Review Author: GrowingUpTroppo

Review Date: 05 Nov 2018

Review Body: WOW WOW WOW - INCREDIBLE! We have recently returned from the 3 day Dragon Tour with FloresXP and can't stop talking about just how incredible the whole experience was. I highly recommend this trip. The tour gives you the opportunity to see and experience the best of the islands - magical snorkelling, diving, beautiful beaches, remote islands and of course heaps of opportunities to see the famous Komodo Dragons. It was one of the most amazing holidays we have had with our boys (ages 8 and 5) and we have travelled the globe together as a family! The boys got to experience things that they have never seen or done before. We are already talking about returning in the future and trying to organise a longer trip with FloresXP. Thank you to all of the amazing team at FloresXP for everything. It was a trip of a lifetime. We miss you all!!! OUR GROUP We were a group of 8 including 4 adults and 4 kids (ages 5,6, 8 and 8). We went with our lovely friends and neighbours. We live in Darwin, Australia. I recommend doing this trip with friends like we did. It was perfect and the kids had a ball together and entertained each other so we had some great adult time with our friends. WHY WE CHOSE FLORESXP FOR OUR FAMILIES The MOST important criteria in choosing a boat operator was SAFETY and one that was FAMILY FRIENDLY so I did lots and lots of research and FloresXP came out on top in my research. All the reviews were excellent. I also wanted to go with an operator that had good environmental credentials and they scored highly in this area as well. With younger kids I wasn't sure about how we would go being on a live aboard at night and was a bit nervous about my 5 year so the fact that we would get to stay the night at the Flores XP PirateX Camp on Sebuyar Island was perfect. PIRATEX CAMP The camp is totally cool, funky and shabby chic beach style with a whimsical pirate theme twist. Staying at PirateX Camp gave the kids an opportunity to have space and run around on the beach in the afternoon and explore. They loved all the pirate paraphernalia at PirateX Camp. The accommodation at PirateX camp is very simple but we liked that. We were in the newer cabins at the top which was a steep climb up steps (be wary with little ones) but the views from the cabins were amazing. The newer cabins at the top have a simple bathroom underneath them. They have a basic fresh water shower which was welcomed to wash off the salty water. They are open and our cabin had 2 bunks and a queen bed. They beds have mosquito nets and there are lights at night (and lights down the stairs as well). The rustic cabins lower down near the beach have a shared bathroom. They were occupied by younger travellers when we were there who come to do diving. But it wasn't a party scene at all. It was friendly and low key and because there are only a handful of little cabins it was pretty quiet. THE STAFF/TEAM I can't speak highly enough of all of the team on our boat trip. From Venny meeting us at the wharf to the amazing Max who was our Tour Leader, Fendy our Dive Master to the boat crew. They were professional, caring, fun and absolutely wonderful with the kids. My 5 year old boy couldn't get enough of Max and our awesome boat captain. He was their constant shadow. After 3 days on the boat with these guys we were all sad to leave them and miss them. All our communication with Max via email to organise the tour was easy and he was really helpful with all the questions I had about the tour. THE HIGHLIGHTS There were so many highlights, I don't know where to begin! 1. Being on a boat for 3 days with our boys and our friends with kids was so relaxing, and a unique and special experience. It was such a wonderful bonding time for our family. The landscape is stunning with islands rise dramatically out of the water. 2. Diving and snorkelling and seeing green turtles resting amongst coral gardens. 3. Snorkelling with Manta Rays and holding my eight year old boy's hand and being with him when he saw his first manta ray ever! 4. Seeing the sheer delight and excitement of my 5 year old snorkelling for the first time and being totally blown away by the fish he was seeing under water. 5. Mummy snorkelling time to myself - thanks to the lovely staff helping with the kids. I saw a black tipped reef shark, moray eels, a sea snake, loads and loads of tropical fish, lion fish, turtles, manta rays and more. 6. Visiting Komodo National Park and seeing the Dragons and learning about them with the local guides. 7. Relaxing on the beach at PirateX Camp with our friends, having a beer and watching the sunset at the end of the day after visiting Komodo National Park while the kids pretended to be Komodo Dragons and park rangers on the sand. 8. The staff (Thank you) WHAT TO BRING I wish I had bought a Go Pro to take images of the coral, fish and turtles. We bought our own snorkel masks and fins for the kids from Australia. FloresXP have some for kids but I wanted my boys to get used to using them at home in the pool before the trip. I also wanted to make sure the mask fitted really well and didn't let water in. Check when you book what they have. We brought neoprene life jackets. The boat has life jackets in case of emergencies but I just felt more comfortable with the kids swimming and snorkelling in deep water. We made them wear them on the boat as well (peace of mind for parents). Bring a few torches! FOOD I was pretty amazed at the quality of food the staff made for us on the boat during the day. We had fresh fish, chicken, salads, noodles etc. It was simple but really good. There was fresh fruit and always snacks of cookies and chips as well as hot water for tea and coffee. You have breakfast and dinner at PirateX Camp which is a buffet style meal which was nice and there was food the kids would eat. There's nice deck area to eat at the PirateX Camp. You can buy drinks, beer and a few other things like brownies as well. NEED TO KNOW I was a bit wary of my boys climbing up and down the ladder/steps to the top of the boat at first but they got the hang of it. Personally I would be a little wary of taking kids that were younger than ours who aren't as capable of climbing the ladder etc. The stairs to the top cabins at PirateX Camp are steep and a bit of a hike. Be wary with little kids. The path to the bathroom underneath our cabin was steep and not even so take a torch last night. Think about the swimming ability of your kids. To make the most of the trip your kids need to be comfortable in the water and snorkelling of the boat in deep water. They don't have to swim or snorkel from the boat and there are opportunities to swim from the beach as well though. Thanks again FloresXP

