Review Author: JK

Review Date: 04 Oct 2024

Review Body: Amazing trip. We are ex backpackers and now travelling with teenagers. We don't have the luxury of time to scope out the best local deals when we arrive and we are more focussed on safety than when we were younger. We felt Seek Sophie as an agent provided us just the right niche. The company was La Famille who own 5 boats. We were on their smallest Osiana Alo as we wanted a private mid week trip. The boat is clean was just lovely for our group of 5. Our greeting at the port was friendly and great quality and set the scene for a relaxing trip. Tommie was our guide and had to be rated and requested highly, a great guy - good English spoken (he learnt German at school too) with a lovely balance of being warm, funny but never intrusive. The rest of the crew were really friendly (I've seen reviews of non friendly crew - not these people!). The trips all follow the same best places (but do check) - Tommie gave us some options regarding the order of places to try and get the best weather and crowd conditions. He also did his very best to get some great shots of us. PS - No inducements etc to write this review.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Taylor

Review Date: 30 Nov 2025

Review Body: We opted for the private 3D2N tour through Komodo National Park. I agree with other reviewers-this was probably one of the best things we did in a one month trip of SE Asia. The crew of 6 and our guide, Tommy, made sure the tour went seamlessly. The food was great and was mostly Indonesian sea food. We were fortunate enough to see sea turtles, manta rays, baby sharks, Komodo dragons, sting rays, and fox bats. You can’t beat watching the sunrise or sunset on a boat to yourselves. We saw some of the other boats for some of the non-private tours. I did experience a little sea sickness on the boat and I couldn’t imagine trying to manage that for a few days whilst squished among others in bunks. The bedrooms/bathrooms were basic on this ship, but good enough for what you need for a few days. It’s worth it for what you see and experience!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Nur Ain Md

Review Date: 31 Jul 2024

Review Body: We did a 3day 2 nights private boat tour for 8pax. Everything about the trip was amazing. The food on board was really good! We had such a good time with the crew on board. They were really friendly and helped us with anything we needed. We had Oziz as our guide and he was really helpful, friendly and informative when he brought us around! He bonded really well with the group which made the trip really fun! Definitely a trip to recommend with a big group of friends!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Frederic Hamon

Review Date: 27 Oct 2025

Review Body: Awesome trip and time in the Komodo islands. The staff and activities are top. Staff is really eager to make your trip enjoyable. The food was yummy and always too much so you dont really need snacks. There is coffee and tea and if you're smoker you always have a hastray for you. Just make sure you have sun cream and protection because it is hot and sunny. It is worth every penny. Special thanks to Thomas who's been very helpful, patient and kind.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Pvhb

Review Date: 21 Aug 2025

Review Body: Good organisation, clear planning, interesting stops as described, nice guide, good boat staff, safety onboard, good food, some flexibility in timing and planning. To improve: present staff at the beginning of the trip in order to connect with them from the departure. Noise of the generator at night is really disturbing.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Matthew Richard

Review Date: 31 Jul 2025

Review Body: We had a great trip! Our guide and crew were friendly and attentive. Excellent snorkeling mixed with beautiful beaches and if course Komodo dragons. Food was very good and prepared with care and nicely presented. Many wonderful memories!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Anja Frank

Review Date: 04 Sep 2025

Review Body: We had a very nice trip with helpful, friendly and really fun people. We can recommend this trip, meals were nice and we saw a lot from Indonesia.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Fabrice

Review Date: 13 Aug 2024

Review Body: Super croisière avec un équipage et un guide au Top

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Nicole

Review Date: 06 Nov 2025

Review Body: Great tour, highly recommend!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Karyn

Review Date: 16 Jul 2025

Review Body: The boat is basic but was great to have it to ourselves as a private tour. The food was delicious and there was plenty of it. The beds were very comfortable however the noise from the engine made it too loud to sleep. The crew told us that it was normal to go to sleep with the sound of a jackhammer behind the main downstairs bedroom and that if they turned it off and just used the generator overnight the fridge would turn off and the food would spoil. We decided to all relocate to the bunks upstairs which wasn’t ideal when you are paying for private rooms with ensuites but were then told it was ok, they would turn the main engine off. However only two of the aircon could run overnight on the generator. We found this very odd considering what we paid and if this is normal it should probably be disclosed that you can choose between very loud noise all night or no aircon. It is also worth noting that even though we hired the boat privately we didn’t get to spend any longer at any of the destinations we visited and we really had to fight to be allowed to do the long walk on Rinca island (2 hours verses 20 mins) which didn’t make sense as we got to the bat island hours before sunset so I am not sure why would have needed to be there 1.5 hours earlier. We also felt rushed on the third day arriving in port by 12pm. It really is a 2.5 day tour and I am not sure you really spend much more time at any destination then you would on a shorter tour. That said, the islands are beautiful and we did some amazing snorkelling.

