As of 2026, Labuan Bajo liveaboard prices split into three tiers: shared open-trip cabins from around IDR 3,000,000 per person for a 3D2N, mid-range boats near IDR 5,000,000, and luxury phinisi up to about IDR 7,500,000 per person. A private full-boat buyout starts near IDR 10,000,000 per day.
That ladder is the fast answer. Below, Driftwater Voyages’ lead trip planner Rangga Wibisono breaks down what each tier actually buys, why two boats on the same route can differ by millions of rupiah, and how to lock a rate before the dry-season cabins sell out. All figures are as of 2026 and subject to change. Komodo National Park fees are quoted separately here because they are almost never included in the boat fare.
How much are Labuan Bajo liveaboard prices by tier in 2026?
Prices below are per person for shared open trips, and per boat for a private buyout. The 3D2N column is the firm market anchor; the 2D1N and 4D3N figures are indicative and scale from it.
| Tier | Typical boat | 2D1N (from) | 3D2N (per person) | 4D3N (from) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget open trip | Basic wooden phinisi, fan or shared cabins | ~IDR 2,000,000 | IDR 3,000,000–3,750,000 | ~IDR 4,500,000 |
| Semi-luxury | AC private cabins, en-suite, better food | ~IDR 3,500,000 | ~IDR 4,500,000–5,500,000 | ~IDR 6,500,000 |
| Luxury phinisi | Design cabins, en-suite, small guest count | ~IDR 5,000,000 | up to ~IDR 7,500,000 | ~IDR 9,000,000+ |
| Private buyout | Whole boat, your group only | from IDR 20,000,000 total | from IDR 30,000,000 total | from IDR 40,000,000 total |
Read the table by cabin, not by island. Every tier runs roughly the same Padar–Komodo–Pink Beach loop; what climbs the ladder is the space and comfort per guest. Private buyout pricing works differently: charters start around IDR 10,000,000 per day and rise with boat size and amenities, so multiply the daily rate by trip length. For context, a one-day speedboat tour — not a liveaboard — runs roughly IDR 600,000–1,500,000 per person, which is exactly why sleeping aboard for two or three nights costs several times more.
What drives the price gap between boats?
Two boats can sail the identical route and still differ by three or four million rupiah a head. The gap sits in six places, and knowing them lets you judge whether a quote is fair.
| Price driver | Budget end | Luxury end |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin | Shared, fan-cooled | Private en-suite, AC |
| Guests aboard | 14–20 | 6–12 |
| Food | Simple set menu | Chef-prepared, dietary options |
| Crew ratio | Lean | High, with a dedicated guide |
| Boat age and build | Older wooden hull | New custom phinisi |
| Safety kit | Basic | Full life jackets, tender, comms |
Rangga’s rule of thumb: you are mostly paying for space per guest and for safety equipment, not for the itinerary. A quote that undercuts the budget column by a wide margin is a warning sign, not a bargain — more on that below.
Shared open trip or private buyout — which costs less?
Driftwater sells both side by side, so you can run the real per-head math before deciding rather than guessing.
| Shared open trip | Private buyout | |
|---|---|---|
| Priced by | Per person | Per boat, per day |
| From (2026) | IDR 3,000,000 pp (3D2N) | IDR 10,000,000 per day |
| Best for | Solo travellers, couples, budget | Families, groups of 8–16, privacy |
| Break-even | Cheaper under ~6 people | Often cheaper per head at 10+ |
A couple almost always saves on a shared trip. A group of twelve frequently pays less per person on a private buyout while gaining a fixed schedule, their own crew, and no strangers aboard. The switchover usually lands somewhere around eight to ten guests, depending on the boat.
What isn’t included in the sticker price?
The fare covers the boat, crew, cabin and meals. Komodo National Park fees are separate and, as of 2026, are commonly collected by the crew in advance, then reimbursed locally in IDR cash on arrival. Budget roughly IDR 150,000 for entrance, about IDR 115,000 for trekking, near IDR 15,000 for snorkeling, and a ranger fee of about IDR 80,000–100,000 per group, with possible weekend surcharges. A traveller’s drone permit was reported at IDR 2,000,000. Worth noting: a proposed IDR 3,750,000 international-visitor conservation fee was not implemented, and earlier IDR 2,900,000–5,800,000 figures were past proposals, not current charges — today’s park fees are far lower.
Does the season change what you pay?
Yes, and mostly through availability. The dry season, April to November, brings calm seas, sunny weather and excellent visibility — plus the highest demand, so premium cabins book out weeks ahead. The rainy season, December to March, runs rougher, and most multi-day liveaboards pause from January to March, though one-day speedboats typically keep operating. Booking a dry-season luxury cabin early is the single biggest lever you have on both price and getting the boat you want at all.
How does booking a liveaboard actually work?
- Pick your tier and dates. Tell us the duration (2D1N, 3D2N or 4D3N) and tier; we confirm boats with live 2026 availability.
- Reserve and pre-register. Komodo National Park caps visitors at 1,000 per day across the whole park, per a February 2026 regulation summary, and spots must be booked and paid in advance. Every passenger must send a passport copy showing the photo, plus full name, nationality and passport number, to the boat host at least one day before departure — passport details alone are no longer enough, or entry can be denied.
- Get it in writing. You receive a written invoice carrying the operator’s registered business details, boat photos and safety-equipment confirmation. Avoid unusually low prices; local reports note some Labuan Bajo boats are not safe.
- Settle park fees on arrival. Carry IDR cash for the separate park fees the crew collects.
- Board and sail. Treks on Komodo and Rinca Islands are ranger-led, and life jackets are worn during speedboat legs and rough seas.
How do I lock a 2026 liveaboard rate?
Ready to hold a cabin? Driftwater Voyages is operated by Komodo Luxury, an award-winning Labuan Bajo operator founded in 2015, with bookings handled directly by its reservations team. Message the concierge on WhatsApp +62 811-3823-875 or email sales@komodoluxury.com with your dates, group size and preferred tier. We will confirm a specific boat, quote the all-in per-person or whole-boat rate, and lock today’s 2026 price in writing — a verified operator and a clear invoice, with no guesswork and no unsafe boats.
Published by Juara Holding Group. Figures current as of 2026 and subject to change; park fees are set by Komodo National Park authorities.