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Drkateb, Pennsylvania

Review Date: 23 Jan 2019

Review Body: I am 49 yrs old and travelling with my cousin Sue (52). This kind of travel is not our usual style of travel and we found the differences to fun and eye-opening all at the same time. I knew from the description that this trip would be more primitive than what I was used to but I didn't know by how much. Lets start with- I LOVED it! Then lets go with our trip companions were all much younger and accustomed to staying at hostels. They were so nice and enjoyable. Going during off season ( raining season) proved to be the bad choice in this adventure. Our first day was awesome. I didn't see in my research of this trip to pack lightly. Sue and I showed up with big and heavy suit cases while all the other travelers came with a back pack. It was later very obvious why this was going to be a problem. The crew just kindly loaded us on the boat. Our dive master Edward and his assistant John where awesome in getting us into the water. they briefed us first and then got everyone the right equipment. The entire group snorkeled. The snorkel spots were great. Lunch was good and about late afternoon we ended up at Pirates Cove to settle in for the night. We had to transfer from the boat to the island by a smaller boat. This was pretty rough. Sue and I only took what we needed for the night. We left our heavy suitcases on the bigger boat. Peter took care of the group on the island. He invited us to trek to the top of the mountain on that island for the sunset. Wow. It was hard but I made it to the top with 3 -30 year olds and 1- 20 year old. The sane older folks stopped before the top. It was a hike. The view was wonderful. Please if you do this- take water, wear good shoes and bring a flashlight for the way down. It is very rough going both ways. I fell once on the way back- its pretty steep. Dinner after was good- I felt like I earned it. The power for the camp is solar and the day was mostly cloudy. We lost power relatively early that night- It is a very basic cabin but it was all we needed. The shower is not heated and the toilet doesn't work after the electricity goes out. We were told to take everything with us after this night in case the weather wouldn't allow us to get back to the island the next night. Day 2 was the best. We went to Komodo National Park first. We saw 1 baby dragon and 4 adults! It was awesome to see them in the wild. I felt safe the entire time. Our guides were good. After we went to Pink beach for snorkeling ( I skipped this one but the rest of the group said it was good ) and then on to a place to see sea turtles- I saw at least 5 turtles- others in the group said they saw 10 turtles. It was so great. Edward took my underwater camera and got a couple shots of the turtles down near the coral. I will include them. The trip back to pirates cove was very rough- high waves. Once we were nearby, it was obvious we wouldn't be to land due to the high waves and bad weather. The captain took the boat to an inner harbor and tied off to a buoy. We had dinner and then all slept on the boat. Seven of us with mats in a very small area - trying to sleep as multiple storms hit throughout the night. The wind was pretty bad- the crew later said they couldn't sleep because the water was coming in on them and they had to watch the buoy to make sure it didn't break loose. What a crazy night. Day 3- We could see huge waves at the entrance to the harbor- ughh. Breakfast was good and then Edward gave us the option of trekking Rinca and doing 1 more snorkel spot but that there an even bigger storm moving in by noon and we would need get back sooner. After a bit of discussion, everyone was in agreement to just go back then. I am sad I missed the Manta Rays but I think safety was a much better choice. Going in the raining season is a risk. The company cancelled the rest of the trips this month. Sue and I went back to our hotel and ordered massages immediately. Next week when we are at the Grand Hyatt Bali, I will think about this trip and laugh/smile. It was good to experience something a lot different. I hope this review helps someone else understand what they are getting into.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: lisannekemps

