Komodo boat tour departures are scheduled sailing trips into Komodo National Park, Flores, departing from Labuan Bajo harbour. Shared 3D2N open trips run on fixed weekly departure days, usually leaving at 13:00 and returning on the morning of day three, while private charters depart any date you choose, subject to vessel availability.
Updated January 2026 — schedule maintained by Komodo Luxury, owner-operator of the fleet listed below since 2015.
This page explains how our 2026 sailing calendar actually works: which trips run on fixed days, which run on demand, what each cabin tier costs per person, and how to check live cabin availability for a specific date. We own, crew and maintain these vessels in-house, so the schedule you see here is our own operating calendar — not a broker’s guess at someone else’s boat.
How the 2026 Komodo departure calendar is structured
There are two completely different scheduling models, and confusing them is the single most common booking mistake travellers make.
- Shared departures (locally called an open trip) — you buy a cabin, not the boat. The vessel sails on fixed published days whether you book or not, provided the minimum passenger count is met. You share the boat with other travellers.
- Private charter departures — you buy the whole vessel, priced per night. There is no fixed day. You choose the departure date, and we block the boat for you. Minimum 3 nights, maximum 11 nights.
- Day trips — shared speedboat day trips depart daily from Labuan Bajo, roughly 05:00–06:00, returning 17:00–18:00. Private speedboat day charters also depart daily.
What days do shared 3D2N Komodo boat tours depart in 2026?
Across our phinisi and cruise fleet, shared 3D2N departures run on a rotating weekly pattern. Most vessels sail two or three fixed days per week, staggered so that in peak season (July–September) at least one boat leaves Labuan Bajo almost every day. In shoulder months the pattern tightens — some vessels drop to a single weekly departure.
| Vessel | Class | Typical 2026 shared departure days | Duration | Cabin tiers | Per person (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yumana | Phinisi | Mon · Thu | 3D2N | Superior | 330 |
| Elbark Cruises | Phinisi | Tue · Fri · Sun | 3D2N | Banda Neira · Savu | 400 |
| Naturalia | Phinisi | Wed · Sat | 3D2N | Lagoon | 400 |
| Vinca Voyages | Phinisi | Mon · Fri | 3D2N | Balinese | 430 |
| Catnazse | Phinisi | Tue · Sat | 3D2N | Grandis | 430 |
| Ayvara Cruises | Cruise (36m) | Wed · Sun | 3D2N | Superior | 450 |
| Malca Voyages | Cruise (30m) | Thu · Sun | 3D2N | Master | 580 |
| Neptune Cruise Phinisi | Phinisi | Mon · Wed · Sat | 3D2N | Deluxe | 610 |
| Mosalaki | Phinisi | Fri | 3D2N | Adonara | 800 |
| Neptune Cruise Phinisi | Phinisi | Mon · Wed · Sat | 3D2N | Mansard | 850 |
Departure days rotate with maintenance dry-docking, charter blocks and seasonal demand, so treat the table as the shape of the calendar rather than a guarantee for one specific date. Message us on WhatsApp with your travel dates and we will send the exact live sailing list and remaining cabins for that week.
How do I check live cabin availability for my dates?
Cabin inventory moves faster than any published page can. The fastest route is a direct message with three details: your arrival date in Labuan Bajo, the number of travellers, and your cabin preference (entry, mid-tier or top suite). We reply with every vessel sailing in that window, the cabins still open, and the total in USD.
Check live 2026 availability on WhatsApp → or email sales@komodoluxury.com. You can also start at book your Komodo dragon tour.
Private charter departures: any date you like
Private whole-boat charters are priced per night, not per person, and depart on the date you nominate. Entry-luxury phinisi start from USD 5,300 per night; larger VIP vessels run to USD 8,000+ per night; VVIP flagships such as Lamima (65.2m, the largest phinisi-hulled yacht in the world, up to 14 guests) and Prana by Atzaro reach USD 35,000+ per night.
| Charter length | Nights | Typical route depth | From (per night, USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4D3N | 3 (minimum) | Padar, Komodo Island, Pink Beach, Manta Point, Kalong | 5,300 |
| 5D4N | 4 | Adds Gili Lawa, Taka Makassar, Siaba | 5,300 |
| 6D5N | 5 | Adds Sebayur, Mawan, Manjarite, Tatawa | 5,800 |
| 8D7N – 12D11N | 7–11 (max) | Full park plus remote northern anchorages | 6,500 |
Because there is no fixed day, private charters are limited only by the vessel’s existing bookings. Peak dates — Christmas, New Year, July and August weekends — are typically committed six to nine months out. See sharing vs private and the full fleet to decide which model fits.
How many days do you need for a Komodo tour?
3D2N is the recommended minimum for a proper Komodo boat tour. Two nights aboard is what makes the Padar Island sunrise and the Kalong Island flying-fox sunset physically possible — both happen outside day-trip hours. A 1-day speedboat tour suits travellers genuinely short on time, and 2D1N works as a compressed taster, but 3D2N is the version people describe afterwards as worth the flight. Longer 4D3N itineraries add slack for weather and second visits to favourite sites.
