Lamborajo FAQ Hub 2027: Questions About Labuan Bajo Departures
Sixty answers about sailing from Labuan Bajo in 2027, grouped into ten themes: money, itinerary, cabins, food, safety, weather, activities, booking, logistics and park rules. Charter rates start at USD 3,400 for 2D1N; Komodo National Park entry is IDR 250,000 per foreign visitor under PP No. 36/2024.
This is the reference page for the Lamborajo fleet — the questions guests actually ask the reservations desk, answered with numbers where numbers exist and with an honest “it depends” where they do not. Each section links to the page that covers the subject in full.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Cheapest charter | USD 3,400 — Lamborajo I, 2D1N, up to 12 guests |
| Cheapest per person | ~USD 203 — Lamborajo I, 3D2N, filled with 24 guests |
| Fleet capacity | 24 + 25 + 22 = 71 guests across three vessels |
| Park entrance, foreign visitor | IDR 250,000 per visit (PP No. 36/2024) |
| Park entrance, Indonesian visitor | IDR 50,000 weekday · IDR 75,000 weekend and holiday |
| Departure time | 09:30–10:30 from Labuan Bajo harbour |
| Return time, day 3 | 11:00–13:00 |
| Flight from Bali | 1–1.5 hours to Komodo Airport (LBJ) |
| Calmest months | May, June, September, October |
| Peak manta months | December to March |
1. Prices and extra costs
What is the total cost of a Komodo trip, all in?
For twenty foreign guests on Lamborajo II for 3D2N: USD 7,750 for the boat, plus IDR 250,000 each for park entry, plus flights and any ranger or retribution charges collected at the park. Roughly USD 388 per person for the vessel.
Why is Lamborajo I so much cheaper than the others?
Shared bathrooms and six cabins rather than eight en-suites. She carries the most guests of the three at 24, which is exactly why her cost per head is the lowest in the fleet.
Are there hidden costs after booking?
Park entrance and ranger charges, scuba diving, alcohol, flights and gratuities sit outside the charter rate. Everything else — cabin, meals, crew, snorkelling gear, tender transfers, Labuan Bajo transfer — is included.
Is the price per night or for the whole trip?
For the whole trip. USD 3,700 buys Lamborajo I for three days and two nights, not one night. Longer durations have their own tier on the published card.
Do you charge a single supplement?
Not on a charter — you are buying the vessel, not berths. On scheduled share-trip departures, single-cabin arrangements depend on the departure; ask the reservations desk for your specific date.
How much should I tip the crew?
Gratuities are discretionary and not built into the rate. When given they go to the crew as a group at the end, in cash. Draw rupiah in Labuan Bajo — there are no ATMs in the park.
Full detail: prices and booking.
2. Itinerary and duration
Is 3D2N or 4D3N better?
3D2N covers every signature site once and suits first-time visitors and tight schedules. 4D3N adds a buffer day around Siaba and Sebayur, which matters if you dive or dislike the Padar-to-Manta sprint.
Can I change the itinerary?
On a charter, yes, within reason and with the captain’s agreement. Weather, tide and park regulations set the limits. On scheduled departures the route is fixed.
Why does the stop order change during the trip?
Mantas feed on tidal flow and Padar is only worth climbing at first light, so a good captain reads the day. Manta Point and Taka Makassar routinely swap position in the afternoon.
Is a 2D1N enough?
It works if one night is all you have, but something gets cut — usually either the Padar sunrise or the manta channel. Most guests who do 2D1N say afterwards they wish they had added a night.
How much time is spent sailing versus ashore?
On a 3D2N, roughly half the daylight hours are under way. The longest single leg, Kalong to Padar, runs overnight while you sleep. Most stops are 45 to 120 minutes ashore or in the water.
Do all boats visit the same islands?
Broadly yes: Kelor, Manjarite, Kalong, Padar, Pink Beach, Komodo or Rinca, Taka Makassar, Manta Point and Kanawa or Siaba. What differs is how long you actually spend there once tender logistics are counted.
Full detail: 3D2N departure times and inclusions.
3. Cabins and comfort
Which Lamborajo has private bathrooms?
Lamborajo II and Lamborajo III — both list a private restroom with every cabin, eight cabins each. Lamborajo I uses shared restrooms across six cabins.
Are the cabins air-conditioned?
Yes on all three vessels. Air conditioning typically runs on generator schedule rather than continuously overnight on smaller boats — confirm the pattern for your vessel when you book.
How many people share a cabin?
Two to three on Lamborajo II and III. On Lamborajo I the larger cabins take up to four, which is how she reaches 24 guests in six rooms.
Is there a jacuzzi?