Review Date: 25 Sep 2018

Review Body: It is almost two weeks ago since me and my boyfriend did the 3 Day/2 Night dragon tour with Flores XP. Our tour was a little different because we arrived early in the morning at Komodo Airport on the day that the tour started. There was a nice girl waiting at the airport with my name on a piece of paper and she took us to the harbour where another nice girl was waiting for us. A small boat would bring us to the larger boat that departed Labuanbajo a little earlier that morning. We waited for 30 minutes but there were problems with the small boat. The girl from Flores XP took us to a restaurant “Mediterraneo” where we had breakfast while waiting for the small boat. The small boat was ready and took us in 2 hours to the Pirate Camp instead of the larger boat where we expected to go. We had a nice lunch at the Pirate Camp dropped our stuff at our little bungalow. The camp was a lot more luxurious than we expected! We had a lightbulb, comfortable beds and one power plug in our bungalow. There was even Wi-Fi in the restaurant! Good toilets and showers (a warm shower if you’re not the last one). The entire camp is eco-friendly which is very impressive! After lunch we met our group on the boat and joined them to the next place where we could snorkel. We saw one stingray and many other beautiful fishes! When we returned to our camp we climbed the mountain on the island. It takes 45 minutes and waited there for sunset, it was beautiful and definitely worth the climb (which was a little dangerous on our way down because it was dark). There are goats and snakes on the way up/on the mountain, but we didn’t see any. We arrived back in the restaurant at dinner time. Great food buffet! After a few beers (which you can buy in the restaurant) and a briefing from the lovely staff we went to bed. Next morning, we woke up very early for Komodo Island. During the track we saw 3 Komodo’s and we had our picture taken with a big one. When the track was finished, we tipped the ranger and wanted to walk back to the boat. Suddenly there was this huge Komodo dragon walking on the beach, be biggest one we saw during the entire tour! Next stop pink beach which was not very pink, but still nice. Nice lunch on the boat. Next stop: turtle point, we saw 4 in total. Wauw! Back to the camp for dinner, beers and briefing for the last day. Next day, we woke up early again to go to a beautiful snorkelling spot called Batu Balong. One of the most beautiful places I have ever snorkelled! The current can be strong, but you should definitely go in the water at this place! Next stop: cleaning station of manta rays, we saw 5! They were relaxing on the sea bottom, not swimming, but still beautiful! Lunch on the boat and next stop: Rinca Island where we saw 15 (!!!!) Komodo dragons, and a lot of deer’s and water buffalos. But it’s true what you read on most reviews, they are mostly staying near the ticket office/houses on the island. After the tracking we arrived in Kanawa Island at sunset time to watch the flying foxes. There are a lot of them! We would recommend this trip with Flores XP to everyone! It might be a little expensive compared to other tour companies but it’s definitely worth it! The experience of sleeping on the Pirate Camp instead of sleeping on the boat was great in our opinion. It is very nice to have your own bungalow, a clean (shared) shower and toilet, a restaurant with wifi and have a beer with the group in the evening. But I have to say that we had an amazing group and great staff as well! You are VERY LUCKY if you have Fandhy and Ewal as your tour guides! They know a lot about the wild- and sea life. They contributed a lot to the nice atmosphere during the trip and they took great care of every single one of us! Fandhy and Ewal, thank you very much!!!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Daniel W

