide, and conservation fees are paid in-app. We schedule our departures around the morning Siora session so guests reach Padar and Komodo before the crowds and the heat.

Question 28

How much are the ranger fees on Komodo, Rinca, and Padar?

Accepted Answer

Ranger fees are charged per group of up to five people, not per person: IDR 200,000 for the Komodo Island dragon trek, IDR 200,000 for Rinca, and IDR 150,000 for the Padar viewpoint hike. Split five ways that is only a few dollars each. On our trips the crew arranges rangers at each landing, so you simply step off the tender and start walking.

Question 29

Why are Komodo liveaboards so expensive compared to day trips?

Accepted Answer

You are paying for a floating hotel: fuel to cover long distances across the park, a full crew cooking and sailing around the clock, provisioning in a remote port, and the year-round maintenance a safe wooden phinisi demands. A liveaboard also reaches far sites like Manta Point at dawn, before the day boats arrive — that access, plus nights at anchor under the stars, is the real product.

Question 30

Is it cheaper to book a Komodo liveaboard online in advance or directly in Labuan Bajo?

Accepted Answer

Walk-in prices in Labuan Bajo can be slightly lower in quiet months, but since the daily visitor cap and Siora session system began, the savings rarely justify the risk: good boats sell out and park slots can be gone. Booking directly with the operator online usually matches street pricing anyway, and you get the cabin, dates, and itinerary confirmed in writing.

Question 31

How far in advance should I book a Komodo liveaboard?

Accepted Answer

For July-August and the December-March manta season, we recommend booking two to four months ahead — earlier for luxury vessels or private charters, which hold fewer cabins. Shoulder months like April-June and September-November often confirm within weeks. Because Komodo entry is capped at about 1,000 visitors per day, Labuanbajoliveaboard.com secures your Siora park slots as soon as your boat is confirmed.

Question 32

Can I just show up in Labuan Bajo and find a last-minute liveaboard deal?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes, in shoulder season — open-trip boats with empty bunks may discount two or three days before departure. In peak months it is the opposite: boats and Siora park slots both sell out, and walk-ups can be left with the least-maintained vessels. If you gamble on last-minute, at least verify the boat's name, safety equipment, and reviews before handing over any cash.

Question 33

Do I need to pay a deposit to book a Komodo liveaboard?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a deposit is standard practice in Labuan Bajo. Most reputable operators, ourselves included, ask 30-50 percent to hold your cabin and departure date, with the balance due before boarding — some accept final payment on arrival. Get the deposit amount, balance deadline, and refund terms on one written invoice, and be wary of anyone demanding 100 percent upfront into a personal account.

Question 34

What payment methods do liveaboard operators accept?

Accepted Answer

Established operators accept international bank transfer and major credit cards; many also take IDR bank transfer or cash at their Labuan Bajo office. Card payments sometimes carry a small processing surcharge, so ask first. Your Komodo National Park fees are separate and paid inside the Siora app. Avoid paying large sums in cash to freelance agents at the harbour who have no office or invoice.

Question 35

What is the typical cancellation policy for a Komodo liveaboard?

Accepted Answer

Policies vary by boat, so read yours before paying. A common structure: full or partial refund 30 or more days out, a sliding scale closer in, and no refund inside the final week — though many operators offer free date changes instead. If the harbourmaster closes the port for weather, reputable companies reschedule or credit your trip. Get the policy in writing on your invoice.

Question 36

How do I avoid scams when booking a Komodo boat trip?

Accepted Answer

Book with an operator that has a verifiable office, a real fleet, and consistent reviews across platforms — not just a WhatsApp number and a too-cheap price. Insist on a written invoice naming the vessel, and confirm your park entry is registered in the official Siora app. Our team (operated by Komodo Luxury, sailing since 2015) is a TripAdvisor 2025 Travelers' Choice winner — that is exactly the paper trail you should demand from anyone.

Question 37

Should I tip the liveaboard crew, and how much?

Accepted Answer

Tipping is not mandatory in Indonesia, but it is warmly appreciated and increasingly customary on liveaboards. A practical guideline is US$5-10 per guest per day for the whole crew, handed to the captain or cruise director at the end of the trip to share equally; give more if the team went above and beyond. Cash in IDR or USD works — there is no card machine at sea.

