The Lombok to Flores boat trip is a four-day, three-night sail east across the Flores Sea, from Lombok to Labuan Bajo by way of Saleh Bay, Satonda and Komodo National Park. Done the luxury way, you have two options: a deluxe en-suite cabin on a scheduled 18–23-guest phinisi from USD 425 per person, or a private phinisi charter on your own dates.
Flores Luxury is the luxury travel brand of Juara Holding Group for Flores and Komodo. Voyages on this route are operated with our sister company Komodo Luxury — a fleet of 9 owned vessels and a network of 200+ partner boats, rated 4.9/5 by more than 1,500 guests and named Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice 2025 & 2026. Every price on this page is published, with park fees itemized — nothing appears for the first time on the boat.
The Route at a Glance
The crossing runs west to east: Lombok’s Kayangan Harbor, the wild islands off Sumbawa, then Komodo National Park and landfall at Labuan Bajo. Four days and three nights is the standard — enough time to swim with whale sharks at dawn, climb Padar at sunset and still arrive rested.
| Day | Waters | Main stops | Signature moment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | East Lombok & the Alas Strait | Kenawa Island | Sunset from Kenawa’s viewpoint hill |
| Day 2 | Saleh Bay & north Sumbawa | Saleh Bay, Satonda Island | 06:00 whale shark swim beside the fishing platforms |
| Day 3 | Komodo National Park | Manta Point, Pink Beach, Komodo Village, Padar Island | Padar’s three-bay ridge at sunset |
| Day 4 | West Flores | Kelor Island, Manjarite | A last summit view, then Labuan Bajo by 12:30 |
A note on names, because searches use several: this same voyage is sold as the Lombok to Komodo boat trip, the Lombok–Flores sailing trip and the Lombok Komodo Flores crossing. They are one route. Komodo National Park is the day-three climax; Labuan Bajo, on Flores’ western tip, is where you step off. Eastbound is the direction most travelers choose, and for good reason — the trip builds. Kenawa is a warm-up, the whale sharks raise the stakes, and the park finishes it, with the afternoon sun behind you at every viewpoint.
The Flores Sea is at its calmest from April to October, which is why the 2026 sailing season runs April through November. For the month-by-month picture — seas, rain, crowds — see the best time to visit Flores. Sailing westbound instead? The flores to lombok boat trip covers the same waters in reverse, with Komodo on day one.
What “Luxury” Actually Means on This Route
Most boats sold as “luxury” on this route are open-trip vessels carrying 28–38 passengers, where luxury means the best cabin on a crowded boat. We use the word differently: a scheduled phinisi capped at 18–23 guests with en-suite queen cabins, or a private charter where the whole boat is yours.
It helps to know the market before you compare. Open trip cabins on this route typically run USD 350–750 per person — that band comes from our competitor research across the main Lombok–Flores operators, and it also shows that even the highest “luxury” tier still shares the boat with 30-plus travelers, shared bathrooms on the lower decks, and a fixed playlist of stops. There is nothing wrong with that product; it simply is not luxury, whatever the banner says.
Here is what the word means on our sailings:
- Guest count: 10 cabins, 18–23 guests on the scheduled boat — or only your party on a private charter.
- Cabins: queen beds, air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms and sea views on a phinisi purpose-built for multi-day crossings.
- Operated, not resold: voyages run with Komodo Luxury’s fleet of 9 owned vessels, extended by 200+ partner boats — the crew answers to us, not to a broker.
- Published prices: cabin rates and every park fee are listed on this page, in one table.
- One planner: a single WhatsApp thread from first question to the dock in Labuan Bajo.
“Operated, not resold” is the part that matters most at sea. When the company quoting you also runs the boat, the itinerary promise and the deck reality are the same document: the crew briefing, the food budget, the spare snorkels, the decision to wait out a squall behind an island rather than push a schedule. Resellers pass your booking to whichever vessel has space that week; we know which boat you are on because it is ours, or a partner vessel we contract and audit to the same standard. That operating record — not this page — is what the Travelers’ Choice 2025 & 2026 awards to Komodo Luxury recognize.
Option 1 — Deluxe Cabins on Scheduled Boats
Scheduled 4D3N sailings run April through November 2026 on a 10-cabin phinisi carrying 18–23 guests, with multiple deck levels, an indoor dining room and a snorkeling platform. Cabins are sold per person, from USD 425 in the Captain cabin to USD 770 in the Ikan cabins with an in-suite jacuzzi.
