Komodo Open Trip 3D2N Budi Utama Luxury Boat

Budi Utama was built in 2016 and started sailing in 2018. She is 26 metres long and 6 metres wide, runs a Mitsubishi 8DC9 main engine and cruises at 10 to 12 knots. Power comes from a 4 cylinder 100 PS generator, and the boat carries 8 tonnes of fresh water, so hot showers in your ensuite keep running for both nights.

Eight crew look after the boat. On the safety side there are 37 life jackets, 3 fire extinguishers, 4 ring buoys, a first aid kit, 2 life rafts and 2 lifeboats on board. Navigation is by GPS and VHF radio.

Outside the cabins there is a roomy dining room, a sundeck for soaking up the sun or waiting for sunset, and a canoe for an easy paddle across Komodo's clear water.

What are the cabins like?

There are 11 cabins spread across three decks, all with air conditioning and an ensuite bathroom with a hot shower.

Master Upper Deck A and B sit on the top deck. They have a queen bed, a private balcony and a work desk. This is the pick for a honeymoon, or for anyone who wants to wake up and see the sea from their own balcony.

Deluxe Main Deck A to D are on the main deck with a queen bed. Deluxe A, B and C can take one extra bed, which suits three people sharing, like a couple with a child or three friends who would rather not split up.

Superior Lower Deck A to E are on the lower deck. They also have a queen bed, with a marble-walled ensuite. Light comes in through a small round porthole, so the room feels calm and shaded. Each Superior cabin is finished differently, some white-walled and some full timber. These are the best-value cabins on board.

Prices differ by deck, and you can see every cabin rate in the cabin table on this page.

Who is it for?

Budi Utama works for couples who want a cabin with a balcony, small families who need an extra bed, and groups of friends who want to share a boat without chartering it. The boat takes 22 guests, or up to 25 when the extra beds in Deluxe A, B and C are used, so it never feels crowded.

If this is your first time in Komodo, the route covers every icon: Padar, Pink Beach, the Komodo dragons and the manta rays.

What will you do over 3 days?

Day 1: Board at KP3 Harbour between 10 and 11 in the morning, then take a short hike up the ridge of Kelor Island for a view over the surrounding islands. Snorkel at Manjarite, and in the late afternoon watch thousands of flying foxes leave the mangroves of Kalong Island as the sun goes down.

Day 2: Set off in the dark to catch sunrise on Padar Island, then swim at Pink Beach with its rose-coloured sand. After that, trek with a park ranger to see Komodo dragons in the wild, swim with manta rays at Manta Point, and stop at the Taka Makassar sandbar at low tide.

Day 3: A last snorkel at Kanawa or Siaba Island, where turtles often pass, then back to Labuan Bajo around 11 in the morning. That still works for an afternoon flight, just do not book one that is too tight.

The order of stops can change with the weather and sea conditions. The captain makes that call, and it is a safety call.

What about food and facilities?

All meals and snacks on board are included, along with coffee, tea and drinking water whenever you want them. Snorkelling gear, a local guide and the boat clearance fee are covered too.

How do you book?

Pick a date in the departure calendar, choose your cabin, and pay right on this page. If your dates are not fixed yet or you want to know which cabins are still free, message us on WhatsApp.

(Good to know: the Komodo National Park entry ticket is not included in the package price and is arranged by the Open Trip Komodo team, while the ranger fee is paid on site.)

See you in Labuan Bajo!