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Liveaboard expeditions · Labuan Bajo to Maumere

Flores Boat Trip Komodo to Kelimutu

Liveaboard voyages by traditional phinisi, from the dragons of Komodo National Park to the tri-coloured crater lakes of Kelimutu.

A traditional phinisi under sail past the hills of Komodo National Park in golden light

The Flores expedition

Beyond a standard Komodo cruise

Most voyages from Labuan Bajo turn back after three days. Ours keep going east, the whole length of Flores, to Maumere.

Volcanic peaks give way to quiet atolls, the coastal Bajo to the Lio of the highlands. Depth over distance, with time for an unmapped sandbar.

Komodo National Park, UNESCO World Heritage since 1991
1,733km²
Uninhabited islands in Riung's marine park
20+
The Kelimutu caldera, reached for sunrise
1,639m
The primary sailing season, on calm seas
Apr–Nov

Signature experiences

A passage through distinct, dramatic worlds

From Labuan Bajo to Maumere, each day brings a new geography, a new ecosystem and a new story.

A Komodo dragon on the shore at sunset, the hills of the national park behind

West Flores

Komodo National Park

Rangers lead you to the dragons on Rinca, then Padar at first light and mantas at Manta Point.

The Komodo 3-day trip
A manta ray gliding through clear blue water just below the surface

North coast

Riung's 17 Islands

Uninhabited islands and calm staghorn reefs, then the flying foxes of Ontoloe lifting off at dusk.

Riung boat trips
A green crater lake seen from the rim of Kelimutu, a volcanic cone behind

Central highlands

Kelimutu

A pre-dawn climb to the 1,639 m caldera for sunrise over three crater lakes, each a different colour.

The Kelimutu tour
The conical thatched houses of Wae Rebo village in a clearing in the Flores highlands

The interior

Villages of the highlands

Bena's megalithic terraces, Ngada and Lio villages, and coffee with a family in the highlands.

Add it to your route

Why sail with us

Why sail with Flores Boat Trip Expeditions

Routes planned around tides and migrations, by captains who know when Padar is quiet. Built for couples and small private groups.

  • Expert local guides

    Naturalists, divemasters and cultural interpreters with deep roots in East Nusa Tenggara.

  • Responsible by design

    Strict waste protocols, full park compliance, and direct income for the villages we visit.

  • Transparent pricing

    Cabin, meals, crew, guide and gear in one price. Park fees and flights listed up front.

  • We run our own voyages

    A licensed Indonesian travel company, not a booking agent. We run every expedition ourselves.

A two-masted phinisi under sail between the islands of Komodo National Park

Your vessel

The modern Indonesian phinisi

A two-masted wooden schooner built by the Bugis of South Sulawesi, to modern standards of safety and comfort. Never a party boat.

  • Private, air-conditioned cabins

    Comfortable bedding and an ensuite bathroom with a hot shower in every cabin.

  • Expansive deck space

    Open and shaded decks, sundecks with beanbags, and space to dine outdoors.

  • A professional onboard chef

    Fresh local ingredients, from ikan bakar to familiar Western dishes, with dietary needs met on notice.

  • Safety as priority

    GPS and sonar, satellite phone and radio, life rafts, life jackets and first-aid kits.

  • Snorkels, paddleboards, kayaks

    Quality snorkelling gear, stand-up paddleboards and sea kayaks for calm anchorages.

Planning & booking

Plan and book your Flores boat trip

The primary sailing season runs from April to November, when seas are calm and skies clear. From first message to first anchorage:

FAQ

Questions about a Komodo Flores cruise

The questions we hear most, answered plainly. The full list lives on our FAQ page.

Reserve your cabin

Ready to set sail?

The islands of the Flores Sea are waiting. Send your dates and we will shape an itinerary around them.

Plan your voyage

or write to [email protected]