I had been wanting to visit Komodo National Park for quite some time, and in August 2026 I finally made the trip happen.
I booked a 4D3N Lombok to Labuan Bajo trip on the Menami Deluxe through Indonesia Komodo Tour. Instead of flying directly to Labuan Bajo, I decided to take the longer route by boat from Lombok.
That turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of the trip. The journey wasn't simply about reaching Komodo National Park. We spent several days on the water, visiting different islands, swimming, snorkeling, seeing wildlife and enjoying the scenery along the way.
Meeting Point in Lombok
Our journey started at the Golden Island Cruises office in Kopang, Central Lombok.
We gathered there before continuing toward the port and boarding the Menami Deluxe.
The atmosphere was relaxed as everyone prepared for the four-day journey. Once we had checked in and met the crew, it finally felt like the adventure was beginning.
The Menami Deluxe would be our transportation, accommodation and dining place for the next four days.
The published itinerary starts with the meeting arrangements in Lombok before continuing toward Kayangan Port and Kenawa Island on the first day.
Starting the Journey on Menami Deluxe
The Menami Deluxe became our home for three nights.
I stayed in the Deluxe Cabin, which is located on the main deck and has a double bed and air conditioning. The published price for the 4D3N trip was IDR 6,950,000 per person.
For a four-day trip at sea, I appreciated having a proper cabin where I could relax and get some privacy after spending time outside.
The cabin was comfortable for the journey, and having air conditioning was especially nice after spending hours in the tropical heat.
Of course, staying on a liveaboard is different from staying in a hotel. The space is more compact, but most of the time we were outside enjoying the scenery, swimming, snorkeling or talking with other passengers anyway.
The boat also has shared areas where passengers can sit, relax and enjoy the views while sailing.
The Journey from Lombok
Before the trip, I was curious about what the journey from Lombok to Komodo would actually be like.
There are long stretches of open sea on this route, but fortunately, the sea conditions were stable during our trip.
The crossing was therefore quite comfortable for me. We didn't experience particularly rough sections or large waves that made the journey uncomfortable.
There were times when we simply sat on the deck and watched the ocean while the boat continued toward the next destination.
I think this is something worth understanding before choosing a Lombok-to-Komodo liveaboard. The journey itself is a significant part of the trip.
You're not simply being transported from one tourist attraction to another. You're spending several days traveling by sea, and there are long periods where the ocean becomes the main scenery.
For me, that was part of the experience rather than a problem.
Day 1: Kenawa Island
Our first destination was Kenawa Island.
It was a beautiful introduction to the trip, with clear water, green hills and a peaceful island atmosphere.
After leaving Lombok and spending time at sea, getting off the boat and exploring an island felt like the perfect way to start the adventure.
We had time to enjoy the scenery, take photographs and get into the rhythm of the trip before continuing our journey.
Kenawa wasn't necessarily the main highlight of the entire four days, but it was a nice first stop and gave us an idea of what the following days would be like.
The official itinerary lists Kenawa Island as part of Day 1 before continuing toward the next destinations.
Life on the Menami Deluxe
One of the things I enjoyed most about the liveaboard experience was how simple the daily routine became.
Wake up, have breakfast, explore an island or snorkeling spot, return to the boat, eat, relax and then continue to the next destination.
The Menami package included three meals per day, as well as snacks, drinking water, tea and coffee. It also included snorkeling equipment, life jackets, Wi-Fi, toilet and shower facilities, a restaurant and bar area, and tour guides.
Having these things available on board made the trip much easier.
We didn't have to worry about finding a restaurant every time we finished an activity. Everything was already part of the routine on the boat.
After spending the day outside, having a meal and sitting on the deck while the boat continued sailing became one of my favorite parts of the experience.
What Was the Food Like?
One thing I appreciated about the trip was that we didn't have to worry about finding food while sailing.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner were provided every day, along with snacks, drinking water, tea and coffee.
Breakfast was usually quite simple but filling. We were given things such as bread with jam, fruit and other breakfast items, along with drinks.
It was a good way to start the day before heading out for snorkeling or exploring the islands.
Lunch was usually more substantial and often featured Indonesian dishes. Depending on the day, we had meals such as beef rendang, fried rice and other Indonesian food.
Dinner was also mainly Indonesian food, with different dishes served throughout the trip.
