Dahayu Phinisi Sailing Komodo Liveaboard Labuan Bajo

Komodo’s islands are best seen from the water, and this two-day sailing trip makes a night aboard a traditional-style Phinisi part of the journey. You’ll have time for snorkeling, a visit to Komodo Island, and a sunset stop at Kalong Island to watch bats take flight.

I like two things in particular: the range of stops, from snorkeling sites to islands where you may see Komodo dragons, and having a private cabin with a bathroom rather than sleeping in a shared dorm. One consideration: this is an open trip, so you share the boat with other participants, and weather can change the route or visit order.

• Two days, one night at sea: Depart Labuan Bajo around 9:00 and return around 17:00 the next day.
• A varied route: Possible stops include Komodo, Kelor, and Kalong islands, plus Kanawa, Manta Point, Taka Makassar, and Menjerite.
• A cabin, not a bunk room: The package includes a private cabin, though the cabin name and location descriptions are inconsistent, so confirm your selection before paying.
• Meals and equipment are covered: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, refreshments, snorkeling gear, and a life jacket are included.
• A shared boat with a small stated capacity: The Phinisi has a maximum capacity of 14 people, along with a sundeck, living and dining areas, and a paddle board.
• Bring cash for park fees: Komodo National Park admission and personal expenses are not included.

A two-day sailing trip with Komodo’s highlights

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Dahayu Phinisi is an open-trip liveaboard based in Labuan Bajo. For two days and one night, you’ll travel between islands by boat, step ashore for guided visits, and snorkel at several named sites. It is a compact way to see a mix of Komodo’s marine and land attractions without arranging separate day trips.

The itinerary names Kanawa Island, Manta Point, Taka Makassar, and Pulau Menjerite for swimming and snorkeling. It also includes Komodo Island, Kelor Island, and Kalong Island. The precise order of visits is not fixed, and the operator may alter the route because of weather, timing, or park-site closures.

That flexibility matters here. You are sailing in an area where conditions can affect which stops are practical, so book for the overall experience rather than a rigid checklist. In particular, Manta Point is a snorkeling stop, not a promise that you will see manta rays.

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

Day one: leave Labuan Bajo and settle into boat life

Departure is scheduled between 9:00 and 10:00, with a return to your hotel or personal address in Labuan Bajo planned for 17:00 the following day. Hotel pickup is shared, so the vehicle may arrive early or late. Give your hotel name and address when booking, then watch for the operator’s confirmation of your pickup time.

The sailing begins with a guide and crew leading the group between destinations. The exact day-one stops are not assigned in the schedule, so you should not assume a particular island will be visited first. Bring your swimwear somewhere easy to reach, along with sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a change of clothes.

Once aboard, you’ll share the Phinisi with other participants. The stated maximum is 14 people, which gives you a more limited group than a large excursion boat, though the actual number on your departure may vary. The common areas include a living room, dining room, and sundeck. There is also a Bluetooth speaker and a paddle board.

The trip includes a private cabin for the night, with a king bed, air conditioning, power outlets, a sea view, and a private bathroom listed among the room facilities. The information names Private Cabin 3 as the included accommodation, but also describes package options for Private Cabin 2 and a Master Cabin. It gives different deck locations for the cabin in different places. Confirm the exact cabin name, deck, and facilities for the package you are booking. That is a small but worthwhile check before you commit.

Snorkeling at Kanawa, Manta Point, Taka Makassar, and Menjerite

Several of the named stops are intended for swimming and snorkeling. You get snorkeling equipment and a life jacket, which means you do not need to rent the basics separately. Beach towels and bath amenities are also listed among the boat facilities.

The appeal is the variety: you can spend time in the water at more than one location, rather than treating the boat as a ride to a single beach. Still, the schedule does not specify how long you will have at each stop, and weather or sea conditions may alter the plan. If snorkeling is the main reason you are booking, think of the named sites as planned possibilities rather than guaranteed, equal-length sessions.

Manta Point is an evocative name, but the available details do not promise manta sightings. Keep expectations focused on snorkeling at the site, and consider any wildlife encounter a bonus. The operator also asks you not to feed marine animals, walk on coral, or otherwise damage the ecosystem. Those rules are basic, but important: the quality of these stops depends on visitors leaving the reefs in good shape.

Komodo, Kelor, and Kalong: wildlife and a sunset stop

Komodo Island is the land-based wildlife highlight. The tour includes a guided visit there, with the chance to see Komodo dragons. No sighting is guaranteed in the supplied details, and the duration and walking route are not specified. The trip does involve a considerable amount of walking and stairs, so it is not a good fit if you need a step-free outing or are not comfortable walking on uneven ground.

