Aura Suci FAQ Hub 2027: 100 Duration & Itinerary Questions

One hundred questions about Komodo liveaboard trips, grouped into ten themes: prices, itineraries, cabins, food, safety, season, activities, booking, logistics and park rules. Every figure quoted here comes from the operator rate card, the PP No. 36/2024 park tariff, or published operator listings checked on 1 August 2026.

How to use this hub

Ten themes, ten questions each. The short answers below are the working version; where a question deserves a table or an hour-by-hour breakdown, it has its own page and is linked from the relevant section. Start with the specification and cabin page if you are choosing a boat, or the 2D1N overnight page if you are choosing a duration.

Prices and extra costs

How much is the cheapest Aura Suci trip?

IDR 4,750,000 per person for a shared-cabin berth on the 3D2N open trip, on the operator’s published rate card. Meals, guide, snorkelling gear and Labuan Bajo transfers are included; park fees are not.

How much is a whole-boat charter?

From IDR 85,000,000 per night for all eight cabins and up to 24 guests. Reseller package tiers for 3D2N run around IDR 90,000,000 to 105,000,000 depending on guest count.

What is the Master cabin open-trip price?

Reseller listings put Master cabins at roughly IDR 7,500,000 to 8,000,000 per person for 3D2N. Deluxe and Superior tiers sit around IDR 6,500,000 to 7,000,000. Confirm the live figure before transferring.

How much is an extra bed?

Around IDR 3,750,000 per person on reseller listings. Master Cabin 3 and 4 and both Deluxe cabins take a third guest on an extra bed; Family cabins take four on single beds without a supplement.

Is the park fee included?

No. It is excluded from every Aura Suci rate and paid separately at the park: Rp 250,000 per foreign visitor per visit under PP No. 36/2024.

Why do agencies quote different charter prices?

Because Labuan Bajo charter pricing is negotiated per booking against date, fuel, provisioning and crew load. Published spreads of fifty per cent for the same night on the same class of hull are common.

Are drinks included?

Mineral water, coffee and tea are included throughout the trip. Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks are excluded and settled at the end of the trip.

How much should I tip the crew?

Gratuities are excluded and entirely at your discretion. There is no published rate. Most guests hand a single envelope to the captain for the crew at the end of the trip.

Is there a single supplement?

Open-trip berths are sold per person, so a solo traveller shares a cabin. Sole occupancy of a cabin is effectively a private-cabin booking and is quoted by the reservations desk.

What is the total realistic cost for two people, 3D2N?

Two shared-cabin berths from IDR 9,500,000, plus Rp 500,000 park entrance for two foreign visitors, plus drinks and gratuities. Flights to Labuan Bajo and hotel nights are additional.

Itinerary and duration

How many nights is a ‘3-day’ Komodo trip?

Two. Day one starts with a 09:00 pick-up and a 10:00 departure; day three ends alongside in Labuan Bajo around midday. Count nights, not days, when you plan flights.

What is the standard 3D2N route?

Kelor, Manjarite and Kalong on day one; Padar, Pink Beach, Komodo Island, Manta Point and Taka Makassar on day two; Sebayur on day three before the run home.

What does the 4D3N add?

Siaba and Sebayur on day three, then Rangko Cave, Seraya and Sabolo or Bidadari on day four — plus one genuinely unhurried half-day at anchor.

Can I reach south Komodo on a short trip?

No. Manta Alley and the southern upwelling sites need five nights or more, because the route only makes sense if the captain can wait out a swell window.

Which day is the hardest?

Day two of a 3D2N. Roughly twelve hours from the 06:00 Padar climb to dinner at anchor, with four major stops and two to four hours under way.

Do I get Padar at sunrise?

On Labuan Bajo round trips, yes — the trek starts at 06:00. On the westbound Lombok crossing, Padar usually falls in the late afternoon as a sunset hike instead.

Can the route change?

Yes, and it should. Destinations change with weather and field conditions; Manta Point and Taka Makassar routinely swap position depending on current and wind.

Is Rinca a downgrade from Komodo Island?

No. Both are inside the same national park with ranger-led dragon trails. Rinca is closer to Labuan Bajo and often has good wildlife density on the trail.

How much time is spent sailing each day?

Roughly two to four hours on day two of a 3D2N, spread across four short legs. Day one is about one hour to the first stop; day three is a 1 to 1.5-hour run home.

Can I do Komodo as a day trip?

You can see Padar in daylight, Pink Beach and one dragon island by speedboat. You cannot see Padar at dawn or sleep on the water. It is a taster, not a visit.

Cabins and comfort

How many cabins does Aura Suci have?

Eight: two Master cabins for two guests, two Master cabins for three, two Deluxe cabins for three and two Family cabins for four. Maximum capacity is 24 guests.