These are the operating company’s published 2026 rates, verified against the live rate list at the time of writing:
| Cabin | Cabins | Sleeps | What sets it apart | 2026 price per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ikan | 2 | 2–3 | Queen bed, en-suite with jacuzzi, sea view | USD 770 |
| Paus | 2 | 2–3 | Queen bed, en-suite bathroom, sea view | USD 710 |
| Kerang | 1 | 2–3 | Queen bed, en-suite bathroom, private balcony | USD 710 |
| Penyu | 4 | 2 | Queen bed, bathroom, porthole view | USD 465 |
| Captain | 1 | 2 | Bunk bed, bathroom, porthole view | USD 425 |
Every cabin fare includes full-board meals, drinking water, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, guided activities at each stop, and the shuttle at both ends — pick-up in Lombok on day one and drop-off at your Labuan Bajo hotel or the airport on day four.
2026 departure calendar. Sailings leave roughly every nine days through the dry season — typically three departures a month:
| Month | 2026 departures (4D3N) |
|---|---|
| April | 18–21 · 27–30 |
| May | 6–9 · 15–18 · 24–27 |
| June | 2–5 · 11–14 · 20–23 · 29–2 Jul |
| July | 8–11 · 17–20 · 26–29 |
| August | 4–7 · 13–16 · 22–25 · 31–3 Sep |
| September | 9–12 · 18–21 · 27–30 |
| October | 6–9 · 16–19 · 25–28 |
| November | 6–9 · 15–18 |
Cabins on the June–September sailings book out first — the queen sea-view categories usually go before the portholes do.
Which cabin for whom? Couples marking an occasion take Ikan — the jacuzzi is a genuine one, and there are only two of these on the boat. Kerang’s private balcony is the pick for anyone who wants their own piece of horizon with morning coffee. Paus delivers the same queen-and-sea-view comfort a step down in price. Penyu, with four cabins, suits friends traveling together who want matching rooms side by side, and the single Captain cabin is the smart entry point for a solo-minded pair happy with bunks. Families should note the 2–3-person cabins genuinely fit a small child as the third guest; children aged three and above are charged the full rate, so plan cabins accordingly.
You may also see 3D2N versions of this crossing on the market. They exist, but they compress the two mornings that justify the whole trip — the whale sharks and the park — so we sell the full 4D3N and recommend nothing shorter. If your calendar truly cannot give four days, a private charter can reshape the route more intelligently than a shortened schedule can.
Option 2 — Private Phinisi Charter
A private charter sails the same route on your dates, at your pace, on your boat — priced per boat per night rather than per person. With 9 owned vessels and 200+ partner boats to draw on, we match the boat to your group instead of squeezing your group into a boat.
What changes when the boat is yours: the departure date is any date, not a calendar slot. The route flexes — most charters add Moyo Island, where jungle trails lead to the tiered pools of Mata Jitu waterfall, and many add a second full day inside Komodo National Park. Meals come from your own chef and are planned around your preferences. And the day starts when you say it does; the whale sharks are the only ones with a fixed schedule.
Who charters this route? Honeymooners, most weeks of the dry season — a private phinisi between Lombok and Komodo is about as complete as a romantic itinerary gets, and our flores honeymoon desk builds around it. Families, because a boat with no strangers on it is the rare place where every generation relaxes at once. And groups of friends who did the open-trip version years ago and want the same route with the volume turned down. A typical 3-night charter mirrors the scheduled itinerary; a 4-night version adds Moyo and a second park day; 5 nights and up start folding in the quieter anchorages no schedule ever reaches.
On pricing, we would rather be precise than theatrical. Operators across this coast openly place genuine private luxury from roughly IDR 15.000.000 per day upward — competitor research, and a fair anchor for the market. Our own charter pricing depends on the vessel, the season and the route, so we prepare a tailored quote within 24 hours rather than publish a one-size rate card. For the boats themselves — deck plans, cabin counts, crew — start with the Flores phinisi charter fleet, or compare motor yachts on the flores yacht charter page.
Planning a charter or a cabin? Message us on WhatsApp at +62 811 3823 875 or write to [email protected] with your dates and group size — you will have a tailored quote within 24 hours.
Day by Day: Lombok → Moyo & Satonda → Komodo → Labuan Bajo
This is the scheduled 4D3N itinerary as sailed in 2026; private charters use it as a starting point and bend it freely. Every leg is subject to sea conditions — the captain always has the final say, which is exactly what you want from him.
Pack light and soft-sided: swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a warm layer for the overnight legs, and shoes that can handle Padar’s dry trail. Snorkeling gear, drinking water and all meals are on the boat, so the only thing worth carrying in quantity is camera storage.