Kelor Island is another named stop, while Kalong Island is included for the sunset spectacle of bats flying out. That evening moment offers a change of pace from swimming and island walks: you are back on the water, watching wildlife move across the sky as daylight fades. The exact timing depends on the route and conditions, so treat it as a planned feature, not a precise appointment.

The operator may change or reorder visits in response to weather, timing, or decisions by Komodo National Park authorities. That can be frustrating if you have a particular stop at the top of your list. It is also a sensible reality of a boat trip in a protected area, where conditions and access can shift.

Meals, cabin comfort, and the shared-trip feel

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, along with snacks, refreshments, and fresh fruit. The menu may vary with the season and available ingredients, and the listed food options include vegetarian dishes, seafood, fish, and chicken. If you have dietary needs, the information does not say how requests are handled, so ask the operator before booking rather than assuming a specific meal can be provided.

A private bathroom and air conditioning make the overnight stay more comfortable than a basic shared-cabin trip. But this is still a working boat experience, not a hotel stay. You’ll share dining and lounge spaces with the rest of the group, and the schedule revolves around the boat’s route and the guide’s instructions.

The single detailed account available describes a three-day, two-night trip, not this advertised two-day, one-night package. It also speaks warmly of the captain and the friendly group aboard. That is a useful hint about the social side of a shared sailing trip, but it does not establish that every departure has the same crew or duration. Check that your booking is specifically for the two-day, one-night Dahayu trip.

What the price covers, and what it does not

The stated price starts at $397.89, while the package options also show a Master Cabin from $380.59 and Private Cabin 2 from $345.99. Prices can depend on the cabin and booking details, so compare the exact option at checkout rather than treating one starting figure as a guaranteed fare. The difference between cabin options may be worth paying for if you value privacy and a private bathroom, but make sure you know which cabin is included.

The fare covers the guide, one night’s accommodation, meals, snacks and refreshments, hotel transfers, fuel, taxes, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and documentation using a drone, GoPro, or camera. Use of the boat’s facilities is also included. Those inclusions make the price easier to assess: you are paying for transport between stops, an overnight stay, food, equipment, and a guided program, not just a boat seat.

Komodo National Park admission is not included, nor are personal purchases, tips, or other extra fees. Set aside money for those costs and bring cash, as the operator specifically recommends it. The exact park charges are not provided, so check them close to your departure date rather than relying on an old estimate.

Who will enjoy this trip, and who should look elsewhere

This works well if you want several island and snorkeling stops in a short visit to Labuan Bajo, and you like the idea of sleeping aboard a boat. Couples, friends, and solo participants who are happy to share common spaces with a small group should find the format appealing. Families must count infants and children in the passenger headcount.

It is not suitable for everyone. The activity is not recommended for people with high blood pressure, epilepsy, heart disease, asthma, other serious medical conditions, pregnant women, or people with disabilities. It is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible, and the walking and stairs require a reasonable level of fitness. If you are prone to motion sickness, the operator recommends taking travel sickness tablets one hour before the activity.

You are also expected to follow the tour leader’s instructions and meet the group at the agreed times. Late arrivals or no-shows on departure day are not refundable, and missing a meeting point during the trip can leave you responsible for extra costs. Travel insurance is recommended, and you are responsible for your belongings and any damage to borrowed gear.

Should you book Dahayu Phinisi?

Book it if you want a guided, overnight boat trip that combines snorkeling with Komodo-area island visits, and if sharing a boat suits you. The meals, gear, transfers, and private cabin add practical value, while the sunset stop at Kalong and the visit to Komodo Island give the route more variety than a simple snorkel outing.

Before paying, confirm the exact cabin and package duration, since the cabin labels are not consistent and one account describes a longer trip. Also be ready for extra park fees and changes to the route. If you need a strict schedule, guaranteed manta sightings, or a step-free experience, this is not the right choice.

FAQ

How long is the Dahayu Phinisi trip?

The package described here is two days and one night. Departure is scheduled around 9:00 to 10:00 on day one, with return to Labuan Bajo at about 17:00 on day two.

Which places can the tour visit?

Named stops include Komodo Island, Kelor Island, Kalong Island, Kanawa Island, Manta Point, Taka Makassar, and Pulau Menjerite. The route and order can change because of weather, timing, or site closures.

Are meals and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, refreshments, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and a life jacket are included. The menu may vary with the season and available ingredients.

Is Komodo National Park admission included?

No. Park admission is excluded, along with personal expenses, tips, and other extra fees.

How many people can join the boat?

The Phinisi has a stated maximum capacity of 14 people. This is an open trip, so you will share the boat with other participants.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

A full refund is available if you cancel at least seven days before the activity date, using the destination’s local time.