Route Map & Overview
A Lombok to Flores boat trip over 4 days and 3 nights (4D3N) sails roughly 300 nautical miles east from Bangsal Harbour in Lombok to Labuan Bajo on Flores, stopping at Moyo Island, Satonda, and Komodo National Park on the way. In 2026 the open trip fare starts at IDR 3,500,000 per person for deck class and IDR 4,000,000–4,600,000 for a shared cabin (checked August 2026), with the dated Komodo park ticket paid on top. This is the exact route that keeps ranking for lombok to flores boat trip 4 days 3 nights, so here is every day, every stop, and every real number in one place.
The 4 days 3 nights lombok to labuan bajo crossing is the most popular version of the eastbound open trip because it fits both Moyo and Satonda before Komodo without rushing. Shorter 3D2N versions skip Moyo; longer trips add Kanawa or Riung. On a 4D3N you sleep on board all three nights, eat every meal on the boat, and hop off only for island landings and snorkelling.
This route suits travellers who want the crossing itself to be the experience, not just transport. You trade the comfort of a hotel for three nights under the stars, a rotating cast of fellow passengers from a dozen countries, and a front-row seat to islands you cannot reach any other way. It is slow travel in the truest sense: no wifi for long stretches, meals cooked in a tiny galley, and a schedule that bends to the wind. If that sounds like your kind of trip, the 4d3n lombok to flores boat trip is the single best-value way to string Moyo, Satonda, and Komodo together in one go.
| Day | From → To | Signature stops | Nights on board |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Bangsal (Lombok) → Moyo Island | Mata Jitu waterfall pools | Anchored off Moyo |
| Day 2 | Moyo → Satonda → night sail | Satonda crater lake, sunset snorkel | Overnight crossing to Komodo |
| Day 3 | Komodo National Park | Padar sunrise, Komodo dragons, Pink Beach | Anchored near Manta area |
| Day 4 | Manta Point → Labuan Bajo | Manta snorkel, arrival by midday | — |
Want a specific departure date, boarding point, or class held for you? Message us on WhatsApp at +62 811 3823 875 or email [email protected] and we will check live availability against the current schedule.
Day 1 — Bangsal to Moyo Island
Most operators board at Bangsal Harbour in north-west Lombok between 07:00 and 09:00; a few pick up from Senggigi first. You walk a narrow plank aboard a two-deck wooden boat, stow your bag under a bunk or on the open deck, and watch the crew load water gallons, ice, and fresh fish for the next three days. This is a working 4 day boat trip lombok to flores, not a floating hotel — and that honesty is exactly why it costs a fraction of a private charter.
Once the last passengers are on, the boat pushes east along the north coast of Sumbawa. By early afternoon you reach Moyo Island, the first landing on the lombok to flores via moyo island route. A short jungle walk leads to Mata Jitu waterfall — tiered limestone pools of turquoise water where you can swim between levels. Crews usually give you two to three hours here before returning to the boat for dinner and the first night at anchor. Expect rice, grilled fish or chicken, vegetables, and fruit; bring your own snacks and refillable bottle because the galley is simple.
Practical tips for boarding day: bring cash in small notes for the park fee and tips, a dry bag for your phone and camera, reef-safe sunscreen, a headtorch for the dark Padar climb on Day 3, and any medication you need for the whole four days — there are no shops once you leave Bangsal. Power on deck boats is limited to a shared socket or two near the wheelhouse, so a power bank is worth its weight.
What Day 1 actually feels like
The first afternoon is calm, coastal sailing — a gentle introduction before the open water later. Claim a shaded spot on the middle deck early if you get seasick, and keep a light layer handy for the breeze once the sun drops. Evenings on board are the social heart of the trip: the crew serves dinner family-style, someone always has a speaker, and you get to know the people you will share bathrooms and sunsets with for the next three days.
