Ayvara Cruises is a 36-metre private cruise vessel operating sailing trips in Komodo National Park, Indonesia, departing from Labuan Bajo on Flores. It carries 15-16 guests in 7 air-conditioned cabins, and the standard trip is a 3D2N or 4D3N island-hopping itinerary with ranger-guided Komodo dragon trekking.
Updated January 2026
Ayvara is the vessel we recommend by default for private charters of 10 to 16 guests. We will say that plainly rather than hedge: across our owned fleet, Ayvara gives the best balance of cabin comfort, deck space, onboard connectivity and nightly price. It is operated by Komodo Luxury, the owner-operator behind komododragontour.com — part of Juara Holding Group, sailing Komodo National Park since 2015, TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winner in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, and rated 4.8 stars from 152 Google reviews.
Why Ayvara is our default recommendation for 10-16 guests
Most groups of that size get pushed into one of two compromises. Either they take a smaller phinisi and end up with people sleeping in cabins that were designed as overflow berths, or they take a large VIP flagship and pay two to five times more per night than the trip actually requires. Ayvara sits in the gap between those two.
- 36 metres of usable beam and length. At 15-16 guests the vessel is not full — there is genuine circulation space on the main deck, the dining area and the rooftop at the same time. Boats that squeeze the same headcount into 25-28 metres feel crowded by day two.
- A 360-degree rooftop deck. This matters more than it sounds. Komodo sailing is mostly about what you can see from the boat: Gili Lawa at sunrise, the flying foxes lifting off Kalong Island at dusk, the channel between Sebayur and Tatawa. An unobstructed top deck is where you spend the trip.
- Starlink satellite internet on board. Komodo National Park has almost no cellular coverage once you pass Kelor Island. Starlink means you can hold a work call from anchor, post from Padar Island the same afternoon, and — importantly — that the vessel has a reliable independent communications link at all times.
- 7 cabins, all air-conditioned, all en-suite. Enough to split a family or a corporate group into sensible rooming without anyone drawing the short straw.
- Price. Private charter starts at USD 5,300 per night — the entry point of our luxury tier, not the middle of it. A comparable-standard vessel at 14-16 guests typically runs USD 7,000-8,000 per night.
If your group is under 8 guests, a smaller phinisi will usually serve you better and cost less. If your group needs 20+ berths or wants VVIP-flagship service, look at Komodo Signature or the Lamima class instead. Between 10 and 16, Ayvara is the answer we give first.
Ayvara Cruises specifications
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Vessel type | Cruise (steel and teak, motor-sailing) |
| Length | 36 metres |
| Cabins | 7 (Master, Deluxe, Superior tiers) |
| Guest capacity | 15-16 guests |
| Connectivity | Starlink satellite Wi-Fi |
| Top deck | 360-degree open rooftop with loungers |
| Operating area | Komodo National Park, from Labuan Bajo (LBJ) |
| Trip lengths | 2D1N, 3D2N, 4D3N, up to 12D11N private |
| Operator | Komodo Luxury (owner-operated, in-house crew) |
How much does an Ayvara Cruises trip cost?
Ayvara sells in two ways: as a shared boat tour (locally called an open trip), where you buy a cabin and share the vessel with other travellers, and as a private whole-boat charter, where you take the entire vessel and set your own departure date and pace.
| Booking type | Cabin / basis | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 3D2N Shared (open trip) | Master cabin | USD 570 per person |
| 3D2N Shared (open trip) | Deluxe cabin | USD 530 per person |
| 3D2N Shared (open trip) | Superior cabin | USD 450 per person |
| 3D2N Shared (open trip) | Extra bed / additional person | USD 330 per person |
| Private charter (4D3N and longer) | Whole vessel, up to 16 guests | From USD 5,300 per night |
Shared rates are per person and priced by cabin tier, so two people sharing a Superior cabin pay USD 450 each. Private charter is priced per night for the whole boat, with a minimum of three nights (4D3N) and a maximum of eleven nights. At 16 guests on a 4D3N charter, USD 5,300 per night works out to roughly USD 995 per person for the trip — which is why we point larger groups towards private charter rather than buying out cabins on an open trip.