Day 1 — Lombok to Kenawa Island
Guests meet at 07:30 in Kuta (The Breakery) or Senggigi (KFC Senggigi) for the shuttle across scenic East Lombok to Kayangan Harbor, boarding the phinisi at 11:00. The first afternoon belongs to Kenawa Island: snorkeling, swimming and an optional hike to the viewpoint for a panorama of Lombok and Sumbawa at sunset. Dinner is served on board as the boat sails overnight toward Saleh Bay. Meals: lunch and dinner.
Day 2 — Whale Sharks of Saleh Bay & Satonda
A 05:00 wake-up call earns you the trip’s headline moment: at 06:00 you slip into Saleh Bay beside the traditional fishing platforms where whale sharks — the largest fish in the sea — gather to feed. Breakfast is served underway to Satonda Island, a volcanic islet with a saltwater crater lake ringed by wish ribbons and reef. The afternoon is open water and open decks; sunset, dinner, then an overnight sail toward Komodo National Park. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 3 — Komodo National Park
The big day. At 06:30 you snorkel Manta Point, where reef mantas with wingspans up to five meters glide below you. Mid-morning is Pink Beach, one of the world’s few pink-sand beaches, colored by crushed red coral. After lunch on board, the boat calls at Komodo Village to meet the community that lives alongside the dragons, then lands you on Padar Island for the sunset trek to its three-bay viewpoint. The boat anchors overnight in a sheltered bay for a stable night’s sleep. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 4 — Kelor, Manjarite & Landfall
Breakfast at anchor at 07:00, then a short summit hike on Kelor Island for a 360-degree farewell to the archipelago and a final snorkel at Manjarite’s clear-water reef. The phinisi ties up in Labuan Bajo around 12:30, and the complimentary shuttle takes you to your hotel, the airport or onward transport. Meals: breakfast and lunch.
The Komodo Stopover: Dragons, Padar & Pink Beach
The final full day is spent inside Komodo National Park: mantas at first light, a pink-sand beach by mid-morning and Padar’s famous ridge at sunset. Dragon encounters happen on ranger-guided walks and require your dated park ticket — IDR 650.000 per person.
Two honest notes worth knowing before you book with anyone. First, the park entrance is a government fee, charged per person on top of every boat fare on this route — ours and everyone else’s — and the ticket is dated, valid only for the day it names. Second, the scheduled sailing’s park day covers Manta Point, Pink Beach, Komodo Village and the Padar trek; a ranger-guided dragon walk on Komodo or Rinca is arranged around that dated ticket, and private charters usually add a second park day so the dragons, the dive sites and Padar never compete for the same daylight.
Padar deserves its reputation: three crescent bays — one white, one grey, one blush — curve away from a single ridgeline, and late afternoon light does the rest. Pink Beach rewards snorkelers as much as photographers; the coral gardens off the sand are some of the healthiest shallow reef in the park. Manta Point is the wildcard — mantas are wild animals on their own calendar — but the site sits on a cleaning-station route, and first-light snorkels there have the best record of the day. Arriving by sea from the west also means you meet the park at its quietest hour, before the day boats out of Labuan Bajo reach the same moorings.
2026 Prices: The Full Table, Park Fees Included
One table, everything on it: cabin rates, park and conservation fees, and how charter pricing works. Park and conservation fees are set by the authorities and paid per person on top of any boat price on this route.
| Item | 2026 price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deluxe cabin, scheduled 4D3N sailing | USD 425–770 per person | By cabin category (table above); full board, snorkeling gear, shuttles included |
| Private phinisi charter, 3–4 nights | Tailored quote within 24 hours | Priced per boat per night; vessel, season and route set the rate |
| Komodo National Park entry | IDR 650.000 per person (dated ticket) | International visitors; valid only for the stated date |
| Whale shark interaction, Saleh Bay | IDR 200.000 per person | Local fee at the fishing platforms |
| Moyo / Satonda conservation fee | IDR 200.000–275.000 per person | Varies by island and landing |
Booking terms on the scheduled sailing are simple: a 50% deposit secures your cabin, with the balance due 14 days before departure. Our competitor research found park-fee handling to be the single most inconsistent thing on this route — some operators fold some fees into some boats and not others, which is how two travelers on the same deck end up having paid for different trips. We list fees separately, always, so the number you budget is the number you pay.
Worked example for two people in 2026, sharing a Paus cabin: USD 710 × 2 for the sailing, plus IDR 650.000 × 2 for the dated Komodo tickets, IDR 200.000 × 2 for the whale shark morning and up to IDR 275.000 × 2 at Satonda. That is the complete cost of the crossing — boat, beds, meals, gear, shuttles and every fee — with nothing left to discover at a ranger station. Run the same arithmetic on any competing quote before you compare prices; the fares that look lower usually stop itemizing exactly here.
