Sailing Flores to Lombok 5 days 4 Nights All Inclusive Trip

The most unusual feature here is the route itself. You travel from Labuan Bajo to Lombok by boat, passing Padar, Komodo, Sumbawa, Saleh Bay, and Kenawa Island in one long island-hopping trip. The prize moments are a Padar sunrise, Komodo dragons, manta rays, pink sand, and a planned whale shark encounter.

I like the strong mix of wildlife and water time, and I like that meals, snacks, park fees, transfers, and snorkeling gear are built into the $800 price. You are not paying separately at every beach or national park gate.

The catch is comfort and consistency. This is a five-day boat trip with long sailing stretches, shared common areas, a maximum of 50 people, and mixed service reports. Food variety may be limited, and concerns have been raised about the Al Fathron-3 boat and customer support, so I would ask for current vessel and cabin details before paying.

Key points to know before sailing

• Padar sunrise sets the tone: You climb early for one of Indonesia’s most famous island views.
• Komodo is only one part of the trip: Pink Beach, Manta Point, Sumbawa, Saleh Bay, and Kenawa Island fill out the route.
• The whale shark stop is the rare highlight: Saleh Bay allows time for a planned swim and whale shark encounter.
• The $800 price covers a lot: Four dinners, four breakfasts, three lunches, drinks, snacks, gear, transfers, and listed entrance fees are included.
• Expect an active schedule: Trekking, swimming, snorkeling, boat transfers, and early starts call for moderate fitness.
• Service needs careful checking: The published score is 2.8 out of 5 from four ratings, with praise for the crew and serious complaints about a separate sailing experience.

What this Flores to Lombok sailing trip really is

This is not a polished resort cruise. It is a moving base for reaching islands that are hard to connect by land. You sleep aboard for four nights, eat on the boat, and step ashore or into the water for short, focused stops.

The route covers about five days, beginning at noon in Labuan Bajo and ending around 9:00 a.m. at Kayangan Harbour in Lombok. The days are full. You should expect sunrise trekking, long periods on deck or in shared spaces, wet gear, and changes in the plan if weather affects the sea.

The maximum group size is 50 people. That matters. A larger boat can make the price reasonable, but it also means more people sharing snorkeling equipment, boarding boats, eating spaces, and the best spots along the rail.

The experience suits you best if you see the boat as transport, hotel, dining room, and social base all at once. If you need a quiet cabin, refined meals, or guaranteed privacy, check the boat setup carefully before booking.

Day one: Labuan Bajo to Padar Island

The trip begins with pickup and boarding in Labuan Bajo. The first sailing leg to Padar is listed at about one hour, leaving the rest of the day for settling into the boat and preparing for an early start.

That first evening is useful for getting organized. Put your trekking shoes, hat, sunscreen, and water where you can reach them. Your main bag may become inconvenient once the boat is busy, and you will want your swimming suit and dry clothes ready for the next day.

You spend the night aboard near Padar. The schedule gives about seven hours at this first stop, much of it overnight. Do not treat this as a late-night social cruise. The next morning’s sunrise walk is the main reason for arriving here.

Included drinks are mineral water, local coffee, tea, seasonal fruit, and snacks. These are welcome on a boat, but they are not a replacement for bringing any preferred snacks of your own, especially if you have dietary needs. Alcohol is not included.

Day two: Padar sunrise, Pink Beach, and Komodo dragons

Padar is the visual high point of the first morning. The plan calls for a three-hour island visit with a trek to the sunrise point. You climb for the view across curved bays and sharply separated strips of sand.

This is a proper walk, not a quick photo stop. Moderate fitness is required, and sturdy trekking shoes are listed among the things to bring. The heat can build fast after sunrise, so carry water, wear a hat, and use sunscreen before leaving the boat.

Next comes Pink Beach, with about two hours for swimming and snorkeling. The unusual color of the sand comes from a mix of pale sand and red coral fragments. It is one of those places where the beach itself is the attraction, but the water gives you another reason to stay.

Snorkeling equipment is included. You should still bring a towel and a dry change of clothes, since the same day includes several water stops. The schedule is tight, so this is a chance for a swim and a look below the surface, not an entire afternoon on the sand.

