The Komodo cruise schedule runs year-round from Labuan Bajo. According to Komodo Luxury, as of 2026 the 3D2N open trip typically departs Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Sunday from USD 300 per person, weekday open trips start at USD 220, 2D1N shared trips are on request, and private charters sail on dates you pick.
Below is the calendar logic behind that answer: which format leaves on which day, how seasons shift supply, how early to lock July, August and holiday dates, and what the reported 2026 park quota changes. Figures are dated and subject to change; confirm live seats with the desk.
Which days do Komodo cruises depart?
Komodo Cruise is the cruise desk operated by Komodo Luxury, a Labuan Bajo operator founded in 2015 whose reservations team handles bookings directly. Its published departure pattern, as of 2026, looks like this:
| Cruise format | Typical departure days | Duration | Price guide (as of 2026) | How you share the boat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3D2N open trip | Monday–Wednesday and Friday–Sunday | 3 days, 2 nights | From USD 300 per person (USD 300–850 by vessel and cabin) | Shared cabin, roughly 8–22 fellow guests |
| Weekday open trip | Selected weekday departures | Confirm itinerary length with the desk | From USD 220 per person | Shared boat |
| 2D1N open trip | On request | 2 days, 1 night | Quoted per request | Shared boat, no cabin sales |
| 4D3N cruise | Selected departures only | 4 days, 3 nights | Quoted per departure | Shared or private, by departure |
| Private phinisi or yacht charter | Your chosen date, subject to vessel availability | 2D1N to 4D3N | Per vessel only, e.g. Malca Voyages USD 5,300 (2D1N) or USD 6,000 (3D2N) for 1–12 guests | Whole boat |
| Day trip and sunset cruise | Daily, subject to weather | Day or evening | On request | Shared or private |
Two details matter. Shared cabins are sold only on the 3D2N open trip, so if you want a cabin with strangers aboard, your calendar is limited to those six departure days. And private charter prices never convert to a per-person rate: the Riley phinisi, for example, lists 3D2N at IDR 68,000,000 for 1–8 guests and IDR 72,500,000 for 9–12, while Le Costa lists 3D2N at IDR 170,000,000 for 1–14 guests. Elbark, Ayvara, Raffles and Vinca dates and rates are on request via the desk.
For market context, KomodoTrip’s 2026 reference pricing puts shared speedboat day tours at about USD 120–150 per person (a third-party figure, not a Komodo Luxury rate).
What does a fixed 3D2N departure cover?
The 3D2N open trip keeps the same route on every sailing, which is why its calendar can be so regular:
- Padar Island for the viewpoint hike
- Pink Beach for swimming and snorkelling
- Komodo Island for the ranger-guided dragon walk
- Manta Point for drift snorkelling
Inclusions are the boat, all meals, snorkelling equipment and a guide. The main extras are the Komodo National Park fee, which Komodo Luxury guides at USD 40–50 per person paid once per trip, and any alcohol. Sightings of dragons and mantas are never guaranteed.
When is the best season to book a Komodo cruise?
Boats sail year-round, and Komodo Luxury publicises weekly departures for 2026–2027. What changes by season is how many open-trip departures run and how fast seats go.
| Season band | Months | Open-trip supply | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry season, early | April–June | Regular weekly departures | Calmer seas and better visibility return |
| Dry season, peak | July–August | Full calendar, highest demand | Best-known window; cabins and private boats book out first |
| Dry season, late | September–November | Regular departures continue | Still dry; often easier to find cabin choice |
| Wet season | December–March | Fewer open-trip departures | More weather-related changes to routes and timing |
The wet season is not closed. It carries more risk of a changed stop or shifted sailing, and holiday demand around Christmas and New Year can still be strong.
How far ahead should you book for July, August and holidays?
Our planning guidance, not a promise of availability:
- July–August shared cabins: start the conversation 8–12 weeks out. Each boat carries only a few cabins per category, and the lower-priced ones tend to go first.
