Markus Jehamat — Founder & Lead Captain
15+ years navigating Komodo’s channels and currents. BNSP-certified Yacht Captain with STCW-aligned safety training — sets the route, weather, and safety calls for every trip.
About Us
About Komodo Island Liveaboard
Quick Answer: Komodo Island Liveaboard is a specialist operator in the Komodo Luxury network, based in Labuan Bajo, curating stay-aboard phinisi expeditions across Komodo National Park — run by a crew that actually sails these waters, not a booking agent reselling boats it has never set foot on.
Not a Booking Agent — A Crew That Sails These Waters
We started on the deck of a phinisi, watching first-time guests run out of words for Padar Island’s sunrise ridgeline. Closing that gap — between what Komodo National Park actually offers and what most trip listings convey — is still what we do.
We’re a specialist arm of the Komodo Luxury network, sharing its fleet relationships, port logistics, and guest-service standards, while focusing specifically on multi-day, multi-night liveaboard expeditions.
We’d rather turn down a boat that doesn’t meet our bar than fill a cabin with one that does.
The People Behind Every Trip
Maria Ngganggus — Dive Operations Lead
10+ years guiding divers through Komodo’s toughest sites. PADI Divemaster, SSI Dive Guide, and EFR Instructor — matches diver certification to site difficulty, never the other way around.
Benito Fernandez — Guest Experience Lead
12+ years in Labuan Bajo hospitality. Manages meals, cabins, and trekking logistics — usually the first WhatsApp message before departure and the last thank-you at the end.
Why Trust Our Team
| Signal | What It Means For You |
|---|---|
| Experience | Nearly four decades of combined team experience actually sailing, diving, and hosting guests in Komodo National Park — not just writing about it. |
| Expertise | BNSP Yacht Captain and STCW training on the bridge; PADI Divemaster, SSI Dive Guide, and EFR Instructor credentials in the water; certified hospitality management onboard. |
| Authoritativeness | Part of the Komodo Luxury network — 5,000+ Google reviews and a TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice award for three consecutive years (2023–2025). |
| Trustworthiness | Honest season and pricing guidance, with one direct WhatsApp line — no rotating numbers or reseller middlemen. |
Our Process
How We Vet Every Boat
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01
Captain & Crew Vetting
Licensing confirmed and crew-to-guest ratio checked against the real cabin count, not the marketing photos.
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02
Safety Equipment Check
Life jackets, first-aid provisioning, emergency oxygen, and communication equipment verified current, not assumed present.
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03
Route & Site Suitability
Every itinerary matched against real conditions — a boat built for calm northern waters isn’t automatically right for a southern loop through Manta Alley.
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04
Cabin & Guest-Comfort Review
Cabins, bathrooms, and common areas inspected in person — humidity, ventilation, and engine noise all factor into the final call.
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05
Ongoing Guest Feedback
Post-trip feedback from real guests decides whether a boat stays on our recommended list for the next booking cycle.
Where We Sail
Every itinerary operates within Komodo National Park and its approach waters out of Labuan Bajo — from the northern loop around Gili Lawa and Padar Island to the current-driven south around Manta Alley and Cannibal Rock.
Trekking on Komodo and Rinca always runs with an official park ranger, in line with park regulation — we don’t arrange independent trekking, and neither should any operator you book with. See our full destinations guide for every stop we work with.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Team
A small, specialist crew — Founder and Lead Captain Markus Jehamat, Dive Operations Lead Maria Ngganggus, and Guest Experience Lead Benito Fernandez — operating as part of the Komodo Luxury network in Labuan Bajo. We curate and vet stay-aboard itineraries rather than reselling listings we haven’t personally checked.
Nearly four decades of combined team experience across captaining, dive operations, and guest hospitality in Komodo National Park specifically — 15+ years for Markus, 10+ years for Maria, and 12+ years for Benito.
A BNSP-certified Yacht Captain with STCW-aligned safety training on the bridge, PADI Divemaster/SSI Dive Guide/EFR Instructor credentials in the water, and a certified hospitality management background onboard — each credential mapped to the role that person actually performs.
Yes. We operate within the Komodo Luxury network, sharing its fleet-vetting standards and guest-service track record — including 5,000+ Google reviews and a TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice award for three consecutive years (2023–2025) — while focusing specifically on liveaboard itineraries.
Check current options on our price guide, then message us directly on WhatsApp or email to confirm cabin availability and dates. Our full FAQ hub covers pricing, seasonality, and onboard logistics in more depth.