Booking terms are the same across our fleet: a 50% deposit secures the date, with the balance due 14 days before departure. Peak season (July to September) sells out months ahead, and Ayvara is one of the first vessels to go.
What are the Komodo National Park entrance fees?
Park fees are set by the park authority and paid separately from your tour price. As of January 2026, Komodo National Park fees for foreign passport holders are IDR 250,000 (about USD 16) per person per calendar day, set by Government Regulation PP No. 36/2024 — multi-day trips are charged per day in the park, not as a flat trip rate. Indonesian citizens pay a lower domestic rate. Fees cover ranger services, conservation levies and site entry; our crew handles the paperwork at the ranger stations on your behalf. See Komodo National Park fees and tickets for the full current breakdown.
What does a 4D3N Ayvara private charter itinerary look like?
This is our standard route. On a private charter the order is yours to change — if your group wants a slow morning at Pink Beach instead of an early Padar climb, we simply move it.
| Day | Route |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Board at Labuan Bajo harbour. Sail to Kelor Island for a first climb and swim, then Kalong Island to anchor for sunset as thousands of flying foxes lift off the mangroves. Overnight at anchor. |
| Day 2 | Sunrise at Padar Island’s three-bay viewpoint, then Pink Beach (Pantai Merah) for the red-coral sand and reef snorkelling. Afternoon ranger-guided Komodo dragon trek at Loh Liang on Komodo Island. Overnight near Gili Lawa. |
| Day 3 | Manta Point (Karang Makassar) snorkelling drift with reef mantas, Taka Makassar sandbar, then Kanawa or Siaba for turtles and coral gardens. Sunset from the rooftop. Overnight at anchor. |
| Day 4 | Early ranger-guided trek at Rinca Island (Loh Buaya ranger station) — the wilder of the two dragon sites and generally the best sighting odds — then Sebayur or Mawan on the return leg. Disembark Labuan Bajo, transfer to LBJ airport. |
For shorter options see our 2D1N Komodo boat tour, and for the standard shared departure see the 3D2N open trip. A full comparison of the two booking styles is set out in sharing vs private.
How many days do you need on Ayvara?
Three days and two nights is the realistic minimum for a proper Komodo boat tour. It is the shortest itinerary that fits both dragon sites, Padar at sunrise and Manta Point without turning the trip into a race. A day trip by speedboat suits travellers genuinely short on time — see our one-day speedboat tour at USD 91 per person shared — but it cannot reach Kalong Island at sunset or give you a night at anchor, which is most of what people remember.
For private charters on Ayvara we recommend 4D3N. The extra night buys you unhurried mornings and the flexibility to sit out weather rather than sail through it.
Is it safe to trek with Komodo dragons?
Komodo dragons are wild, dangerous animals. You must always stay with your assigned park ranger during any trek and follow their instructions. Do not walk ahead, do not separate from the group to take photographs, and keep the ranger between you and any dragon. Rangers carry a forked staff and know the individual animals at each station. Guests who are menstruating should inform their ranger before the trek, as dragons detect blood at long range. Children must stay within arm’s reach of an adult at all times. Our crew briefs every group before disembarking at Loh Buaya or Loh Liang — more detail on Komodo dragon trekking.
When is the best time to sail on Ayvara?
The dry season from April to November is the best window for Komodo sailing, with July to September as the peak. Seas are calmest, visibility for snorkelling is at its best, and Padar’s climb is dry underfoot. January and February bring the strongest winds and the highest chance of an itinerary being reshuffled for safety. Dragons are visible year-round, though the drier months tend to bring them out to shaded open ground where they are easier to see. See best time to see Komodo dragons.
What is on board Ayvara?
