This is the budget-friendly way to reach the dragons by sea. The trip carries you the whole way from Lombok to Labuan Bajo across the heart of Nusa Tenggara over four days and three nights, an open-trip sailing built around the two encounters travellers fly halfway round the world for: swimming with the gentle whale sharks of Saleh Bay and meeting the wild Komodo dragons. The voyage gathers at our office in Bangsal, Pemenang, then drives about three hours to Kayangan Harbour in east Lombok where the boat is anchored, before sailing across to Kambing Island for a soft trek up to Kambing Peak and a first sunset on the water. If you would rather travel on a premium wooden phinisi with en-suite air-conditioned cabins, see the premium phinisi version of this crossing instead.
The second day is the one most travellers remember — a long crossing to Saleh Bay off Sumbawa to swim with the whale sharks in their natural habitat, followed by snorkelling in the bay’s pristine, glassy water. Day three is pure Komodo National Park: hunting the world’s rarest lizard with your camera, swimming and sunbathing on the long rose-coloured sand of Pink Beach, and a soft trek up Padar Hill for its famous three-bay sunset panorama. The final morning slows the pace right down with turtle snorkelling at Manjarite Beach and baby reef sharks in the shallows of Kelor Island, before the boat cruises into Labuan Bajo and the journey ends. Departures run every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, with free hotel pick-up across Lombok and free boat tickets from Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air, so it is just as easy to join from the Gili Islands.
Three boats, one itinerary — choose your day
The same route and the same per-person pricing run on three comfortable budget boats; only the departure day changes. Every boat carries air-conditioned private rooms (double mattress, pillow and blanket) and air-conditioned sharing rooms, with the same nine inclusions on board. Pick the day that fits your dates.
| Boat | Departure | Private Room | Sharing from | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KLM Nur Amira | Every Monday | Rp 4,400,000 | Rp 3,700,000 | 6 rooms · 33 pax · 3 bathrooms |
| KLM Budi Jaya | Every Wednesday | Rp 4,400,000 | Rp 3,700,000 | 5 rooms · 26 pax · 3 bathrooms |
| KLM Fajar Fadillah | Every Saturday | Rp 4,400,000 | Rp 3,700,000 | 8 rooms · 36 pax · 4 bathrooms |
Life on board
These are simple, well-run open-trip boats rather than luxury liveaboards, and they are kitted out for safety and comfort at sea: WiFi, an Automatic Identification System (AIS), radio, GPS and compass, and full safety equipment including a liferaft, life jackets and ring buoys. Fresh water and a simple shower are on board, along with snorkelling gear (mask and snorkel — no fins), charging points, a cool box with ice and a small transfer boat that shuttles you to the beaches. Sleep in an air-conditioned private room with a double mattress, pillow and blanket, or a sharing room with a mattress, pillow and blanket per person. All meals are provided — three a day with unlimited coffee and tea and refillable mineral water, and vegetarian food is available on request.
Budget by sea, or premium phinisi?
Be honest about how you like to travel. This is the best-value crossing — a real sailing adventure with whale sharks and dragons at a fraction of the price, sharing a comfortable air-conditioned room. If you would rather have an en-suite double cabin and a full liveaboard feel, the premium KLM Walinreng sailing covers the same waters in greater comfort. To weigh every way of crossing between the two — flight, ferry and the sailing options — see our guide to the Komodo tour from Lombok.
Good to know
This is an open-trip departure that leaves every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from Bangsal on Lombok, finishing in Labuan Bajo on day four. The schedule belongs to the sea, so the trip suits travellers with flexible days rather than tight onward connections, and April–June and September–November bring the calmest crossings. The Whale Shark fee, the Komodo National Park entrance fee, all meals, snorkelling gear, an English-speaking guide, free hotel transfers across Lombok and free boat tickets from the Gili Islands are all included; only your personal expenses and travel insurance are not. Sharing rooms start from Rp 3,700,000 per person and private rooms from Rp 4,400,000 per person.