Review Date: 01 Jul 2019

Review Body: We did the 3D/2N Dragon Tour from Labuan Bajo. I don’t usually bother to review on Trip Advisor but these guys couldn’t deserve it more. I could spend all day writing about how amazing the trip was, but in brief: Flores XP was fantastic to deal with as a company. We didn’t have much contact ahead of the trip but they were accommodating with our large bags which we left in their office while on the boats. The tour guides and boat crew (7 of them to 10 guests) were brilliant from the moment we stepped onto the boat. Paul, Jeffrey and Irfan did a great job in keeping us informed and safe at all times while also using their knowledge to ensure we maximised our time snorkelling (and diving for those on board who were diving). Paul briefed us every morning and before every stop to ensure we were informed and could enjoy it to the max. He really wanted us to see some mantas that he got us in the water 3 times just to try to find some, which summed up intentions to make the trip the best he could. Jeffrey and Irfan were also brilliant, with Jeffrey keeping us safe and helping to spot all sorts of sea life when snorkelling. Both were always present to provide a helping hand on board, whether to fill our water, sort out toilet problems or to feed us some delicious food! This goes for the 4 members of the crew who helped make everything so effortless for us, but would stay up at night to ensure the boat was positioned so it wouldn’t rock too much. In sum, all the guides and crew could not have been better and make it the experience it was. On the trip we managed to see dolphins, over a dozen turtles, eagle rays, sharks and all sorts of other amazing sea life. Although we didn’t manage to see any mantas it did not take away from our luck in spotting so much else. After all, these are all wild creatures. On the land, the Komodo dragons were a highlight. However, trekking up Padar for the sunset, staying at the secluded dive resort and visiting some beautiful sand banks and islands gave us those shots for the ‘gram’. A special note should be made to clarify that this is a great trip for those that dive as well as those who do not. There were a mix on our boat (we did not dive), but everyone was well-catered for and nothing felt rushed. If anything, sometimes all the swimming got quite tiring (but you can sleep on the beanbags on the top deck of the boat in between stops, so it’s all good). We also had a family, a couple, two friends and a solo traveller and everyone loved it - certainly a trip for all types of travellers. The one thing that I think could be improved is letting guests know exactly how much cash will be required in advance as cash machines are not all reliable in Labuan Bajo. This did not have any negative impact, but there is always room for improvement right! FYI, 1,200,000 rupiah is needed per person to bring on board with you. Just to reiterate, we had an amazing time and is a trip we will never forget. A big part of that was Paul and his team whom we can’t thank enough for making it so wonderful. Recommend Flores XP 100% and will certainly use them to visit the islands further on our next trip back.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Housecaroline, USA

Review Date: 15 Mar 2019

Review Body: My partner and I arrived in Labuan Bajo and spent the entire day walking around and talking with different tour operators. Ultimately, we choose Flores XP, because of their full itinerary, the friendliness of the staff, and their excellent reviews from previous guests. Thankfully, I can honestly say post-trip we chose the best operator for a mid-range budget. We signed up for the Padar Island 3D/2N tour and it is without question the perfect itinerary to get the complete Komodo experience. You get two opportunities to see the Komodo Dragons, which is sufficient, you go to numerous world class snorkeling/diving sites, and you visit Padar Island for sunset, which is out-of-this-world gorgeous. Our guides, Paul and Max, were the absolute best! Paul speaks impeccable English and has such an approachable and fun personality. Max was a little newer, but also very knowledgeable and enjoyable to talk with. The boat crew couldn’t have done a single thing better. The food was some of the best we had in Indonesia, the captain/crew were always quick to get the boat in position when we were getting in or out of the water, and they were all super friendly. The captain also chose a calm anchoring site for our night on the boat. There were 4 of us on the boat, so we each had a cabin and there were plenty of sun loungers. It might be a little cramped if the boat was at capacity, though. The AC obviously only works when the generator is on, so around 12pm or so it gets turned off and the cabins become hot and stuffy (we visited in November). Unfortunately, we had little to no sea breeze at night, so it was extremely hot and I ended up sitting on the top deck starting around 4am. The second night you stay at their “Pirate” camp, which is nice, but rustic. Again, we had an uncomfortable nights sleep, because the huts do not have a fan or AC, since all of the power is supplied from a small solar system. The basic huts have thatch coverings on 3 sides, so your only hope for cooling is a sea breeze, which was nonexistent on our trip. I ended up laying on the front porch and walking to the beach to try to sleep with very little success. Fans are seriously needed. Our dinner on the island was short on food, so I didn’t get to eat much, but I was 10 minutes late to when they started serving food. The breakfast could also be improved (it was mostly cold offerings - cereal with milk, cut fruit (limited), hard boiled eggs, and toast). Surprisingly, our breakfast on the boat was significantly better! Despite the restless nights, the itinerary is jammed pack with well organized activities and this made up for any shortcomings. The Komodo Islands are the Galapagos of Southeast Asia - don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit. After visiting some of the world’s premier snorkeling/diving sites, I can irrefutably state the Komodo Islands are one of the top 3 underwater environments to experience in the world. The variety of healthy hard and soft corals combined with all the fish and other sea life will blow your mind. Thanks to all the staff for a top notch Komodo experience! We will be back!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: James_2015a, UK

