A Komodo 8 days 7 nights liveaboard is an 8-day dive expedition sailing north, central and south Komodo National Park, covering 20-28 dives across Batu Bolong, Castle Rock, Manta Alley and The Cauldron. Shared cabins run IDR 3.55M-12.5M per person; private charters IDR 52M-280M, with all Komodo park fees payable separately.
Most Komodo diving trips are 3 or 4 nights and force you to choose between the manta-rich south and the current-charged pinnacles of the north. Eight days removes that compromise. Since 2015 we have run komodoislandliveaboard.com as a dedicated Komodo liveaboard specialist — part of the Komodo Luxury group — and the 7-night itinerary is the single most complete way to dive the park. You sleep aboard, wake at the dive site, and log up to 28 dives without a single surface transfer wasted. This is the trip for divers who want the full arc: the Cauldron’s shotgun drift, mantas cleaning at 5 metres, and the golden pinnacle diving that made Komodo famous.
Why 8 Days 7 Nights Is the Complete Komodo Itinerary
Komodo National Park spans roughly 60 nautical miles from Gili Lawa in the north to Manta Alley in the south, and the two zones dive completely differently. The north (Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, Batu Bolong) is cold, nutrient-rich upwelling with ripping currents, grey reef sharks and dense fish schools — Advanced Open Water is recommended for these sites. The south (Manta Alley, Cannibal Rock territory) is cooler, greener, and manta-dominated. A 3-night trip sees one zone; 4 nights samples both thinly. Seven nights lets you dive every signature site at the right tide, repeat the ones you love, and add a Komodo dragon trek and Padar Island sunrise hike without rushing.
What Sets Full-Park Diving Apart
- North pinnacles at slack and running tide — Castle Rock and Crystal Rock fished twice each for grey reefs and trevally storms.
- The Cauldron (Shotgun) — the park’s most thrilling drift, dived on the correct incoming current.
- Manta Point and Manta Alley — two separate cleaning stations, north and south, doubling your manta odds.
- Tatawa, Siaba, Makassar Reef, Gili Lawa — turtles, macro, and drift reef for balance between the adrenaline dives.
- Night dives and a dedicated non-diving day for the dragon trek at Komodo or Rinca.
Sample 8 Days 7 Nights Itinerary
| Day | Zone | Dive Sites | Dives |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Embark LBJ | Check dive Siaba / Sebayur | 1-2 |
| 2 | Central | Batu Bolong, Tatawa Besar, Makassar Reef | 3-4 |
| 3 | North | Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, Gili Lawa | 3-4 |
| 4 | North | The Cauldron (Shotgun), Manta Point | 3 |
| 5 | Central + trek | Manta Point AM, Komodo dragon trek PM | 2 |
| 6 | South | Manta Alley, southern reefs | 3 |
| 7 | South → Central | Padar sunrise hike, final reef dives | 2-3 |
| 8 | Disembark | Pink Beach snorkel, return LBJ port | — |
Exact site order shifts with tide tables and weather — our cruise directors sequence dives around slack currents for the north pinnacles, which is why local operating experience matters more here than on any other Indonesian route.
2026 Rates & Cabin Options
| Option | Basis | Price (IDR) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared twin cabin | Per person | 3,550,000 – 6,900,000 | Solo & buddy divers |
| Premium / master cabin | Per person | 7,500,000 – 12,500,000 | Couples wanting comfort |
| Private charter (small yacht) | Whole boat | 52,000,000 – 120,000,000 | Groups of 6-10 |
| Private charter (luxury phinisi) | Whole boat | 140,000,000 – 280,000,000 | Families & charters up to 12-14 |
Rates vary by vessel class and season. Peak season is July–September; the full dry-season window runs April–November, which is also the best diving with the clearest visibility. Green-season sailings offer lower fares but a reduced schedule.
What’s Included
- 7 nights cabin accommodation aboard the liveaboard
- Up to 20-28 guided dives with tanks, weights and experienced dive guides
- All meals, snacks, tea/coffee and drinking water
- Return airport–harbour transfers in Labuan Bajo (LBJ)
- Dragon trek guide fees and dinghy transfers to all sites
Not included: Komodo National Park entry fee of IDR 650,000 per person (the park operates a 1,000-visitor daily quota introduced April 2026, so early booking secures your slot), dive equipment rental, nitrox, and international/domestic flights to LBJ.
Who Should Book the 7-Night Trip
This itinerary suits certified divers with at least Advanced Open Water and around 30+ logged dives, because the north sites (Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, The Cauldron) carry strong, sometimes down-current conditions where a reef hook and controlled buoyancy are essential. Open Water divers can still join — we route them to the calmer central and southern reefs while advanced divers hit the pinnacles. If you are newer to current diving, our team will brief and pair you appropriately. Compare durations on our Komodo island liveaboard overview, or if you have less time, review the shorter 4 days 3 nights option.
Getting There & Planning
All trips embark and disembark at Labuan Bajo (LBJ) on Flores, reached by a 1-hour flight from Bali (DPS). Arrive at least one day before departure — we never advise same-day connections, since a missed flight means a missed boat. For dive-condition detail on individual sites, see our Komodo dive sites guide, and for logistics questions read the full FAQ.
How to Book Your Komodo 8 Days 7 Nights Liveaboard
Secure your dates with a 50% deposit; the balance is due 14 days before departure (H-14). Because the 7-night route sails less frequently than short trips and the park quota caps daily entries, prime July–September dates sell out months ahead. Message our Komodo dive team directly on WhatsApp for live availability, current vessel photos, and a tailored quote — we reply within minutes during Bali hours and hold your cabin the moment your deposit clears.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dives do you get on a Komodo 8 days 7 nights liveaboard?
Typically 20 to 28 dives, usually 3–4 per day plus optional night dives, spread across north, central and south Komodo. The exact count depends on tides, your certification level, and whether you join the Komodo dragon trek day.
Do I need to be an advanced diver for the 7-night Komodo trip?
Advanced Open Water with roughly 30+ logged dives is recommended for the north pinnacle sites like Castle Rock and The Cauldron, which have strong currents. Open Water divers can join and dive the calmer central and southern reefs.
When is the best time for an 8 day Komodo liveaboard?
The dry season, April to November, offers the best visibility and diving, with July to September as peak months for manta activity and calm seas. Book early, as the park’s 1,000-visitor daily quota limits entries in high season.
What does the price include and how much is the park fee?
Rates cover cabin, all dives, meals and LBJ transfers. The Komodo National Park entry fee of IDR 650,000 per person, equipment rental and flights are extra. A 50% deposit confirms your booking, balance due 14 days before sailing.