Komodo Island Cruise, Flores and Komodo Islands, Indonesia, Asia

One of the best ways to explore the spectacular Komodo Island is by private yacht. There is so much more to these islands than dragons - you’ll stop of on remote beaches, see contrasting landscapes, and snorkel on pristine reefs. On Komodo Island itself it is estimated that there are over 2,000 dragons, as well as a variety of other wildlife such as wild boar, deer and buffalo.

We’d recommend at least three nights to see the best of the islands at a leisurely pace and most luxury yachts will insist on a minimum of three nights or more. We work with many different boat operators, catering to different budgets and often what we can offer it is down to availability, so we’d urge you to book as early as possible. Often these boats have 3 or 4 cabins as there aren’t many smaller options and prices for a 3-night cruise start from around £3000-£4000 per boat but this can go up to £15,000 for a luxury vessel.

Another option is to book a cabin on a shared liveaboard cruise.

Semesta Boat have a 3-day/2-night shared trip departing every Friday. Their yachts would be of a higher standard to the lead-in prices of the private yachts as you are sharing the cost with others – prices start from around £1,500 per cabin. This can be a wonderful way of exploring the islands, sharing stories of your travels with other travellers.

For a more exclusive experience, Rascal Voyages offers a purpose-built luxury vessel styled like a beach house, featuring five beautifully designed en-suite cabins. The service, food, and overall experience are elevated, with an array of exceptional activities available. While Rascal primarily offers private charters, they also have select departures offering individual cabin rates for couples willing to share with others. Prices start from around £4,560 per person for a four-night itinerary.

For those with a sense of adventure and a willingness to invest time in immersing themselves in the region, Seatrek offers an 8-night shared safari around the islands. Guests can choose between two ships: the Katharina, accommodating up to 12 guests, or the Ombak Putih, accommodating up to 24 guests. Both are traditional wooden phinisi ships with comfortable en-suite air-conditioned cabins, a fantastic crew, high-quality tenders, kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkelling gear. Days are filled with snorkelling vibrant coral reefs, encountering exotic wildlife like whale sharks and Komodo dragons, witnessing smoking volcanoes, experiencing history and traditional cultures, trekking through jungles and savannahs, and still leaving plenty of time for snorkelling in crystal-clear warm waters and on tropical white sand beaches. Prices start from around £4,200 per person for eight nights.

Below is a suggested itinerary for a three-day journey on one of the private cruises on a Traditional Phinisi boat.