A trip called off on departure day does not automatically mean your money is gone. It comes down to one thing: who made the call to cancel.
Here is the short version. If you cancel on the day, you lose what you paid, unless you bring someone to take your seat. If the boat cannot sail because of extreme weather and the harbour authority stops departures, you get a full refund or you can move to another date. Both rules are set out in the Open Trip Komodo cancellation policy.
Shared open trips are now paid in full when you book, and your seat is locked the moment the payment lands. That is why the reason behind a cancellation decides where your money goes.
When you cancel on departure day
Cancellations from guests are counted back from the departure date. Pulling out on the day falls into the last row of the cancellation policy table, where nothing is returned.
| When you cancel | What you get back |
|---|---|
| 30 days or more before departure | Full refund (less a processing fee) |
| 14 to 29 days | 70% back |
| 7 to 13 days | 50% back |
| Less than 7 days (including the day itself) | Nothing back |
| Your seat is taken by a replacement you bring | Full refund, at any time |
The only way to keep your money on a last minute cancellation is a replacement. If someone else takes the seat you are leaving, even on the morning of departure, you get the whole amount back.
Private charters work differently. When you rent a whole boat, the cancellation terms are agreed in writing at booking and can differ from the table above.
When the boat is the one that cannot leave
Here you are on much firmer ground. A trip stopped by bad weather or high swell is not the operator's own decision. The harbour authority in Labuan Bajo (KSOP) withholds the sailing permit, the Surat Persetujuan Berlayar, for safety reasons, and that counts as a circumstance outside anyone's control.
In that case you are entitled to a full refund, or you can move your holiday to another date, as the cancellation policy states. The new date can be several months out, and if you do not have one yet, the amount can be kept as credit for a future trip.
One more thing worth knowing: Open Trip Komodo does not cancel a departure because seats are still empty. The boat sails on schedule even with a small group. So if an Open Trip Komodo departure is cancelled on the day, the cause is weather and permits, never headcount.
What happens to your national park ticket
Entry tickets to Komodo National Park now have to be bought online through the SiOra app before you enter the park, under rules in force since February 2026 (CNN Indonesia). The ticket is still separate from the price of the boat trip.
Because you pay the park's own system directly, that ticket does not follow the boat's cancellation rules. It follows whatever reschedule or refund options SiOra offers. If your boat is cancelled and your dates move, check the date change options in SiOra straight away as well.
What to do when your trip is cancelled
If a cancellation happens, these four steps keep you covered:
- Get it in writing. Cancellation and refund requests go through Open Trip Komodo's official email or WhatsApp. Requests made only by phone are not processed, per the cancellation policy.
- Check how you paid. Trips are paid through the official payment page (QRIS, virtual account, credit card or PayPal, processed by DOKU) or to the company account, never a personal one, as the terms and conditions set out. Refunds go back to the same payment method.
- Ask about a new date first. Before asking for a refund, check what other dates are open. If you can still travel soon, rescheduling is usually the least hassle.
- Allow time for the refund. Refunds are processed within 3-5 working days once your written request is confirmed, according to the cancellation policy.
Still have questions about how cancellations are handled, or want to check which dates are open this month? The Open Trip Komodo team is based in Labuan Bajo, not a faceless account. Message us on WhatsApp and book your seat with peace of mind.
See dates and boats: the 3 day 2 night open trip or all trips and phinisi boats.
FAQ
Do I get my money back if I cancel on departure day?
No. Cancelling inside the last week before departure means the payment is not refunded, per the cancellation policy. The only exception is when you bring someone to take your seat on the boat.
What if the boat cannot sail because of bad weather?
If the harbour authority stops boats from sailing because of extreme weather, it counts as a circumstance outside anyone's control. You are entitled to a full refund or you can move to another date.
How long does a refund take?
Refunds take 3-5 working days, per the cancellation policy. The money goes back to the payment method you used when you booked.
Can a trip be cancelled because too few people signed up?
No. Open Trip Komodo guarantees the boat sails on the confirmed schedule, however many guests are on board.
Can I change my date instead of taking a refund?
Yes. Your departure can be moved to a date several months ahead, or turned into credit if you do not have a new date yet.
