Fadaelo

Fadaelo is a small wooden phinisi running three-day Komodo trips out of Labuan Bajo, with six private cabins and no more than twelve guests on board.

She is the plain-spoken end of the Komodo fleet. Six cabins across three decks, every one with its own bathroom and air conditioning, a shaded outdoor deck for the hours between stops, and an indoor saloon where meals are served. There is no spa, no jacuzzi and no wine list, and the price reflects that.

What you do get is the same route the bigger boats run, with six crew and a guide for twelve people. The Papua Room on the upper deck has a balcony. Borneo and Sumatra sit on the main deck, the two Java rooms are on the lower deck, and the Celebes Room upstairs has two single beds and can be booked bed by bed, which is the cheapest way on board.

Snorkelling gear, a stand-up paddleboard, all meals, hotel transfers, a guide and a photographer are included, along with the trip photos afterwards. Komodo National Park fees are not, and are paid separately. Fadaelo carries no tanks or compressor, so this is a cruising and snorkelling boat rather than a dive liveaboard.

Trips leave Labuan Bajo on Monday and Thursday, with hotel pick-up between 07:30 and 08:00 and a return around midday on day three.