A Komodo weekend liveaboard is a short 2-to-3-day dive cruise from Labuan Bajo, pairing 6-9 dives at signature sites like Batu Bolong, Manta Point and Castle Rock with nights aboard a wooden phinisi. Shared cabins start at IDR 3.55M per person, secured with a 50% deposit.
Since 2015, komodoislandliveaboard.com has run one thing exceptionally well: compact, dive-dense Komodo escapes for travellers who have a weekend, not a week. As the liveaboard arm of Komodo Luxury, we operate our own vetted phinisi fleet, dive guides and Nitrox-ready compressors from a single home port at Labuan Bajo (LBJ). If you can fly in Friday and out Sunday, we can put you on manta cleaning stations and current-swept pinnacles in between.
Why a weekend liveaboard beats day-trips
Komodo’s best dive sites sit hours apart by speedboat. Day-trips from Labuan Bajo burn 3-4 hours in transit and only reach the nearer, calmer reefs. A weekend liveaboard sleeps you on the water, so you wake up already anchored at the site — first in, before the day-boat crowds, when currents and manta activity peak.
- More dives, less commute — up to 3 dives a day plus a night dive, versus 2 shallow dives on a day-trip.
- Reach the north — Castle Rock, Crystal Rock and Gili Lawa are only realistic on an overnight boat.
- Golden-hour Komodo — sunrise at Gili Lawa ridge and sunset over Rinca, included, not extra.
- Small groups — shared trips cap at intimate numbers; private charters are yours alone.
Weekend itinerary: 2 days / 1 night
Our most-booked weekend format is the 2 days 1 night liveaboard, ideal for a Saturday-Sunday. Here is a typical dive-focused run:
| Time | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 06:30 | LBJ pickup, board & brief | Sunrise dive — Batu Bolong |
| 09:00 | Dive 1 — Siaba / Tatawa reef | Dive — Manta Point (Karang Makassar) |
| 12:00 | Lunch cruising north | Padar Island viewpoint hike |
| 14:30 | Dive 2 — The Cauldron (Shotgun) | Pink Beach snorkel & lunch |
| 17:30 | Dive 3 / sunset at Gili Lawa | Cruise back to LBJ |
| 19:00 | Dinner & overnight at anchor | Harbour arrival ~16:00 |
Want one more day for Castle Rock and Crystal Rock in the north? Upgrade to the 3-day / 2-night format — the sweet spot for certified divers chasing sharks and schooling trevally.
Weekend liveaboard rates 2026
| Package | Duration | Price (per person / charter) | Dives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared cabin — weekend | 2D/1N | from IDR 3.55M/pp | 3-4 |
| Shared cabin — long weekend | 3D/2N | IDR 5.9M-12.5M/pp | 6-8 |
| Private phinisi charter | 2D/1N | from IDR 52M (whole boat) | 3-4 |
| Private luxury charter | 3D/2N | up to IDR 280M (whole boat) | 6-9 |
Rates cover cabin, full board, guided dives with tanks and weights, and transfers. The Komodo National Park entry fee — IDR 650,000 per person, in force since April 2026 alongside a 1,000-visitor daily quota — is quoted separately and pre-booked by us so your slot is guaranteed on peak weekends.
Signature dive sites you’ll hit
- Batu Bolong — a pinnacle wall carpeted in soft coral and reef fish; drift-hangs on the sheltered side.
- Manta Point / Manta Alley — cleaning stations where reef mantas queue up, 5-15m depth.
- Castle Rock & Crystal Rock — north-Komodo seamounts with grey reef sharks and schooling jacks.
- The Cauldron (Shotgun) — a channel drift firing you past mantas and sharks.
- Tatawa, Siaba, Makassar Reef, Gili Lawa — turtles, macro and easy reefs for warm-up dives.
Currents in the north run strong. We recommend Advanced Open Water (or equivalent logged experience) for Castle Rock, Crystal Rock and The Cauldron; Open Water divers are perfectly placed at Batu Bolong, Manta Point and the central reefs.
Best time for a weekend escape
Komodo’s dry season runs April to November — the prime diving window, with the clearest visibility and calmest crossings. July to September is peak: manta aggregations are reliable and weekends book out fastest, so reserve early. Water sits at a warm 26-29°C most of the year, dropping to around 22°C in the southern sites during peak upwelling — a 3mm to 5mm wetsuit is ideal.
What’s included aboard
- Air-conditioned or fan cabin (per package) with fresh linens
- All meals, snacks, tea, coffee and drinking water
- Guided dives, tanks, weights and dive master (Nitrox on request)
- Return Labuan Bajo airport / hotel transfers
- Kayaks, snorkel gear and island viewpoint hikes (Padar, Gili Lawa)
Not included: park & ranger fees, dive-gear rental, Nitrox surcharge, and travel insurance. Certified divers should bring or pre-book gear; we confirm sizing at booking.
How to plan your dive weekend
Fly into Labuan Bajo (LBJ) — direct connections run from Bali (Denpasar) and Jakarta in about 1-1.5 hours. Land Friday afternoon, overnight in town, and board Saturday morning. For divers weighing durations, our team helps you match certification and timeframe to the right trip; see the full Komodo Island liveaboard range or read the liveaboard FAQ before you commit.
Book your Komodo weekend liveaboard
Weekend cabins and private phinisi slots move fast in peak season. To lock a date, message our dive team on WhatsApp with your travel dates, certification level and group size. We hold your cabin with a 50% deposit; the balance is due 14 days before departure (H-14). As a specialist operator running Komodo weekends since 2015, we confirm park permits, transfers and dive plans in one thread — no third-party guesswork.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Can I really dive Komodo in just a weekend?
Yes. A 2-day/1-night liveaboard delivers 3-4 guided dives at central sites like Batu Bolong and Manta Point. A 3-day/2-night long weekend adds the northern seamounts — Castle Rock and Crystal Rock — for 6-8 dives total.
How much does a Komodo weekend liveaboard cost?
Shared weekend cabins start at IDR 3.55M per person for 2D/1N. Long-weekend shared trips run IDR 5.9M-12.5M per person, and private phinisi charters start from IDR 52M for the whole boat, plus the IDR 650,000 park entry fee.
Do I need Advanced certification?
Not for a standard weekend. Open Water divers are well-suited to Batu Bolong, Manta Point and the central reefs. Advanced Open Water is recommended if you want the strong-current northern sites like Castle Rock, Crystal Rock and The Cauldron.
When should I book for a weekend trip?
The dry season (April-November) is best, with July-September the busiest. Peak weekends sell out weeks ahead, so reserve early with a 50% deposit and settle the balance 14 days before departure.