r/bali • u/nana5675 • 2d ago

Question Komodo Cruise - planned ahead or book on arrival?

I've read that you should wait until you are on-site in Laguan Bajo and book the cruises from there. Is this true? What if they sell out? Could I potentially get a cheaper price as a solo rider if I wait?

I will be there in May.

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u/uceenk 2d ago

no way it sell out, so many operators out there

just make sure to choose Phinisi boat for better experience (as oppose to wooden boat/small boat)

i personally booked in advance, took cruise from Labuan Bajo to Lombok 3d2n (include padar, komodo island, kenawa, moyo waterfall etc), one of the best trip i ever had

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u/nana5675 2d ago

Ooh. I haven't seen the ones that land you in lombok. I've mostly seen return back to labuan bajo

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u/uceenk 2d ago

there's plenty, for example komodophinisicruise dot com

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u/khamosh7 1d ago

Can you tell how much you paid for it and which cabin you booked?

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u/imapilotaz 2d ago

Depends on what you want to do and whatnot.

We booked in advance because we wanted private and a full extra night.

If you dont care about sharing with others and itinerary, book on arrival

4

u/smile_politely 2d ago

Book on arrival! Those ships are depending on the weather, and I made a mistake by paying way more than I should when I booked far in advance. Doing it on arrival gets you know better which one you really want to be with. 

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u/aldridgekyle 2d ago

Nixon and the gold standard

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u/havereddit 2d ago

There are >250 cruise boats based out of Labuan Bajo. You will never not have a last minute booking option...

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u/AreUgonnaEatDat 1d ago

I agree you need to get there to see the check the packages/companies. I took a tour last week I can recommend MK express tour (1.3M per person but you can negotiate a better deal, i paid 1.1M) i can also give you the contract of a driver who took us to different places for a good deal (trip to airport included)

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u/khamosh7 1d ago

Can you give me the contact of the driver?

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u/AreUgonnaEatDat 1d ago

Sure! +62 812-3624-2544 his name is Sipri

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u/nana5675 1d ago

Why did you choose a one day instead of a liveaboard 3d2n option? Im terribly torn!

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u/AreUgonnaEatDat 1d ago

Because you can do komodo islands, pink beach, hiking and snorkeling in the manta point in one day. It was a short trip and we flew back to bali after two nights in Labuan Bajo

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u/pleski 1d ago

Looking at youtube, the tours are VERY structured. I don't think you'd get a solo rider ticket, you have to be ushered around on the island.

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u/nana5675 1d ago

Not solo on a ship. Just alone in a cabin. I don't fancy a bunk room with strangers at my age lol

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u/pleski 1d ago

Are you going by boat? I thought there were still pirates in that area. I'd be flying.