On Lamborajo II and Lamborajo III, yes, along with a sundeck. Lamborajo II adds beanbags, a karaoke set and a Bluetooth sound system; Lamborajo III has a bar and an indoor lounge.
Is there Wi-Fi on board?
Assume none inside the park. Mobile signal is patchy to absent around Padar and Komodo and returns as you approach Labuan Bajo. Download offline maps and warn people at home.
Is there hot water and power for charging?
Power is available on board, generally on a generator schedule. Bring a power bank for the Padar pre-dawn hike, when the generator may not be running. Confirm socket type and hot-water availability for your vessel.
Full detail: fleet specifications and rates.
4. Food and drink
Are meals included?
Yes — three cooked meals a day plus snacks, drinking water, tea and coffee, prepared on board by the boat’s own chef. This applies to all three vessels on every duration.
Can you cater for vegetarian, halal or allergies?
Yes, with at least 48 hours’ notice so the galley can provision in Labuan Bajo. Severe allergies should be confirmed in writing, not mentioned at boarding.
Is alcohol included?
No. Alcohol is not part of the rate. Most vessels allow you to bring your own; confirm the policy and any corkage arrangement with the reservations desk before you shop.
What kind of food is served?
Indonesian and Western dishes built around fresh fish, rice, vegetables and fruit provisioned in Labuan Bajo. Breakfast is usually cooked. Expect generous portions rather than fine dining.
Is drinking water provided?
Yes, throughout. Bring a reusable bottle rather than relying on single-use plastic — refills are available on board and the park has no waste infrastructure to absorb bottles.
Can we arrange a celebration dinner or cake?
Yes, with notice. Birthdays, anniversaries and proposals are common on charters and the crew provision for them in town. Tell the reservations desk when you book, not on the day.
5. Safety and crew
How many crew are on board?
A full complement — captain, engineer, chef, deckhands and an English-speaking guide. Exact numbers vary by vessel and group size; the reservations desk will confirm the crew list for your charter.
Are there life jackets for everyone?
Yes, including children’s sizes, and their location is covered in the safety briefing given as you leave the harbour. Ask to see them if the briefing is skipped — on any boat, anywhere.
What happens in bad weather?
The captain decides. Routes get reordered, anchorages change, and in serious conditions departures are postponed. That authority sits with the captain, not the office, and not the guests.
Is Komodo safe for children?
Yes with supervision. Ranger-guided dragon treks have strict group rules, and children must stay with the group at all times. For young children a larger, steadier hull is a meaningfully better choice.
Are Komodo dragons dangerous?
They are large wild predators, which is why rangers are compulsory on every trek and carry a forked staff. Follow instructions, stay in the group, and do not walk off alone. Incidents are rare and almost always involve broken rules.
Do I need travel insurance?
Strongly recommended, and essential if you are diving. Check that your policy covers boat travel, remote-area evacuation and your intended dive depth. The nearest hyperbaric facilities are not in Labuan Bajo.
6. Season and weather
What is the best month to sail?
May, June, September and October — calmest seas, dry weather, 15 to 30 metres of visibility and prices below the July–August peak. April and November are close behind with thinner crowds.
How bad is the wet season really?
December to March brings the roughest seas of the year, higher cancellation risk and some vessels out of the water for maintenance. It is also peak manta season, so it is a genuine trade rather than a write-off.
How warm is the water?
Northern and central sites run 27–29 °C from November to April and 26–28 °C from May to October. Southern Komodo drops to 21–25 °C during the June-to-September upwelling.
When are the mantas most active?
December to March, when plankton-rich water draws the largest aggregations at Karang Makassar and Manta Alley. Reef mantas are present year-round, so a dry-season trip still has good odds.
Which months are most crowded?
July and August by a wide margin, plus the Christmas and New Year window. March and November are the quietest months that still have workable weather.
Do I need a wetsuit?
For snorkelling in the north, a rash guard is usually enough. For diving southern Komodo between June and September, bring a 5 mm — a 3 mm is not enough against the upwelling thermocline.
Full detail: month-by-month sea and crowd table.
7. Activities and equipment
Is snorkelling equipment provided?
Yes on all three vessels — mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy vest and beach towels. Bring your own mask if you are particular about fit, plus reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard.
Can I scuba dive from the boat?
Arrange it before departure. Tanks, weights and a divemaster are quoted per dive and are not part of the charter rate. Strong-current sites carry certification and experience requirements.
Which dive sites suit beginners?
Siaba Besar, a sheltered bay at 5–18 m with light current, and Karang Makassar at 8–18 m, a gentle drift where mantas appear year-round. Both work for open-water divers with limited logged dives.
Which sites are advanced only?
