A 6 days 5 nights Komodo liveaboard is the standard diving trip through Komodo National Park, delivering 18 to 20 dives across northern and southern sites from Batu Bolong to Manta Alley. Prices start at IDR 3.55M per person for a shared cabin, sailing round-trip from Labuan Bajo.
Since 2015 we have run this exact route as our signature expedition. Five nights aboard is the sweet spot for Komodo: long enough to reach the current-swept northern pinnacles and the manta cleaning stations of the south, without the rushed feeling of a 3-night sampler or the premium price of an 8-night charter. If you want to dive Komodo properly on one liveaboard, this is the itinerary the specialists book.
Why 6 Days 5 Nights Is the Standard for Komodo
Komodo National Park splits into two dive zones with opposite personalities. The north — Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, The Cauldron (Shotgun), Gili Lawa — is cold, nutrient-rich upwelling with sharks, schooling fusiliers, and serious current. The south — Manta Alley, Manta Point, Makassar Reef — is cooler still, plankton-heavy, and built around manta ray aggregations. A day-trip operator sees one zone. A 6D5N liveaboard sleeps at anchor between sites, so you dive both at dawn slack tide when the animals are active and the current is workable.
Five nights also lets us build in a Komodo dragon trek on Rinca Island and a sunrise at Padar without sacrificing dive count. As THE specialist Komodo operator within Komodo Luxury, we sequence sites by tide table, not by fixed schedule — the reason our guests log Shotgun on a running current instead of slack water.
The Standard 6D5N Dive Itinerary
| Day | Zone | Dive Sites | Dives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Central | Board in Labuan Bajo (LBJ) midday, check dive at Siaba Besar, briefing | 1 |
| Day 2 | North | Batu Bolong, Tatawa Besar, Castle Rock, night dive | 4 |
| Day 3 | North | Crystal Rock, The Cauldron (Shotgun), Gili Lawa Laut | 3-4 |
| Day 4 | Transit south | Makassar Reef (Manta Point), Rinca dragon trek | 2-3 |
| Day 5 | South | Manta Alley, Padar sunrise hike, Pink Beach | 3 |
| Day 6 | Return | Dawn dive near Siaba, sail to LBJ, disembark ~11:00 | 1 |
Total: 18-20 dives over five diving days. Sites rotate with the moon phase — spring tides push us to Shotgun and Cauldron earlier, neap tides open calmer windows at Manta Alley. Your cruise director confirms the final order at the Day 1 briefing.
Dive Site Highlights
- Batu Bolong — a pinnacle wall wrapped in soft coral; among the healthiest reefs in Indonesia, dived on slack tide only.
- Castle Rock & Crystal Rock — northern submerged seamounts; grey reef and whitetip sharks, giant trevally, dense fusilier schools.
- The Cauldron (Shotgun) — a channel drift that fires you over a saddle past feeding mantas and sharks. Advanced Open Water strongly recommended.
- Manta Alley & Manta Point — southern cleaning stations where 5-15 reef mantas circle at 5-12m; the trip’s signature encounter.
- Tatawa & Makassar Reef — turtle-heavy drifts and the famous manta highway of loose rubble coral.
Northern sites carry strong, unpredictable current. We require a reef hook and log-book proof of at least 30 dives for the pinnacles; Open Water divers stay on the gentler central and southern reefs. Water is 26-29°C in the north and can drop to 22°C on southern upwellings — bring a 5mm wetsuit.
Rates for 6 Days 5 Nights
| Option | Price (per person) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Shared twin cabin (open trip) | from IDR 3.55M | Solo divers, couples on budget |
| Deluxe / master cabin (open trip) | up to IDR 12.5M | Comfort-first divers |
| Private charter (whole yacht) | IDR 52M – 280M total | Groups of 8-16, families, dive clubs |
Included: cabin, all meals and snacks, up to 20 guided boat dives, tanks, weights, dive guide, Rinca trek, Padar and Pink Beach excursions, airport transfers in Labuan Bajo.
Excluded: Komodo National Park entry IDR 650,000 per person (a national daily quota of 1,000 visitors applies since April 2026 — book early in peak season), equipment rental, nitrox, gratuities, and flights to LBJ.
When to Sail
The dry season, April to November, is prime — flat seas, 15-30m visibility, and the most reliable diving. July to September is peak: manta density is highest and the park quota fills fastest, so we advise booking 3-4 months ahead. December to March brings wet-season swell and reduced departures; we run limited trips only. For the full site-by-site breakdown of currents and certification, see our Komodo Island liveaboard guide.
Yacht Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cabins | 6-8 en-suite, air-conditioned |
| Guests | 12-16 divers max |
| Dive guides | 1 guide per 4 divers |
| Tender | 2 dinghies for drop-and-pick drift dives |
| Equipment | Nitrox on request, rental gear, camera table, rinse tanks |
| Route | Round-trip Labuan Bajo |
How to Book
Reserving is simple: pick your dates, choose a shared cabin or private charter, and secure the trip with a 50% deposit. The balance is due 14 days before departure (H-14). Cabins on peak July-September sailings sell out first, so confirm early. Message our Komodo dive desk on WhatsApp for live availability, cabin plans, and a tailored quote — we reply within the hour.
Comparing trip lengths or planning your first Komodo expedition? Read our liveaboard FAQ for baggage, certification and seasickness guidance, or browse other Komodo liveaboard durations to find the right fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dives are on a 6 days 5 nights Komodo liveaboard?
You get 18 to 20 guided boat dives across five diving days, including at least one night dive. The count varies slightly with tide timing and how many divers extend the final morning dive before returning to Labuan Bajo.
Do I need to be an advanced diver for Komodo?
Advanced Open Water is recommended, especially for northern sites like Castle Rock, Crystal Rock and The Cauldron where currents run strong. Open Water divers can join and dive the gentler central and southern reefs; we require roughly 30 logged dives for the pinnacles.
What is the total cost including park fees?
Shared cabins start at IDR 3.55M per person, plus the IDR 650,000 Komodo National Park entry fee and flights to Labuan Bajo. Private charters run IDR 52M to 280M for the whole yacht depending on vessel and season.
How do I get to the liveaboard?
Fly to Labuan Bajo (LBJ) airport in Flores. Trips are round-trip from Labuan Bajo harbour, and we include complimentary airport-to-harbour transfers. Board around midday on Day 1 and disembark by 11:00 on Day 6.