Kencana, Perama, Wanua & Co: How the Boats Compare
Kencana Adventure, Perama Tour and Wanua Adventure built this route for backpackers, and at what they do they are dependable. The honest comparison is not who is “better” — it is that a shared deck and a private phinisi are different products wearing the same route.
| Tier | Typical boat | Indicative price | Park fees | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker open trips (Kencana Adventure, Perama Tour, Wanua Adventure) | Large shared boats from Bangsal; deck beds and simple fan cabins | From around IDR 2.500.000 per person — the budget tier route operators themselves describe in their price guides (competitor research) | Usually excluded, paid along the way | Young travelers, social decks, flexible standards |
| “Luxury”-labelled open boats | 28–38 passengers; the label applies to the best two or three cabins | USD 350–750 per person for those cabins (competitor research) | Inconsistent between vessels — check line by line | Couples wanting comfort while sharing the boat |
| Our scheduled deluxe sailing | 10 cabins, 18–23 guests, en-suite queen cabins, sea views | USD 425–770 per person, published above | Itemized in one table, always separate | Comfort with a fixed calendar |
| Our private phinisi charter | Your own boat, crew and chef from a fleet of 9 owned vessels plus 200+ partner boats | Per boat per night — tailored quote within 24 hours | Itemized in the quote | Honeymoons, families, friends’ groups, any date |
If a shared deck under the stars at a backpacker fare is the trip you want, the open-trip veterans do it well and we will not pretend otherwise. If you searched “luxury” and meant it — a bed you would keep at home, a bathroom you do not queue for, a boat that is not a crowd — that is the product on this page.
Boarding: Bangsal or Senggigi
Most open-trip boats on this route load at Bangsal harbor in northwest Lombok. Our scheduled sailing works differently: guests meet in Kuta or Senggigi at 07:30 and a shuttle crosses East Lombok to Kayangan Harbor, so you board at the Alas Strait — where the crossing actually begins — by late morning.
The two pick-up points cover most of where visitors stay: Kuta (meeting at The Breakery) for the south, Senggigi (meeting at KFC Senggigi) for the west coast. If you are staying elsewhere, tell us when you book and we will advise the simplest connection. On day four the same service runs in reverse — a complimentary shuttle from Labuan Bajo harbor to your hotel, the airport or your next meeting point. On private charters, boarding is arranged around you; departures can be set up on either coast by arrangement when the itinerary allows.
Getting to Lombok itself is straightforward: Lombok International Airport (LOP) receives direct flights from Bali, Jakarta and Singapore, and fast boats connect Bali to the Gili Islands and Lombok’s west coast daily in season. Arrive at least the evening before departure — the 07:30 meeting time is not one to gamble against — and treat a night in Kuta or Senggigi as part of the trip rather than a layover. Departure calendars across the route change season by season — current ones are tracked at Flores boat trip schedules.
Reviews from the Route
Voyages on this route are operated with Komodo Luxury, rated 4.9/5 by more than 1,500 verified guests and named Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice in 2025 and 2026. Read the route reviews and a pattern emerges: the whale shark morning and the crew are what guests remember.
We would rather point you to the reviews than perform them, so here is the shape of what they say. The Saleh Bay whale sharks are the moment guests describe as unreal — an hour most people expected to be a photo stop and left calling the highlight of Indonesia. The crew earns the most repeated praise: names remembered, seasickness quietly managed, cameras rescued, birthdays noticed. The small-group scale surprises people who have done open trips elsewhere — 18–23 guests changes the sound of a boat. And Padar at sunset closes most five-star write-ups. Search the Komodo Luxury name on Tripadvisor or Google and read them unfiltered; an operator confident in its 4.9/5 has no reason to stand between you and its guests.
After You Land: Labuan Bajo & Beyond
Labuan Bajo is the beginning of Flores, not the end of the trip. Most guests add two to five days — inland toward spider-web rice fields, cloud villages and crater lakes, or back out to sea with the park on their doorstep.
The classic add-on is a Flores overland tour: the Trans-Flores Highway east through Ruteng, Bajawa and Kelimutu with a private driver-guide and boutique stays. Real component costs are modest by luxury-travel standards — a private Innova with driver runs about IDR 1.500.000 per day around Labuan Bajo, a Hiace for the full overland crossing about IDR 2.500.000, and the two-day, one-night Wae Rebo village extension about IDR 3.000.000. Prefer to stay on the water? Continue east on a Flores liveaboard, or simply give yourself a slow day in town — our Flores island guide maps the whole island west to east, and the Flores itineraries hub shows how 3, 5 and 7 days fit together.