Question 38

How much should I budget in total for a midrange 4-day 3-night liveaboard including park fees?

Accepted Answer

Plan on US$750-1,050 per person for a midrange 4D3N cabin, plus about US$66 in park, guide, and conservation fees for three days, your share of ranger fees (under US$10 in a full group of five), roughly US$20-30 in crew tips, and any dive add-ons or alcohol. A realistic all-in figure is US$850-1,200 per person before flights to Labuan Bajo.

Question 39

Is a private boat charter much more expensive than joining an open trip?

Accepted Answer

Per person, it depends on group size. Open trips sell bunks individually, so couples usually pay least that way. A private charter prices the whole vessel; split among six to ten guests it often comes surprisingly close to open-trip rates per person, while giving you your own itinerary, departure time, and menu. For groups of four or more, we always suggest comparing both quotes before deciding.

Question 40

Are Komodo park fees included in the liveaboard price, or do I pay them separately?

Accepted Answer

Usually separately. Since park entry moved to the official Siora app, entrance, guide, and conservation fees are paid in-app under each visitor's name, so most operators list them as an exclusion. Some, ourselves included, walk guests through the Siora booking or handle it at cost using your passport details. Whichever boat you choose, confirm who books the app slots — no slot, no landing.

Question 41

What is the typical route for a 2D1N Komodo liveaboard from Labuan Bajo?

Accepted Answer

Day one usually covers Kelor Island, Rinca or Manjarite, and Kalong Island for the sunset flying-fox spectacle, anchoring overnight nearby. Day two starts early with the Padar trek in the morning session, then Pink Beach, Komodo Island for dragons, and Manta Point before sailing home. It is a condensed loop — beautiful, but we recommend 3D2N if you want a slower pace.

Question 42

What's the best 3D2N Komodo liveaboard itinerary?

Accepted Answer

The route our team (operated by Komodo Luxury, sailing since 2015) runs most often: day one Kelor, Rinca, and Kalong at sunset; day two Padar sunrise, Pink Beach, Komodo dragons, and Manta Point; day three Taka Makassar and Kanawa or Sebayur snorkeling, then back to Labuan Bajo by early afternoon. It covers every highlight without feeling rushed.

Question 43

What does a 4D3N Komodo liveaboard itinerary add compared to 3D2N?

Accepted Answer

The extra day buys breathing room: a second manta attempt, Siaba or Sebayur snorkeling, Gili Lawa Darat's sunset ridge, and quieter northern anchorages most 3D2N boats skip. With the 2027 timed entry sessions, that flexibility matters — if a Padar or Komodo slot is full one day, we simply rebook the next morning session and reshuffle stops.

Question 44

Can I still do the Padar sunrise hike with the new timed sessions?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the first Siora session runs 06:00 to 11:00, so sunrise treks remain possible, though you now land at 06:00 rather than pre-dawn as in earlier years. We anchor off Padar the night before and go ashore the moment the session opens; the light climbing over the three bays is still spectacular between 06:15 and 07:00.

Question 45

Is Pink Beach worth stopping at, and when do boats usually go?

Accepted Answer

We think so — it is one of only a handful of pink-sand beaches on earth, colored by red coral fragments mixed into the sand. Most itineraries visit late morning after Padar, when the sun is high enough to bring out the color, and the snorkeling directly off the beach is genuinely good. Expect 60 to 90 minutes ashore.

Question 46

Should I see Komodo dragons on Komodo Island or Rinca Island?

Accepted Answer

Komodo Island offers the classic longer treks and wilder terrain; Rinca has a shorter boardwalk-style circuit where sightings near the ranger station are very reliable. Ranger fees run IDR 200,000 per group of up to five on either island. Many of our 3D2N routes include both, so you rarely have to choose.

Question 47

Will I actually see manta rays at Manta Point?

Accepted Answer

No honest operator guarantees wildlife, but Manta Point (Karang Makassar) is one of the most reliable manta aggregation sites in Indonesia. Our crew reads the current and drops snorkelers up-drift so you glide over the cleaning stations. Mantas appear year-round, with the strongest season December to March; sightings on our trips are frequent but never promised.