Komodo Island follows, with about two hours to look for Komodo dragons. A national park fee is included, which keeps the stop simple once you arrive. You will be accompanied through the park area, but the animals are wild and sightings can never be treated like a zoo visit.

This stop gives the trip its famous name, but I would not book the cruise only for the dragons. The route is stronger because it combines Komodo with beaches, reefs, open-water wildlife, and the longer crossing toward Lombok.

The day ends at Manta Point, with another two hours for snorkeling. Manta rays are one of the best reasons to accept the boat-based format. You reach a water site rather than spending another day moving by road.

Conditions matter here. A manta sighting is never something you should treat as certain, and currents can affect how long you stay in the water. Listen closely to the crew and use the provided equipment as instructed.

Day three: Sumbawa beaches and a slower water day

Day three shifts the focus from famous names to simple beach time in Sumbawa. The schedule allows about seven hours at Savana Beach and Coral Beach for swimming, resting, and snorkeling.

This may be the most relaxed day of the trip. After Padar’s climb and the busy sequence of Komodo stops, you get more time to move at your own pace. You can swim, sit on the beach, or return to the water for another look at the coral.

The tradeoff is that the beaches are described broadly, without a detailed activity list beyond swimming and snorkeling. That makes the day flexible, but it also means the experience depends heavily on weather, sea conditions, and how the crew manages the timing.

I like this pause in the schedule. A five-day boat trip needs a little breathing room, and Sumbawa provides it. Still, you should be comfortable with a day that may feel less dramatic than Padar or Komodo Island.

Day four: Saleh Bay and the whale shark encounter

The boat sails for about three hours toward Saleh Bay, then spends up to four hours on a swim and whale shark encounter. This is the trip’s most unusual wildlife stop.

Swimming near whale sharks can be memorable because the animals are immense but generally slow-moving. The appeal is not a guaranteed close approach. It is the chance to share the water with one of the world’s largest fish in a natural setting.

Keep your expectations practical. Wildlife encounters depend on conditions, animal behavior, and local operating rules. The description promises the stop, but it cannot promise the exact number of whale sharks or the length of time you will be near them.

After Saleh Bay, you continue to Kenawa Island. The schedule gives up to eight hours for a short trek to the summit, a sunset or sunrise view depending on arrival, and snorkeling around the island.

That long time allocation is useful. Kenawa is not just a quick landing. You have room to walk, return to the boat, swim, and wait for the light to change. The arrival time may determine whether you see sunset or sunrise, so the exact view is not fixed.

The climb is part of the reward. Bring shoes that can handle an uneven trail, plus a hat and water. If you have already spent several days swimming and walking, the climb may feel more tiring than it looks on a map.

Day five: Kenawa to Lombok

The final morning gives you about two hours at Kenawa before sailing to Kayangan Harbour. You can enjoy the island’s scenery and take a last swim before packing up.

Disembarkation is scheduled for around 9:00 a.m. in Lombok. That is convenient if you have onward plans, but allow some flexibility. Boat trips are exposed to weather and sea conditions, and the published schedule should not be treated like a train timetable.

Kayangan is on Lombok’s eastern side. The tour ends there, not necessarily at your hotel, so confirm what the included hotel transfer covers and where it will take you. Pickup is offered at the start, but the supplied details do not spell out every transfer point at the finish.

What the $800 price includes

At $800, this trip needs to be judged as a five-day package, not as five separate day tours. The cost includes:

• Hotel transfer
• A tour guide or cruise director
• Mineral water, local coffee, tea, seasonal fruit, and snacks
• Four dinners
• Four breakfasts
• Three lunches
• Snorkeling equipment
• All listed fees and taxes
• Komodo National Park entrance fees
• Satonda admission fee

That is a strong list of inclusions. Park fees alone can add friction to a multi-stop route, and having meals provided means you do not need to search for food each time the boat reaches shore.

There is one gap: alcohol is excluded. Bring no assumptions about a bar service or included drinks beyond water, coffee, tea, fruit, and snacks. The meal plan also does not describe menus or special dietary options.

