The Story of Aura Suci
Aura Suci means “sacred aura” — a name our Konjo shipwrights in Bulukumba, South Sulawesi, gave the hull the day her keel was blessed before launch. She is a 30-meter phinisi built the traditional way: ironwood keel, teak decking, twin gaff-rigged masts, joinery cut and fitted by hand by families who have been building these ships for generations. We then fitted her out for one specific job — carrying up to 24 guests in genuine comfort through Komodo National Park, with diving and snorkeling at the center of every itinerary.
One Boat, Two Ways to Sail Her
Most of our calendar is scheduled 3D2N open trips from Labuan Bajo. You book a cabin, not the whole boat — a Deluxe cabin for couples, a Master cabin if you want the widest berth and the biggest windows, or a Family cabin that sleeps four. Each of the 8 en-suite cabins has its own air conditioning, hot water, and a direct WhatsApp booking line, so you always know exactly what you are reserving and what it costs. Shared trips fill with a mix of divers, honeymooners, and small groups, and the boat never carries more than 24 guests plus crew.
The rest of the calendar is private charter. Take all 8 cabins and the itinerary becomes yours: extra dives at Batu Bolong, a second sunrise on Padar, a slow afternoon anchored off Pink Beach with nobody else on the sand. Our cruise director builds the route with you before you fly in.
A Crew That Dives
Our crew of eleven includes certified dive guides who have logged thousands of dives across the park’s currents — Manta Point, Siaba, Tatawa, Castle Rock on longer routes. They read the tides here daily, which is what makes the difference between seeing mantas and merely looking for them. The galley team cooks Indonesian and Western menus fresh on board, three meals a day plus the snacks that appear the moment you climb back up the dive ladder.
Part of the Komodo Luxury Fleet
Aura Suci Liveaboard is owned and operated as part of the Komodo Luxury fleet — a Bali-headquartered yacht operator with its working base in Labuan Bajo, more than a decade of experience in these waters, and a TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award to show for it. Sailing under that flag means our maintenance schedule, crew training, safety equipment, and guest standards are managed to the same benchmark as the fleet’s flagship yachts, including Komodo Signature, Ayvara, and Malca. It also means official booking, payment protection, and trip support run through komodoluxury.com, so your reservation is held by an established operator rather than a single-boat outfit.
Practical Details, Up Front
We sail year-round, with the dry season from April to November offering the calmest crossings and best visibility. Komodo National Park entry is IDR 650,000 per person, paid separately from your cabin rate. A 50% deposit secures your cabin; the balance is due 14 days before departure. Fly into Labuan Bajo (LBJ) and our team handles the rest — harbor pickup, briefing, and the moment the lines come off the dock, the park is yours.