The best Flores boat trip operator depends on three things: the route you want, the class you can live with, and the day you need to leave. For the 4-day Lombok–Flores crossing, Wanua Adventure is the most consistent open-trip name — deck from IDR 3,500,000 and a shared cabin from IDR 4,000,000 per person, with five departure days a week. For Komodo-only open trips from Labuan Bajo, most travellers end up on one of a handful of shared “fleet” boats — Bintang Laut, Anugrah, Budi Jaya or Adam Jaya — while premium named phinisi sit in a higher band. This page compares them side by side on the things that actually decide a booking: routes, indicative prices, departure days and track record. All figures are checked August 2026; confirm the exact rate for your date before you pay.
We are an independent guide, not a single operator’s sales page. We do not resell any one boat, so we can tell you plainly when a budget open trip is the right call and when it is worth stepping up a class. Prices below are per person, quoted separately from Komodo National Park entry — those park fees are paid on top and are the same whichever operator you choose. For every rate across every route in one place, see our full price table.
How We Compare Operators (Our Method)
Every operator on this page runs a real, bookable open trip on the Lombok–Flores crossing or a Komodo sailing out of Labuan Bajo. We rank nothing by advertising spend. Instead we check the same six columns for each one, and we re-check them every quarter because rates and schedules move with the season.
- Routes: which crossing or loop the operator actually sails — the 4D3N Lombok–Komodo–Flores line, the reverse Flores–Lombok direction, or a short Komodo open trip from Labuan Bajo.
- Class & price: the deck (open shared deck) rate and the cabin rate, in IDR per person, as most recently confirmed.
- Departure days: the weekdays the boat leaves in high season. Low season thins these out, and the December–February window can cancel sailings outright.
- Boat type: open-deck wooden sharing boat, cabin-class wooden boat, or named phinisi.
- Best for: the traveller the boat genuinely suits — solo backpacker, couple, family, or small group wanting privacy.
- Track record: what returning travellers consistently report, kept factual rather than opinionated.
One honest caveat: on this crossing, several “different” brands sell seats on the same hull. Two operators can quote the same boat on the same day. That is normal in Labuan Bajo, and it is exactly why comparing the boat — not just the brand name — matters. When a listing looks unusually low for the class, it is almost always deck class on a basic boat, not a secret deal. Because rates change with fuel and season, we always publish a date stamp and tell you to confirm live.
Read the comparison the way a harbour coordinator would. Start with the route, because that removes half the list immediately — only some operators run the full Lombok crossing, while others focus on short Komodo loops from Labuan Bajo. Then fix your class: a deck seat and a private cabin on the same boat are two completely different trips, and the price gap between them is usually larger than the gap between two rival brands. Only after route and class does the departure day matter, and in December to February it matters most of all, because that is when a booked sailing is most likely to be moved or cancelled by the sea. We keep the language positive and factual: every operator here gets people across safely in normal conditions, and the “best” one is simply the best fit for your route, budget and dates.
Want the live deck-or-cabin rate and open seats for your exact date? Message us on WhatsApp at +62 811 3823 875 or email [email protected]. We hold current manifests for the Lombok–Flores crossing and Komodo open trips and reply with real availability, not a brochure.
Wanua Adventure
Wanua Adventure is the workhorse of the Lombok–Flores crossing and the operator most first-timers end up on. It runs the classic 4 days / 3 nights line from Lombok to Labuan Bajo via Moyo, Satonda and Komodo, plus the reverse direction back to Lombok.
- Routes: Lombok → Flores (Labuan Bajo) 4D3N via Komodo, and the reverse Flores → Lombok 4D3N.
- Price (checked August 2026): deck IDR 3,500,000 · shared cabin IDR 4,000,000 per person.
- Departure days: westbound (Lombok→Flores) Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday — five days a week. Eastbound the reverse runs Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
- Boat type: open-deck wooden sharing boat with a deck class (mattress, pillow and blanket on a shared open deck) and a small number of private cabins.
- Best for: solo travellers and couples on a budget who want frequent departures and the widest choice of dates.