Question 48

Can I sail from Bali to Komodo on a liveaboard?

Accepted Answer

Some multi-day crossings run Bali to Komodo, but it is a long open-water passage of two-plus days each way with limited stops. Most travelers fly Bali to Labuan Bajo in roughly 70 minutes and board there instead — you spend your nights inside the national park rather than in transit. We schedule departures around incoming flights.

Question 49

Is there a liveaboard route from Lombok to Labuan Bajo?

Accepted Answer

Yes — three-to-four-day boats sail Lombok to Labuan Bajo via Moyo and Satonda before entering Komodo waters. It suits slow travelers on a budget, but the boats are simpler and sea time is long. If Komodo National Park is your priority, a round-trip liveaboard from Labuan Bajo gives you far more hours inside the park itself.

Question 50

How does the 1,000-visitor daily cap affect my Komodo trip in 2027?

Accepted Answer

Since the pilot began in April 2026, the park caps visitors at roughly 1,000 per day, focused on Komodo and Padar. Entry must be booked through the official Siora app in timed sessions, so peak-season dates genuinely sell out. We secure our guests' slots as soon as departure dates are fixed — one reason booking several weeks ahead now matters.

Question 51

How do the Siora app timed sessions actually work with a liveaboard itinerary?

Accepted Answer

There are three sessions — 06:00–11:00, 11:00–15:00, and 15:00–18:00 — and each island landing must match a booked slot. Labuanbajoliveaboard.com builds itineraries around them: Padar in the morning window, Pink Beach and Komodo dragons midday, with sailing and snorkel stops filling the gaps between. Handled properly by the crew, you barely notice the system exists.

Question 52

Which timed session is best for Padar Island?

Accepted Answer

The 06:00–11:00 session, without question. The light is soft, temperatures are manageable for the 30-to-40-minute stair climb, and crowds thin out after the first hour. Our crew lands guests right at 06:00 from an overnight anchorage nearby. The 15:00–18:00 slot is the fallback for sunset light, though afternoon heat makes the climb noticeably tougher.

Question 53

Where do liveaboards anchor overnight in Komodo?

Accepted Answer

Common overnight anchorages are the sheltered bay off Padar for the sunrise session, Kalong Island near Rinca — where thousands of flying foxes stream out at dusk — and the Gili Lawa channel in the north. We choose based on wind, swell, and your next morning's booked Siora session, so the boat wakes up exactly where it needs to be.

Question 54

What are some less-crowded alternatives if Padar and Pink Beach feel busy?

Accepted Answer

Ask about Gili Lawa Darat's ridge hike for Padar-like views with a fraction of the traffic, Sebayur and Kanawa for house-reef snorkeling, Taka Makassar sandbar early morning, and Siaba Besar for turtles. Because our team (operated by Komodo Luxury, sailing since 2015) has run these waters for a decade, we know which anchorages stay quiet each season.

Question 55

Can I do Padar, Komodo dragons, and Pink Beach all in one day?

Accepted Answer

Yes — that is the classic highlight day on most liveaboards: Padar in the 06:00 session, Pink Beach late morning, Komodo Island dragons in the midday session, then Manta Point before anchoring for sunset. It runs roughly 05:30 to 18:00. Doing it from a liveaboard beats a day boat because you start inside the park, not hours out of Labuan Bajo.

Question 56

Is Kanawa Island included in liveaboard itineraries?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes — usually on the final morning as the boat sails back toward Labuan Bajo, since Kanawa lies only about 15 kilometers from the harbor. Its house reef starts right off the jetty with healthy coral and frequent turtles, and it sits outside the busiest zones, so there is no timed-session pressure. A relaxed last snorkel before landfall.

Question 57

What's the difference between north and south Komodo routes?

Accepted Answer

Northern routes around Gili Lawa and Castle Rock offer warm, clear water and the classic snorkel sites — standard two-to-four-day itineraries stay here. Southern routes reach Manta Alley and Horseshoe Bay with cooler, nutrient-rich water: more marine life, lower visibility, longer crossings. South Komodo generally needs 4D3N or longer and calm-season timing, roughly April to November.

