Review Author: Richard

Review Date: 13 May 2026

Review Body: We had a fantastic experience on the Carnaby boat (3D/2N)! We booked the family cabin, which was quite spacious for two adults. It was clean and comfortable, with very little engine noise. The food on this trip (which includes breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner) was overall very good (8/10). The crew were welcoming and professional. There were 12 passengers (excluding the crew) from various countries including France, India, USA, Australia, and Indonesia. Our guide, Dedy (frequently cited as Dedi), was exceptional. Not only did he take us to several different snorkeling spots where we saw giant manta rays, sea turtles, an abundance of unspoiled coral reefs, reef sharks, baby sharks, and schools of trevally (and other fish) numbering in the thousands, but he also captured underwater GoPro footage, drone shots, and land-based DSLR photos for all the passengers. At night, seeing the stars and galaxies against the pitch-black sky was absolutely incredible. Although the Komodo dragons were a treat, the highlight was the snorkeling itself—such incredible underwater scenery! The only downside was the shower within the cabin, which severely lacked pressure, and the toilet, which lacked flushing power. Other than that, I’d happily book this tour again. PS: The admission fee to Komodo National Park (as of early May 2026) was Rp 700.000,00 (~$40 USD) and the fuel surcharge was Rp 500.000,00 (~$29 USD) which was payable in cash only at the start of the trip. Also, I wouldn't recommend this trip if you're going solo--it's best suited for a couple or 2-friend group(s).

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Stuart

Review Date: 28 Aug 2025

Review Body: Our 3-day Komodo Island cruise on the Carnaby boat was a standout experience for our family, combining adventure, comfort, and exceptional service. Roberto, our guide, was outstanding—professional, personable, and incredibly knowledgeable. His daily briefings were clear and engaging, and he consistently adapted the itinerary to avoid crowds, allowing us to enjoy iconic spots like the pink beach in near solitude. His attention to detail and ability to read the group made every day feel seamless and special. Billy, the onboard photographer, was equally impressive. He captured breathtaking footage and underwater shots that perfectly preserved our memories—from snorkeling with rays and turtles to encounters with Komodo dragons. His work was not only technically excellent but also thoughtfully curated to reflect the spirit of the trip. The onboard dining was superb, with the chef going above and beyond to cater for our daughter’s coeliac needs. Every meal included clearly marked gluten-free options, and she always had plenty to choose from. Snorkeling, paddle boarding, and jumping off the boat added to the fun, and we always felt safe and well cared for—especially during our Komodo dragon visit, thanks to the expert rangers. Highly recommended for families or anyone seeking a well-run, unforgettable adventure in one of the world’s most stunning regions.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Roy

Review Date: 22 Oct 2025

Review Body: What an amazing experience it was. Thanks to Dedi and the rest of the East Indonesia Trip crew we were having lots of fun and they took very good care of us. Clear instructions and open to any questions. Dedi was not only a good guide during hikes and snorkeling but also a great photographer including underwater camera and drone shots. Snorkeling every day, sometimes multiple times a day in beatiful coral reefs. We swam with manta rays, sea turtles, sharks and other sealife. Hikes were nice for the views and pictures. The Komodo national park was very hot but seeing multiple Komodo dragons made it worth it. Back at the boat the crew already prepared meals and always welcomed us with cold towels and fresh juices. They kept the boat very clean during our stay and were super friendly. We didn't have to lift a finger. Always provided plenty of good water and the fridge was filled with soda's for us to take. The food was memorable and better than some crews on other boats serve (friend experience), restaurant-quality meals every time and always a fully new and delicious menu every meal. Dietary restrictions for guests were taken into account as well. Luckily not really a party boat but on the last night the crew showed their dance moves ;) When we left, I said to my partner that I would do this again without a doubt. Good vibes!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Florent