Review Date: 17 Oct 2019

Review Body: We did the 3 day, 2 night tour. Almost every part of this trip was fantastic. We were met at the office by a really friendly lady who stored any extra luggage and then took us down to the dock. She helped us navigate buying our permits from the government office (taxes, not related to the tour) and then got us all onto the boat to meet our guides. The guides were great. They were really friendly and approachable. They updated us very often on our itinerary and the places we would be visiting and were always happy to answer questions and help us out. We had a few young children on our tour and the entire crew were absolutely fantastic at entertaining them and watching out for their safety. The boat itself was nice. Obviously space is limited so it isn't going to be the same as a hotel room on land, but it was comfortable and clean and the crew did their absolute best to make the whole experience pleasant for us. There is a lot of unavoidable background noise from the engines and generator, so I'd advise bringing earplugs if you're a light sleeper. The itinerary was perfectly paced. We saw loads of interesting things, had plenty of time for snorkelling and diving without feeling like we were being rushed, but also had lots of down time in between visits to enjoy the sun and chat to our group. The food onboard was great. There was a huge amount of it (I don't think we ever made it more than 2/3 of the way through a meal) and a large variety of dishes that also catered to the vegetarians in our group. The quality was great, particularly of the fresh fish dishes. One suggestion would be to include knives with the cutlery as trying to cut chicken with a spoon is a little tricky! The second night we stayed at the pirate camp. To be honest, I would have preferred to stay on the boat. The camp is very basic, with electricity only at certain times and shared toilets / showers. The kitchen seemed a bit overwhelmed by the number of guests as the food tasted like it had been rushed and they ran out at both dinner and breakfast. When we finally arrived back at the port, we were met by the same lady who took us back to the office. She kept our bags for us whilst we went and had dinner and then offered to arrange transport for everyone who needed it. She even rang round to try and find hotels for some of our group who hadn't planned their last night's acommodation. Excellent service. My least favourite part of the trip was actually the komodo dragon hike. I think the problem was that our guides made being on the water and snorkelling so much fun that, by comparison, the land hike (run by government rangers) felt quite short and dull by comparison. Perhaps our guides could give them some tips? Overall an absolutely wonderful experience. We were a little unsure about travelling all the way to Komodo and giving up 5 days of our holiday (2 travel days, 3 tour days) for it but it was 100% worth it! At the end, I wished the trip had been longer and I would happilly sign up to do it all over again. Recommended!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: rach_strongarm22

Review Date: 12 Nov 2018

Review Body: I can’t recommend this tour enough. I’m telling everyone I know and meet! We did the 3 day Padar tour with guides Max and Paul and a fab boat crew (just don’t ask me to spell their names!). As everyone has said, the snorkelling and wildlife opportunities are absolutely unreal. The guides do their best to manage expectations on seeing turtles, manta, dragons etc. but luckily for us we saw everything they expected to see. A particular highlight was unexpectedly circling a school of over 20 dolphins on the second day as we set off for Komodo Island. Paul and Max were amazing guides. Their knowledge of the park, wildlife and Indonesian culture was great and their English was so impressive. They gave us briefings for every day and before each activity which were really useful. My partner had never snorkelled and isn’t a strong swimmer and they were great at helping build his confidence. The boat was great but I have to say we hit the jackpot in that there were only 4 of us on the whole tour, us and another couple, so each couple had their own cabin for the first night and there was enough sunbeds for one each. I imagine if the tour was full it would be quite a different experience based on size of cabin and amount of shade on the boat. The cabins do have air con but it wasn’t making much difference to us on the one night on the boat so we didn’t sleep that well, if you had more people it would have been even hotter. I didn’t mind too much though because watching the sunrise was really memorable. Food was amazing and they catered for vegetarian really well. Plenty of snacks and water. I thought the crew and guides were all amazing and then an incident happened where they just blew me away. When snorkelling with mantas I didn’t spot a large jellyfish which got tangled all round my arm. I couldn’t get it off myself in the water and the captain helped unravel it so I could get to the boat. Once on the boat everyone was helping wash me with warm water to get rid of the stinging cells and they even sent off the support boat to nearby crews for limes and white vinegar to counteract the sting. Although the rest of the crew didn’t speak English I hope they know how appreciative I was of their care and support in that situation as it was incredibly painful and they went out of their way to help make it stop. Luckily it happened on my last day and the Flores XP team even took me to the pharmacy on the way home and helped with the pharmacists to explain the situation and get me the right medication. I’ve read some reviews complain about this tour group being expensive. I thoroughly think the price is worth it. I haven’t seen another tour which packs so much in, has such a big crew, level of service and is as reputable in the area. Thanks to everyone on the Padar tour 1-3 November. It was an incredible few days I’ll never forget. Back in the UK now and jellyfish sting is on the mend (although I am writing this from the doctors where I’m getting a final check on it ). Rachel

