Luxury Phinisi: 3D2N Elrora Phinisi Liveaboard from Labuan Bajo

Komodo National Park is best seen from the water, and this three-day Elrora Phinisi trip puts you aboard a traditional-style sailing boat with time for island walks, snorkeling and a sunset stop to watch bats fly from Kalong Island. You also get two nights on board rather than a string of day trips from Labuan Bajo.

I like two things in particular: the range of stops, from Komodo dragons to coral and small islands, and the practical comforts included, such as a private cabin bathroom, meals and snorkeling gear. The catch is that exact day-by-day timings are not set out, and a reported booking problem involved a cabin mismatch and a boat change. Confirm your boat and cabin in writing before you pay.

What makes this Elrora trip worth considering

1 / 6

• Two nights on the boat give you more time in the Komodo area than a single-day cruise.
• The route combines wildlife and water time, with Komodo Island, Kalong Island, Kelor Island and several snorkeling locations named.
• Kelor includes a beach and mountain trek, so expect walking as well as time on the boat and in the water.
• Meals, snacks and basic cabin comforts are included, including air conditioning, an ensuite bathroom and hot and cold shower.
• The schedule can change with weather and traffic, and the precise stop order is not specified.
• Check your booking details carefully: one documented complaint described receiving a different cabin type and being moved to another boat.

👉 See our pick of the 2 Best 2 Day Tours In Komodo

A three-day route with real variety

Elrora’s three-day, two-night cruise departs from Labuan Bajo and is designed to combine island visits, snorkeling and time aboard. The advertised stops include Komodo Island, Kelor Island, Kalong Island, Kanawa Island, Manta Point, Taka Makassar, Pulau Menjerite and Pulau Sebayur Kecil.

That variety is the main appeal. You are not signing up only for a wildlife visit or only for a snorkel trip. You get a mix of land and sea, with the possibility of seeing Komodo dragons, walking on an island and spending time in the water. The exact order and time allotted to most stops are not provided, though, so treat the named sites as the planned range rather than a minute-by-minute promise.

Weather and traffic can change the route. In this part of Indonesia, that flexibility matters: a fixed timetable may not suit changing sea conditions. It also means you should be comfortable with some uncertainty. If one particular stop is the main reason you are booking, ask the operator whether it is expected on your departure date.

Day 1: Set sail from Labuan Bajo

Departure is listed between 10:00 and 11:00, with hotel pickup arranged in advance. This is a shared transfer, so pickup may be earlier or later than you expect. Be ready five minutes before the confirmed time, and give a full hotel name and address when booking. The operator is meant to reconfirm pickup time.

The first day’s individual sightseeing stops are not specified, so do not assume a particular island or snorkeling session will happen that afternoon. What is clear is that you board for the two-night trip and have a Superior Cabin for the duration of the package described. You can use the boat’s facilities, and a welcome drink, afternoon snacks, water, coffee and tea are included.

The accommodation details are useful when you are weighing a liveaboard against a day trip. A Superior Cabin is described as having a queen-size bed, air conditioning, an ensuite bathroom, hot and cold shower, towels, liquid soap and shampoo. That is a meaningful step up from relying only on shared facilities, though the actual cabin category should be confirmed before departure.

Day 2: Island visits, snorkeling and Komodo

The second day is listed as guided touring, with no stop-by-stop schedule or timings supplied. The named tour highlights include Komodo Island, snorkeling at several locations and visits to islands such as Kanawa, Taka Makassar and Pulau Menjerite. The guide speaks English or Bahasa Indonesia.

Komodo Island is the land-based wildlife stop. The tour information promises a visit to see Komodo dragons, but it does not guarantee a sighting or describe how long you will spend there. The activity also involves considerable walking and stairs, so this is not a trip to choose if you need a low-effort outing. Wear walking shoes and bring water-friendly clothes for the parts of the day spent on board or in the sea.

The snorkeling stops give the trip a different rhythm from the island walks. Manta Point, Taka Makassar, Kanawa Island and Pulau Menjerite are among the named sites, and snorkeling equipment is included. The listing does not promise manta sightings, so think of Manta Point as a place to snorkel, not a guaranteed wildlife encounter. You should also bring your own swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.

Kelor Island and Kalong Island add two very different kinds of stop. Kelor is associated with beach time and a mountain trek, while Kalong is highlighted for watching bats fly at sunset. The precise day and timing for each are not stated. If the bat spectacle is important to you, ask whether Kalong is planned for your sailing date and how weather changes might affect the schedule.

Day 3: Sebayur Kecil and return

Pulau Sebayur Kecil is the only stop specifically named for the final day. It is listed as a guided visit before the boat returns, with return timing given as 11:00 to 13:00. The return transfer is to your hotel or personal address.