Do all cabins have a private bathroom?

Yes, all eight. Master and Deluxe cabins also have a water heater. Every cabin has a private balcony, air conditioning and a sea view.

Which cabin has a bathtub?

Master Cabin 1 and Master Cabin 2 — the two-guest cabins. They are the usual choice for couples and honeymooners and the only cabins on board with a private bathtub.

Is there air conditioning?

Yes, in every cabin. Common areas include a dining salon, galley, sun deck and a karaoke entertainment lounge.

Is there hot water?

Master and Deluxe cabins have water heaters. Fresh water storage is 12,000 litres, which is generous for a three-day run and means showers are not rationed.

What is the bed configuration?

Master and Deluxe cabins have double beds, with an extra bed available in Master 3 and 4 and both Deluxe cabins. Family cabins are configured with single beds for four.

Is there Wi-Fi on board?

Do not plan on it. Mobile coverage in the park is patchy and drops entirely in the southern channels. Bring a Telkomsel SIM for the Labuan Bajo end and treat the cruise as offline.

Is there power for charging?

Cabins have power for normal charging under way. Bring a power bank for the island days — Padar, Komodo and Taka Makassar are long stretches away from a socket.

Are towels provided?

Bath and beach towels are provided and cabins are cleaned daily on liveaboards of this class. Bring your own reef-safe sunscreen, hat and dry bag.

How much space is there per guest at full capacity?

At 24 guests on a 30 by 6-metre hull it is a full boat. At two guests per cabin — the 16-guest configuration — the same boat feels considerably more spacious.

Food and drink

Are all meals included?

Yes. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are included for the whole trip, prepared on board, along with mineral water, coffee and tea.

Can the chef handle dietary requirements?

Yes, with notice. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal requests are routine. Tell the desk at least two weeks ahead so provisioning happens in Labuan Bajo.

Can I bring my own alcohol?

Alcohol is excluded from the fare. Policy on bringing your own varies by charter, so confirm with the reservations desk rather than assuming.

What kind of food is served?

Indonesian and Western dishes built around fresh fish and produce loaded in Labuan Bajo. On a three-day trip, provisioning is done once before departure.

Are there snacks between meals?

Yes, snacks are included along with unlimited drinking water, coffee and tea. On day two you will want them — the gap between the 06:00 Padar climb and 08:15 breakfast is long.

Is breakfast before or after the Padar hike?

After. The trek starts at 06:00 and breakfast is served at about 08:15 while the boat sails to Pink Beach. Take water up the hill with you.

Can we have a barbecue on deck?

On private charters this is usually arranged on request. On open trips the galley schedule is fixed because it serves up to 24 guests on a shared timetable.

Is there a bar on board?

There is a dining salon and a karaoke entertainment lounge. Drinks beyond water, coffee and tea are charged on consumption and settled at the end of the trip.

Can children get simpler meals?

Yes. Flag it with the booking so the galley provisions for it. Family cabins take four guests, so the boat is used to catering for children.

What if I have a severe allergy?

Declare it in writing at booking, not on embarkation day. Once the boat sails there is no resupply — provisioning is loaded in Labuan Bajo before departure.

Safety and crew

What safety equipment is on board?

Liferafts, ring buoys, fire extinguishers and first-aid kits, with life vests issued for every water activity. Navigation is AIS, Garmin GPS, compass and radio.

Is there a doctor on board?

No. Liveaboards of this size carry first-aid kits and trained crew, not medical staff. Bring personal medication, and buy travel insurance that covers evacuation.

Who decides if conditions are unsafe?

The captain, always. Published itineraries state that destinations may change depending on weather and field conditions and that adjustments occur in force majeure.

Do I need to be able to swim?

You need to be comfortable in water with a life vest. Manta Point is a drift snorkel, so confident swimmers get much more out of it — but vests are provided at every entry.

Is the Komodo dragon trek safe?

It is ranger-led, which is a park rule rather than an option. Rangers carry forked staffs, set the group spacing and control the route. Follow their instructions exactly.

What is the crew-to-guest ratio?

Not published as a fixed number. A 24-guest phinisi of this class carries a full crew including captain, engineer, chef, guides and deckhands. Ask the desk for the roster on your dates.

How does the boat handle rough seas?

She is a 30-metre wooden phinisi with a 6-metre beam cruising at 10 to 12 knots. That is stable for the central channels; December to March monsoon swell is a different matter.

What happens if someone is seasick?

Crew carry basic remedies, but bring your own. The overnight Kalong to Padar leg is the usual trigger. Sleeping in the middle of the boat and staying on deck both help.

Is there mobile signal for emergencies?

Radio communication is on board and is the primary emergency channel. Mobile coverage is unreliable inside the park and disappears entirely in the southern channels.

Do I need travel insurance?