Review Date: 28 Dec 2025

Review Body: We joined the trip as a family of 4 with two 8y old kids. While initially concerned about long navigation times with kids, we were quickly proven wrong. The schedule is rich with lot of exciting stops along the way. The crew has been amazing. Nice and helpful despite the sometimes difficult conditions , the guide quick to adapt so that we could experience everything Komodo area has to offer. Despite the rainy season and bad weather in the area, we have been able to tick all the boxes. Manta Ray, Turtles, sharks, thousands of coral fishes, beautiful landscapes, flying fox and Komodo dragons. Komodo dragons parks were actually the only disappointment of the trip as the "hike" is way shorter than advertised and the only visible dragons are the one sleeping by the gate. But that is more due to how the Rinca park operates than anything that can be blamed on Seek Sophie. Food was plentiful and delicious! Very high quality! Really impressive considering it is prepared on board. Those bbq fresh snapper were so good. The on board photograph is a real pro and makes sure we got the best possible pictures in and out of the water. The tour is truly all inclusive from airport pickup to dropoff except for the 650k of National park fee.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Johanna

Review Date: 20 May 2026

Review Body: We had a lovely 2N3D boat trip with East Indonesia Trip. We were staying on the Carnaby which is a nice boat with privat cabins, a jacuzzi and multiple areas for relaxing in the shadow or sun. The crew was extremely kind and welcoming, the food was incredibly delicious (even lots of vegetarian options were available for each meal and there was fresh fruit). The mixture of time for relaxing and for sight seeing was perfect and we knew exactly what we could expect from each day. Very well organised with concise briefings everyday from Roberto. We got to snorkel with turtles, baby sharks, lots of fish and beautiful corals and even Manta Rays. The hikes that were chosen for this tour were stunning, seeing the flying foxes in the sunset from the ship was beautiful. We got to see the komodo dragons early in the morning when they were actively moving around Rinca Island and without the tourist crowds. In summary, this was a magical trip and the highlight of our Indonesia trip. Thank you to the whole crew! A great bonus is that the documentation of the trip with drone footage, underwater camera und pictures is included. So now we have all those memories captured in stunning fotos and videos. Thanks Billy!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jana Ramage

Review Date: 23 Oct 2025

Review Body: Worth every cent! Just before the trip we were sent communications via what’s app. We were picked up by a driver and dropped off at the port where we met up with our shipmates. From the very start our guide (Dedi) made everyone feel welcome. His English was great and he was very personable. The staff aboard the boat saw to all our needs and were super friendly. The food was great and we did not go hungry. Most of the food consisted of seafood but not all of it. When meals were not on the table there was snacks available. The snorkeling/hiking/sightseeing was phenomenal. We swam with countless turtles. Saw manta rays,. And even got the chance to swim with baby sharks! The photography and videos done by Dedi came out stunning, I highly encourage you to utilise his skills and get some epic photos of your time. Dedi was also really great with our son (Jesse, 13) who was the only kid on board, joking around with him and teaching him tricks in the water. We are very thankful at how much Jesse enjoyed it as Dedi was a big part of that! We just loved every moment of this. It’s not our usual thing (we’re more adventure/off the beaten path travellers) but this was the highlight of our trip!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Ali

Review Date: 24 Apr 2025

Review Body: I booked the 3 days + 2 night phinishi boat Komodo Island hopping trip for my family, 2 adults and 2 teenagers. Our trip was last week of April 2025. We had a wonderful experience, the crew were fantastic, provided great service, we felt safe throughout. There was delicious food plenty for our family and the other 11 guests, there was a very friendly atmosphere. This was an amazing experience, including the hiking, snorkeling, swimming, lovely clean clear water and beaches on some of the islands we visited. The crew and our guide Roberto were fantastic, knew exactly where to take us and were fortunate to see the manta rays, baby sharks, giant turtles. We also visited komodo island and saw the komodo dragons. We had to pay additional IDR 600k fee for visiting all the islands including komodo national park. For the hiking up the hills to see sunrise and views, good footwear and fitness is recommended, else the treck will probably be quite difficult. But you can skip that part if you want to and just stay in boat or enjoy beach below, while everyone else goes up. Overall we all had an amazing experience, ond that will probably be memorable as one of the best.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Emily

Review Date: 26 May 2025

Review Body: We absolutely loved our experience on this cruise. We have been travelling through Asia for a while and this was a highlight of our whole trip. First of all, the crew was exceptional. They were genuinely kind, attentive, and always there to help. They had good knowledge of what was happening around us and tried to avoid crowded places. Overall, they did a great job of this. The food was very good for all meals and even yummy snacks and juices after our excursions. We were even greeted with a cold towel coming out of the water! (what a treat) The boat was a perfect size. You could spend time with other travellers in comfortable lounge areas, or easily find an area to be by yourself. Finally, the excursions were the most memorable part. We saw a beautiful sunrise over the mountains, saw many Komodo dragons, swam with Manta Rays, sea turtles, baby sharks and many beautiful coral reefs. We even saw dolphins swimming with our boat. It was an experience we will never forget. Our wonderful photographer/snorkle master (Gambal - not sure about spelling) was a magician for finding marine life. He really helped make the experience great! He also left us with amazing photographs.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Alice

