This hub answers the fifty questions guests actually ask before chartering Mutiara Cruise Phinisi, grouped into ten themes. Where an answer has a number, it is the operator’s published figure checked on 1 August 2026 — whole-boat rates from USD 8,250 per night, 10 cabins, up to 28 guests, 47 metres, Komodo National Park.
The five numbers that answer most questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How big is she? | 47 m × 10.9 m, Borneo Ulin and teak |
| How many cabins? | 10 — four upper deck, six lower deck, all en-suite and air-conditioned |
| How many guests? | Up to 28 (26 berths in the listed configuration) |
| What does a night cost? | From USD 8,250 whole-boat (2D1N, 6–14 guests) |
| What does 3D2N cost? | USD 14,300 (6–14) · USD 14,800 (15–21) · USD 15,450 (22–28) |
| Package | 6–14 guests | 15–21 guests | 22–28 guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2D1N | USD 8,250 | USD 8,800 | USD 9,150 |
| 3D2N | USD 14,300 | USD 14,800 | USD 15,450 |
| 4D3N | USD 19,350 | USD 19,900 | USD 20,600 |
| 5D4N | USD 23,150 | USD 23,750 | USD 24,350 |
| 6D5N | USD 26,800 | USD 27,500 | USD 28,000 |
These are whole-boat prices, not per person. The headline rate the operator advertises — “from USD 8,250 per night” — is the 2D1N charter for a group of 6 to 14. Note how flat the bands are: taking a 3D2N charter from 14 guests to 28 guests adds only USD 1,150 to the total, because you are paying for the vessel and crew, not for seats.
Price and extra costs
How much is a private charter on Mutiara Phinisi?
Published whole-boat rates: USD 8,250 for 2D1N, USD 14,300 for 3D2N, USD 19,350 for 4D3N, USD 23,150 for 5D4N and USD 26,800 for 6D5N at the 6–14 guest band.
Does the price change with group size?
Yes, in three bands. 3D2N is USD 14,300 for 6–14 guests, USD 14,800 for 15–21 and USD 15,450 for 22–28 — a difference of only USD 1,150 across the whole range.
What is the cheapest night on board?
The 2D1N charter at USD 8,250 for up to 14 guests. That is the headline from-rate the operator advertises.
What are the biggest excluded costs?
National park charges, flights and hotels, alcohol, personal and travel insurance, additional land transport and additional diving requests.
Are prices the same in 2027?
Rates apply to the year in which they are issued and change annually with fuel, routes and regulation. Request the rate sheet for your travel year in writing.
Itinerary and duration
What does the standard 3D2N itinerary cover?
Day one: Kelor, Manjarite, Kalong at sunset. Day two: Padar at 06:00, Pink Beach, Komodo trekking, Manta Point, Taka Makassar. Day three: Sebayur snorkel and return by midday.
How long is the sail from Labuan Bajo to the first stop?
About one hour to Kelor Island — the only leg operators publish as a firm figure.
What is the longest passage?
Kalong to Padar, about three to four hours, run overnight while guests sleep.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes. Destinations may change with weather and field conditions, and adjustments occur under force majeure. Guide instructions apply throughout.
Is 2D1N enough?
It covers the near sites well but compresses Padar, Komodo and the manta drift. Three days and two nights is the shortest itinerary that comfortably includes all of them.
Cabins and comfort
How many cabins are there?
Ten — four on the upper deck and six on the lower deck, in five configurations of two cabins each.
Which cabin has a king bed?
The Master Family Suite. There are two, each with a private balcony, private toilet, air conditioning and a sea view.
Do all cabins have private bathrooms?
Yes. All ten cabins are air-conditioned with en-suite facilities.
How many people sleep in one cabin?
Two or three depending on type. The five configurations total 26 berths; the published maximum of 28 uses extra bedding.
Is there a Jacuzzi?
Yes, Jacuzzis are on the published facility list, alongside an indoor dining area, alfresco lounge, promenade deck, aft dive deck and beach BBQ setup.
Food and drink
Are meals included?
Yes — all breakfasts, lunches and dinners plus a coffee break are inside the charter rate.
Is alcohol included?
No. Alcoholic beverages are explicitly excluded and arranged separately.
Can the galley handle special diets?
Yes, but provisioning happens before departure from Labuan Bajo. Send dietary requirements with your booking.
Is there a beach barbecue?
A beach BBQ setup is on the published facility list, along with live music and a DJ setup on board.
Is drinking water available?
The vessel carries a water maker producing 6,000 litres per day, which is what supports 28 guests plus crew on multi-night charters.
Safety and crew
What insurance is included?
Jasa Rahardja passenger insurance is included in the charter rate. Personal and travel insurance is not, and dive insurance is separately excluded.
What navigation equipment is on board?
Radio, VHF, Garmin GPS, Garmin radar and a satellite phone.
Is port clearance handled for us?
Yes. Port clearance, port fees and local retribution are included and handled by the operator before each departure.
Who leads the Komodo dragon trekking?
Park rangers. Every participant follows ranger instruction throughout, and the ranger’s judgement governs grouping on the trail.
Are children safe on board?
