FAQ

Travel Light is the best advice we can give.

We try to maintain a relaxed causal atmosphere on board typically T-shirts, shorts etc.

Occasionally, it can get a little cool on deck in the evenings, particularly if the wind is blowing from the bow, so a light top/hoodie or similar is useful to have available.

As such casual wearing is recommended, and since the weather is usually sunny you will spend most of the vacation in bathing suits, so bring even a few of them.
You will spend most time on board barefoot, but it’s good to pack some flip-flops and a rubber soled sandals or trainers for venturing ashore.

Hat, sunglasses and sunscreens with at least 15SPF are highly recommended, as well as soothing after sun products.
Your toiletry bag should include all the usual items and perhaps insect repellent and seasickness pill just in case.

AVOID SUITCASES IF AT ALL POSSIBLE AND TRY AND USE SOFT COLLAPSIBLE BAGS

As much or as little as you like.
Alternatively if you are more comfortable with your own equipment, by all means please bring it.
But please don’t forget your log book and certification.

Whatever makes you happy, makes us happy.

As divers, we love diving but we also appreciate that holidays should be about relaxation too. As such, we pride ourselves on not being a “diving factory” liveaboard and try to offer a more balanced approach.
This is why we try to offer some time ashore as well on walks, excursions etc.
There is no averages but typically there will be 2 or 3 dives available per day with the occasional night dives.
How many you do is entirely up to you.

All we insist on is that you have a wonderful holiday with us.

Yes please; We love having children on board and more importantly, children love sailing holidays, and a cruise aboard the Komodo Trails is an amazing way to spend quality time with the kids.
With stunning islands of providing the backdrop, children will have the adventure of a lifetime just being on and around our “pirate ship”.
Children love everything that the Komodo Trails has to offer kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, hoisting the sails, helping the crew, steering the boat and especially jumping into the sea from the rigging!
There are also books to read and the chance to disconnect from the internet and reconnect with the simpler things that life has to offer and just spend quality time together.

In addition, here are a few other tips for making your yacht-charter fun for the whole family:

• Our masks, snorkels, fins do not always fit younger children so if you already have your own set which fits well we definitely recommend you bring this.
• Pack rash-vests for the whole family. They are a great solution to having to put on so much sunblock all the time.
• Pack your children’s favourite board games, travel games, and a small sketch books with colouring pencils.
• Pack a waterproof digital camera

In a word. Wonderful.

We know how important the food is on a phinisi charter and here on the Komodo Trails we take pride in sourcing the freshest ingredients and encouraging our chefs to develop creative and appetising menus.
Our chefs will be able to prepare both Asian and Western foods.

Please let us know in advance of all dietary requirements or requests so we can make arrangements. We operate from relatively remote areas so it isn’t always possible to get specific ingredients, but we’ll always try our best to accommodate.

We recommend that guests have adequate travel insurance before they travel.

Divers are required to have specific dive insurance (unless covered by travel insurance). We strongly recommend DAN or DAN Europe.

The Komodo Trails Phinisi carries two separate insurance policies:

1. Hull & Machinery Insurance, which covers the vessel itself in the event of damage or loss; and
2. Protection & Indemnity Insurance (P&I), which is a third-party insurance and covers passengers and crew during the time they are aboard the vessel.

It is important to note that the P&I Insurance does not cover accidents, injuries, etc. outside of the vessel, e.g. due to any swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, water-skiing, surfing, kayaking or similar sports, whether supplied by the phinisi owner, charterer, or any third party.

Once we leave port mobile phone signal is intermittent.

Wi-Fi? Yes of course…. and it’s free.

There are 2 life rafts, life jackets, life rings, sea radio, EPIRB, VHF Radio, defibrillator, visual and audio signalling devices (flares, horns), fire extinguishers, emergency oxygen, and first aid and trauma kits.

Each cabin has several 220V AC power sockets. The type of socket is two round pins.
Please remember to bring travel adapters.

Unattended charging of devices in cabins is not permitted.

Tourists from many countries do not need a visa to enter Indonesia for a visit of up to 30 days.

See below link:
Visa policy of Indonesia

Please confirm with your local embassy.

GENERAL

Domestic flights within Indonesia can be something of a lottery!
It is not uncommon for flights to be cancelled, rescheduled, depart early! Etc. Sometimes with very short notice.

We strongly suggest that guests arrive at the embarkation port one day in advance of the trip departure date if possible.
Please consider this when making travel plans (and deciding on whether or not to take travel insurance)

If you miss the trip departure; there is no guarantee that we will be able to come back and collect you.

Flights from either Jakarta, Surabaya or Bali to Labuan Bajo, Flores.

If you are transiting in Jakarta, please allow a minimum of 3 hours between an International arrival and a Domestic departure.

Our trips aim to depart by 10:00 – 11:00 WITA, so try to arrive in Labuan Bajo in the morning of departure or the day before.
Our last dives will complete by 11:00 WITA on the penultimate day of the trip, so book your departure flight for after lunch on disembarkation day to respect the no fly limits.

Most of our time will be spent within marine reserves and protected areas where fishing is prohibited. Outside these areas fishing is allowed but we advise caution as to not break local regulations.

Tipping in Indonesia is entirely a matter of choice.

If your stay exceeded your expectations, you may wish to leave a tip to the crew. They will share it equally between them.