Review Date: 18 Jul 2026

Review Body: Highly recommend! Boat was high quality, lots of lounging areas and our room on deck was tastefully decorated with a comfortable bed. Our guide Roberto was excellent at adjusting our itinerary to try to avoid the crowds and made sure I saw a manta ray (I missed it the first time and he jumped back in the water to take me and a few others again). Our photographer Baiyu made the trip next level! He took the most amazing photos. He was always working hard to get us creative shots, take candid shots when we were relaxing and make sure everyone got opportunities for photos. Our chef made delicious food and was very friendly (greeted us before each meal to explain dishes and after meals to check how it was). The rest of the crew did an excellent job too. Obviously not in the company’s control but this particular route is very busy in summer and the crowds at Padar island sunrise hike are insane. Our guide did take us to pink beach at a different time to the usual route and we had the beach almost to ourselves which was awesome, and incredibly our photographer still got perfect photos of us at Padar island with no people in the background (he knew the best spot).

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rebecca

Review Date: 30 Nov 2025

Review Body: What an unforgettable experience we had on this 2 Night 3 Day adventure aboard the Carnaby! We booked the main cabin, and it was absolutely perfect. Spacious, comfortable, and spotless, it felt like our own little retreat on the water. The food on this trip was absolutely incredible! Every meal was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. All the crew were so welcoming & professional, A very special shoutout to our guide Dedi who truly made this trip! His knowledge, friendliness, and passion for what he does added so much to the experience. Each day was filled with beautiful scenery, relaxing moments, and fun activities! Seeing the Komodo dragons was an absolute highlight of the trip. It was incredible to witness these amazing creatures up close in their natural habitat. I highly recommend this trip to anyone looking for an unforgettable adventure. From the incredible activities to the stunning scenery, comfortable cabin, amazing food, and exceptional guide, every part of the experience was outstanding. It’s truly a must-do! Thanks again for such a fun adventure!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Andrea T

Review Date: 04 Apr 2026

Review Body: We spent 3D, 2N on the Carnaby exploring Komodo Island National Park. As a family of four (kids 10 and 11), the family cabin with bunk beds provided ample space for us and our bags. Private bathroom with shower and AC made it very comfortable. The boat had lots of space for guests to spread out and even had Wifi. The guide and crew were all fantastic. Our guide, Ardi, was wonderful with the whole group and went out of his way to include everyone and meet the needs of all guests. We especially appreciated his approach to the schedule, going out of the way to choose locations and times that wouldn’t feel crowded. He was great with our girls, helping guide them to see turtles and manta rays while snorkelling. The meals and snacks were delicious. Communication before and after the trip was timely, we appreciated all the photos and videos provided of the trip, and pick up and drop off from our hotel went smoothly. This experience was a huge highlight of our month long travel in Indonesia. Highly recommend this excursion with East Indonesia Trip!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Paul

Review Date: 22 Jul 2026

Review Body: Het was een onvergetelijke ervaring. Roberto heeft ons van begin tot eind super begeleid samen met Bayu die alles ook nog eens met camera, drone en gopro heeft vastgelegd. Heel fijn was dat ze rekening hielden met de drukte en daar de route op hebben aangepast. We hebben daardoor alle activiteiten zonder drukte kunnen doen. De haaien, de vliegende honden, de tientallen vissen tijdens het snorkelen, de Komodo varaan, de schildpadden en als klap op de vuurpijl de machtige en sierlijke Manta! Allemaal hebben we ze gezien. Op Padar island ook nog genoten van een prachtige zonsondergang. En dan…… alle hulde voor de 7 koppige bemanning van de Canarby, niks was te veel. Na een activiteit werden we opgewacht en vrolijk onthaald door hun, kregen een verfrissend doekje en een lekker sapje. Speciaal nog dikke complementen voor de kok. Het eten was fenomenaal. Gevarieerd, lekker en alles in overvloed, zo veel dat je bijna niet durfde te stoppen met eten. Kortom voor ons was dit een absoluut hoogtepunt van onze vakantie.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sarah McKeague

