Imagine sailing through remote Indonesian waters, the sun beating down on the boat deck as the ocean breeze cools your face. You’re surrounded by 40 strangers from around the world, but in just a few days, they’ll become your close family. This was my experience on a 4-day, 3-night boat trip across the Indonesian archipelago—from Lombok to Labuan Bajo—with Wanua Adventures.
Bali often gets most of the attention when it comes to travel in Indonesia, but some of the country’s most awe-inspiring and remote landscapes lie far to the east. The Komodo Islands, with their prehistoric and rare wildlife, pink sand beaches, and pristine snorkeling reefs, are the stuff of adventure traveler dreams. But these remote islands are best explored not by plane or car, but by boat.
That’s where an adventure with Wanua Adventure comes in.
Why Choose a Boat Tour?
Indonesia is made up of over 17,000 islands. With that much ground—or rather, sea—to cover, boats are a vital part of the experience. But this trip wasn’t just transportation—it was a journey. For four days, we hopped between uninhabited islands, swam in crystal-clear waters, snorkeled above vibrant reefs, and watched sunsets that turned the sky into a beautiful hues of gold and orange. It was the perfect blend of laid-back beach vibes, off-the-grid adventure, and a taste of the backpacker culture Indonesia is known for.
Choosing Wanua Adventure
I went with Wanua Adventure after hearing consistent recommendations from other backpackers and travelers around Southeast Asia. Many hostels and companies in Lombok and Labuan Bajo advertise their tours, and the word-of-mouth reviews were always very good. You’ll find other companies and tours that do similar trips, but for me, I wanted to pick one that was well known and wanua was the most popular company I had heard of!
What really made the experience special was the entire crew. From the moment we arrived, they were full of smiles, jokes, and good energy. They played music, led games, and somehow remembered everyone’s names, despite there being so many of us onboard. Even with a slight language barrier, they communicated effortlessly and created a warm, inclusive vibe onboard. They were also highly organized and safety-conscious—always checking in before treks, keeping the boat clean, and making sure everyone had what they needed. When it came to food, they even made sure to write down everyone’s dietary restrictions whether it was vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, or food allergies. The attention to detail and comfort was so appreciated.
Accommodation Options & Pricing
There are two types of accommodations on the boat:
• Deck Class (IDR 3,500,000): This is what I chose. It included a mattress, blanket, and pillow on the upper deck, all lined up side-by-side in a big open space on the deck floor. At first, the idea of sleeping so close to strangers might seem uncomfortable, but it turned out to be one of the best parts of the experience. We fell asleep to the sound of the waves and the gentle rocking of the boat, with fresh air breezing across the deck. It’s covered, but with many windows and open doors, there is always a breeze in there. The communal vibe also made it very easy to bond with others.
• Cabin Class (IDR 4,000,000): For those who prefer more privacy and comfort, the boat also offers small shared cabins for two people, equipped with a fan. While cabins give you personal space and less exposure to the elements, they’re located on the lower deck and can get a bit stuffy, especially at night.
What’s Included
Wanua Adventure doesn’t just provide a boat ride—they take care of almost everything so you can relax and enjoy the journey.
Included in the price:
• Three buffet-style meals a day (with vegetarian and vegan options)
• Unlimited water, coffee, and tea
• Snorkeling gear (mask and snorkel)
• All activities and island entrance fees (including Komodo National Park)
• A reusable water bottle and a small tote bag upon arrival
• Transportation from the meeting point to the port on the east side of Lombok
Not included:
If your looking for anything extra, you can purchase these through the company beforehand or at the check in office. fins(available to rent), alcohol (beer, or rice wine can be purchased at the check in center), and optional shuttle transfers from the Gili Islands or Kuta Lombok (which they can help arrange via their company WhatsApp).
The 4-Day, 3-Night Itinerary
Every day brought something new and unexpected—hidden beaches, jungle hikes, rare wild animals, and perfect snorkeling spots. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from each day on board:
Day 1: Kenawa Island & Departure
The day began with a pickup from my hostel in Kuta Lombok. We drove about two hours to the Wanua Adventure office near Bangsal Harbour, where we checked in and met the other travelers and staff members. The energy was buzzing—everyone was excited, curious, maybe a little nervous.
During the time at the office, we were provided wristbands to split the group between 2 different boats, our check in bag and bottle, and then a free breakfast and coffee or tea while they debriefed the morning and afternoon plans for us. They gave a small safety briefing as well to ensure everyone was well aware of the situation and boat they were about to be on for the next 4 days.
From there, we were taken to the port on the east side of Lombok, where we boarded the boat. This drive was about 3 hours from the office, and we stopped once to get any last minute things such as drinks, snacks or essential. Once arriving at the port, we were shown to the deck floor or cabins, and our bags were loaded on board. After a briefing and some introductions, we set sail for our first stop: Kenawa Island.
While sailing to the island, we were given our first meal. The lunch was served buffet style, with a wide variety of Indonesian food to fuel us up for the afternoon.
After a couple hours of sailing, we arrived at Kenawa island. It was the perfect place to start. This tiny island has white sand beach, shallow turquoise waters, and a small hill you can hike up in just 10 minutes for panoramic views. We snorkeled around the coral reefs, relaxed on the beach and watched the sunset light up the sky in shades of tangerine and pink from the top of the hill. The hike was short and easy and offered panoramic views of the surrounding area including the famous Mount Rinjani on Lombok.