Review rating: 5

Review Author: vicki380, UK

Review Date: 10 Sep 2019

Review Body: We are a family of 4 (2 children) and thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Staff were great fun and attentive. The briefings were excellent as it made the whole trip easy as we knew what to expect when. And when things had to be tweaked we were kept up to date. Paul the dive master was very efficient and responsive to any request - as a marine biologist and photographer interested in small "stuff" our first dive was too "fast" but he was very good at listening and adapting to what we wanted. I also felt he was determined to make our experience an excellent one and was very safe particularly in the more challenging dive sites. The Komodo National Park is truly spectacular and the tour filled every expectation. We were warned we might not see many Komodos on the island of Komodo but we saw 7 so all of us were very happy! There is a little bit of a tourist trail going on in the National Park but that is the nature of visiting such a stunning place and no fault of the tour operators - just wasn't quite what I expected at times! The change of plan to see sun rise on Padar island was inspirational - much better to climb up in the dark and then see the vista unfold around you. Wow! Our kids loved the boat and the crew were very accommodating when the boys wanted to jump of the rails! Although initially we were a little concerned about the kids going off snorkeling with the group while we dived, a quick word to the guide and he kept a close eye on the boys and all was good. At one point we stupidly left a packet of biscuits open in our cabin and had an influx of ants and this was very swiftly dealt with and appreciated. Thank you! Although but adults enjoyed the food the children did struggle a bit and I did wonder if we could have requested some "plain" food for our picky eaters but they didn't starve and they loved the gelato in Pirates Bay! The snorkel and dive kit were all good and the fins all fitted so that made snorkelling enjoyable. The crew were particularly attentive when we are arrived at Pirate Bay in the dark with a big swell and although landing on the jetty was exciting we were very well looked after. Pirates Bay is great fun and I wish we had had a little more time there to explore. The accommodation was brilliant as you could hear the waves and look out to a glorious view. a very comfy bed. Finally - I forgot to write down the dive sites and so contacted the head office to find them out. Their communication every step of the way and even afterwards is outstanding and very reassuring. well done to all!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: BertMarleen, Belgium

Review Date: 22 Oct 2018

Review Body: At the end of September we did a 3D/2N private tour with Flores XP with one night sleeping on the boat and one night at the XPirates Camp. Our primary goal was wildlife photography (Komodo dragons and birds). We are no divers and had only little experience with snorkeling. Life on the boat was very comfortable (plenty of room to relax, opportunity to load batteries of cameras) and the food was delicious. Sleeping on the boat was also comfortable, just a little bit warm (airco was not working, but we left the cabin door open). At the camp we enjoyed a beautifull sunset from the jetty and a cold beer at the restaurant, where the good working WIFI was a bonus. Sleeping was fine, good bed with mosquito net, but no mosquitos and not too hot. In the morning we could see small sharks, plenty of colorful fish and even an octopus close to the jetty. On Rinca island we saw a lot of active dragons (probably because of a little rain). On Komodo island we arrived very early in the morning and were lucky finding a dragon on the beach. Later we saw even more dragons in the forest. On both islands we had very good guides and we saw also a lot of birds. We were very lucky to have Mikel and his team on the boat. Mikel is a photographer and wildlife enthousiast himself and he knew exactly what we wanted. However the big surprise to us was the beautiful underwater life at the snorkeling spots of the Komodo marine park. In the beginning we were a little reluctant because we heard of the strong currents being present in these waters, the more because we had only little experience and are not that young anymore. But Mikel and Super Max did a fantastic job. They guided us in the water and kept us safe every moment, so we could enjoy this completely new beautiful world to the fullest. The absolute highlight was swimming with the graceful manta rays, at a certain moment we had 8 mantas swimming together. We took lots of videos with a Gopro during the snorkeling, so we can relive now these magical moments forever. And for this we have to thank Mikel again, because without his help this would not have been so impressive. In short this was an amazing trip, which we will always remember. We strongly recommend a trip with Flores XP to anyone visiting Komodo! Bert and Marleen