Returning travellers describe the boats as basic but functional, with simple, generous meals and a friendly crew. It is not a comfort-first choice — deck class means sleeping in the open with your group — but for value and flexibility on the crossing, Wanua is the reference point everyone else is measured against. If your dates are tight, its five-day schedule is the single biggest reason to start here. Compare its line day by day on our Lombok to Flores boat trip guide.
Kencana Adventure
Kencana Adventure is another established open-trip name on the same Lombok–Komodo–Flores line. It sails the familiar 4D3N crossing with the same core stops — Moyo’s Mata Jitu waterfall, Satonda’s crater lake, and the Komodo landings — and offers both deck and cabin classes.
- Routes: Lombok ↔ Flores (Labuan Bajo) 4D3N via Komodo.
- Price (checked August 2026): deck and cabin sit inside the standard crossing band, roughly IDR 3,500,000–4,600,000 per person depending on class and season. Confirm the current figure for your date before booking.
- Departure days: scheduled on the mid-week and weekend pattern typical of the crossing; exact days shift by season, so check live availability.
- Boat type: open-deck wooden sharing boat with cabin upgrades.
- Best for: travellers who want a Wanua-style trip but find better dates or seats with a second operator on the line.
Practically, Kencana overlaps heavily with Wanua — similar boats, similar route, similar value. The reason to look at both is availability: when one is full on your date, the other often is not. For a solo traveller or a couple who simply want to get from Lombok to Labuan Bajo with the Komodo highlights along the way, either operator does the job; the deciding factor is usually which one has your date open at the class you want. Rather than trust a fixed figure on a listing that may be months old, ask us for the live rate and the boat actually assigned to your departure.
Perama Tour
Perama Tour is one of Indonesia’s longest-running independent travel names, known for scheduled boat and overland links across the islands. On the Lombok–Flores corridor it has historically run its own multi-day boat crossings with fixed departures rather than daily open trips.
- Routes: scheduled multi-day boat crossings between Lombok and Flores, with Komodo stops.
- Price (checked August 2026): quoted per person by class; programmes and rates change season to season, so treat any single published figure as indicative and confirm the current schedule.
- Departure days: fixed departure dates rather than a daily pattern — fewer options, so book earlier.
- Boat type: wooden passenger boats with deck and cabin space.
- Best for: travellers who value a long-established brand and are flexible enough to fit a fixed departure date.
Because Perama runs on set dates, its calendar is the thing to check first: the boat may be excellent value, but only if your travel window lines up with a departure. If it does not, one of the daily open-trip operators above will get you moving sooner. We can tell you which departures are open for your month.
Golden Island Cruises & Komodo Discovery
Golden Island Cruises and Komodo Discovery sit a small step above the entry-level fleet, aimed at travellers who want a slightly better boat and cabin on the same crossing without moving into named-phinisi prices.
- Routes: Lombok ↔ Flores (Labuan Bajo) via Komodo, on the standard multi-day line.
- Price (checked August 2026): from around IDR 4,500,000 per person, reflecting better cabins and a lower passenger count than entry-level deck boats.
- Departure days: commonly Wednesday and Saturday — a twice-weekly rhythm, so plan around those days.
- Boat type: mid-tier wooden boats with more comfortable cabins.
- Best for: couples and small groups who want a real cabin and a quieter boat but still value over a premium phinisi.
This is the natural upgrade tier: you pay more than a deck seat but get a proper cabin, fewer passengers, and generally steadier service. With only two departure days a week, seats go earlier, so lock your date well ahead in high season. If you are travelling as a couple or with children and the open-deck experience does not appeal, this is usually the first tier worth the extra spend — the jump from a shared deck to a private cabin changes the trip far more than any brand name does.
Fleet Boats: Bintang Laut, Anugrah, Budi Jaya & Adam Jaya
Behind many “open trip” listings on the crossing are a handful of shared fleet boats. Bintang Laut, Anugrah, Budi Jaya and Adam Jaya are the hulls you will actually board with several brands selling seats on them. Knowing the boat — not just the brand — is the single most useful thing when you compare listings.