Review Date: 06 Jun 2026

Review Body: We loved the amazing snorkelling that we did including seeing turtles and manta rays and many colorful fish. We appreciated all the efforts of “Jack Spero” and Rodrigo for finding the fish and turtles and guiding us so well. Also being very attentive to safety of all passengers. We loved the beautiful viewpoints, beaches and hikes we went on. We loved the crew who put together amazing meals everyday, several times a day including snacks and fruits. The crew were very attentive to the needs of the passengers, including my mother was older and needed help sometimes getting into and out of the boats. Overall it was the highlight of our 2 week trip to Indonesia and I highly recommend it! There were amazing sunsets on the boat and we enjoyed seeing the “silver fox” which are fishy bats that can be seen flying over the boat at sunset in the thousands! Truly magical experience. The Carnaby was a great and well run 3 day boat expedition! Very pristine area with amazing scenery from the boat!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Leong Yoke Tyng

Review Date: 09 Sep 2025

Review Body: Wow! What an amazing 3D2N for my husband and I. The moment we stepped onto Carnaby, we’re amazed how beautiful she is. My husband and I are senior and don’t know how to swim, our wonderful host Dedy took great care of us, he made sure we don’t missed out the snorkel activities. On the 3rd day, Dedy personally guided me snorkelled among the manta rays and the beautiful coral, colourful fish, small and big turtles. He planned and worked tirelessly to make sure all of us are comfortable, safe and have great fun. Also the chef on board made tasty fruits juices and cooked delicious meals with generous portions. As the sun started to set in Kalong Island, and the sky changed into orange-violet hue, the whole sky became magical. I’ve seen sunset in many places but the orange-violet hue here stayed in the sky for quite sometime. What a wonderful treat. Big thank you to Dedy and the crews for an amazing trip which we highly recommend.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Michael McDermott

Review Date: 20 Mar 2026

Review Body: Outstanding trip. Really enjoyed it. We booked the family room for us and our 8 and 11 year old sons. You get double bunk beds and a bathroom. Best not to bring too much luggage if possible. The activities on the trip were really fun - snorkeling with manta rays, fish, swimming and kayaking on pink beaches, watching a stunning bat exodus at sunset and of course the komodo trek. The food is delicious and the vegetarian options were very good. All the staff on the boat were super friendly and we enjoyed chatting with the other guests. On the second day there is a very early (4.30am) start to climb up Padar Islands many steps (30 min hike) to watch Sunrise. Its cool but its not essential and this is a very busy day with back to back activities so if you are going to struggle with tiredness you may want to skip this to better enjoy the other activities like Komodos and Snorkeling later in the day.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Laurence

Review Date: 02 Jul 2025

Review Body: One of the best things we have ever done. Boat was great, crew were excellent and the food was amazing. The number of stops/activities included in 3D2N was incredible. And the snorkelling/reef probably the best we have seen (visibility was unreal for most of the stops). Roberto (Guide) and Abi (photographer/spotter) were lovely. A particularly pleasing aspect was that we seemed to get to the stops either before most people, or with hardly anyone else there (I think we were the only boat at our Pink Beach stop, for example). We had the Master Cabin, which I would say is well worth it, if available). Tremendous value for money wherever you sleep, I would think. Communication through Seek Sophie was also great (Rina told us we would get pick up info etc there day before and everything ran like clockwork, including transfers). A very strong recommend (and must do if you like snorkelling).