It is not included and it is your responsibility. Given the December to March cancellation risk, insurance covering trip interruption and, if you dive, dive accidents is worth the cost.

Season and weather

When is the best time to visit Komodo?

April to June and September to November — the calmest seas and best visibility of the year. July and August have good visibility but wind in the open channels.

When is manta season?

December to March, when plankton-rich water brings the highest density to Karang Makassar and Manta Alley. Mantas are present year-round; that window is the peak.

When is the worst time to sail?

December to March. Monsoon, roughest seas, and some boats in maintenance. It is also the cheapest season and the best manta season, which is the trade-off.

What is the water temperature?

Roughly 27 to 29 °C in the north from November to April and 26 to 28 °C from May to October. South Komodo drops to 21 to 25 °C at the upwelling peak.

What is visibility like?

About 15 to 30 metres in the north and centre, and 10 to 20 metres in the south where upwelling brings colder, more productive water.

Does rain ruin the trip?

Not by itself. The problem in monsoon months is sea state, not rainfall — a rough overnight run to Padar can cost you the dawn light even on a dry morning.

Will my trip be cancelled for weather?

It can be, in the December to March window. Buy flexible flights in those months and insurance that covers interruption. In shoulder season, cancellations are rare.

Is July too crowded?

It is peak season, so anchorages and the Padar trail are busy and cabins on 24-guest boats sell out first. September and October give similar conditions with fewer people.

What should I wear on deck at night?

A light windproof layer. Days are hot, but the deck at 10 to 12 knots after dark, particularly on the overnight leg, is cooler than most guests expect.

Is there a wetsuit requirement?

Not for snorkelling in the north and centre. If you are diving southern sites at the June to September upwelling peak, a 5 mm wetsuit is the sensible choice.

Activities and equipment

Is snorkelling gear included?

Yes — mask, snorkel, fins and life vests, plus the guide who runs each water entry. Bring your own mask if you need a prescription lens or a particular fit.

Is diving included?

No. The standard product is a snorkelling and trekking itinerary. Diving is arranged on request with certified guides, tanks and a supplement quoted per trip.

What certification do the famous dive sites need?

Castle Rock and Shotgun are advanced sites needing Advanced Open Water plus roughly 30 logged dives and a reef hook. Batu Bolong needs AOW plus 20 to 30 dives.

Which sites suit beginners?

Siaba Besar at 5 to 18 metres with light current, Tatawa Besar as an easy drift, Pink Beach shallows, and Karang Makassar for manta snorkelling with a gentle to moderate drift.

Can I fly a drone?

Yes, with a Komodo National Park drone permit costing Rp 1,000,000, applied for at least seven days before the trip. Premium documentation with drone, GoPro and mirrorless is included in the fare as raw footage.

Do I get photos and video?

Yes — premium documentation with drone, GoPro and mirrorless cameras is included, delivered as raw footage. By registering, guests consent to being recorded and to promotional use of the footage.

How hard is the Padar climb?

Forty-five to sixty minutes on constructed stone steps with railings for much of the route. No technical skill needed, but no shade either — go at 06:00.

Can I kayak or paddleboard?

Not part of the standard inclusion list. On private charters, additional water toys can be requested and are quoted separately.

Is there fishing?

Not inside the national park, where fishing is regulated. Discuss any fishing plans with the desk before booking rather than assuming it can be added on board.

What should I pack?

Reef-safe sunblock, sunglasses, a hat, spare clothes, swimsuit, hiking sandals, a power bank, personal medicine, toiletries, wet wipes, a dry bag, a Telkomsel SIM and some cash.

Booking, deposit and cancellation

How do I book?

Confirm availability, complete the registration form, pay the 50 per cent deposit, then send the receipt via WhatsApp to +62 811 3823 875. Customer relations follows up from there.

How much deposit is needed?

Fifty per cent to secure the trip. The deposit is non-refundable in the event of guest cancellation at any time — that is the stated policy, not a guideline.

When is the balance due?

No later than 30 days before the trip. If you book inside 30 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking.

What details does the registration form need?

Name, email, total passengers, name of boat, date of travel, type of trip — leisure, diving or combined — and destination. One form per person.

Can I change my dates?

Date changes depend on availability and are handled case by case by the reservations desk. The deposit terms are written around cancellation, not rescheduling, so ask before you assume.

What happens if the operator cancels?

Operator-side cancellation for weather or force majeure is handled by the reservations team, usually as a reschedule. This is separate from guest cancellation, which forfeits the deposit.

How far ahead should I book?

Three to six months for April to June and September to November. Cabins on 24-guest boats sell first in peak July and August. Low season books later but carries weather risk.

Can I hold a date without paying?

Availability can be confirmed and held informally for a short window, but a booking is only secured by the deposit. In peak season that window is short.