- Routes: Lombok ↔ Flores (Labuan Bajo) 4D3N via Komodo.
- Price (checked August 2026): deck around IDR 3,700,000 · cabin roughly IDR 4,400,000–4,600,000 per person.
- Departure days: Bintang Laut typically Monday and Wednesday; Anugrah, Budi Jaya and Adam Jaya typically Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Boat type: open-deck wooden sharing boats with a deck class and a limited number of cabins.
- Best for: budget travellers who care more about the boat and the crew than the brand on the receipt.
These boats are the backbone of the value crossing. Two travellers can pay slightly different prices for the same cabin on the same hull simply because they booked through different agents. That is not a scam — it is how the market works — but it is a strong reason to confirm the exact boat and class before you transfer a deposit. See which boat sails on which day on our Flores boat trip schedule.
Premium Class: Named Phinisi
Named phinisi — boats such as Sultan, Arumi and Elona — are the top of the range on this coast, sold as small-group premium open trips or as private charters rather than backpacker deck seats. Expect a band of roughly IDR 4,750,000–10,500,000 per person (checked August 2026), depending on the boat, the cabin and whether it is a shared premium departure or a private booking.
- Routes: the same Komodo waters and Lombok–Flores line, on higher-specification boats.
- Price (checked August 2026): IDR 4,750,000–10,500,000 per person; private full-boat charter is quoted separately.
- Boat type: named phinisi with en-suite or air-conditioned cabins, larger decks and a fuller crew.
- Best for: couples, families and small groups who want comfort, space and a fixed cabin.
These premium named phinisi are usually operated through official operators — for example Komodo Luxury, rated 4.9/5 from more than 1,500 reviews, a Travelers’ Choice winner in 2025 and 2026, running 9 owned boats plus 200+ vetted partner vessels — whose short open-trip departures start from around USD 300 per person and whose named phinisi and private charters are priced by the boat. Whichever tier you pick, Komodo National Park entry is charged on top: foreigners pay IDR 250,000 for a one-day ticket or IDR 650,000 on the dated multi-day ticket. See the breakdown on our park fees page.
Red Flags When Choosing a Boat
Most crossings go smoothly, but the open-trip market has thin margins and light regulation, so a little vetting protects your money and your safety. Walk away, or ask harder questions, when you see any of these:
- No boat named on the invoice. A legitimate operator will tell you the exact hull and class you are booking. “A good boat” is not an answer.
- A price far below the class band. A cabin quoted at deck-class money usually means a downgrade at the harbour. Value is fine; an impossible figure is a warning.
- No life vests, radio or first-aid mentioned. Safety kit should be standard and the crew should confirm it without hesitation.
- Full payment demanded up front to an unfamiliar personal account. A deposit with a clear balance-on-boarding policy is normal; a 100% wire to a stranger is not.
- Vague cancellation terms. December–February seas cancel sailings; you need to know in advance what happens to your money if the boat cannot sail.
- No written schedule or contact after payment. You should have a WhatsApp thread, a boarding point and a time.
For a full pre-payment checklist — licensing, insurance, safety kit and the questions that separate a solid crew from a risky one — read how to vet a Komodo boat before you pay. If you would rather we vet the operator and confirm the boat for your date, that is exactly what our desk does.
Comparison Master Table (2026)
All prices are per person and checked August 2026. Komodo National Park entry is charged separately on every option. Departure days are the high-season pattern and thin out from December to February.
