A Labuan Bajo liveaboard price ranges from IDR 3.55 million per person for a shared budget cabin to IDR 12.5 million for a luxury shared berth, while a full private charter costs IDR 52 million to 280 million for 2–4 nights. Superyachts run USD 4,500–9,000+ per night.
We operate liveaboards out of Labuan Bajo every week, and the single question that lands in our inbox more than any other is simply: how much does it actually cost? The honest answer is that “liveaboard” covers everything from a wooden phinisi with four shared cabins to a steel superyacht with a spa deck — so the price gap is enormous. This guide breaks down every real 2026 rate we quote, what is genuinely included, and the hidden fees (park permits, ranger levies, fuel surcharges) that budget comparison sites conveniently leave out.
Labuan Bajo Liveaboard Price at a Glance (2026)
There are three ways to buy a Labuan Bajo liveaboard, and they price completely differently. Shared/open trips sell you one cabin on a boat you split with other travellers. Private charters give you the whole vessel and crew for your group. Superyacht charters are a separate universe priced in USD per night. Here is the full spread we book against today.
| Trip type | Duration | Price (per person / per boat) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared budget cabin | 2D1N–3D2N | IDR 3.55M–5.9M pp | Backpackers, solo divers |
| Shared mid-range cabin | 3D2N–4D3N | IDR 6.5M–9M pp | Couples, small groups |
| Shared luxury berth | 3D2N–4D3N | IDR 9.5M–12.5M pp | Comfort-first travellers |
| Private charter (phinisi) | 2D1N–4D3N | IDR 52M–280M / boat (avg ~133M) | Families, celebrations |
| Superyacht charter | Per night | USD 4,500–9,000+ / night | Ultra-premium groups |
To understand which of these fits your trip, it helps to first read our overview of what a Labuan Bajo liveaboard actually is before you commit to a price band.
Shared Cabin Prices: The Per-Person Breakdown
Shared trips are the entry point, and the price you pay depends almost entirely on the boat’s age, cabin size, and whether it has ensuite bathrooms and air-conditioning. A “budget” phinisi from IDR 3.55M per person typically means fan-cooled or shared-bathroom cabins on a 2-day/1-night loop. Once you cross into IDR 8M+ you are getting private ensuite AC cabins, a proper dive deck, and a chef rather than a warung-style galley.
| Cabin tier | 3D2N per person | Cabin features |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | IDR 3.55M–5.9M | Fan or shared bath, bunk layout |
| Standard | IDR 6.5M–7.9M | Private AC cabin, shared bathroom |
| Deluxe | IDR 8M–9M | Ensuite AC, upper-deck cabin |
| Luxury | IDR 9.5M–12.5M | Suite, ensuite, premium dining |
What is included in a shared cabin price
- All meals, snacks, drinking water, tea and coffee onboard
- Cabin accommodation for the nights stated (1N, 2N or 3N)
- English-speaking guide and full boat crew
- Snorkelling gear and standard island trekking on Komodo & Rinca
- Speedboat/tender transfers between the phinisi and landing points
- Return harbour transfer within Labuan Bajo town
What is NOT included (budget for these separately)
- Komodo National Park entrance: IDR 650,000 per person, plus ranger and conservation levies
- Scuba diving (add-on): typically IDR 500,000–750,000 per dive with equipment
- Flights to Labuan Bajo (LBJ) and any pre/post-trip hotel
- Travel insurance and personal spending / crew tips
Private Charter Prices: Whole-Boat Cost
When you charter privately you are not buying a seat — you are buying the entire vessel, crew, and itinerary. Prices span IDR 52 million to 280 million depending on the boat’s size, cabin count, and finish, with the average private charter we book landing around IDR 133 million for a 3-day/2-night sailing. A small 3-cabin phinisi for a family of six can start near IDR 52M, while a flagship 5–7 cabin vessel with a sun deck, jacuzzi and dedicated dive master reaches the top of that range.
| Charter class | Cabins | 3D2N whole-boat price | Per-person (at capacity) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact phinisi | 3 | IDR 52M–75M | ~IDR 9M–12M |
| Classic phinisi | 4–5 | IDR 90M–150M | ~IDR 11M–15M |
| Premium phinisi | 5–6 | IDR 160M–220M | ~IDR 14M–18M |
| Flagship / superyacht | 6–8 | IDR 240M–280M+ (or USD 4,500–9,000+/night) | Quoted on request |
The private-charter maths flips in your favour with group size: a IDR 133M boat split between 10 guests is roughly IDR 13.3M each — competitive with a luxury shared berth, but with total privacy over the route, dinner timing, and dive stops. If you are weighing specific vessels, our ranked list of the best Labuan Bajo liveaboard boats shows which charters justify their price.
Komodo National Park Fees — The Number People Forget
Since April 2026, Komodo National Park operates a 1,000-visitor daily quota, and every guest pays a mandatory entrance fee of IDR 650,000 on top of the liveaboard price. Additional ranger-guide, conservation, and marine-activity levies apply per person per day, so a 3-day itinerary usually adds IDR 1.2M–1.8M in park-related charges. Because the quota caps daily entries, we strongly advise securing permits early in peak months — trips can sell out purely on permit availability, not cabin space.
| Fee | Amount (per person) | When paid |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance | IDR 650,000 | Per park entry |
| Ranger / trekking guide | IDR 120,000–200,000 | Per landing |
| Marine / snorkel activity levy | IDR 100,000–150,000 | Per day |
Why Prices Vary So Much Between Operators
Two boats can quote wildly different numbers for what looks like the same itinerary. The difference is almost always in the details: boat age and safety certification, whether the crew includes a certified dive master, cabin ensuite vs shared bathrooms, generator capacity for 24-hour AC, and the quality of food. A suspiciously cheap “3.55M luxury” listing usually means an older hull, shared facilities, or park fees quietly excluded from the headline price. We publish all-in pricing so the number you see is close to the number you pay — the only variables left are optional diving and personal extras.
How to Book & Payment Terms
Securing a Labuan Bajo liveaboard is straightforward, and we hold cabins and charter dates on a first-deposit basis. Our standard terms mirror the wider Komodo fleet:
- 50% deposit to confirm your cabin or charter and lock the date
- Balance due H-14 — the remaining 50% is settled 14 days before departure
- Peak season (July–August, Christmas/New Year) books out months ahead — open trips average an 89-day lead time and private charters around 143 days, so early deposits matter
- Prime cruising conditions run roughly April through November with calm seas and clear visibility
Most of our guests travel from Western Europe and pay comfortably in IDR via Wise, Revolut, or bank transfer — you are billed in rupiah at the live rate, with no hidden currency markup. As an owner-operated fleet with TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice recognition and vessels including Ayvara and Malca, we quote the real sailing price, not a bait rate.
Ready to Lock Your 2026 Price?
Send us your dates, group size, and preferred comfort tier on WhatsApp and we will send a firm, all-in quote — cabin or whole-boat — within the hour, including park fees so there are no surprises. A 50% deposit holds your space instantly, with the balance due just 14 days before you sail. With the 1,000-per-day park quota in force, the boats and permits for peak weeks are already filling: message us today to secure your Komodo liveaboard at 2026 rates before your dates sell out.