Do you take group bookings?

Yes. At 16 to 24 guests a whole-boat charter usually costs less per head than Master-cabin open-trip berths, so groups should ask for a charter quote rather than block-booking cabins.

Who do I contact?

One desk handles reservations, availability and the live rate card: WhatsApp +62 811 3823 875 or email [email protected].

Logistics and access

How do I get to Labuan Bajo?

Fly into Komodo Airport (LBJ). Denpasar to Labuan Bajo takes roughly one to one and a half hours non-stop; Jakarta takes about two to two and a half hours.

Which airlines fly there?

Garuda Indonesia, Batik Air, Citilink and the Lion Air group operate the route, with frequency changing seasonally. Check schedules before booking, as routes are revised often.

Should I arrive the day before?

Yes. The boat sails at 10:00 and will not wait for a delayed flight. A night in Labuan Bajo before departure is the cheapest insurance you can buy.

Is the transfer included?

Hotel or airport pick-up and drop-off on the Labuan Bajo mainland near the harbour is included. Pick-ups from other islands or the Manjaga area are not covered.

What time is pick-up?

09:00 on day one for the 3D2N open trip, with the boat departing the harbour at 10:00. Confirm your exact pick-up window with the desk the day before.

When does the boat return?

Around midday on the final day. The 3D2N leaves its last snorkelling stop at about 09:30 and is alongside in Labuan Bajo by roughly 12:00.

Can I fly out the same afternoon?

Usually, if your flight is after about 15:00. Do not book a morning flight on the return day, and do not make the last flight of the day your only connection.

Where do I leave my luggage?

Large bags travel with you on board; there is no need to leave anything ashore. Pack a soft bag rather than a hard case — cabin storage suits soft luggage better.

Is there an ATM in Labuan Bajo?

Yes, in town, but bring cash for park fees, gratuities and drinks. Card acceptance on the water is not something to rely on.

Can I combine Komodo with Flores overland?

Yes. Labuan Bajo is the gateway to Flores, so continuing to Ruteng, Bajawa or Kelimutu after the cruise is straightforward and adds three to five days.

National park rules and permits

What is the Komodo National Park entrance fee?

Under PP No. 36/2024 it is Rp 250,000 per foreign visitor per visit. Indonesian visitors pay Rp 50,000 on weekdays and Rp 75,000 at weekends and public holidays.

Are trekking and snorkelling charged separately?

For foreign visitors, trekking, wildlife observation and snorkelling are included in the Rp 250,000 entrance fee. The regulation does not itemise them separately.

Why do some sites quote Rp 650,000 or Rp 900,000?

Those are bundled operator amounts — the PP 36/2024 fee plus regional levies plus ranger and trail-management charges collected on the island. They are not the national-park ticket.

Is there a Rp 3,750,000 conservation fee?

No. The membership-style conservation fee floated in 2022 was cancelled and is not payable. Any site still quoting it is out of date.

Do I need a drone permit?

Yes, if you fly a drone inside the park: Rp 1,000,000, applied for at least seven days before your trip. It is not mandatory to fly, but it is mandatory to have if you do.

Do I have to use a ranger for trekking?

Yes, on both Komodo and Rinca. Ranger-led trekking is a park rule. The ranger sets the route and the group spacing and you follow their instructions throughout.

How big is Komodo National Park?

About 1,817 square kilometres of land and sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991, covering three main islands — Komodo, Rinca and Padar — plus surrounding waters.

How much marine life is there?

More than 1,000 reef fish species and more than 250 coral species, as part of the Coral Triangle. Published counts vary between sources, so treat precise totals with caution.

Are there restrictions on touching wildlife?

Yes. Do not touch or chase mantas, turtles or coral, and keep the ranger-set distance from dragons. Reef-safe sunscreen is expected rather than optional.

Can the park close to visitors?

Access can be restricted for conservation, weather or safety reasons, and fee regulations have changed before. Confirm current rules with the operator close to your departure date.

Still not answered?

Anything about a specific date, a specific cabin or a specific group size has to be quoted rather than published — that is the honest answer, and it is why this page publishes ranges with their sources rather than a single invented number. For dates and hulls beyond Aura Suci’s eight cabins, longer Komodo island liveaboard itineraries are held on the same desk.

Book Aura Suci through Komodo Luxury

This hub is updated as park regulations and rate cards change; the last check was 1 August 2026. Aura Suci is sold and managed by Komodo Luxury, a Labuan Bajo charter operator running Komodo National Park departures since 2015 and part of Juara Holding Group. Reservations, live cabin availability and the current rate card go through one desk: WhatsApp +62 811 3823 875 or email [email protected]. A 50% deposit secures the date; the balance is due no later than 30 days before departure (full payment if you book inside 30 days).