Review rating: 5

Review Author: The Alm Family

Review Date: 26 Jul 2026

Review Body: Our time on Carnaby 1 was amazing from start to finish. Everything was communicated very clearly and we knew exactly what to expect. We did hikes to breathtaking viewpoints and swam and snorkelled in some beautiful areas. What made the trip the best was the crew. Our guide Roberto and photographer Pong were awesome! Organizing all of us and taking fantastic photos and videos. The rest of the crew were awesome too! They would always greet us with smiles and cheers (and cold cloths and juice!) when coming back to the boat. Lastly, the food was SO delicious and SO plentiful, I don’t know how they did it! A live aboard is such a great idea. We loved getting to know our fellow sailors and live on the ocean for a few days. Highly recommend!! Note: We stayed in the family cabin which was large but rustic. Would love to stay in an upper deck cabin next time!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Donet Montagut

Review Date: 29 Aug 2025

Review Body: el barco no es ningun lujo, pero es comodo y tiene espacio para poder estar en cubierta y disfrutar los paisajes comodamente, la habitacion muy pequenña y el cuarto de baño bastante deteriorado, pero le pongo 5 estrellas por el servicio del barco, el camera man, que te hace miles de fotos y videos y esta incluido en el precio y la comida espectacular, hemos comido super bien, detalles como los zumos cuando llegas de hacer snorkel y la toallitas fresca para refrescarte, o las bebidas en la nevera para servirte, se agradecen mucho. para mi gusto paramos poco tiempo en la playa mas bonita que vimos y estuvimos demasiado tiempo en una playa para ver los tiburones bebes, que si, fue curioso pero la playa no era bonita, con 20 minutos alli hubiera sido suficiente, y subir esa montaña a pie fue cansado, y no merecia mucho la pena, pero lo demas todo perfecto. l

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Joo

Review Date: 30 Mar 2026

Review Body: My family — my wife and two sons — went on a 2-night, 3-day cruise trip from March 20 to 22, and it was truly one of the best experiences of our lives. The managers and staff were all very kind and helpful. The food was delicious, and the travel schedule was perfectly planned. Everything was just right. We also had the pleasure of traveling with wonderful teammates from Canada, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Malaysia. It was so nice to share this experience with people from different countries. The activities were all amazing — snorkeling in clear blue water, watching the sunrise, enjoying the beautiful sunset, and exploring Komodo Island. Every single moment was special. Nothing was a disappointment. Thank you so much for making this trip so wonderful. Our family is truly grateful for the incredible experience you created for us!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Kiera

Review Date: 10 Jun 2026

Review Body: Genuinely had the best experience over the past few days! The boat was great, clean, modern and had loads of space to relax during the sailing. The crew were amazing, so kind, informative, wanted to make everything perfect for us and extremely efficient. The food was also outstanding, the best we’ve had in Indonesia! They catered so well to veggies and vegans in the group too. The itinerary was fabulous. We saw such beautiful scenery and saw Komodo dragons, baby reef sharks, dolphins, manta rays, turtles and the best tropical fish and coral I’ve ever seen, thanks to our great guides Roberto and Billy (and of course the rest of the crew). Thank you so much for the best few days, we were very sad to say goodbye to the beautiful place, the crew and the rest of our lovely group of travellers. Would recommend to everyone else!

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Trekking at Kelor Island, visit Manjarite Islandd and enjoy Kalong sunset.

Itinerary Description: 09.00 - 09.30 am: Meet at Komodo Airport/Hotel Labuan Bidadari Island (optional stop) – A peaceful small island with soft white sand, great for swimming or snorkeling. Kelor Island – Take a short hike to the hilltop for breathtaking views of the surrounding islands. ⁠Manjarite – A popular snorkeling spot known for its clear water and vibrant marine life, including reef fish and corals. Kalong Island – Enjoy the magical sight of flying foxes gliding out of the mangrove forest at sunset. (Itineraries are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond our control)

Itinerary Day 2

Itinerary Summary: Island hopping: Rinca Komodo, Padar sunset, Pink Beach snorkeling, Taka Makassar beach, Manta Point.

Itinerary Description: Rinca Island – Meet the legendary Komodo dragons and explore the island with a local ranger. Mawan Island / Manta Point – Experience snorkeling with manta rays (subject to sea conditions). Enjoy with Sandy Beach at Taka Makassar. Long Pink Beach – Relax on the soft pinkish sand and snorkel in the calm turquoise water. Padar Island (Sunset) – Hike up for the most iconic sunset view in Komodo National Park. (Itineraries are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond our control)

Itinerary Day 3

Itinerary Summary: Snorkeling at Sebayur Island, back to Labuan Bajo harbor

Itinerary Description: Sebayur Island – Perfect for snorkeling, swimming, or just enjoying your final morning before heading back to Labuan Bajo. 12.00 pm: Back to Labuan Bajo Harbour (Itineraries are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond our control)