Review rating: 3

Review Author: José Luis Bahón Mínguez

Review Date: 24 Sep 2026

Review Body: Viajamos una familia de 5 personas, hicimos el crucero de 2 noches (3 días), y todo, absolutamente todo, fue espectacular. El barco muy bonito y cuidado. Teníamos dos camarotes, uno triple y otro doble sobre cubierta, con baño propio y con bonitas vistas. Los camarotes muy limpios, muy bien decorados, la cama muy grande y muy cómoda, con grandes almohadas (2 por persona). Descansamos fenomenal. Quiero destacar la comida espectacular, fue donde mejor comimos en los 15 días que pasamos en Indonesia. En el barco felicité al cocinero y ahora lo quiero volver a hacer, porque la comida era muy variada, y todo riquísimo. Jamás habría pensado comerme una sopa allí, por eso de los reparos por cuidar el estómago, pero nos dimos cuenta de la calidad de los platos y no nos quedamos sin probar ninguno. Era mi mayor miedo, la comida en el barco los 3 días, pero será uno de los muchos buenos recuerdos que me llevo del viaje. La tripulación encantadora, todos muy muy amables y siempre pendientes de nosotros. Los sitios a los que nos llevaron preciosos, vimos delfines (esto fue pura suerte, pero los vimos), manta rayas, tortugas, mini tiburones y una cantidad de peces de colores que no había visto en mi vida. Las inmersiones de snorkeling eran diarias. Le pedí al guía que fuera más despacio, y así lo hizo, porque en España me gusta ir sin prisa y disfrutar de lo que veo, allí era todo más rápido... Pero también comprendo que eramos muchas personas que vigilar y a veces había corrientes que nos desplazaban sin que pudiéramos hacer nada... Lo que tampoco olvidaré nunca será la puesta de sol del segundo día, en la zona chilout de la parte de arriba del barco. El horizonte espectacular, con el mar y las montañas a nuestro alrededor, relajados tomando una buena cerveza fría, después de un intenso día de aquí para allá... Y esa noche la tripulación organizó una pequeña fiesta, nos enseñaron sus bailes típicos y nosotros les enseñamos los nuestros... Hay un travolting en la tripulación que le encanta bailar y que animaba a todo el mundo... Majo como el solo!!!! En fin, para nosotros, este minicrucero ha sido lo mejor del viaje a Indonesia, y hemos conocido una zona a la que algún día nos gustaría volver para ver más despacio. Mi enhorabuena a La Familia por los días inolvidables que pasamos gracias a ese estupendo barco y tripulación!!! Por supuesto lo recomiendo 1.000.000 por cien. Creo que me he explicado!!! Hasta la próxima, Familia!!! 😍😍😍

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Raras

Review Date: 01 Jul 2024

Review Body: The most wonderful 3D2N trip on Refviero boat with Martin as our guide!! The boat was beautiful, with comfortable beds and good facilities. Food was AMAZING. A variety of indonesian cuisine served for breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon snacks, including seafood, chicken and plenty of vegies. Shoutout to chef Sandry! The activities were full on but worth it. The itinerary will depend on the guide, we snorkelled a lot on our first day, hiking on 2nd day and a bit of both on 3rd. The hikes require lots of trekking uphill but comes with spectacular views. If you are going during the mid-year high season (especially on a weekend open trip) be aware that there will be hundreds of other people doing the same itinerary as you, trekking trails will be extremely crowded. Komodo national park was great, we were fortunate enough to see around 5 komodo dragons despite it being the mating season. The rangers provided insightful informations. We snorkelled at many different spots which were all incredible. Unfortunately we didn't get to see any manta rays but honestly it was fine as the rest of the snorkelling was already so good with plenty of sea creatures and corals to see. The boat crew members made this trip a blast. They were well organised, professional and always friendly. Thank you so much to the Refviero boat crew & our guide Martin for taking care of us!! Tips: Bring appropriate shoes with maximum grip as the trails are gravelly. Bring earplugs in case your room is located next to the engine room (this saved our lives!) Bring a beach towel of some sort as they only provide one towel per person. Ensure your sunscreen is reef safe. We stayed in Labuan Bajo one night before and after the boat trip which was a good idea so you aren't rushing, with plenty of times to rest after 3 intense days. Sudamala Resort was perfect for us.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Tracy M

