To book a private yacht charter in Flores, Indonesia, you send an enquiry with your dates, guest count and preferred route, hold the vessel with a deposit (typically around 50%), settle the balance before departure, then receive a written confirmation and boarding details for Labuan Bajo. The whole process usually takes a few days.
Most crewed charters across the Flores arc start and end at Labuan Bajo, the gateway port to Komodo National Park on the island’s western tip. Komodo Airport (LBJ) is the standard embarkation point, with direct flights from Bali (roughly 75 minutes) and Jakarta. Below is exactly how the booking runs, stage by stage, so nothing surprises you.
What are the steps to book a Flores yacht charter?
The sequence is straightforward once you know the order. When you are ready to book a Flores charter, our reservations team walks you through each stage below. As of 2026, figures are in USD, per boat, and subject to change, so confirm current rates before you transfer anything.
| Step | What happens | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Enquiry | You share dates, guest count, route and yacht class; we check availability and quote. | Same day to 24 hours |
| 2. Hold dates | We provisionally reserve the vessel while you review the itinerary and quote. | Held 3-7 days |
| 3. Deposit | You pay a deposit (commonly around 50%) to lock the booking firm. | Within the hold window |
| 4. Confirmation | You receive a written confirmation with vessel, crew, itinerary and inclusions. | After deposit clears |
| 5. Balance | You settle the remaining balance before departure. | Usually before boarding |
| 6. Pre-departure | We send boarding time, jetty details, packing list and park-fee guidance. | Days before sailing |
How do you start the enquiry?
Send four things: your travel dates, number of guests, how many nights you want aboard, and whether you lean modern motor or sailing yacht. Meridian Flores specialises in crewed motor and sailing yachts across the whole Flores arc, so tell us if you want the classic Komodo circuit out of Labuan Bajo or an expedition running east toward Riung’s 17-island group and Maumere Bay.
Durations shape the quote. A 4-day charter covers the essentials, Padar, Pink Beach, Rinca dragons, Manta Point and Taka Makassar. The 7-day charter is the most popular length, giving a comfortable pace across northern and southern park sites, multiple dive days and both dragon islands. A full Flores program can run 15 days / 14 nights, pairing Komodo NP with the 17 Island snorkeling group at Riung and Maumere Bay.
What pricing should you expect when you hold dates?
Rates are quoted per boat for a private full-vessel charter, not per person. These example figures are current as of 2026, in USD, and subject to change; the reservations team confirms live pricing before you commit.
| Duration | 1-2 guests | 3-4 guests | 5-6 guests | 7-8 guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Days / 1 Night | $2,000 | $2,240 | $2,350 | $2,640 |
| 3 Days / 2 Nights | $2,240 | $2,440 | $2,550 | $2,640 |
| 4 Days / 3 Nights | $2,460 | $2,640 | $2,820 | $2,940 |
A one-day Komodo tour from Labuan Bajo runs from $1,850 for 1-4 persons up to $2,450 for 19-23 persons. Day trips carry up to 23 guests; multi-day liveaboard capacity is usually capped near 10, and one representative Komodo/Flores vessel has 5 cabins for a maximum of 12 passengers on multi-day tours.
What does the deposit cover, and what is included?
The deposit secures the vessel, crew and your chosen dates against other enquiries. A fully-crewed charter typically includes:
- The yacht, with a professional captain and crew
- A private chef, all meals, and non-alcoholic beverages
- Fuel for the agreed itinerary
- Snorkelling equipment
- Water toys such as paddleboards, kayaks and inflatables (toys vary by vessel)
What sits outside the charter fee is the Komodo National Park cost. The park requires per-person entry permits, dragon-viewing fees and, in some cases, dive or photography permits, paid at ranger stations on Rinca and Komodo islands. Pricing is set by park authorities and changes periodically, so expect a combined per-person, per-day cost for park entry and ranger guiding, quoted separately from your vessel rate.
When do you pay the balance and get confirmed?
Once your deposit clears, you receive a written confirmation naming the vessel, crew, day-by-day itinerary and inclusions. The remaining balance is settled before departure. Keep your confirmation handy, it is what the crew and any partners reference at the jetty. If you are combining a Bali-Komodo route via Lombok and Sumbawa, allow 10 to 14 days; a Lombok-to-Flores luxury leg often takes 3-4 days, so confirm the longer routing early because those dates fill fast in peak season.
When is the best time to lock your dates?
The dry season, May to August, is the prime window to sail Flores and Komodo NP. Peak demand lands in July and August, with May-June and September-October as calmer shoulder months. The rainy season usually falls December to March, sometimes with thunderstorms. Because the best vessels sell out for peak weeks, enquire early, hold your dates, and place the deposit promptly rather than waiting on the balance.
What is on the pre-departure checklist?
In the final days before sailing, we send the practical details. Confirm each of these:
- Flights into Komodo Airport (LBJ) and your arrival buffer before boarding
- Boarding time and the exact Labuan Bajo jetty or meeting point
- Budgeted cash or card for park entry, ranger and permit fees
- Reef-safe sunscreen, hat, light layers, swimwear and a dry bag
- Any dietary needs passed to the private chef in advance
- Medication, travel insurance details and emergency contacts
All charter vessels operating in Komodo NP must meet strict safety standards, including life jackets, emergency communications and fire extinguishers, so you can board knowing the essentials are covered. To begin, message the reservations team on WhatsApp at 628113823875 or email sales@komodoluxury.com with your dates and guest count.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book a private yacht charter in Flores?
For peak July-August dates, enquire and place a deposit several weeks to a few months ahead, since the best crewed yachts sell out first. Shoulder months, May-June and September-October, allow shorter lead times. Off-peak enquiries can sometimes be arranged within days, but holding early always secures better vessel choice and itinerary flexibility.
Can I book a Flores yacht charter entirely online without visiting Labuan Bajo first?
Yes. The full process runs remotely: you enquire by WhatsApp or email, receive a quote and itinerary, pay the deposit, then settle the balance before departure. You only arrive in person on embarkation day, boarding at the designated Labuan Bajo jetty after flying into Komodo Airport (LBJ) from Bali or Jakarta.
What happens to my deposit if I need to change my charter dates?
Date changes depend on the vessel’s availability and the operator’s terms, which are confirmed in writing when you book. In many cases a deposit can be moved to new dates if requested with reasonable notice, subject to season and demand. Always confirm the specific reschedule and cancellation policy with the reservations team before you transfer any deposit.