A phinisi is a traditional Indonesian two-masted wooden sailing boat, and in Labuan Bajo it is the most popular way to explore Komodo National Park while sleeping out at sea. The trip most people search for is a 3-day, 2-night (3D2N) sharing open trip: you sleep onboard and pay per person; see each boat's price on the 3-day 2-night open trip page. OTK (Open Trip Komodo) runs more than a dozen phinisi on a fixed schedule, with departures every Monday and Friday, so you just pick a date and the cabin you want.
What a phinisi is, and why it is used for Komodo
The phinisi began as a wooden sailing boat of the Bugis and Makassar people of South Sulawesi, with two masts and several large sails. For Komodo trips the hull is converted into a liveaboard: cabins to sleep in, bathrooms, a galley, and an open deck to relax and watch the sunset.
Why choose a phinisi over a day speedboat? Because a phinisi sails slowly and stays overnight, so you reach Padar at sunrise before the day boats arrive. A speedboat is faster, but it runs as a single-day return trip, which means fewer stops and none of the experience of sleeping among the Komodo islands.
Sharing trip or private charter
There are two ways to board a phinisi to Komodo. A sharing open trip means you join other travellers and pay per person, the cheapest option and ideal if you are solo or a couple and don't mind sharing the boat with new people. A private charter means you book the whole boat for your own group, priced per boat, which suits families, larger groups, or anyone who needs real privacy.
A private phinisi charter is priced per boat and depends on the vessel, the length of the trip and the size of your group. See each boat's price on the private charter page.
Cabin types on a phinisi
If you join an open trip, you choose between two cabin types:
- Shared cabin. One cabin holds several travellers, usually on bunk beds for up to four people, with air-conditioning, and a bathroom that may be shared or en-suite depending on the boat. It is the cheapest option and great for solo travellers who want to meet others.
- Private cabin. A cabin for you alone or as a couple, with a double bed and air-conditioning, sometimes an en-suite bathroom, and on higher-end phinisi even a bathtub or jacuzzi. It costs more, but you get real privacy and a better night's sleep.
The cabin you pick is what drives the price difference on the same boat. Tight budget, take a shared cabin. Want to sleep well and privately, move up to a private cabin.
The 3D2N Komodo open trip route
The open-trip route is broadly the same on every phinisi; what changes is the comfort and facilities of the boat. Here is the typical three-day shape:
Day 1. Board at Labuan Bajo harbour around 10:00 to 11:00, sail to Kelor Island for a viewpoint hike, snorkel at Manjarite, then watch thousands of flying foxes leave Kalong Island at sunset. Overnight onboard.
Day 2. The fullest day: a sunrise hike on Padar Island for its three-bay panorama, swimming and snorkeling at Pink Beach, a ranger-led dragon trek on Komodo Island, then snorkeling at the Taka Makassar sandbank and Manta Point. Another night onboard.
Day 3. A stop at Strawberry Rock for a short climb and snorkeling, then the sail back to Labuan Bajo, arriving at the harbour around 11:00 to 12:00.
Each boat lists its own full itinerary on its trip page, so check the phinisi you like for the exact stops and timings.
Prices in 2026 and what is included
A 3D2N sharing phinisi is priced per person, and a private cabin costs more than a shared cabin. Each boat is priced differently depending on its age, facilities, and the season. On opentripkomodo.net you can check the live price of each phinisi on its trip page or ask over WhatsApp, so nothing is hidden.
Trips usually include the boat and cabin, all meals onboard, drinking water, a guide, snorkeling gear, and every stop on the route. They usually exclude your flight to Labuan Bajo, hotels before or after the trip, the Komodo National Park entrance fee (Rp 350,000 for Indonesian citizens and Rp 650,000 for foreign visitors per person), crew tips, and personal spending.
How to choose the right phinisi
The rule of thumb is simple. Tightest budget, take a sharing shared cabin. A couple who wants privacy, take a private cabin. A group of ten or more, or anyone who wants the boat to themselves, book a private charter and pick the class that fits the budget.
Before you book, check three things: the boat's capacity (fewer guests means more space), whether the cabins have air-conditioning, and reviews from past guests. Brochure photos can flatter a boat, so reviews tell you more than pictures do.
Browse every phinisi currently taking bookings on the boats page.
When is the best time to sail to Komodo
The best sailing season is the dry season, roughly April to October, when the sea is calmer and the skies are clear for the Padar sunrise. July to September has the gentlest water but also the biggest crowds, so boat seats fill fast and trip prices usually rise.
The wet season from November to March can bring bigger swells, and some stops are occasionally skipped in bad weather, but prices are lower and boats are quieter. Check the latest forecast before you sail.
How much is a 3D2N phinisi open trip to Komodo?
Prices are per person and vary with the boat, the cabin type and the season. Check the live price of each phinisi on its trip page or ask over WhatsApp.
What is the difference between a sharing phinisi and a private charter?
A sharing trip means you join other travellers and pay per person, far cheaper and ideal for solo travellers or couples. A private charter means you rent the whole boat for your own group, priced per boat depending on the vessel, trip length and group size.
Is the Komodo National Park entrance fee included?
Usually not. The entrance fee is paid separately, Rp 350,000 for Indonesian citizens and Rp 650,000 for foreign visitors per person. Most other components such as meals, cabin, guide, and snorkeling gear are included in the package.
Do phinisi depart every day?
Open-trip phinisi usually run on a fixed schedule, and at OTK they most often depart every Monday and Friday. Because of that it is best to book well ahead, especially in the busy July to September season when seats fill quickly.
Is a sharing phinisi good for solo travellers?
Yes. Take a shared cabin and you pay the lowest fare while sharing the boat with other travellers, so it is easy to meet people. If you want more privacy, simply upgrade to a private cabin.
