A Komodo liveaboard from Labuan Bajo is a multi-day dive cruise departing directly from Labuan Bajo harbour, the gateway port to Komodo National Park. Komodo Island Liveaboard has run these trips since 2015, with dry-season departures April to November, shared cabins from IDR 3.55M per person and private charters from IDR 52M.
Labuan Bajo (airport code LBJ) is the single realistic launch point for diving Komodo National Park. Every boarding, provisioning and dive briefing happens here, and choosing an operator that lives and works from this port — rather than reselling from Bali — is the difference between a smooth cruise and a logistical scramble. As a specialist operator based in Labuan Bajo and part of the Komodo Luxury group, we control our own fleet, crew and dive schedule from the moment you land.
Why depart from Labuan Bajo
The 29 dive sites of Komodo National Park sit between 30 minutes and 5 hours by boat from Labuan Bajo harbour. Northern powerhouse sites like Castle Rock, Crystal Rock and Gili Lawa are simply too far for a viable day trip — you would spend more time in transit than in the water. A liveaboard solves this by mooring you overnight beside the reefs, letting you hit slack-tide currents at dawn when manta and reef-shark activity peaks.
- Direct harbour departures — board within an hour of your LBJ flight arrival
- Dawn dives at north-park sites impossible on day boats
- Up to 4 dives per day, including night dives at Wainilu and Siaba
- Full park coverage — north, central and south zones in one itinerary
Departure schedule & season
We depart from Labuan Bajo throughout the dry season, April to November, which delivers the calmest seas, best visibility (20–30m) and the strongest diving. July to September is peak season — book 6–8 weeks ahead as cabins sell out. Manta aggregations at Manta Point and Manta Alley are reliable year-round, while the dry months bring the clearest water to the current-swept north.
| Period | Season | Conditions | Departure frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr–Jun | Dry / shoulder | Excellent viz, fewer crowds | 3–4 per week |
| Jul–Sep | Dry / peak | Best diving, book early | Daily |
| Oct–Nov | Dry / shoulder | Warm water, manta season | 3–4 per week |
| Dec–Mar | Wet season | Limited departures | On request |
Routes & itineraries
Every route below begins and ends at Labuan Bajo harbour. Shorter trips concentrate on central and south sites; longer trips unlock the remote north.
| Route | Duration | Dives | Key sites |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Komodo | 2D1N | 5–6 | Batu Bolong, Tatawa, Manta Point, Siaba |
| Classic Komodo | 3D2N | 8–10 | + The Cauldron (Shotgun), Makassar Reef, Manta Alley |
| North & Central | 4D3N | 11–13 | + Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, Gili Lawa |
| Full Park Explorer | 5D4N | 14–16 | All northern pinnacles + Manta Alley south |
For a full breakdown of vessels, cabins and the booking process, see our main Komodo Island liveaboard guide, or compare trip lengths on our liveaboard durations page.
The dive sites you will reach
Komodo’s currents are legendary — and they are what draw pelagics in. Northern sites run strong; we recommend Advanced Open Water certification and a minimum of 30 logged dives for Castle Rock, Crystal Rock and The Cauldron.
- Batu Bolong — a coral pinnacle dropping past 70m, dense with reef fish (central, all levels on slack)
- Castle Rock & Crystal Rock — north-park seamounts with grey reef sharks, trevally and dogtooth tuna (advanced)
- The Cauldron / Shotgun — a drift channel firing divers past mantas and sharks (advanced)
- Manta Point & Manta Alley — cleaning stations where reef mantas queue up (all levels)
- Tatawa, Siaba, Makassar Reef, Gili Lawa — turtles, macro and drift diving across depths of 5–30m
See our full Komodo dive sites map for depth profiles and current ratings.
Rates & what is included
Pricing depends on cabin type and route length. Shared cabins are priced per person; private charters book the entire yacht.
| Option | Price range | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Shared cabin | IDR 3.55M – 12.5M | per person, by route & cabin class |
| Private charter | IDR 52M – 280M | whole yacht, by duration & vessel |
Included: all meals and snacks, cabin, tanks, weights, guided dives, park transfers and dinghy support. Not included: Komodo National Park entry fee of IDR 650,000 per person (a daily 1,000-visitor quota has applied since April 2026, so early booking secures your entry), equipment rental and Nitrox.
How to book your Labuan Bajo liveaboard
Booking is direct and simple. Fly into Labuan Bajo (LBJ) — connections run from Bali (Denpasar) in about 75 minutes and from Jakarta daily. We recommend arriving the day before departure.
- Message our team on WhatsApp with your dates, certification level and group size
- We confirm cabin availability and hold your departure
- Secure your booking with a 50% deposit; the balance is due 14 days before departure (H-14)
- Receive your boarding details, packing list and dive briefing
Ready to dive? Message us on WhatsApp today to reserve your Komodo liveaboard from Labuan Bajo — peak-season cabins for July–September book out fastest. New to the park? Our liveaboard FAQ answers certification, seasickness and gear questions before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Where do Komodo liveaboards depart from?
All Komodo liveaboards depart from Labuan Bajo harbour on Flores island. Labuan Bajo (airport LBJ) is the only gateway port to Komodo National Park, reachable by a 75-minute flight from Bali. We board guests directly at the harbour.
How many days do I need for a Komodo liveaboard?
A 3D2N trip is the sweet spot, giving 8–10 dives across central and south Komodo. To reach the northern pinnacles — Castle Rock, Crystal Rock and Gili Lawa — choose a 4D3N or 5D4N itinerary for the best pelagic action.
What does it cost and what is the deposit?
Shared cabins run IDR 3.55M–12.5M per person; private charters range IDR 52M–280M. We secure your booking with a 50% deposit, with the balance due 14 days before departure. The IDR 650,000 park entry fee is separate.
Do I need to be an advanced diver?
Central and southern sites like Batu Bolong and Manta Point suit all certified divers. The strong-current northern sites — Castle Rock, Crystal Rock and The Cauldron — require Advanced Open Water certification and around 30 logged dives.