The food wasn't the kind of elaborate restaurant dining you would expect at a hotel, but that wasn't really what I was looking for. It was simple, satisfying and convenient, especially because we were spending several days at sea.
After a full day of activities, it was nice to return to the boat, have dinner and simply relax.
Day 2: Saleh Bay and Whale Sharks
Day 2 was very different from the first day.
We headed toward Saleh Bay, where the itinerary included swimming and the opportunity to see whale sharks. The schedule also included jumping into the water around Tambora's Sea.
This was one of the experiences I had been particularly curious about before the trip.
Being in the water in such a large marine environment was completely different from simply snorkeling around a beach.
The opportunity to see whale sharks was also one of the things that made the Lombok route interesting. If we had flown directly to Labuan Bajo, we wouldn't have experienced this part of the journey.
After spending time in the water, we returned to the boat and continued toward Komodo National Park.
Day 3: Komodo National Park
Day 3 was the day I had been looking forward to most.
We entered Komodo National Park, with the itinerary including Pink Beach and Padar Island.
This was probably the busiest and most exciting day of the entire trip because there were several major destinations packed into the schedule.
Seeing the Komodo Dragons
One of my main reasons for visiting the national park was to see the famous Komodo dragons.
We saw the dragons during our visit to Komodo National Park at Loh Liang, accompanied by local guides.
Seeing a Komodo dragon in person was very different from seeing one in photographs or videos.
They are much more impressive when you're standing nearby and watching them move through their natural environment.
The walk through the area was manageable, although the tropical heat was noticeable, especially when walking through exposed areas.
It wasn't simply a matter of arriving, taking a photograph and leaving. We had time to walk through the area with the guides and learn more about the environment where the dragons live.
The guides were also an important part of the experience. They helped us understand how to behave around the animals and made sure visitors maintained a safe distance.
Seeing a Komodo dragon in its natural environment was one of the moments that made the whole trip feel worthwhile.
Pink Beach
After exploring the national park, we continued to Pink Beach.
The beach offered a completely different atmosphere from the dragon-watching experience.
The combination of the beach, surrounding hills and clear water made it a great place to slow down for a while.
We spent time enjoying the beach, taking photographs and relaxing before continuing to the next destination.
After several hours of traveling and exploring, having somewhere peaceful to sit near the water was very welcome.
Pink Beach was definitely one of the stops that gave the trip its classic Komodo Island scenery.
Padar Island
Padar Island was another major highlight.
The island is famous for its dramatic hills and the view from above, where several bays can be seen surrounding the island.
The climb was more active than simply relaxing on the beach, especially under the tropical sun, but the scenery at the top made the effort worthwhile.
From the viewpoint, the landscape looked completely different from what we had seen from the boat.
The combination of the hills, beaches and blue water created one of the most memorable views of the entire journey.
For me, Padar Island was one of the stops I would definitely want to experience again.
Party on the Boat
After a full day exploring Komodo National Park, we returned to the Menami.
The itinerary also included a party on the boat, which gave everyone some time to relax and socialize after a busy day.
This was one of the social aspects of the trip that I enjoyed.
A liveaboard naturally puts people together in the same space. During meals, sailing periods and evening activities, there are plenty of opportunities to talk with other passengers and share experiences from the day.
It made the trip feel more social than simply traveling between hotels.
Day 4: Manjarite, Kelor and Labuan Bajo
The final day brought us to Manjarite Beach Island and Kelor Island before the trip ended in Labuan Bajo.
By this point, the boat already felt familiar.
After three nights of waking up on the boat, eating meals together and exploring different places, it was surprisingly strange to think that the journey was coming to an end.
Manjarite and Kelor were a nice way to finish the trip because we could enjoy more of the water and island scenery before finally reaching Labuan Bajo.
Arriving in Labuan Bajo felt less like simply reaching a destination and more like finishing a small adventure.
Which Stops Were the Highlights?
Looking back at the four days, each destination had something different to offer.
Kenawa Island was a relaxing way to begin the journey.
Saleh Bay was particularly interesting because of the opportunity to see whale sharks.
Komodo National Park was obviously one of the main highlights because of the dragons.
Pink Beach offered beautiful coastal scenery and time to relax, while Padar Island provided one of the most impressive viewpoints of the trip.
Finally, Manjarite and Kelor gave us another opportunity to enjoy the water and islands before reaching Labuan Bajo.