| Operator / Boat | Route | Deck (IDR) | Cabin (IDR) | Departure days | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wanua Adventure | Lombok ↔ Flores 4D3N | 3,500,000 | 4,000,000 | Sun, Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri (reverse Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat) | Solo & couples, most dates |
| Kencana Adventure | Lombok ↔ Flores 4D3N | ~3,500,000 | up to ~4,600,000 | Mid-week & weekend (confirm) | Alternate dates/seats |
| Perama Tour | Lombok ↔ Flores, fixed dates | By class (confirm) | By class (confirm) | Fixed departures | Long-established brand |
| Golden Island Cruises / Komodo Discovery | Lombok ↔ Flores via Komodo | — | from 4,500,000 | Wed, Sat | Cabin upgrade, quieter boat |
| Bintang Laut | Lombok ↔ Flores 4D3N | ~3,700,000 | 4,400,000–4,600,000 | Mon, Wed | Value on a known hull |
| Anugrah / Budi Jaya / Adam Jaya | Lombok ↔ Flores 4D3N | ~3,700,000 | 4,400,000–4,600,000 | Mon, Wed, Sat | Budget, boat over brand |
| Named phinisi (Sultan, Arumi, Elona) | Komodo waters & crossing | — | 4,750,000–10,500,000 | Scheduled / private | Comfort, families, groups |
Use this table to shortlist by route and class, then confirm the live rate and open seats before you commit. For every price across day trips, open trips and crossings in one place, see our full price table; for the day-by-day of the crossing itself, see the Lombok to Flores boat trip guide or the Komodo open trip page for shorter Labuan Bajo sailings.
Want the live deck-or-cabin rate and open seats for your exact date? Message us on WhatsApp at +62 811 3823 875 or email [email protected]. We hold current manifests for the Lombok–Flores crossing and Komodo open trips and reply with real availability, not a brochure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Flores boat trip operator is best for the Lombok to Flores crossing?
For frequent departures and value, Wanua Adventure is the most consistent choice on the 4D3N Lombok to Flores crossing, with deck from IDR 3,500,000 and a shared cabin from IDR 4,000,000 per person (checked August 2026) and five departure days a week. Kencana Adventure and the fleet boats offer similar value on alternate dates. If you want a better cabin, Golden Island Cruises or a named phinisi step up in comfort and price.
How much does an open-trip Lombok to Flores boat cost in 2026?
Deck class runs from about IDR 3,500,000 to 3,700,000 per person, and shared cabins from roughly IDR 4,000,000 to 4,600,000, depending on the boat and season (checked August 2026). Premium named phinisi sit higher, in a band of IDR 4,750,000 to 10,500,000 per person. Komodo National Park entry is paid on top of all of these.
Why do two operators quote the same boat?
On the Lombok to Flores crossing several brands sell seats on the same shared fleet boats, such as Bintang Laut, Anugrah, Budi Jaya and Adam Jaya. That is normal in Labuan Bajo. It is why we recommend comparing the actual boat and class assigned to your departure, not just the brand name on the listing, and confirming both before you pay a deposit.
Are budget deck boats safe?
Budget deck boats can be perfectly safe when the crew carries life vests, a radio and first aid, and gives you a named boat and a clear cancellation policy. The warning signs are a price far below the class band, no boat named on the invoice, and full payment demanded up front to an unfamiliar account. Our guide on how to vet a Komodo boat lists every check to run before you book.
What departure days can I choose from?
In high season Wanua Adventure sails Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday westbound. Bintang Laut typically runs Monday and Wednesday, while Anugrah, Budi Jaya and Adam Jaya run Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Golden Island Cruises commonly departs Wednesday and Saturday. Days thin out from December to February, when rough seas can cancel sailings.
Do operator prices include Komodo National Park fees?
No. Komodo National Park entry is charged separately by every operator. Foreign visitors pay IDR 250,000 for a one-day ticket or IDR 650,000 on the dated multi-day ticket (checked August 2026). Always add park fees to the boat price when you compare operators, because the boat quote alone is not the full cost.
Should I book a budget open trip or a premium phinisi?
Choose a budget open trip if you are a solo traveller or couple who values flexible dates and does not mind sleeping on a shared deck. Choose a cabin boat like Golden Island Cruises, or a named phinisi such as Sultan, Arumi or Elona, if you want a private cabin, fewer passengers and steadier comfort, and you have the budget for the higher band.
How do I confirm the real price and availability?
Message us on WhatsApp at +62 811 3823 875 or email [email protected] with your route, dates and preferred class. We hold current manifests for the Lombok to Flores crossing and Komodo open trips and reply with the live rate, the boat assigned to your departure, and open seats, rather than an out-of-date listing.