Day 2 — Satonda Crater Lake & Night Sail
Day 2 is the heart of the moyo satonda komodo boat trip. After breakfast the boat crosses to Satonda Island, a dormant volcano with a striking saltwater crater lake in its centre. A ten-minute walk from the beach brings you to the rim; local tradition has visitors tie a stone to a branch and make a wish. There is good snorkelling off the beach and usually time to hike the low ridge for a view over the caldera.
By mid-afternoon the boat weighs anchor for the longest leg of the whole lombok to flores boat trip 4days/3nights: the overnight crossing of the Sape Strait toward Komodo National Park. This is the stretch where the sea can build, especially outside the calm June–September window. Most people eat an early dinner, take a motion-sickness tablet before it gets dark, and sleep through the swell. You wake up already inside Komodo waters.
Moyo and Satonda are the two stops that separate a real 4D3N from a rushed shorter trip, and they are worth understanding before you pick a departure. Our stop-by-stop guide to Moyo and Satonda covers what there is to do at each, how long crews usually allow, and which one is the better swim. Between them the boat threads a quiet stretch of the Sumbawa coast where dolphins sometimes ride the bow wave in the late afternoon.
Sleeping through the crossing
Deck sleepers get thin mattresses and shared blankets under a tarpaulin roof; cabin guests get a bunk with a door. The night sail is when the difference between classes is felt most: on the open deck you hear and feel every swell, while a cabin muffles the motion and gives you somewhere dry to retreat. If you are nervous about the night sail, read our honest guide to how rough the Lombok–Flores crossing gets before you book a class.
Day 3 — Komodo National Park: Dragons, Padar, Pink Beach
Day 3 is why people fly across the world for this trip. Boats that timed the night sail well drop anchor below Padar Island before dawn. You climb the dirt-and-timber trail in the dark to catch the Padar sunrise over the island’s three curved bays — the single most photographed viewpoint in the park.
After breakfast the boat moves to Rinca or Komodo Island, where a licensed ranger walks your group along a set loop to see wild Komodo dragons, deer, and wild boar. The ranger carries a forked staff and briefs you on distance and safety. Later you anchor at Pink Beach (Pantai Merah) for snorkelling over coral in the blush-coloured sand shallows.
Timing on Day 3 is everything. The dragons are most active in the cooler morning hours, and Padar is unbearably hot after 08:00, so good crews start before first light and work through the highlights before midday. Pink Beach earns its name from red coral fragments mixed into white sand, and the snorkelling just offshore is some of the easiest in the park — calm, shallow, and full of fish. Keep your shoes on for the dragon walk; the ranger sets the pace and the distance, and wandering off the loop is not allowed.
One thing every guest must budget for: the Komodo National Park ticket is not included in the boat fare. In 2026 foreigners pay a dated ticket of IDR 650,000 for a multi-day visit (Indonesians pay less), plus ranger and activity fees. See the full breakdown on our Komodo park fees page so there are no surprises at the ranger gate, where payment is cash and change can be scarce.
Day 4 — Manta Point & Arrival Labuan Bajo
The final morning of the lombok komodo 4d3n open trip starts early at Manta Point, a channel where reef mantas feed. When conditions line up you slip into the water and drift alongside them — no diving certificate needed, just a mask and fins. Some boats add a quick stop at Kanawa or Kelor Island for a last swim.
By late morning the boat turns into Labuan Bajo harbour on Flores, usually docking between 11:00 and 13:00. That timing matters: book any onward flight for the late afternoon or the next day, never the same morning, because sea conditions can push arrival back by an hour or two. From the harbour it is a short ride to the airport or to a hotel if you are staying on to explore West Flores.
By the time you step onto the jetty you will have crossed three provinces of water, watched two sunrises at sea, and swum with mantas — all on a fare that costs less than a single night in a resort. That is the quiet magic of the 4 day komodo boat trip from lombok: it is rough around the edges, and that is exactly the point.
Ready to lock in a date? Send your travel window to +62 811 3823 875 on WhatsApp or [email protected] and we will match you to a departure and class.