The vessel carries full statutory cover and navigation equipment, but confirm child-size life jackets and snorkel gear with reservations at booking — sizes are stock-dependent.
Season and weather
When is the best time to sail Komodo?
April to June and September to November — calmest seas and best visibility, at shoulder pricing.
What is peak season?
July and August. Visibility is good but the open straits and Padar are windy, and availability is at its tightest.
Should I avoid December to March?
It is the monsoon: roughest seas, some vessels in maintenance, real cancellation risk. It is also peak manta season at Karang Makassar and Manta Alley.
What happens if weather cancels the trip?
Under force majeure the trip may be changed or cancelled without refund. This is the strongest argument for travel insurance.
When are mantas most reliable?
Manta Point at Karang Makassar has mantas year-round; density peaks December to March when the water is richest in plankton.
Activities and equipment
What is included for diving?
Tanks, a dive guide at 1:4, GoPro documentation, weight belt, weights and hooks, a night-dive torch and standard snorkelling fins.
What dive gear must I bring or rent?
BCD, regulator, wetsuit, booties, dive-specification mask, open-heel fins and a dive computer are all excluded, as is nitrox.
Which dive site suits beginners?
Siaba Besar — 5 to 18 metres, light to moderate current in a sheltered bay, commonly used for check dives and night dives.
Which sites are advanced only?
Castle Rock, with very strong current and negative entry, and the Shotgun / Cauldron channel. Reef hooks are required at the strongest sites.
How cold is the water?
Roughly 26–29 °C in the north and centre by season, but 21–25 °C in the south during the June–September upwelling.
Booking, deposit and cancellation
How much deposit is required?
50% to secure the charter, with the balance due no later than 30 days before departure. Under 30 days, full payment is required at booking.
What if I book a year ahead?
30% confirms the charter, a further 20% falls due 120 days out, and the balance is payable 30 days before departure.
Is the deposit refundable?
No. The deposit is non-refundable on client cancellation at any time.
Can I transfer my booking?
Payments cannot be refunded, rescheduled or transferred to another trip, but you may nominate a replacement participant.
Who pays bank fees?
The sender. The amount received must match the invoice exactly.
Logistics and access
How do I reach Labuan Bajo?
Fly into Komodo Airport (LBJ). Direct services from Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali are operated by carriers including Garuda Indonesia, Batik Air, Citilink, Air Asia and Super Air Jet; schedules change seasonally.
How long is the flight from Bali?
Roughly 1 to 1.5 hours non-stop from Denpasar. Jakarta to Labuan Bajo is roughly 2 to 2.5 hours non-stop.
Is the airport transfer included?
Yes. Additional land transport beyond the standard transfer is not.
Should I arrive a day early?
Yes. Charters depart mid-morning, and a same-day flight connection leaves no margin for delay — late arrival results in itinerary adjustment, not an extension.
Is there mobile signal on the route?
Coverage is patchy once you are inside the park. The vessel carries a satellite phone, and the operator’s packing list recommends a local SIM card.
Park rules and permits
What is the official Komodo National Park entry fee?
Under PP No. 36/2024 it is Rp 250,000 per foreign visitor per visit, and Rp 50,000 for Indonesian visitors on weekdays or Rp 75,000 at weekends and public holidays.
Why do operators quote higher figures?
Because the amounts they collect are bundles — park entry plus regional retribution plus ranger and trail management for each site. USD 100 covers Komodo and Padar; Rinca is USD 40; Gili Lawa is USD 25.
Is there a Rp 3,750,000 conservation membership?
No. That 2022 proposal was cancelled and is not payable.
Are park fees included in the charter?
No. They are excluded on every operator’s rate card and are paid per person regardless of vessel type.
Do Raja Ampat fees apply too?
Only if you sail there. Raja Ampat charges separately: an IDR 700,000 marine park conservation fee for foreign visitors plus a IDR 1,000,000 regency entry ticket introduced on 1 January 2026.
Where to go next
- Deck plan, full specification and rate table
- Private versus shared: the per-person arithmetic
- Deposit, payment schedule and cancellation terms
- Inclusions and exclusions, line by line
- Timing tables for avoiding the shared fleet
- Published charter rates across ten vessels
- Weddings and vow renewals: capacity, permits, cost
- Family configurations and the child rate policy
- Honeymoon cabins, privacy and price
- Raja Ampat: season, fees and access
How to check dates and book
If your question is not here, it is probably a dates question — and those are answered fastest on WhatsApp. Charter dates for Mutiara Cruise Phinisi are held by the reservations desk of Komodo Luxury, the operator that markets and charters the vessel, in business since 2015 and part of Juara Holding Group. A booking is confirmed with a 50% deposit; the balance is due no later than 30 days before departure.
- WhatsApp: +62 811 3823 875 — fastest for availability and holds
- Email: [email protected] — best for quotes, contracts and invoices
Ask for the current rate sheet in writing before you transfer anything. Rates apply to the year in which they are issued and are adjusted annually.
Vessel and rate data on this page is taken from the operator’s published Mutiara Cruise Phinisi listing and was checked on 1 August 2026. Rates are reviewed annually and can change with fuel costs, added routes and government regulation. Confirm the current figure in writing before paying a deposit.