Riley Phinisi — frequently asked questions

Up to 10 guests across 4 cabins — the Master Suite, Junior Suite, Superior and Deluxe. Suited to families, couples travelling together, groups of friends and small corporate parties.

Yes. Every cabin is air-conditioned with its own bathroom and hot water. A shared bathroom is also available on board for day use.

The Master Suite is the largest: a double bed with room for an extra bed, a private balcony and the best views on the boat.

If anyone is prone to seasickness, ask for a lower-deck cabin amidships — motion is smallest closest to the waterline and near the centre of the vessel.

29 metres long, 5 metres wide, 62 GT. Built in 2020 from ulin (ironwood) and jati (teak), powered by a Mitsubishi 6D16 and cruising at 6 – 9 knots.

Coverage inside Komodo National Park depends on the mobile network rather than the boat, and there are stretches with no signal at all. Bring a local SIM if you need to stay reachable, and plan for hours offline.

Riley is chartered as a whole boat, from USD 3,350 for a 2D1N in 2026. Rates run by duration and guest band — the published cards for every open season are on the rates page.

For the boat. Two guests and eight guests pay the same for the same itinerary, which is why the per-head cost falls sharply as the group grows. Parties of nine or ten sit in a slightly higher band.

A 50% deposit confirms your dates. The remaining balance is due 30 days before departure. Payment is by bank transfer, and the account details come with your written quote.

Accommodation on board, all meals, mineral water, coffee and tea, snorkelling gear and life vests, an English-speaking guide, professional documentation (drone, GoPro, mirrorless) and pick-up and drop-off in Labuan Bajo.

Flights to Labuan Bajo, Komodo National Park entrance and ranger fees, crew gratuities, alcoholic and soft drinks, personal expenses, drone permits where required, and travel insurance.

No. It is set by the park authority, changes from time to time, and is paid in cash per person on the day. The crew help you with the arrangement on site. We confirm the current amount when you book.

For July, August and the Christmas–New Year window, a season ahead is normal. Outside those, a few months is usually enough. Riley is a single boat — once a date is taken it is gone.

Cancellations inside 30 days of departure are non-refundable, and there is no refund for force majeure such as severe weather or illness. You may nominate a substitute guest instead. Travel insurance covering charter cancellation is strongly recommended.

Komodo National Park, departing from Labuan Bajo on Flores — Padar, Komodo Island, Pink Beach, Manta Point, Taka Makassar, Kelor, Manjarite, Kalong and Sebayur. Riley also runs the longer Lombok–Labuan Bajo crossing on request.

2 days 1 night, 3 days 2 nights or 4 days 3 nights. The 3D2N is the one most guests take; the 4D3N adds Kanawa, Siaba and a second dragon walk on Rinca.

Yes — that is the point of a private charter. Skip a stop, add an hour at a reef, or ask for a quieter anchorage. The captain works to the group within what weather, tide and park regulations allow.

They are wild animals, so never guaranteed. Reef mantas are resident at Manta Point year-round and sightings are best on a moving tide, which is why the crew time the stop rather than fixing it to an hour. December to February brings the highest concentrations.

About twenty minutes of cut steps to the main viewpoint, steep in places but short. There are lower platforms if anyone wants to stop early. It is done before sunrise, with head torches from the crew.

April through October has the calmest sea and clearest skies. Riley operates March to December; December through March brings heavier rain and rougher crossings.

Labuan Bajo (LBJ) has direct flights from Jakarta (CGK), Bali (DPS) and Surabaya (SUB). Arrive the day before departure — LBJ flights are weather-sensitive and Riley leaves at 11:00 WITA.

No. Life vests and snorkelling gear are provided in every size, the crew get in the water with you at each stop, and staying on board is always an option.

Yes, and family charters are common. Manjarite is shallow and sheltered for first-time snorkellers, life vests come in child sizes, and the dragon walk is a marked trail with a ranger.

Reef-safe sunblock, sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, hiking sandals for Padar, a dry bag, a power bank, personal medication, a local SIM and cash in rupiah. Nothing formal is needed.

Yes. Park entrance, ranger and activity fees are cash-only, and there are no ATMs or card machines once Riley leaves Labuan Bajo. Tips for the crew are appreciated but never expected.

Yes, with notice. Tell the reservations desk at booking — provisioning happens in Labuan Bajo before you board and there is no shop between islands.