A crewed yacht charter in Flores means the entire vessel is yours, run by a professional captain, deckhands and a private chef. Your rate covers all meals and non-alcoholic drinks, fuel for the agreed route, snorkel gear and water toys. You sail; the crew handles navigation, cooking and safety.
This is the opposite of a bareboat charter, where you skipper the yacht yourself. On a fully-crewed Meridian Flores expedition, operated by Komodo Luxury, you step aboard as a guest. No licence, no watch schedule, no cooking. The crew wakes before you to set the anchor at Padar and stays up after you to secure the deck at Gili Laba. Below is exactly what “crewed” buys you, who is on board, and how the rates work as of 2026.
What does fully crewed include?
A fully-crewed private charter is priced per boat, not per person, and the vessel is exclusively yours for the trip. The standard inclusions across Flores crewed yachts are consistent, though the specific water toys vary by vessel.
| Included as standard | Detail |
|---|---|
| The yacht (whole vessel) | Private full-boat charter, one group only |
| Captain and crew | Professional captain plus deckhands and steward |
| Private chef | On-board cooking for every meal |
| All meals | Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks |
| Non-alcoholic beverages | Water, soft drinks, tea, coffee |
| Fuel | For the agreed itinerary |
| Snorkelling equipment | Masks, fins, vests |
| Water toys | Paddleboards, kayaks, inflatables (varies by vessel) |
What sits outside the base rate: Komodo National Park permits and ranger fees (paid per person, per day at ranger stations on Rinca and Komodo), alcohol, dive packages, and crew gratuities. Park pricing is set by the authorities and changes, so treat it as a separate per-person line and confirm the current figure with the reservations team before you commit.
Who is actually on board?
A modern crewed yacht in the Flores arc runs a lean, specialised team. On a vessel with 5 cabins carrying up to 12 guests, you can expect the following roles.
| Crew role | What they do for you |
|---|---|
| Captain | Route planning, navigation, anchoring, weather calls |
| Deckhands / boat crew | Tenders, mooring, snorkel drops, water-toy setup |
| Private chef | All meals, dietary requests, provisioning |
| Steward / cabin service | Cabins, dining service, housekeeping |
| Snorkel / dive guide | Guiding at Manta Point, Pink Beach, dragon walks |
Meridian Flores runs modern motor and sailing yachts, not phinisi and not day boats, so the crew is trained for multi-day expedition cruising rather than a single Komodo hop.
How experienced are Labuan Bajo crews?
Labuan Bajo has been the working gateway to Komodo National Park for years, and Komodo Luxury has operated here since 2015. That matters because the water between Labuan Bajo and the southern park sites carries real currents. Captains here read tide windows for Manta Point, know which anchorage is calm when the wind swings, and time the Padar climb for first light before the crowds.
All charter vessels operating inside Komodo National Park must meet strict safety standards, including life jackets, emergency communications and fire extinguishers. When you book a crewed yacht rather than chartering a bareboat, that compliance and local current knowledge is the crew’s job, not yours. For a first-time visitor, that is the single strongest argument for going crewed on the Flores arc.
What does a crewed charter cost?
Rates below are USD, per boat, for private charter, as of 2026 and subject to change. Day trips carry up to 23 guests; multi-day liveaboard charters cap at 10. Always confirm the live rate and current park fees with the reservations team before you quote a client or lock dates.
| Charter length | 1–2 pax | 3–4 pax | 5–6 pax | 7–8 pax | 9–10 pax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Days / 1 Night | $2,000 | $2,240 | $2,350 | $2,640 | $2,750 |
| 3 Days / 2 Nights | $2,240 | $2,440 | $2,550 | $2,640 | $2,760 |
| 4 Days / 3 Nights | $2,460 | $2,640 | $2,820 | $2,940 | $2,980 |
One-day Komodo tours from Labuan Bajo run on a wider group scale: $1,850 for 1–4 guests, $1,990 for 5–8, $2,205 for 9–13, $2,350 for 14–18 and $2,450 for 19–23.
Which duration fits your trip?
| Duration | Best for |
|---|---|
| 4 days | Core highlights: Padar, Pink Beach, Rinca dragons, Manta Point, Taka Makassar |
| 7 days | The most popular length; northern and southern park sites, dive days, both dragon islands |
| 10–14 days | Combining a Bali–Komodo route via Lombok and Sumbawa |
| 15 days / 14 nights | Full Flores arc: Komodo NP plus Riung 17-Island snorkelling and Maumere Bay |
A Lombok-to-Flores luxury leg on its own typically takes 3–4 days. The best sailing window is the dry season, May to August; peak demand hits July–August, with May–June and September–October as quieter shoulder months. The rainy season usually runs December to March, sometimes with thunderstorms.
How booking works
- Message the concierge. Send your dates, group size and rough itinerary idea to WhatsApp 628113823875 or sales@komodoluxury.com.
- Get a vessel match and quote. The reservations team proposes a yacht that fits your party (up to 12 on multi-day trips), confirms the current per-boat rate and lists the live Komodo park-fee estimate.
- Confirm dates and deposit. Lock the yacht and crew for your window. Peak July–August dates sell out early, so book ahead.
- Plan the run. Finalise the day-by-day route, dietary needs and any dive or shore add-ons with the crew.
- Fly in and embark. Land at Komodo Airport (LBJ) — roughly 75 minutes from Bali (DPS) — and board in Labuan Bajo.
> Plan your crewed Flores charter. Tell the Komodo Luxury reservations team your dates and group size and get a vessel match plus a current all-in quote. WhatsApp 628113823875 or email sales@komodoluxury.com. Rates and park fees are date-stamped 2026 and confirmed before you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a crewed and bareboat yacht charter in Flores?
On a crewed charter, a professional captain, deckhands and a private chef run the yacht while you relax as a guest. Bareboat means you skipper and provision the vessel yourself. Given Komodo’s strong currents and park safety rules, nearly all Flores charters are fully crewed rather than bareboat.
How many crew are on a Flores charter yacht?
It depends on vessel size. A modern yacht with 5 cabins carrying up to 12 guests typically runs a captain, two or more deckhands, a private chef and a steward, plus a snorkel or dive guide. The crew handles navigation, cooking, cabins, water toys and safety throughout your charter.
Do I need to tip the crew on a Flores yacht charter?
Gratuities are not included in the per-boat rate and are customary but discretionary. Most guests tip the crew collectively at the end of the charter based on service. There is no fixed rule; the reservations team can share current guidance for your group size when you book.
Can the crew handle dietary requirements and children on board?
Yes. The private chef provisions for your group, so share allergies, vegetarian, halal or other dietary needs when you confirm. Crewed yachts regularly carry families; flag ages in advance so the crew can plan snorkelling, life-jacket sizes and shallow-water activities around younger guests.