4D3N Prices per Class (per person)
Here is what a lombok to flores boat trip 4d3n actually costs per person in 2026, by class of berth. All figures are open trip (shared) rates and were checked August 2026; the Komodo park ticket and personal spending sit on top.
| Class | Price per person (open trip) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Deck class (budget) | IDR 3,500,000–3,700,000 | Open-deck mattress, shared toilet, all meals |
| Shared cabin | IDR 4,000,000–4,600,000 | Bunk cabin shared with the group, more privacy |
| Private / named phinisi cabin | IDR 4,750,000–10,500,000 | Private cabin on a larger boat, often air-conditioned |
For context, comparable eastbound open trip cabins are advertised across the market at roughly USD 350–750 per person, and the most basic budget seats start near IDR 2,500,000. Deck class is the honest value pick for backpackers; a shared cabin is worth the jump if you want a door and a proper mattress for the night sail. A full side-by-side of every route and class lives on our full price table.
What the fare includes — and what it does not
- Included: berth for 3 nights, all meals and drinking water, snorkelling gear (basic), crew and boat fuel.
- Not included: the dated Komodo park ticket (IDR 650,000 for foreigners), ranger and trekking fees, flights, and tips.
Booking, deposits, and price seasons
Open trips run on fixed departure days, so the practical step is to pick your travel window first and then match a boat and class to it. Most operators hold a spot with a deposit and settle the balance on boarding day; you pay the park ticket yourself at the gate. Rates edge up in the July–August peak and around Christmas and New Year, and soften in the shoulder months. Because December to February brings the roughest seas, some boats reduce departures then, which can push prices either way depending on demand. Send us your dates and we will quote the live fare for that week rather than a placeholder number.
What to bring on the 4D3N
Pack light but deliberately: swimwear and a quick-dry towel, a light jacket for the night sail, motion-sickness tablets, a headtorch, a power bank, reef-safe sunscreen and a hat, plus enough small-denomination cash for the park fee, tips, and any drinks. Leave the hard suitcase behind — a soft duffel or backpack stows far better in a cramped cabin or under a deck bench.
Reverse Direction: Flores to Lombok 4D3N
The same boats sail the route backwards, so a flores to lombok boat trip 4 days 3 nights is easy to book too. Westbound trips leave Labuan Bajo and finish at Bangsal, and because Komodo National Park sits at the start rather than the end, you see the dragons and Padar on Day 1 while everyone is fresh. Rates are identical to the eastbound fares above — same vessel, same class, same price — because it is literally the same crossing in the other direction.
Westbound also tends to be quieter, so cabins are a little easier to secure at short notice. If you are ending your Indonesia trip in Lombok or Bali, the reverse run is the logical choice. We cover schedules, boarding, and the day-by-day for the flores to lombok boat trip 4days 3nights on the dedicated Flores to Lombok open trip page.
3D2N vs 4D3N: Which to Pick
The most common question we get after price is whether to do three days or four. The short answer: choose 4D3N if you want Moyo and Satonda and a slower pace, and 3D2N if you are short on time and only care about Komodo. Here is the honest comparison.
| 3D2N crossing | 4D3N crossing | |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Fewer stops, faster to Komodo | Adds Moyo & Satonda |
| Nights on board | 2 | 3 |
| Best for | Tight schedules, Komodo-focused | Island variety, relaxed pace |
| Typical open trip price | From IDR 3,000,000 pp | From IDR 3,500,000 pp |
If you would rather start and finish in Labuan Bajo instead of crossing between islands, the classic Labuan Bajo Komodo 3-day boat trip covers the park in a loop. And if you are still weighing deck versus cabin for those three nights, our guide to deck vs cabin on an open trip walks through what life on board is really like. For the full westbound-versus-eastbound picture and all pricing tiers, start at the main Lombok to Flores boat trip guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Lombok to Flores boat trip over 4 days and 3 nights?
It runs four days and three nights, sailing roughly 300 nautical miles from Bangsal in Lombok to Labuan Bajo on Flores. You sleep on board all three nights and stop at Moyo, Satonda, and Komodo National Park along the way.