That night, we had our first dinner on the boat—rice, tempeh, vegetables, fish and so much more. We then settled in for the overnight sail to our next morning’s destination.
Day 2: Whale Sharks & Sailing the Flores Sea
We arrived early in the morning at Saleh Bay, a magical spot off the coast of Sumbawa known for frequent whale shark sightings. This was truly an out of body snorkeling experience that we were lucky enough to have.
Just after sunrise, we hopped into the water with our snorkels and masks ready to see these incredible creatures. Within minutes, we spotted one—massive, slow-moving, and surprisingly graceful through the water. We jumped in and swam beside them, completely starstruck. Their speckled skin shimmered in the sunlight as they glided past us, sometimes just inches away. It was surreal. Being so close to such massive creatures was a once in a lifetime experience.
The rest of the day was a long, slow sail eastward across the open sea. People sunbathed, read books, played cards, and napped in bean bags. We stopped for a short time in the middle of the day for a swim and snorkel break, and the crew surprised us with a fried banana snack in the afternoon. Most of the day consisted of eating lunch and dinner, relaxing, hanging out and getting to know the fellow travelers on board. That night, we sailed under a sky bursting with stars—no light pollution in sight. It was magical.
Day 3: Komodo Dragons, Pink Beaches, and Padar Island
We woke up anchored off Komodo Island, the main hub of Komodo National Park and home to the world’s largest lizard. After a short boat transfer to shore, we were greeted by park rangers and began a 2.5 km guided hike through the forest and grassland in search of the famous Komodo dragons.
They didn’t disappoint—we saw 5 or 6 of them, sunbathing and running around the park. Seeing them up close, knowing their powerful bite and prehistoric lineage, was both thrilling and a bit eerie. They are absolutely massive and although quite deadly, you can get close to them while under the surveillance of the local guides.
After the trek, we had some time to relax at the park and grab some souvenirs or some cold drinks before heading back to the boat.
Next up was Long Pink Beach, where the sand is famously tinted a soft rose color due to crushed red coral mixing with white sand grains. We had lunch on the boat before heading to the beach. While on link beach we snorkeled, and relaxed in the shallow waters. While snorkeling we saw so many incredible marine animals such as turtles and manta rays swimming among the bright and healthy coral reefs.
The beach is so incredibly peaceful. The pink sands, clear turquoise water, and the lush green mountains make for a picture perfect beach day.
As the day cooled down, we headed back to the boat and we sailed to Padar Island, famous for its dramatic hills and a surreal viewpoint. The hike was short but steep, and the reward was one of the most iconic landscapes in Indonesia: three crescent-shaped beaches stretching out in different directions. The mountains are so lush and full of so much greenery, and the views are truly unforgettable. We sat in silence as the sun sank into the sea and turned the sky the most beautiful colors. The stars and the moon came out adding to this surreal experience. As we hiked down we even spotted a wild deer on the beach before heading back to the boat for the night.
After a long but eventful day, we had our last dinner on board, and a lovely evening together. The staff brought us all together with drinks, singing, playing instruments and a true bonding experience. It was such a wholesome evening and such a rewarding day.
Day 4: Snorkeling & Soaking It All In
Our final morning was all about soaking in the last few moments of paradise. We stopped at a calm snorkeling spot surrounded by towering green hills and sparkling turquoise water. The snorkeling here was magical—not necessarily for coral, but for the chance to spot sea turtles gliding gracefully beneath the surface and to take in the breathtaking mountain views all around us.
After the morning snorkel, we had breakfast and headed to a small island nearby to have one more moment of relaxation. Here on the island you could simply relax on the beach, grab a cold drink from a local stand, or do one more snorkeling adventure. The snorkeling here was awesome as we were able to see dozens of black tip reefs sharks right in the shallow waters. The island was small and peaceful, and truly a great way to end the trip.
After drying off and sharing one last lunch on the boat, we began the short journey toward Labuan Bajo. The closer we got, the more real it all became. Back to Wi-Fi, paved roads, and solid ground. We were all tired but full of so many amazing memories and experiences that would stick with us forever. The staff on the boat even shared with us a bar to head to in lubuan bajo in the evening so we could have one last night together before heading different ways.
After The Trip: Lubuan Bajo and Further
After arriving in Lubuan Bajo, many of us checked into a hostel or hotel for the evening before splitting up. From here you have many options. You can fly back to Bali or one of Indonesia’s islands, stay in Lubuan Bajo, and explore more of the island of Flores, or if it’s the end of your trip, you can even take a direct flight to Singapore to start your journey home. The airport is super close to the port, making it incredibly easy to reach after leaving the boat!
Final Thoughts
This boat trip wasn’t luxury travel—but it was rich in experience, connection, and wild natural beauty. For those who love adventure, community, and being outdoors, it’s easily one of the best experiences you can have in Indonesia and all of Southeast Asia.
Whether you’re snorkeling with whale sharks, stargazing on the deck, or laughing with new friends over a classic Indonesian meal, the memories you make out at sea stay with you long after you return to land.
If you’re considering doing the boat trip, do it. And if you’re looking for a tour company that’s well-organized, affordable, and fun—Wanua Adventure is the way to go.
Livslifeoncam 
Leave a comment