- 7 air-conditioned en-suite cabins across Master, Deluxe and Superior tiers
- 360-degree rooftop sun deck with loungers and shaded seating
- Indoor air-conditioned lounge and dining saloon — useful on hot afternoons and in rain
- Starlink satellite Wi-Fi throughout the vessel
- Full snorkelling equipment, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards
- Tender boat for island landings and drop-offs
- Full-time chef, cabin crew, captain and licensed deck crew — all in-house Komodo Luxury staff, not contracted per trip
- All meals, snacks, drinking water, tea and coffee included
Ayvara is a leisure cruising vessel, not a dive liveaboard. There is no dive deck, compressor or nitrox on board, and the trip is built around sightseeing, island hopping, snorkelling and ranger-guided dragon trekking. Certified divers who want a dedicated dive itinerary should look at our sister site komododivingtour.com — we will happily point you there rather than sell you the wrong boat.
Ayvara compared with the rest of our fleet
| Vessel | Guests | Private rate | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayvara Cruises (36m) | 15-16 | From USD 5,300/night | Groups of 10-16 wanting comfort, connectivity and value |
| Neptune Cruise Phinisi | Up to 20 | USD 5,300-8,500/night | Traditional wooden phinisi character |
| Malca Voyages (30m teak) | Up to 21 | From USD 5,300/night | Larger headcount on a single deck plan |
| Komodo Signature (78.2m) | 20 | USD 8,000+/night | World-record phinisi superyacht, balcony suites |
| Lamima (65.2m) | Up to 14 | USD 35,000+/night | VVIP flagship charter |
The full lineup, including Komodo Prestige, Velocean, Celestia, The Maj Oceanic, Naturalia, Vinca Voyages, Yumana, Mosalaki, Catnazse and Elbark Cruises, is listed on our fleet page. Every vessel above is owned, crewed and maintained in-house — we are the operator, not a broker reselling someone else’s boat.
How to book Ayvara Cruises
Tell us your dates, your group size and whether you want a shared cabin or the whole vessel, and we will confirm availability the same day. Ayvara’s private-charter calendar is the tightest in our fleet during peak season, so if you are targeting July to September, enquire early.
Message us on WhatsApp or email sales@komodoluxury.com, or start here: book your Komodo dragon tour. A 50% deposit secures the date; the balance is due 14 days before departure.
Frequently asked questions
How many guests does Ayvara Cruises hold?
Ayvara holds 15-16 guests across 7 air-conditioned en-suite cabins (Master, Deluxe and Superior tiers). Extra beds are available in some cabins at USD 330 per person on a 3D2N shared trip.
Does Ayvara really have working internet in Komodo National Park?
Yes. Ayvara carries Starlink satellite Wi-Fi, which works at anchor throughout the park where cellular coverage does not exist. It is reliable enough for video calls, though bandwidth is shared across everyone on board.
What is the minimum private charter on Ayvara?
Three nights, which is a 4D3N itinerary, priced from USD 5,300 per night for the whole vessel. The maximum is eleven nights (12D11N). Shorter than three nights, take a cabin on a shared 3D2N departure instead.
Are Komodo National Park fees included in the price?
No. Park fees are set by the park authority and paid separately. As of January 2026, foreign passport holders pay IDR 250,000 (about USD 16) per person per calendar day, set by Government Regulation PP No. 36/2024 — multi-day trips are charged per day in the park, not as a flat trip rate. Our crew handles the process at the ranger stations.
Can I dive from Ayvara?
Ayvara is a leisure cruising vessel with no dive deck, compressor or nitrox, so it is not set up for scuba diving. Snorkelling is included at every site. For a dedicated dive itinerary, see our sister site komododivingtour.com.
Where will I see Komodo dragons on an Ayvara trip?
At Rinca Island (Loh Buaya ranger station) and Komodo Island (Loh Liang). Rinca is wilder and generally offers the better sighting odds. Both treks are ranger-guided and compulsory to join — see Rinca vs Komodo Island.