Komodo open trip or private boat: where the whole boat gets cheaper

Each row names a seat and the first head count at which a share of the whole boat costs less. The figure one guest below it shows the seat still winning.

• Lamborajo 1 Master Ocean, IDR 4,550,000 (≈ USD 279): the boat wins at 10 guests with IDR 4,300,000 (≈ USD 264); at 9 guests it is IDR 4,780,000 (≈ USD 293).
• Lamborajo 1 Full Ocean, IDR 3,550,000 (≈ USD 218): the boat wins at 13 guests with IDR 3,460,000 (≈ USD 212); at 12 it is IDR 3,580,000 (≈ USD 220).
• Lamborajo 1 Share Cabin, IDR 3,000,000 (≈ USD 184): the boat ties at 15 guests with IDR 3,000,000 (≈ USD 184) and wins at 16 with IDR 2,810,000 (≈ USD 172).
• Lamborajo 2 Master Ocean View, IDR 7,450,000 (≈ USD 457): the boat wins at 12 guests with IDR 7,330,000 (≈ USD 450); at 11 it is IDR 8,000,000 (≈ USD 491).
• Lamborajo 2 Family Ocean View, IDR 7,200,000 (≈ USD 442): the boat wins at 14 guests with IDR 6,930,000 (≈ USD 425); at 13 it is IDR 7,460,000 (≈ USD 458).
• Lamborajo 2 Superior, IDR 5,200,000 (≈ USD 319): the boat wins at 22 guests with IDR 5,140,000 (≈ USD 315); at 21 it is IDR 5,240,000 (≈ USD 321).
• Lamborajo 3 Royal Master Ocean, IDR 10,950,000 (≈ USD 672): the boat wins at 12 guests with IDR 10,080,000 (≈ USD 618); at 11 it is IDR 11,000,000 (≈ USD 675).
• Lamborajo 3 Master Ocean, IDR 9,700,000 (≈ USD 595): the boat wins at 14 guests with IDR 9,290,000 (≈ USD 570); at 13 it is IDR 10,000,000 (≈ USD 613).
• Lamborajo 3 Superior, IDR 5,750,000 (≈ USD 353): never. At 22 guests, the most the boat holds, the share is IDR 6,640,000 (≈ USD 407).

The seat includes a guide and a photo set and the private fare does not, so these crossings are not a like-for-like saving.

Two things come with a seat and not with a private charter. A local guide is on every open trip, and so is photo and video documentation by drone, mirrorless camera and GoPro. On a private charter both are available on request, quoted separately.

The other differences are about people and dates. A seat sails on a Monday or a Friday with other guests aboard, on the route printed for Lamborajo 1 and 2; the Lamborajo 3 route is confirmed in writing. A private charter sails on dates agreed in writing, with your party only, on a route we confirm in writing.

Both formats include pickup and drop-off in Labuan Bajo, breakfast, lunch and dinner, mineral water, snack, coffee and tea, snorkeling equipment and an air-conditioned cabin. Neither includes the Komodo park ticket, flights, a hotel, insurance or gratuity.

On Lamborajo 1 at 15 guests, the whole boat costs exactly the Share Cabin price, IDR 3,000,000 (≈ USD 184) per person. The seat is the better buy at 14 guests; the boat is the better buy at 16.

This decision table reads one situation per line. Each says which boat and format we would put you on, with the number, and when to pick something else.

• 8 guests, a private bathroom for every cabin: Lamborajo 2 at IDR 11,000,000 (≈ USD 675) each. Pick Lamborajo 3 (IDR 15,120,000 (≈ USD 928) each) only for a jacuzzi and balcony in 4 cabins.
• 12 guests, cost first: Lamborajo 1 at IDR 3,580,000 (≈ USD 220) each. Pick Lamborajo 2 (IDR 7,330,000 (≈ USD 450)) if six couples want private bathrooms.
• 22 guests: Lamborajo 2 at IDR 5,140,000 (≈ USD 315) each, against IDR 6,640,000 (≈ USD 407) on Lamborajo 3, which is full at 22.
• 24 or 25 guests: Lamborajo 1 for 24 at IDR 2,330,000 (≈ USD 143) each, Lamborajo 2 for up to 25 at IDR 4,880,000 (≈ USD 299). Beyond 25, two boats.
• A couple with a private bathroom at the lowest seat: Lamborajo 1 Master Ocean at IDR 4,550,000 (≈ USD 279) per person. The Lamborajo 2 Superior costs IDR 650,000 more, on a boat that lists a bar and a private bathroom in every cabin.
• A couple who want a balcony: Lamborajo 2 Master Ocean View at IDR 7,450,000 (≈ USD 457). Add a jacuzzi with the Lamborajo 3 Master Ocean at IDR 9,700,000 (≈ USD 595), IDR 2,250,000 more per person.
• One traveler: the Lamborajo 1 Share Cabin at IDR 3,000,000 (≈ USD 184), the only cabin sold from 1 guest.
• A party with mixed budgets: Lamborajo 3 seats run IDR 5,750,000 (≈ USD 353) to IDR 10,950,000 (≈ USD 672). Lamborajo 1 spans only IDR 3,000,000 (≈ USD 184) to IDR 4,550,000 (≈ USD 279).

Some requests fit neither format on these boats, and it is better to know before the quote.

More than 25 guests do not fit on one boat. Lamborajo 3 stops at 22, Lamborajo 1 at 24 and Lamborajo 2 at 25, so a larger party splits across two boats.

Two days on the water do not fit the open trip, which is printed for 3D2N only. A private 2D1N exists and starts at IDR 38,000,000 (≈ USD 2,331) on Lamborajo 1 for 1 to 12 guests.

A budget under IDR 3,000,000 (≈ USD 184) per person fits no seat on the list. The Share Cabin is the lowest price on all three boats, and the whole boat only drops below it from 16 guests on Lamborajo 1.

A stop outside the printed routes is a different question. The boats sail the stops named on this site, and the captain decides the order on the day.

Taking a seat gives up control. The dates are fixed, the route is the printed one, and the cabin you choose has to be free on that day. You gain a guide and a photo set in the price and a lower cost per person for small parties.

Taking the whole boat gives up the included guide and photo set, and the price per person depends on how many people fill the boat. You gain your dates, your party alone on the deck, and a cost per person that falls as guests fill a band.

Neither choice is cheaper in every case. Under 10 guests the seat wins on every boat, and above 16 guests the Lamborajo 1 whole boat wins on every seat. In between, the table above decides.