How much does a 4D3N Lombok to Flores boat trip cost in 2026?
Open trip fares start at IDR 3,500,000–3,700,000 per person for deck class and IDR 4,000,000–4,600,000 for a shared cabin (checked August 2026). The dated Komodo park ticket of IDR 650,000 for foreigners is paid separately at the gate.
Which islands does the 4 days 3 nights route stop at?
The standard eastbound stops are Moyo Island (Mata Jitu waterfall), Satonda crater lake, Padar Island for sunrise, Komodo or Rinca for the dragons, Pink Beach, and Manta Point on the final morning before Labuan Bajo.
Is the Komodo National Park ticket included in the price?
No. The boat fare does not include park entry. Foreign visitors pay a dated multi-day ticket of IDR 650,000 in 2026, plus ranger and activity fees, in cash at the ranger station. See our Komodo park fees page for the full table.
Where does the boat depart in Lombok?
Most 4D3N departures board at Bangsal Harbour in north-west Lombok, with some operators offering a pickup from Senggigi first. Confirm your exact boarding point when you book, as it varies by operator.
Can I do the same 4D3N route in reverse, from Flores to Lombok?
Yes. The identical boats run the flores to lombok boat trip 4 days 3 nights, leaving Labuan Bajo and finishing at Bangsal. Prices are the same and you see Komodo on Day 1 instead of Day 3.
Is 4D3N better than 3D2N?
Pick 4D3N if you want Moyo and Satonda and a slower pace; pick 3D2N if you are short on time and mainly want Komodo. The 4D3N adds one night on board and about IDR 500,000 per person over the 3D2N fare.
What is the sea like on the crossing, and when should I go?
The calmest months are June to September. December to February can be rough, with the highest chance of cancellations in January and February. The overnight Sape Strait leg on Day 2 is the stretch most likely to feel swell, so bring motion-sickness tablets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Lombok to Flores boat trip over 4 days and 3 nights?
It runs four days and three nights, sailing roughly 300 nautical miles from Bangsal in Lombok to Labuan Bajo on Flores. You sleep on board all three nights and stop at Moyo, Satonda, and Komodo National Park along the way.
How much does a 4D3N Lombok to Flores boat trip cost in 2026?
Open trip fares start at IDR 3,500,000-3,700,000 per person for deck class and IDR 4,000,000-4,600,000 for a shared cabin (checked August 2026). The dated Komodo park ticket of IDR 650,000 for foreigners is paid separately at the gate.
Which islands does the 4 days 3 nights route stop at?
The standard eastbound stops are Moyo Island (Mata Jitu waterfall), Satonda crater lake, Padar Island for sunrise, Komodo or Rinca for the dragons, Pink Beach, and Manta Point on the final morning before Labuan Bajo.
Is the Komodo National Park ticket included in the price?
No. The boat fare does not include park entry. Foreign visitors pay a dated multi-day ticket of IDR 650,000 in 2026, plus ranger and activity fees, in cash at the ranger station. See our Komodo park fees page for the full table.
Where does the boat depart in Lombok?
Most 4D3N departures board at Bangsal Harbour in north-west Lombok, with some operators offering a pickup from Senggigi first. Confirm your exact boarding point when you book, as it varies by operator.
Can I do the same 4D3N route in reverse, from Flores to Lombok?
Yes. The identical boats run the Flores to Lombok boat trip 4 days 3 nights, leaving Labuan Bajo and finishing at Bangsal. Prices are the same and you see Komodo on Day 1 instead of Day 3.
Is 4D3N better than 3D2N?
Pick 4D3N if you want Moyo and Satonda and a slower pace; pick 3D2N if you are short on time and mainly want Komodo. The 4D3N adds one night on board and about IDR 500,000 per person over the 3D2N fare.
What is the sea like on the crossing, and when should I go?
The calmest months are June to September. December to February can be rough, with the highest chance of cancellations in January and February. The overnight Sape Strait leg on Day 2 is the stretch most likely to feel swell, so bring motion-sickness tablets.