That broad return window is worth planning around. Avoid booking a tight onward connection based on the earliest possible return time. The operator may adjust the schedule for weather or traffic, and the trip’s shared transfers add another variable. Ask for the expected drop-off time before arranging flights or other transport.

Life aboard Elrora: comfort, meals and shared spaces

The package includes two nights in a Superior Cabin, breakfast, lunch and dinner, daily afternoon snacks, a welcome drink, and free-flow mineral water, coffee and tea. It also includes use of the boat’s facilities, a shower room, bean bags, a speaker and karaoke set, and free storage service.

Those inclusions can make the price easier to assess. On a multi-day boat trip, food and water are not minor extras: you are away from Labuan Bajo for much of the experience, so having meals and drinks included reduces the need to plan each one separately. The cabin’s private bathroom and air conditioning are practical comforts after a day of walking or snorkeling.

The shared setting is part of the deal. A speaker and karaoke set may suit a sociable group, but they are not a promise of quiet. If you value calm evenings or are sensitive to noise, ask about cabin placement and the boat’s usual onboard arrangements. No group size, cabin layout beyond the listed room features, or quiet-hours policy is provided.

Price, cabin choices and the point to verify

The stated starting price is US$636.60, while the package choices are listed at different prices: Superior from US$553.59, Deluxe from US$709.25, Master from US$830.35 and Family from US$1,660.70. These figures do not line up neatly with the headline starting price. Treat them as indicative and check the total shown for your dates, cabin and party before booking.

The right comparison is not just the nightly cabin cost. You are paying for two nights aboard, meals, snacks, drinks, a guide, snorkeling equipment and hotel transfers, as well as the chance to visit several sites in one trip. Admission to Komodo National Park is not included, nor are personal expenses, tips or documentation. Ask what park fees apply to your planned route and budget for them separately.

There is a practical reason to confirm the room category and vessel before you commit. One recorded 3/5 complaint described being given a different cabin type from the one booked and being told the original boat was broken before being moved to another boat. That account does not establish what will happen on your trip, but it is specific enough to take seriously. Get written confirmation of the boat name and cabin category, and ask what your options are if either changes.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would consider Elrora if you want a multi-day Komodo trip with a balance of wildlife, snorkeling and island walking, and you like the idea of sleeping aboard rather than returning to Labuan Bajo each evening. It also makes sense for couples, friends or families who want to share a longer boat experience, provided everyone is comfortable with the walking and stairs involved.

It is less suitable if you need wheelchair or stroller access, or if you have a condition that makes strenuous walking or boat travel risky. The activity is not recommended for people with high blood pressure, epilepsy, heart disease, asthma or other serious medical conditions, pregnant women, or people with disabilities. If motion sickness is an issue for you, take travel sickness tablets one hour before the activity, as advised.

Bring a change of clothes, toiletries, cash, swimwear, sun protection and walking shoes. Be careful with your belongings, since the operator does not accept responsibility for lost items. And follow the simple rules that protect the place: do not feed marine or wild animals, walk on coral or do anything that could harm the ecosystem.

Booking advice and final call

The trip’s strongest case is its broad itinerary: a Komodo dragon visit, a sunset bat stop, island walking and several chances to snorkel, all packed into three days. Included meals, cabin facilities and transfers add practical value, particularly if you want a single organized trip instead of arranging each part yourself.

The uncertainty is the level of detail. The order of most stops and the schedule for the first two days are not specified, and weather may change the route. The cabin and boat-change complaint also makes written confirmation especially sensible. Ask about park admission charges, the exact cabin and vessel, and the planned route before paying.

I would book if the flexibility suits you and the operator confirms the essentials clearly. If a specific cabin, vessel or stop is non-negotiable, do not rely on assumptions. Get the answer in writing first.

FAQ

Where does the Elrora Phinisi trip depart from?

The trip departs from Labuan Bajo. Hotel pickup is offered as a shared transfer, and the operator reconfirms the pickup time in advance.

How long is the liveaboard trip?

It lasts three days and two nights. The stated return window is between 11:00 and 13:00 on the final day.

Which places are included in the planned route?

Named stops and highlights include Komodo Island, Kelor Island, Kalong Island, Kanawa Island, Manta Point, Taka Makassar, Pulau Menjerite and Pulau Sebayur Kecil. The route may change with weather or traffic.

What meals and drinks are included?

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and daily afternoon snacks are included. The package also includes a welcome drink, free-flow mineral water, coffee and tea.

What facilities are listed for the Superior Cabin?

The Superior Cabin is described as having a queen-size bed, air conditioning, an ensuite bathroom, hot and cold shower, towel, liquid soap and shampoo.

Is Komodo National Park admission included?

No. Admission to Komodo National Park is excluded, along with personal expenses, tips and documentation.

What should I bring, and is the trip accessible?

Bring a change of clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, toiletries, cash and walking shoes. The activity is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible and involves considerable walking and stairs.