Review Date: 04 May 2026

Review Body: I was on the Osiana Alo, 3D2N, April 24-26 and had the most amazing time! We had 9 destinations for the 3 days and it was the right balance between activities and downtime to relax on the deck. The cabin - the air conditioning was lovely and cool, the cabin was a good size and the bed was very comfortable and clean. Food - wow, absolutely delicious meals which were like works of art, so colourful, creative and very filling. I'm vegetarian and the cook always made a little side dish for me which was so generous and thoughtful, but not needed as there were always plenty of vegetarian dishes. The afternoon snack of fried bananas were so good as were the vibrant fruit "mocktails". Photographer - is onboard and takes numerous videos and photos with a go pro and camera which are made available to the passengers after the tour. The crew - Auz/Ozzie was the tour guide and a colourful character. He kept us informed of the activities, what we need, etc and kept everyone happy and excited. All the crew were professional , happy and friendly and I always felt safe and in capable hands. Everything ran like clockwork. On the last night we had a dance party and the crew put on a great show, we all danced and had a ball. This boat fits 14 passengers and we had 10 onboard which was nice as there was plenty of room. After seeing some of the nearby anchored bigger boats with lots of passengers I was glad I chose this boat. Tips - there's lots of swimming and snorkelling so bring sunscreen and maybe a rashie as it's easy for your back and shoulders to get sunburnt. Bring cash as there are local beers for sale on board. On Komodo Island, Pink beach and Kelor Island there's refreshments and souvenirs for sale. Also, when you're anchored some boys from the nearby villages paddle out in canoes and have some locally made souvenirs for sale.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: María C.

Review Date: 14 Sep 2025

Review Body: I loved the trip. The crew was amazing 🤩. Each of them did the best to make us happy. They were extremely service oriented.They planned the trip perfectly well so we will not meet all the crowds in all points. Incredibly good Snorkeling experience : I have had the most beautiful snorkeling experience (and I have done it several time in different countries). The reef in some of the stops was untouched . It was like watching a National Geographic Documentary of the reef. I will never forget the experience. We saw hundreds of beautiful fish, turtoise, and rays ♥️. There is a beach where you can see baby sharks. If you want to see them, stay on the shore, you do not need to swim into the deep water. Just wait on the shore and you will see them. They come and go :) just be a bit patient. Funny fact, on this beach there are also small fishes ( pink- transparent ones, innocent like ), they tend to bite (it does not hurt, is funny). I just be aware , they are not dangerous . While sailing we also saw baby dolphins 🐬. I have cried because it was beautiful. Food on board was good :) they put a lot of effort considering how small the space in the kitchen is. The team really did the best for us to see everything. Komodo Dragon: we have arrived early to the park. And yes, we saw at least 8-9 dragons. Wonderful, unique experience . I can recommend: 1) bring a hair dryer 2) a towel, there is a towel in your room but a second one is always helpful considering that you will be swimming and snorkeling a lot. Thank you Tommy and the photographer (I cannot remember his name, but he was extremely kind ). The photographer had the BEST attitude all time. He was so kind to take nice pictures and everyone. The crew deserves an applause ♥️ And if you can afford, a nice tip. They have donde such a great job.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Charley