If I had to choose the places that stood out the most, I would say Komodo National Park and Padar Island were particularly memorable.
That said, I wouldn't say there was a stop that I would completely skip. The variety was actually one of the best parts of the itinerary.
Some places were better for scenery, some for swimming and snorkeling, and others for wildlife. Having all of those experiences across four days kept the trip interesting.
How Much Did the Trip Cost?
The 4D3N Menami Deluxe has several cabin options.
The Deluxe Cabin, which I used, was listed at IDR 6,950,000 per person. It is located on the main deck and has a double bed and air conditioning.
Other cabin options listed for the same 4D3N trip were:
Standard Cabin — IDR 6,450,000 per person
Bunk Bed Single — IDR 5,450,000 per person
Private Cabin Down Deck — IDR 5,450,000 per person
Bunk Bed Double — IDR 4,850,000 per person
Sharing Cabin — IDR 4,850,000 per person
The package included three meals per day, snacks, free-refill drinking water, tea and coffee, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, tour guides, Wi-Fi, toilet and shower facilities, and other facilities on board.
For me, the Deluxe Cabin was worth choosing because of the extra comfort and air conditioning, especially when spending three nights on the boat.
Before booking, I would still recommend checking the latest price and inclusions because these can change.
Who Is This Trip Suitable For?
I think the trip is particularly suitable for people who enjoy nature, wildlife, snorkeling, photography and traveling by boat.
It can work well for couples and groups of friends because there is plenty of time to share the experience together.
Solo travelers can also enjoy it because the shared environment makes it relatively easy to meet other passengers.
The main thing to consider is that this is a four-day liveaboard experience.
You need to be comfortable spending several days on a boat, including long periods at sea.
For someone who prefers a traditional hotel vacation with plenty of private space and a different restaurant every day, this might feel quite different.
But if you enjoy waking up surrounded by the ocean, exploring different islands and having your accommodation travel with you, that's exactly what makes the experience interesting.
Was the 4D3N Route Worth It?
For me, the biggest value of the 4D3N route was the variety of experiences along the way.
It wasn't simply about getting from Lombok to Labuan Bajo.
We visited Kenawa Island, traveled through Saleh Bay, had the opportunity to see whale sharks, explored Komodo National Park, visited Pink Beach and Padar Island, and finished with Manjarite and Kelor before reaching Labuan Bajo.
The stable sea conditions during our trip also made the long sailing periods comfortable.
If I were planning the trip again, I would still choose the liveaboard experience because the journey itself became part of the memory.
Three Nights at Sea
Spending three nights on the Menami Deluxe was probably the biggest difference compared with a normal holiday.
There were no hotel check-ins or check-outs every day.
Instead, we woke up on the boat, had breakfast, explored a new destination and then returned to the same boat.
At night, after dinner, we could sit on the deck, talk with other passengers or simply watch the sea.
There is something quite relaxing about knowing that you don't have anywhere else to go because your accommodation is already traveling with you.
The stable weather and sea conditions during our trip made this even more enjoyable.
Looking Back at the Trip
After four days and three nights, the trip felt like much more than a visit to a tourist destination.
It was a combination of long days at sea, island scenery, wildlife, snorkeling, Indonesian food, conversations with other passengers and quiet moments watching the ocean from the deck.
The Menami Deluxe gave us a comfortable base throughout the journey while still keeping the feeling of an adventure at sea.
For anyone considering a Lombok to Komodo liveaboard, I would recommend looking carefully at the itinerary and cabin options before booking.
Think about how comfortable you are with spending several days on a boat, what type of cabin you want, and whether you would enjoy having your meals and accommodation all in the same place.
For me, the combination of the stable sea journey, comfortable Deluxe Cabin, wildlife experiences and beautiful islands made this a trip I will remember for a long time.
Booking the Trip
I booked the Menami Deluxe 4D3N Komodo tour through Indonesia Komodo Tour at komodotour.com.au.
The departure arrangements included the Golden Island Cruises office in Kopang, Central Lombok, before continuing toward the port and beginning the journey to Labuan Bajo.
Before booking, I would recommend checking the latest departure schedule, cabin category, itinerary and inclusions so you know exactly what to expect.
For me, traveling from Lombok to Labuan Bajo by boat made the destination feel like only part of the adventure.
The journey itself was just as memorable.