Typical 3D2N shared departure timeline
| Day | Time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 13:00 | Board at Labuan Bajo harbour; sail to Kelor Island and Kalong Island for the sunset flying-fox exodus; overnight at anchor |
| Day 2 | 04:30–06:00 | Padar Island three-bay sunrise trek |
| Day 2 | 08:00–15:00 | Pink Beach (Pantai Merah), Komodo Island (Loh Liang) ranger-guided dragon trek, Manta Point (Karang Makassar), Taka Makassar sandbar |
| Day 2 | Evening | Overnight near Siaba or Sebayur |
| Day 3 | 06:00–11:00 | Rinca Island (Loh Buaya) dragon trek, snorkel at Kanawa or Manjarite, return to Labuan Bajo |
Ranger-guided trekking is the fixed point of every itinerary. 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, and tell your ranger before the trek if you are menstruating — rangers ask this because dragons track scent. More detail on Komodo dragon trekking and Rinca vs Komodo Island.
Park fees are separate from your departure 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. Fees are set by the park authority and paid separately from tour prices. Indonesian citizens and KITAS holders pay lower rates, and fees scale with trip duration and the number of park entry days. Full breakdown on Komodo National Park fees and tickets.
Booking terms for a 2026 departure
- Deposit: 50% secures your cabin or charter date. Until the deposit lands, the date is not held.
- Balance: due 14 days before departure (H-14).
- Shared trips: confirmed once minimum occupancy is reached. If a shared departure does not fill, we move you to the nearest sailing date or an equivalent vessel at no extra cost.
- Private charters: confirmed on deposit regardless of guest count.
- Extra bed / additional person on shared trips: USD 250–410 depending on vessel and cabin.
When is the best time of year to book a departure?
The dry season, April to November, is the best sailing window, with July to September as the peak. Seas are calmest, visibility at Manta Point is at its best, and Padar’s sunrise is most reliably clear. The trade-off is availability: peak-season cabins on popular vessels such as Neptune and Ayvara sell out weeks ahead, and private charters months ahead. Shoulder months (April, May, October, November) offer the same wildlife with quieter anchorages. See best time to see Komodo dragons.
Can I join a departure from Bali?
Yes — Labuan Bajo (LBJ) is roughly a one-hour flight from Bali, and almost every guest arrives that way. For shared 3D2N trips boarding at 13:00, take a morning flight and arrive at least three hours before boarding; for peace of mind, most experienced travellers fly in the night before. Full logistics on Komodo boat tour from Bali.
Why book the schedule directly with us
komododragontour.com is operated by Komodo Luxury, sailing Komodo National Park since 2015 and part of Juara Holding Group, founded by Agung Afif (Forbes Business Council). We are an owner-operator: the vessels above are ours, crewed and maintained in-house, which is why we can confirm a cabin or move a departure date in minutes rather than relaying a request to a third-party boat owner.
The work has been recognised with TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice awards in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 — four consecutive years — plus TripAdvisor’s “Best Boat Agency in Labuan Bajo” 2025 and Best Boat Rental from Tempo. Our operations have been covered by Forbes, CNN Indonesia, Tempo, Tribunnews, IDN Times, VOI, Investor.id, Yahoo Finance, Benzinga and The Globe and Mail. Guests rate us 4.8 stars across 152 Google reviews — read them on our reviews page, or learn more about us.
If your interest is scuba diving rather than sightseeing, a dive-configured liveaboard is a different vessel type with its own schedule — our sister site komododivingtour.com handles certified-diver itineraries. For sightseeing, snorkelling and ranger-guided dragon trekking, this calendar is the right one.
Ready to lock a 2026 date?
Send us your travel window and we will come back with every vessel sailing that week, the cabins still open, and the all-in USD total. Message us on WhatsApp → · sales@komodoluxury.com · Book your Komodo dragon tour
Departure schedule FAQ
Do shared 3D2N departures run every day in 2026?
Not per vessel. Each boat sails on its own fixed weekly days — usually two or three. Because those days are staggered across the fleet, during the July–September peak there is a shared departure from Labuan Bajo on most days of the week. In April, May, October and November the calendar thins out, and some vessels drop to a single weekly sailing. Always confirm your specific date with us before booking flights.
What time does a 3D2N shared boat tour leave Labuan Bajo?
Boarding is typically at 13:00 on day one, with the vessel sailing shortly after toward Kelor and Kalong Island for sunset. You return to Labuan Bajo harbour late morning on day three, usually between 10:00 and 11:00. Book any onward flight for the afternoon of day three at the earliest — a morning flight is not safe against sea conditions.
How far in advance should I book a 2026 departure?
For peak-season shared cabins (July–September, Christmas, New Year), book two to four months ahead; premium cabins such as Neptune Mansard and Mosalaki Adonara go earliest. For private charters, six to nine months is realistic on peak dates. In shoulder season, two to four weeks is often enough. A 50% deposit is what actually holds the date.
What happens if my shared departure does not reach minimum occupancy?
We move you to the nearest sailing date, or to an equivalent vessel and cabin tier on your original date, at no additional cost. You are never left without a trip and never asked to top up the difference. If neither alternative suits your travel dates, your deposit is refunded.
Can I request a departure day that is not on the schedule?
On a shared trip, no — the fixed days are what make cabin pricing possible. On a private charter, yes: charters depart on any date you nominate, subject to the vessel not already being booked, with a three-night minimum and an eleven-night maximum.
Are park fees included in the departure prices shown?
No. Komodo National 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. We handle the payment logistics on your behalf and itemise the amount before departure.