This is the trip for travellers already in Lombok or Bali who would rather reach the dragons by sea than by plane. The KLM Walinreng sails the full Lombok–Labuan Bajo crossing in four days and three nights, an open-trip voyage built around the three encounters most people come to Indonesia for: whale sharks, manta rays and wild Komodo dragons. Departures run every Thursday from Lombok, starting at the Senggigi meeting point with a free shuttle laid on from Bangsal, Mataram or Kuta, then on to Kayangan Harbour and across to the postcard sandbar of Kenawa Island for your first swim and sunset.
The second morning is the one travellers remember — an early start to swim alongside the gentle whale sharks in the calm waters off Sumbawa — followed by Satonda Island, with a short hike and a snorkel over its mysterious saltwater crater lake. Day three is pure Komodo National Park: gliding above the rays at Manta Point, wading onto the surreal sandbar of Takat Makasar, trekking to the wild dragons of Komodo Island under ranger escort, the rose-coloured sand of Pink Beach, the three-bay panorama of Padar, and finally the fruit-bat sunset at Kalong Island. The last morning takes in Strawberry Rock, Manjarite and Kelor Island — where baby reef sharks patrol the shallows — before the phinisi cruises into Labuan Bajo around 1–2pm. The same route can be sailed in reverse, Labuan Bajo back to Lombok.
Life aboard the KLM Walinreng
The Walinreng is a comfortable wooden phinisi with air-conditioned double-bed cabins, each with its own en-suite bathroom, across five cabin classes so you can travel as a couple, a family or solo on a shared deck. Meals are full board with a relaxed, snack-free flow — mineral water, coffee and tea always on hand — and the boat carries shared fishing equipment and a spear gun, snorkeling gear and free WiFi on board. Pick-up is a free shuttle from Bangsal, Mataram or Kuta on Lombok, and all entrance fees, including the Komodo National Park fees, are organised for you.
KLM Walinreng cabin classes & pricing (per person)
Choose the cabin that fits your group. All prices are per person and quoted “from” for the open-trip departure.
| Cabin | Capacity | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Family Cabin with Balcony | 1–4 pax | Rp 8,500,000 |
| Private Cabin | 1–3 pax | Rp 7,500,000 |
| Sharing Cabin | 1–6 pax | Rp 6,500,000 |
| Sharing Cabin Main Deck | 1–6 pax | Rp 6,000,000 |
| Sharing Cabin Lower Deck | 1–10 pax | Rp 5,500,000 |
Scenic by sea, or quick by air?
Be honest with your calendar. Sailing turns the transfer into the holiday itself, but it commits four days; if your dates are tight, it is faster to fly Lombok (LOP) to Labuan Bajo (LBJ) in about an hour and join a shorter Komodo boat tour on arrival. To weigh every way of getting across — flight, overland ferry and this sailing crossing — see our guide to getting from Lombok to Labuan Bajo, or compare the routes on the Komodo tour from Lombok page.
Good to know
This is an open-trip departure that leaves every Thursday from Lombok aboard the KLM Walinreng. Cabins are air-conditioned with en-suite bathrooms and the schedule belongs to the sea, so the trip suits travellers with flexible days rather than tight onward connections. April–June and September–November bring the calmest crossings. All park entrance fees are included in your cabin price; a small local entry fee of approximately Rp 400k is not included and is paid on the day, and flights to Lombok or onward from Labuan Bajo are not included. Cabin prices run from Rp 5,500,000 per person, all meals on board, snorkeling gear and a local crew included.