And if you would rather book the cabin sailing directly with the operating company, the scheduled 4D3N Lombok–Flores sailing is published there with live cabin availability.
Ready to cross? Tell us your dates, your group and whether you want a deluxe cabin or the whole boat. WhatsApp +62 811 3823 875 · [email protected] — a tailored quote within 24 hours, and one planner from first message to landfall.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Lombok to Flores boat trip cost in 2026?
On the scheduled 4D3N luxury sailing, deluxe cabins cost USD 425–770 per person with full board, snorkeling gear and shuttles included. Park fees are extra: IDR 650.000 per person (dated ticket) for Komodo National Park, IDR 200.000 for the Saleh Bay whale sharks and IDR 200.000–275.000 for Moyo/Satonda. Across the wider market, open trip cabins on this route typically run USD 350–750 per person (competitor research). Private charters are priced per boat per night — tailored quote within 24 hours.
How many days does the boat trip from Lombok to Flores take?
The standard crossing is 4 days and 3 nights, boarding in East Lombok and arriving in Labuan Bajo around 12:30 on day four. Shorter 3D2N versions exist on the market, but they compress the two best mornings — the Saleh Bay whale sharks and the Komodo park day. Private charters can stretch the same route to five or six nights.
Is there a ferry from Lombok to Flores?
There is no direct passenger ferry. The public route combines the Kayangan–Poto Tano ferry, a long bus crossing of Sumbawa and the Sape–Labuan Bajo ferry — roughly two hard days of overland travel. The multi-day boat trip covers the same geography by sea, adding whale sharks, Satonda and Komodo National Park along the way, which is why most travelers choose it.
Is the Lombok to Flores boat trip safe?
In season, yes. Sailings run April through November, when the Flores Sea is at its calmest, on phinisi purpose-built for multi-day crossings and equipped with life jackets and snorkeling safety gear. The itinerary is adjusted whenever local conditions require it, and the captain always has final authority over routing and anchorages.
Will I get seasick on the crossing?
The route has two overnight open-water legs — Lombok to Saleh Bay and Sumbawa to Komodo — so light motion is normal. Sailing in the April–October calm season keeps it gentle, the final night is spent at anchor in a sheltered bay, and mid-ship cabins feel the least movement. Bring standard motion-sickness tablets and take them before the overnight legs; the crew is practiced at looking after anyone who feels unwell.
Where does the boat leave from — Bangsal or Senggigi?
Most open-trip operators load at Bangsal harbor in northwest Lombok. Our scheduled sailing meets guests at 07:30 in Kuta (The Breakery) or Senggigi (KFC Senggigi), then shuttles everyone across East Lombok to Kayangan Harbor to board at 11:00 — starting the crossing at the Alas Strait. On private charters, the boarding point is arranged around where you are staying.
Are Komodo National Park fees included in the price?
No boat fare on this route includes them — they are government fees charged per person. Budget for IDR 650.000 per person (dated ticket) for Komodo National Park entry, IDR 200.000 for the Saleh Bay whale shark interaction and IDR 200.000–275.000 for Moyo/Satonda conservation. We itemize every fee in our price table and in every quote, so nothing appears for the first time on board.
Can I do the Lombok to Flores route privately, on any date?
Yes. Private phinisi charters sail on your dates year-round, priced per boat per night, with routing adjusted to the season and weather. The charter version adds what the schedule cannot: Moyo Island's waterfalls, a second full day in Komodo National Park, your own chef and a day that starts when you decide. Send your dates via WhatsApp and you will have a tailored quote within 24 hours.
What is the difference between an open trip and this luxury version?
Scale and standard. Open trips carry 28–38 passengers, sell their best two or three cabins as “luxury” at roughly USD 350–750 per person (competitor research), and handle park fees inconsistently. The luxury version means a scheduled phinisi capped at 18–23 guests with en-suite queen cabins from USD 425–770 per person and every fee itemized — or a private charter with no one else on board at all.
Do I see Komodo dragons on this trip?
The park day covers Manta Point, Pink Beach, Komodo Village and the Padar sunset trek, and a ranger-guided dragon walk on Komodo or Rinca is arranged with your dated IDR 650.000 park ticket. Dragons live wild, so rangers lead every walk. Private charters usually add a second park day so the dragons, the dive sites and Padar each get proper time.