Question 58

Can I customize the route on a private charter, or is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

Open trips follow a set loop so every guest gets the highlights. On a private charter the route is yours: we sketch a plan around your priorities — diving, photography, quiet beaches — then lock in the required Siora sessions. Weather and park rules are the only constraints; within them, our captain adjusts day by day.

Question 59

How long does it take to sail from Labuan Bajo to Komodo Island?

Accepted Answer

Sailing direct, about three to four hours on a typical phinisi cruising at seven to eight knots. But no itinerary goes straight there — routes break the passage at Kelor, Rinca, or Manjarite, so you are swimming within the first hour. Padar sits about 2.5 hours out, which is why sleeping on board beats commuting from town each day.

Question 60

Do liveaboards and day trips follow the same route?

Accepted Answer

They visit similar landmarks, but the experience differs completely. Speedboat day trips compress Padar, Pink Beach, Komodo, and Manta Point into one rushed loop with five-plus hours of transit. A liveaboard from Labuanbajoliveaboard.com sleeps inside the park, lands the moment each Siora session opens — before the day boats arrive from town — and adds sunrise, sunset, and night skies no day trip can match.

Question 61

What are the best dive sites in Komodo National Park?

Accepted Answer

The headline sites are Batu Bolong, Castle Rock, and Crystal Rock in the central and northern park, plus Manta Point (Karang Makassar) for manta rays. Siaba Bay and Tatawa Besar are gentler options we use for warm-up dives. Our team at Labuanbajoliveaboard.com, operated by Komodo Luxury and sailing since 2015, sequences these sites around the tide tables so you hit each one at its best.

Question 62

What makes Batu Bolong such a famous dive site?

Accepted Answer

Batu Bolong is a small pinnacle in the strait between Komodo and Tatawa, and because currents split around it, the protected side concentrates fish in remarkable density. Expect turtles, reef sharks, and healthy coral from the surface down. It is current-sensitive, so our crew dives it near slack tide and briefs a strict up-and-down profile on the sheltered side.

Question 63

What are Castle Rock and Crystal Rock like to dive?

Accepted Answer

Both are submerged seamounts in northern Komodo, and both are big-animal dives: schooling fusiliers, hunting trevally, white-tip and grey reef sharks, occasional dolphins. Currents can be strong, so we plan them at slack tide, use negative entries when needed, and recommend Advanced certification or roughly 20 to 30 logged dives before putting guests on them.

Question 64

Do I need Advanced Open Water certification to dive Komodo?

Accepted Answer

Not for everything. Open Water divers can enjoy Siaba Bay, Tatawa, Pink Beach reefs, and Manta Point on the right tide. For Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, and Batu Bolong on stronger tides, we ask for Advanced Open Water or around 20 logged dives with recent current experience. Tell us your level at booking and we build the dive plan around it.

Labuan Bajo Liveaboard FAQ

The Answers Most People Need First

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Labuan Bajo liveaboard trip?

Why choose a liveaboard instead of a day trip in Komodo?

How many days is a typical Labuan Bajo liveaboard trip?

What destinations are usually included in a Komodo liveaboard itinerary?

How do I book a liveaboard from Labuan Bajo?

How much does a Labuan Bajo liveaboard cost?

What affects the price of a Komodo liveaboard trip?

Are there luxury liveaboards in Labuan Bajo?

Can I book a private liveaboard charter?

Is an open trip or private trip better?

What is usually included on a Labuan Bajo liveaboard?

What amenities are available on board?

What kind of food is served on a liveaboard?

Is there phone signal or Wi-Fi on the boat?

Are Labuan Bajo liveaboards good for diving?

How many dives are usually done per day on a diving liveaboard?

Do I need advanced certification for Komodo diving?

Will I see manta rays or sharks?

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Is a Labuan Bajo liveaboard safe?

Are liveaboard trips suitable for families or children?

Can non-divers join a liveaboard trip?

Are there strong currents in Komodo?

What is the best time for a Labuan Bajo liveaboard?

What should I pack for a liveaboard trip in Labuan Bajo?

How do I get to the departure point in Labuan Bajo?

Are park fees included in the liveaboard price?

What can I do on a Labuan Bajo liveaboard trip?

Are there liveaboard options for snorkeling and not only diving?

Can the itinerary change during the trip?

Do liveaboards go from Labuan Bajo to Lombok?

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