Komodo Liveaboard Experience: Explore Stunning Marine Life & Islands Adventure
Recap: The liveaboard experience spanned 2 days and 1 night, with me sharing a cabin with three other travelers. The boat’s capacity is 12 people, and it was fully booked.
⭐2D1N vs 3D2N vs 4D3N vs One-Day Speedboat?
1️⃣2D1N: This option includes two fewer dive sites and just one night on board. The total time on the boat is a little over 24 hours, making it manageable even if conditions aren’t ideal.
2️⃣3D2N: The itinerary is more comprehensive, but you’re committed for two nights once you set sail!
3️⃣4D3N: I’m not as familiar with the Lombok trip, but there are boats that offer dormitory-style accommodations.
4️⃣One-Day Speedboat: These boats are fast! Just be prepared to wake up very early.
⭐Is it fun, and what are the pros and cons?
It’s an absolute blast!
▶️Cons: Oh my God, that engine noise? The smell of diesel? Those relentless waves? The boat rocked so much that I felt like my brain was about to spill out. In the middle of the night, the wind and waves were so strong that standing on the deck was impossible, and it felt like the waves could capsize the boat.
The space on the boat is incredibly tight, with luggage scattered everywhere, which would drive anyone with a cleanliness obsession crazy.
▶️Pros: It’s a unique experience, offering 24-hour English practice, the chance to make great friends, and a memorable adventure. Plus, you’ll get a nice tan!
▶️Price:
IDR 1900K ≈ RMB 863 per person. This does not include the entrance fee, which costs around 400k~500k.
▶️About Booking the Boat:
You can book through Klook, contact travel agencies via WhatsApp (search on Google), or check recommendations from Little Red Book and Instagram. Be cautious of scams!
▶️About the Boat Facilities:
If you’re in a shared cabin, you’ll need to use the public restroom for both the toilet and shower. I can only imagine how challenging it would be if you needed to use the toilet, and some boats might require sharing a bed with others.
▶️About the Food:
To be honest, Indonesian food might not suit everyone’s taste, especially those from Guangdong. However, other passengers found it quite tasty, possibly because they were hungry.
▶️About the Snorkeling Scenery:
First-time snorkelers will find the underwater world beautiful, but personally, I think it’s a bit average compared to Coron Island, where I’ve been before.
▶️About Sleeping:
That night, we retired soon after dinner without taking a shower. Lying in bed, I felt dirty and uncomfortable. The diesel engine, which needs to run all night for power, occasionally emitted a strong diesel smell, making it hard to sleep well.
▶️About the Gear to Bring:
If anyone needs, I can consider writing a guide.
▶️About the Connection Between the Flight and the Liveaboard:
I took an early morning flight from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo, departing at 7:10. The travel agency provided airport pickup and drop-off service to the pier, and we boarded the boat directly. You can also choose to arrive in Labuan Bajo a day earlier, though options may be limited.
Certainly, some of our fellow travelers opted for the 11:00 flight and were whisked away to the first stop via speedboat. However, this is a premium service that comes with an extra fee—proof that with a bit more cash, you can indeed make almost anything happen.
