How much does a private charter cost?

It is quoted per boat, because the number moves with vessel, season and how many nights you want. We will not publish a "from" figure we would then have to walk back. Send dates and group size and you get a real number the same day.

How many people before it is worth it?

Around six. Below that an open trip is usually cheaper per head. At six and above a charter often costs the same and you get the route and the deck to yourselves.

Can we change the route once we are out there?

Within reason, yes. That is most of the point. Tide, weather and park rules set the limits, and the captain will tell you honestly which of the three is talking.

Can you arrange a photographer or a private chef?

Yes, both, arranged when you book rather than on the day. Say so early because good people in Labuan Bajo are booked ahead in the dry season.

Is a charter suitable for small children?

Yes, and it is usually the better option for families. You can take the lower viewpoint instead of the summit, choose the calm snorkel spots, and stop when the youngest has had enough.

A phinisi under way in Komodo National Park

THE WHOLE BOAT

Private charter

Your vessel, your dates, your route. Nobody on deck you did not bring.

Get a quote See the trips

What chartering changes

On an open trip the route is set and the deck is shared. On a charter you buy the boat, so the schedule bends to you: leave when you want, stay longer where it is good, skip what does not interest you, and eat when you are hungry rather than when twenty people are.

Priced per boat, not per head, so the cost per person falls as the group grows.
Around six people it usually matches what six open trip cabins would cost.
Day charters and multi day charters both available, on speedboats and phinisi.
The crew, guide, meals and equipment come with the boat.

Who charters

Four reasons people take the whole boat

Same vessels, same water. What changes is how the day is built.

A couple on the ridge above the bays of Padar Island

Honeymoons

Dinner on deck at sunset, a beach with nobody else on it, and a photographer on board if you want one.

A family walking the trail on Padar Island

Families

The shorter trail to the lower viewpoint, calm water for snorkelling, and a pace built around the youngest on board.

A visitor on the green ridge above one of Padar Island bays

Photographers

Depart when the light says so, not when the schedule does. First position on the ridge, and the boat waits.

A group on the summit ridge of Padar Island at sunrise

Groups

Six or more and the maths turns in your favour. Everyone on one boat, one briefing, one plan.

A phinisi anchored in Komodo National Park

Speedboat or phinisi?

A private speedboat is the right call for one long day. It reaches Padar in about two hours, which leaves room for four stops and gets you back to Labuan Bajo for dinner.

A phinisi is the right call for two nights or more. It is slower, it has cabins, and it turns the crossings into part of the trip rather than time to be got through.

How a charter gets built

No fixed package. The route is assembled after we know what you are after.

01
Tell us the shape of it
Dates, how many of you, how much walking suits the group, and whether anyone dives.
02
We match a boat
Vessel size against headcount and nights. You get options with real availability, not a catalogue.
03
We draft the route
Stop by stop with times, so you can move things before anything is booked.
04
Confirm and board
Deposit holds the boat and the dates. Briefing at the pier, then it is your schedule.

Charters in July and August are usually taken two months ahead. Outside peak season a few weeks is enough.

Charter questions

What people ask before asking for a number.

Ask us anything

Tell us what you want the days to look like

Dates and group size are enough to start. You get boat options and a real price the same day.

Get a quote