- July–August private charters: 3–6 months out, because one booking takes the whole vessel off the calendar.
- Christmas, New Year and Indonesian long weekends: treat like July–August.
- April–June and September–November: 3–6 weeks is usually workable for shared cabins.
- December–March (outside the holidays): shorter notice often works, but keep a flexible day either side.
Cabin category decides how early you need to move. For September 2026 departures on Malca Voyages, Komodo Luxury lists per-person prices from USD 300 for a Triple and USD 330 for a Quad Ocean View, up through USD 400 (Double Room 1 and 2), USD 450 (Superior Ocean View), USD 500 (Deluxe Ocean View) and USD 580 (Master Ocean View). If your budget is pinned to the entry categories, book earlier.
Flying in from Bali adds one more date to lock. Route Denpasar (DPS) to Labuan Bajo (LBJ) and arrive the day before your sailing; a delayed flight can mean missing a fixed departure.
How does the reported daily park quota affect departure dates?
Several 2026 rule changes were reported for Komodo National Park. Confirm the current status with the desk before you fix dates:
- Visitor cap: a park-wide limit of about 1,000 visitors per day was reported, trialled January–March 2026 and enforced from 1 April 2026.
- Timed entry: sessions reportedly run roughly 05:00–08:00, 08:00–11:00 and 15:00–18:00.
- Pre-registration: passport details go in digitally through operator manifests, so walk-in entry is not reliable.
- No sailing after dark: the Labuan Bajo harbourmaster (KSOP) reportedly restricted tourist-vessel movement after dark in high-risk park zones from 10 January 2026, so boats reach anchorages before nightfall.
In practice, a booked seat now also depends on your manifest being filed on time, so send passport details as soon as dates are confirmed.
How does booking a Komodo cruise date work?
- Send dates and guest count on WhatsApp or email, plus any flexibility either side.
- Get a live seat check. The reservations team confirms open-trip cabins or private vessel availability for those days.
- Choose your format: shared cabin on the 3D2N or weekday trip, or a whole-boat private charter quoted per vessel.
- Confirm in writing. The desk sends inclusions, the park-fee note and payment terms.
- Submit passport details for the park manifest and time-slotted entry.
- Book flights DPS to LBJ, landing the day before departure.
> Check live seats for your dates. Send your travel dates and guest count to the Komodo Luxury reservations team on WhatsApp at +62 811-3823-875 or email [sales@komodoluxury.com](mailto:sales@komodoluxury.com). You get real availability for the departure days above, not a generic calendar. To browse the full list of weekly trips and vessel pages, see Komodo Luxury.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Komodo cruise departing on a Thursday?
Not usually on the 3D2N open trip, which Komodo Luxury schedules Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Sunday as of 2026. A Thursday start is possible through a weekday open trip on selected dates, a 2D1N request, or a private charter where you pick the day. Send the date on WhatsApp and the desk will check which option actually has space.
Do Komodo cruises still depart during the rainy season?
Yes. Komodo Luxury runs cruises year-round, but December to March brings fewer open-trip departures and more weather-related changes to stops or timing. Build one flexible day into your plan, avoid tight same-day flight connections, and book early for Christmas and New Year, when demand can stay high despite the weather.
How late can I book a Komodo open trip and still get a seat?
Outside peak months, a few weeks’ notice is often enough for a shared cabin. For July, August and holidays, aim for 8–12 weeks ahead, since each boat holds only a few cabins per category. The 2026 manifest rules also mean passport details must reach the desk before departure.
Should I arrive in Labuan Bajo the day before my cruise?
Yes, that is the safest plan. Boats leave Labuan Bajo on fixed departure days, and a delayed Denpasar (DPS) to Labuan Bajo (LBJ) flight can mean missing the sailing entirely. Landing the day before also leaves time to hand over passport details and settle the park fee guidance of USD 40–50 per person.