Review Date: 20 Apr 2026

Review Body: I had a great experience on this Komodo National Park boat trip with La Famille. First off, the staff is absolutely incredible—truly the nicest people I’ve met in over a month of traveling Southeast Asia. They go above and beyond to make sure everyone is comfortable, safe, and having a great time. The food is also a highlight. They feed you like royalty—you’re honestly still full from the last meal but end up eating anyway because it’s that good. I booked the dorm as a solo 31-year-old female traveler and ended up sharing with an 18-year-old guy from England and a German man in his 40s. I felt completely safe the entire time. The group overall was a really interesting mix of ages—from an 11-year-old girl to couples in their 50s—so it felt very inclusive and easy to connect with different people. The scenery throughout the trip is absolutely unreal—easily one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen. That said, just know that many of the activities are pretty touristy. There are a lot of boats going to the same spots at the same time. The sunrise hike, for example, was beautiful but very crowded—I was honestly ready to head back to the boat for some peace right after the sun came up. One thing to note: the AC in the shared dorm wasn’t working very well during my trip, and I didn’t sleep great the second night because of it. Definitely something to be aware of if you’re booking the dorm. Overall though, I really loved this experience—the staff, the boat, and the scenery made it 100% worth it. I’d absolutely recommend it.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Audrey

Review Date: 14 Aug 2025

Review Body: Cette croisière avec La Famille est une expérience tout simplement extraordinaire ! Le Refviero est un splendide phinisi, à la fois élégant et confortable, avec ses lignes traditionnelles, ses espaces chaleureux en bois et ses coins détente offrant une vue imprenable sur la mer. Les chambres sont agréables. Nous avions réservé la Master Bedroom, la Superior et la Deluxe. Moi qui suis très sensible au sommeil, j’y ai dormi comme un bébé. Martin, véritable chef d’orchestre de l’aventure, est toujours souriant, dynamique, joyeux et prévenant. Se laisser guider par lui a été un vrai plaisir. Les spots visités étaient incroyables, et nous avons encore du mal à réaliser la chance que nous avons eue. À ses côtés, son ami Naufal, pétillant photographe de la croisière, nous a permis de repartir non seulement avec des souvenirs plein la tête, mais aussi avec de magnifiques photos de famille. Le cuisinier mérite aussi une mention spéciale : une cuisine de grande qualité, des plats superbement présentés… On a été hyper soignés, bichonnés, et on n’a manqué de rien (c’est le moins qu’on puisse dire) ! Nous étions 10 passagers accompagnés par 7 membres d’équipage. Leur bonne humeur constante, leur attention et leur souci de notre bien-être resteront longtemps dans nos cœurs. Je pense notamment à ce dernier soir, autour de la table, où nous avons tous dansé ensemble. Un moment de partage et de joie, dans un décor de rêve, que les enfants n’oublieront jamais. Plein de gratitude pour ce que nous venons de vivre. Merci !

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Freek Vernhout

Review Date: 16 Jun 2026

Review Body: We spent 3 days and 2 nights exploring the breathtaking Komodo National Park aboard the Osiana Alo, and it exceeded all expectations. From the moment we stepped on board, the crew made us feel incredibly welcome. Their hospitality, friendliness, and attention to detail were outstanding throughout the entire trip. They were always smiling, helpful, and genuinely cared about making sure everyone had the best possible experience. The facilities on the boat were exactly what we needed: comfortable cabins, good air conditioning, hot showers, and plenty of space to relax on deck while enjoying the stunning scenery. The lounge nets at the front of the boat quickly became our favorite place to unwind between destinations. A special mention goes to the food onboard. Every meal was delicious, fresh, and surprisingly varied. We genuinely looked forward to every breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack. The quality of the food was far beyond what we expected on a liveaboard trip. Of course, the destinations themselves were spectacular, Padar Island, Pink Beach, Komodo dragons, manta rays, and countless stunning viewpoints—but what truly made this trip special was the crew. Their energy, professionalism, and warmth created an atmosphere that felt more like traveling with friends than being on a tour. If you're looking for an authentic, well-organized, and unforgettable Komodo adventure, I cannot recommend Osiana Alo enough. We would book this trip again in a heartbeat! 🌊🐉☀️🚤

