A private yacht charter in Komodo costs from around US$1,750 a night for a small phinisi to more than US$55,000 a night for a flagship expedition vessel. That is whole boat, per night, not per person, and most charters on our board land somewhere between US$6,000 and US$16,000 depending on the boat's size and the season. If you have been comparing Komodo cruise prices, this is how the private end of the market is priced.
Here is what moves that number, and how to read a quote.
What drives the nightly rate
Length and cabin count matter most. A 20 to 30 metre phinisi with three to five cabins for six to ten guests sits at the lower end. A 45 to 55 metre phinisi or expedition vessel with seven to ten cabins for fourteen to twenty guests sits in the middle to upper range. The largest boats we list, such as the 60 metre Aqua Blu with fifteen cabins for up to thirty guests, or the 65 metre phinisi Lamima with seven cabins for fourteen guests, sit at the top because of their size, crew numbers and finish.
Age and refit level count too. A boat launched or refitted in the last few years, with a bigger crew-to-guest ratio, generally charges more than an older boat of similar length.
What a typical rate includes
Most nightly rates include the crew, all meals, soft drinks and coffee, fuel for the standard route within the park, the tender, and snorkelling gear. Many boats also include kayaks or paddleboards, and some include a dive guide or cruise director. Our what a charter includes guide covers the full list operator by operator.
What is charged on top
National park and marine park fees are charged per guest and are not part of the nightly rate: they change from time to time, so we never quote a fixed number here, but your quote will list them for the exact dates and headcount you book. See our guide to Komodo National Park fees for how that works.
Wine, spirits and sometimes Starlink WiFi are usually extra. So is scuba diving on boats without their own dive programme, and flights to and from Labuan Bajo. Tiger Blue is a good example of how this breaks down in practice: its rate includes full board, crew, snorkelling and dive gear, tenders and airport transfer, but excludes the marine park fee, wine and spirits, Starlink, PADI courses and gratuities. Crew gratuities are customary on top of the charter fee, wherever you book.
Price by group size
For a couple or a small family, a three to five cabin phinisi in the lower to middle price band is usually the most efficient choice, since you are not paying for empty cabins. For a group of ten to sixteen splitting one nightly rate, a mid-size phinisi or expedition vessel often works out cheaper per person than several hotel rooms and day trips, even before you count the convenience of one crew looking after everyone.
Price bands at a glance
- Entry level, around US$1,750 to US$3,500 a night: smaller phinisis such as Jinggo Janggo or Splendour, best suited to couples or small families of up to eight guests.
- Mid-range, around US$6,000 to US$13,000 a night: boats like Tiger Blue, Mischief or Samata, the most common band on our board, usually five to seven cabins.
- Premium, around US$15,000 to US$27,000 a night: larger phinisis and expedition vessels such as Dunia Baru, Kudanil or Lamima, with a higher crew ratio and more deck space.
- Flagship, above US$40,000 a night: the largest vessels on the board, such as Galileo and Aqua Blu, built for bigger groups or guests who want the very top of the fleet.
These are illustrative bands rather than fixed tiers, since two boats of a similar size can sit in different bands depending on age, refit level and inclusions.
How you pay
You book directly with the operator, at their own published rate. The Yacht Atlas does not add a margin on top of what the operator charges, and the same applies to every boat on our board, from the smallest phinisi to the largest expedition vessel. That means the number you see reflects what the boat's owner sets, not a marked-up quote.
How the season changes the price
Rates are generally firmer in the peak dry season months of July to September, when demand is highest, and some operators offer better availability or terms at the edges of the May to October season. Our best time to visit Komodo guide has more on how the season affects both weather and price.
Plan your charter
If you have a guest count and rough dates, see which yachts are open to get a feel for real prices at your size, or send your dates and we will come back with a shortlist inside your budget.
Frequently asked questions
Is the rate per person or per boat?
Per boat, per night. The whole yacht, its crew and its route are yours for the charter, and the nightly rate does not change with the number of guests up to the boat's capacity.
What is the cheapest way to charter a yacht in Komodo?
A smaller phinisi with three or four cabins, booked for three nights in the shoulder months of May, June or October, is usually the most affordable combination on our board.
Do prices include park fees?
No. National park and marine park entrance and conservation fees are charged separately, per guest, because they can change. Your quote will list them alongside the nightly rate.
Are gratuities included?
Crew gratuities are customary and are almost never included in the nightly rate. Budget for them separately, and your quote or crew will advise a typical amount.
Does a bigger boat always cost more?
Usually, but not always. A newer, better-appointed 30 metre phinisi can cost more than an older 40 metre boat, because refit level and crew ratio matter as much as length.