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Samantha K, UK

Review Date: 28 Dec 2018

Review Body: My partner and I chose this trip as it was one of the few that offered accommodation on land both nights rather than sleeping on the boats as I suffer from sea sickness so didn’t want to take my chances with staying on the boat permanently. Wayam was an amazing host and guide throughout the entire trip. Darzi the driver and Awal were also great hosts on the boat as well. We did a 3D2N trip to the Komodo islands and were joined on the trip by 7 others and in total there were 9 of us on the boat. We were amazingly lucky on our trip in that we saw loads of turtles, manta rays (10+), plenty of fish and even some dolphins came to swim by our boat! My partner also went diving with Wayam and saw loads of other sea creatures like octopus, squid and of course more turtles! (You can do a night dive if you have the right diving certificates.)And of course plenty of Komodo dragons on land on the trip! And to finish off the last evening we saw the flying foxes to a beautiful sunset. We got incredibly lucky with all the animals we saw. Lunch was served daily on the boat and was a good selection of traditional Indonesian food. In the evening plenty of beers at the bar and good food again. Although it wasn’t the best food we had on our holiday it was decent and kept us full. The sleeping quarters were cute little huts with mosquito nets and just had a basic mattress. All you needed after each day of your trip. The whole island does have power to charge your devices like cameras and go pros at the bar and one socket at the hut. It is hot in the huts though but cools down in the evening. Still beats sleeping on a boat and there are decent showers and toilet facilities. Only thing for us was my partner specified on the booking form he was diving but they forgot the kit so we had to make a small detour to pick up all the equipment on the island before starting the trip. Apart from that it was great! Definitely recommend this trip for those wanting to experience the Komodo islands without sleeping on the waters. Great company with other travellers, calm waters, gorgeous sunshine and great XP hosts. PS bring lots of sunscreen and put plenty on your bum when snorkelling as it’ll burn being up floating in the sun all day haha! Sam & Mitch :)

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Briony D, Australia

Review Date: 16 Nov 2018

Review Body: We did the 3 day dragon tour and loved it - definitely the best part of our trip. The tour program was excellent, each day gets better than the last. We were lucky with weather on our tour - we went in November, which is meant to be wet season but it didn't rain at all, but it also meant that the area was quiet and wasn't packed with tourists - I'd definitely recommend going at a similar time or maybe a little earlier! We were also lucky with wildlife and saw plenty of sea turtles and manta rays, and plenty of dragons on both Komodo and Rinca Island (more on Rinca!). Communication from the team was great - each day our guide Wayan (an excellent guide!) gave us a briefing of the plan for the day and kept us informed what was going on and what we were going to do at each stop. They were also always careful to point out to us which areas of the water had strong currents, areas not to go, and we always had access to lifejackets if needed. The rest of the crew were also professional and we always felt safe on the boat. Accommodation at the camp was basic, but gives you a real island camping feel when you wake up looking straight through the mosquito net to the beach! It also had more amenities than I was expecting - charging points in each tent and wifi in the main area. Food ranged from OK to excellent - weirdly enough the food on the boat was the best rather than at the camp! I always had enough, but they do recommend you bring snacks as well. There are lots of tour providers in the area, but not many with a good online presence and the ability to really lock in tours and assess safety etc. beforehand. We were very happy to pay the extra for Flores XP in the end!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: pitalice, China

Review Date: 16 Oct 2019

Review Body: We would like to see the mantas in their natural surroundings and boy were we thrilled to see about 20 of them at Manta Point. We set out from Labuan Bajo with little expectations having gone for many eco tourism tours from Seattle to Malaysia. This trip, though no promise was made, we get to see what the brochures listed and more. We swam with the turtles, saw reef sharks, witnessed the stingray hid itself and marvelled at the beautiful corals in Makassar Reef. Having said that, the trip to the Komodo Island was disappointing as we only saw "domesticated" Komodos, 4 of them, near the restaurant. The tour guide from the park office was poor. I think Rinca will be a better place to see the Komodos among the villagers. This can be a change in the itinerary. On Padar, we witnessed the sunset over a beautiful landscape. We slept the night on board near the bay. The itinerary should include watching the Sunrise from the same peak spot and I supposed the view and photography will be more beautiful as they can include the bay where the ships were anchored. We were on board a large ship with a very comfortable room for 4. We had great room mates to add to the experience. The food was nice but could be better if they are warm. Drinking water is adequate and the supplemented by beer and sodas for a small change. The experience could be as stated if not for the captain who has local knowledge and always brought us to the right spots and at the right times. I dared say, we spotted the Mantas first among many others. The Dive Master Paul was always accommodating but strict enough to keep us in check. I recommend Flores XP for those who want to have these experience.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jumalis, Singapore