Castle Rock, Shotgun and Tatawa Kecil. Currents run very strong, negative entries are standard and operators typically require Advanced Open Water plus 30 to 50 logged dives, with a reef hook.
Are there water toys on board?
Lamborajo II carries one kayak and one banana boat plus a Bluetooth sound system and karaoke; Lamborajo III has a paddle board, bar and indoor lounge. Lamborajo I has a sundeck and karaoke.
How hard is the Padar hike?
A stepped and partly rough trail to the main viewpoint, typically 20 to 40 minutes at an easy pace. It starts in the dark. Bring a head torch, shoes with grip and water.
8. Booking, deposit and cancellation
How do I book?
Send dates, group size and preferred vessel to WhatsApp +62 811 3823 875 or [email protected]. The desk confirms availability and the current rate before anything is paid.
What deposit is required?
The reservations desk confirms the amount and payment method in writing when it holds your date. Never transfer against a figure given only verbally or through an unverified account.
How far ahead should I book?
Three to five months for July and August. Four to eight weeks for shoulder months. In January and February a fortnight is often enough, weather permitting.
What is the cancellation policy?
Get it in writing before you pay, particularly for December-to-March dates. When a captain cancels on safety grounds, reputable operators reschedule or refund.
Can I change my dates after booking?
Usually possible subject to availability and any rate difference between seasons. Ask early — moving a peak-season charter into another peak week is far harder than moving into a shoulder month.
How do I know I am dealing with the real operator?
Lamborajo is operated and marketed by Komodo Luxury, part of Juara Holding Group, operating since 2015. Official contacts are WhatsApp +62 811 3823 875 and [email protected]. Verify before transferring funds.
9. Logistics and access
How do I get to Labuan Bajo?
Fly to Komodo Airport (LBJ) — 1 to 1.5 hours from Denpasar, 2 to 2.5 hours from Jakarta. The airport is 10 to 15 minutes from the harbour. There is no direct ferry from Bali.
Should I arrive the day before?
Yes. Boats board between 09:00 and 10:30, and flights into LBJ are weather-sensitive. One hotel night costs far less than a missed departure you have already paid for.
When should I book my return flight?
Late afternoon on the final day at the earliest. Boats return between 11:00 and 13:00 and the exact time moves with wind and the last snorkel stop. A 16:00 departure is comfortable.
Is the transfer to the pier included?
Yes on charter bookings — airport or hotel to harbour, roughly 10 to 15 minutes. Confirm your pick-up window with the desk the day before, as boarding piers occasionally move.
What luggage should I bring?
A soft duffel, not a hard case — storage is under bunks and in deck lockers. Bring a dry bag, head torch, motion-sickness tablets, reef-safe sunscreen and rupiah in cash.
Are there ATMs in the park?
None. Labuan Bajo is the last place to draw cash, and you will need rupiah for park fees, local tickets, the night market and crew gratuities. Take more than you think.
Full detail: how to get to Labuan Bajo and the town guide.
10. Park rules and permits
How much is the Komodo National Park entrance fee?
Under PP No. 36/2024, IDR 250,000 per foreign visitor per visit. Indonesian visitors pay IDR 50,000 on weekdays and IDR 75,000 at weekends and on public holidays.
Why do other websites quote IDR 600,000 or IDR 900,000?
Those are bundled figures — regulated entrance plus regional retribution plus ranger and trail services — not the entrance tariff. Ask any operator to itemise what they are collecting.
Is trekking included in the entrance fee?
For foreign visitors, the regulation places trekking, wildlife observation and snorkelling within the IDR 250,000 entrance component. Local ranger and trail service charges are collected separately at the park.
What happened to the IDR 3,750,000 conservation fee?
The membership-style conservation fee proposed in 2022 was cancelled and never came into force. Any operator still quoting it is working from outdated information.
Do I need a permit to fly a drone?
Drone use in the national park is restricted and permit-based, and at least one operator in the region publishes a permit cost of IDR 1,000,000. Clear it in advance rather than launching and hoping.
How big is Komodo National Park?
Approximately 1,817 km² of land and sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991, holding more than 1,000 reef fish species and over 250 coral species within the Coral Triangle.
Still unanswered? The pages above go deeper on each theme, and you can also browse scheduled departures by duration.
Ask the reservations desk directly. WhatsApp +62 811 3823 875 or email [email protected]. Send your dates and group size and you will get availability and the current rate, not a brochure.
Rates are from the operator’s published Lamborajo charter card, current 1 August 2026, for 2026–2027 sailings. Park fees follow PP No. 36/2024. Sea, visibility and wildlife figures are typical ranges from operator and dive-industry sources, not guarantees. Lamborajo is operated and marketed by Komodo Luxury, part of Juara Holding Group, operating since 2015.