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Putri

Review Date: 05 Jun 2026

Review Body: Had a great time on this mangrove tour! 😊 One thing I like it was that the guide came to pick me up, not just the driver. My guide was from the local village, so he knew the area really well. During the drive, he shared lots of interesting stories and explained many things about the places we passed along the way. Trying the local coffee and snacks was also a fun experience. I'm actually not a coffee drinker, but the guide told me that coffee is a big part of daily life here. They jokingly welcomed me as part of the family, so of course I had to try it — and surprisingly, I really liked it! ☕ I was secretly hoping to spot a crocodile during the mangrove tour, but no luck this time 😂. I guess I'll have to come back again! The mangrove tour itself was awesome. It was about a 20-minute boat ride each way through beautiful mangrove forests. It was fascinating to see so many different species of mangroves and learn about their role in the ecosystem. I also loved the simple lunch setup in a gazebo overlooking the mangroves. Nothing fancy, just peaceful and beautiful. Another highlight was visiting the village where craftsmen build traditional phinisi boats. It was amazing to see these huge wooden boats being built by hand and learn more about the process. Highly recommended if you're looking for something different from the usual Labuan Bajo itinerary. Just 1.5 hours away from Bajo, but packed with local culture, nature, and great stories! 🌿✨

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Mel & Jakub

Review Date: 30 Sep 2026

Review Body: My husband and I had a wonderful time on this Komodo boat trip and it was the highlight of our travels so far. I initially thought it’d be the islands and wildlife that would impress us the most but actually it was our guide Stefan, the crew and the people we met! The team were super attentive, Stefan was very knowledgeable and went to extra lengths to ensure we had the best trip, as did the rest of the team. We were super lucky to see manta rays, turtles, monkeys and Komodo dragons! The tour is quite packed but not overwhelming and you get to see so many different things within the 3 days. The food was incredible. The chefs were cooking up delicious meals daily - we always had vegetarian options and something for everyone. We stayed in a private room and were happy as it had air con, enough space for our luggage and the bed was comfy enough. There’s also space on the upper deck for sunbathing and watching the sunset. We also had the best photographer. He went out of his way to take photos of us in and out of water and was very good at helping with how to pose and finding the perfect shot! On the last night, we got more time to mingle with the rest of the group and had a little karaoke session which was a really fun ending. Once again, we want to thank everyone in the team for this experience. It was truly one of a kind and one we will never forget. Thank you Stefan, the crew and La Famille team! We hope one day we can join again!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sarah

Review Date: 19 Apr 2026

Review Body: Incredible organized open trip. Room was exactly as pictured, the pre-trip communication was smooth and clear, and our guide Wir spoke English very well and communicated clearly. But those are just the basics! The whole boat team really went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and ensure we had the best possible experience. They arranged the daily schedule so we had the fewest crowds at each of our stops, always provided us bottled water for our hiking and cold towels on our return, were always available for questions and requests in between our activities, and even participated in karaoke and dancing on our last night. The chef and sous-chef made the most delicious boat food for us with plenty of options for all diets. Our favorites included satay skewers, grilled snapper, Kaffir lime curry tuna, tempeh, garlic fried chicken, beef stew, fried calamari, tofu and tempeh curry, spiced shrimp, crab, and deep fried bananas with chocolate and parmesan cheese. Breakfast was pancakes with eggs and sausage and there was always fresh watermelon on the table. Besides the logistics, we really enjoyed the variety of activities on this trip: hiking, snorkeling, sunrise/sunset/star watching, relaxing on the beach. And having a photographer on board to capture it all on professional camera, GoPro, and drone was a real plus so we could focus on being present! If you're considering this boat trip, just book it! Highly recommend.

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Today you will hike to Kelor and enjoy sunset at Kalong Island

Itinerary Description: 10 am You will check in to the boat, then continue explore the islands : Hike the picturesque Kelor Island Snorkel on Manjarite Island See the exodus of thousands of bats at Kalong Island and overnight onboard (Itineraries subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond our control)

Itinerary Day 2

Itinerary Summary: Padar Island - Pink Beach - Rinca/Komodo Island - Manta Point

Itinerary Description: Wake up in the morning, then hike to Padar Island. This is the most epic viewpoint in Komodo National Park where you'll get to see the panoramic view of the islands. Continue go to Pink Beach where you'll see beautiful pink sand, naturally coloured by the red corals Head to Rinca/Komodo island to see the Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. Short trek to see the dragons. Then snorkeling in Manta Point - Taka Makassar. If you're lucky you'll get to swim with Manta Rays! (Itineraries subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond our control)

Itinerary Day 3

Itinerary Summary: Sebayur Island - Labuan Bajo Harbour

Itinerary Description: Swim and snorkeling at Sebayur Island Then head back to Labuan Bajo 01.00pm Arrive at Labuan Bajo Airport (Itineraries subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond our control)