Food variety is worth asking about before departure. One published response from the operator acknowledged a complaint about limited food choices and promised to improve menu variety. That does not mean every departure has the same problem, but it is a fair question for anyone with dietary restrictions or low tolerance for repetitive meals.

Comfort, crew, and the boat question

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience when the service works well. Published feedback praises a helpful, friendly crew, good shared areas, and prompt attention to needs. Those qualities matter on a boat, where small delays or poor communication can affect every meal and stop.

At the same time, you should not assume luxury from the word all-inclusive. The information provided does not specify cabin categories, private bathrooms, air-conditioning, bed sizes, or shower arrangements. Ask for those details in writing.

A serious warning also appears in the available feedback about a sailing experience connected with Amaze Vacations and the Al Fathron-3 boat. The complaints concern poor conditions and customer support, while other passengers describe a good boat experience and friendly crew. The conflicting picture is exactly why you should confirm the current vessel, sleeping arrangement, departure procedures, and emergency support before booking.

The boat can hold up to 50 people. If you are social and flexible, that may be part of the fun. If you dislike queues, crowded deck space, or shared facilities, the group size should weigh heavily in your decision.

Fitness, packing, and practical preparation

The operator asks for moderate physical fitness. That is reasonable. You will climb Padar, walk on Komodo Island and Kenawa, board and leave a boat, swim, and snorkel several times.

Pack light but prepare for wet days. The basic list is sound:

• Sunscreen
• Trekking shoes
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Swimming suit

I would also separate dry clothes in a waterproof bag and keep a small day bag ready. You will move between boat, beach, trail, and water repeatedly, and a simple packing system saves time.

Bring patience as well. The route covers a large stretch of sea in five days. Some hours will be spent sailing rather than sightseeing, and the boat’s shared nature means you will need to cooperate with the group.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of passengers is not reached.

The cancellation terms are strict. Cancel at least six full days before departure for a full refund. Cancel two to six full days ahead for 50 percent, and cancel within two days for no refund. Changes are not accepted within the same time limits, so protect your booking with care.

Who should book this trip?

I would choose this trip if you want one long route through Komodo and Sumbawa without arranging separate boats, hotels, park tickets, meals, and transfers yourself. It is especially appealing if Padar, manta rays, whale sharks, snorkeling, and remote beaches all matter more to you than polished onboard comfort.

It is also a good match for active couples, friends, and solo passengers who enjoy shared spaces. The crew’s friendly service can make a real difference, and the boat format creates plenty of time around the same group.

I would hesitate if you need guaranteed cabin standards, quiet nights, special meals, or highly reliable customer service. The mixed 2.8 rating from four published ratings is not a reason to dismiss the route, but it is a reason to ask sharper questions before committing $800.

Should you book the Flores to Lombok sailing trip?

Book it for the route, the wildlife, and the amount included in the price. Padar at sunrise, Komodo dragons, Pink Beach, Manta Point, Saleh Bay, and Kenawa Island make a powerful five-day sequence.

Before booking, confirm the current boat name, cabin and bathroom setup, meal plan, group size, pickup point, and final transfer in Lombok. If those answers are clear and you are comfortable with a basic shared boat, this can be a good-value way to connect Flores and Lombok.

If the operator cannot give clear answers about the vessel or sleeping arrangements, I would keep looking. The scenery is worth the journey, but the boat is where you will spend four nights.

FAQ

How long is the sailing trip from Flores to Lombok?

The trip lasts approximately five days and four nights. It begins in Labuan Bajo and ends at Kayangan Harbour in Lombok around 9:00 a.m. on the fifth day.

What places does the trip visit?

The route includes Labuan Bajo, Padar Island, Pink Beach, Komodo Island, Manta Point, beaches in Sumbawa, Saleh Bay, and Kenawa Island.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel transfer is included, although the supplied details do not specify every pickup location or the exact final transfer arrangements in Lombok.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package includes four dinners, four breakfasts, and three lunches. Mineral water, local coffee, tea, seasonal fruit, and snacks are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Are Komodo National Park fees included?

Yes. Komodo National Park entrance fees and Satonda admission fees are included, along with all listed fees and taxes.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen, trekking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and a swimming suit. Moderate physical fitness is needed for the treks, swimming, and snorkeling.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of passengers is not met.