Review Date: 29 Oct 2019

Review Body: We would like to see the mantas in their natural surroundings and boy were we thrilled to see about 20 of them at Manta Point. We set out from Labuan Bajo with little expectations having gone for many eco tourism tours from Seattle to Malaysia. This trip, though no promise was made, we get to see what the brochures listed and more. We swam with the turtles, saw reef sharks, witnessed the stingray hid itself and marvelled at the beautiful corals in Makassar Reef. Having said that, the trip to the Komodo Island was disappointing as we only saw "domesticated" Komodos, 4 of them, near the restaurant. The tour guide from the park office was poor. I think Rinca will be a better place to see the Komodos among the villagers. This can be a change in the itinerary. On Padar, we witnessed the sunset over a beautiful landscape. We slept the night on board near the bay. The itinerary should include watching the Sunrise from the same peak spot and I supposed the view and photography will be more beautiful as they can include the bay where the ships were anchored. We were on board a large ship with a very comfortable room for 4. We had great room mates to add to the experience. The food was nice but could be better if they are warm. Drinking water is adequate and the supplemented by beer and sodas for a small change. The experience could be as stated if not for the captain who has local knowledge and always brought us to the right spots and at the right times. I dared say, we spotted the Mantas first among many others. The Dive Master Paul was always accommodating but strict enough to keep us in check. I recommend Flores XP for those who want to have these experience.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: paristosydney, Sydney

Review Date: 30 Oct 2019

Review Body: My sisters, brother-in-law, nephews & niece and I went on this as a private tour with Mikel as our guide & it was an amazing trip! Mikel was an excellent guide - very helpful & generous with his knowledge of birds and fish & the local area & life, was great at helping with the kids when they were snorkelling or playing on the beach. He even played games in the evening with us & had a few laughs so we were very lucky to have him with us. The other crew were also great - helpful, friendly, cooked great food & guided us through snorkelling from time to time. The islands themselves were of course amazing - swimming with turtles and manta rays are experiences I'll never forget, and the Komodo dragons of course! The boat itself - sure the rooms were small but I'd expected that so just be prepared. They are pretty much a wooden space for you to sleep only - don't expect to be able to open your bag full so just keep a small bag handy with the clothes you're going to wear on the boat - you'll be in your swimming costume most of the time anyway! the air-conditioning in the room didn't last all night, but was enough to get us to sleep. The bathroom - pretty clean for a boat, but yes basic as you can expect (so girls, don't expect to shampoo your hair on this trip! there's not enough water, let alone water pressure. Just accept the salty beach waves look for a few days!). The rooftop is great space for sunning, watching the world go by as you sail through the Indonesian waters. We spent a lot of time up there drying off, reading, sleeping, lazing, playing charades! I highly recommend this company, Mikel & the tour - once in a lifetime experience!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Kells100, Bali, Indonesia

Review Date: 15 Feb 2020

Review Body: Maybe I'm a little bit of a princess ... but safe to say I was a tad worried about some of the other 'Day Trip to Komodo' tours as you walk along the Main Street in Labuan Bajo ... let's say first impressions count! However when we came across these guys, I couldn't have been more happy! Professional, super friendly, helpful, well priced and most importantly we had a GREAT trip! So we booked a day trip on a speed boat. Pick up from from the hotel (albeit v. early! ... a necessary evil I think ... I sucked it up! Ha!) First stop Padar Island - stunning! Then Pink Beach for snorkelling / lazing around. Then the 'Dragons' (WOW) and lunch stop - and no, we weren't lunch! Then another stunning island - can't remember the name! Then snorkelling at Manta Point and OMG ... they're massive ha ha! Then a last island stop. All wonderful places - spending about an hour in each ... a little longer with the Dragons, of course. The crew were all super helpful and our guide was wonderful. Kept us hydrated, informed, knew all the 'angles' to take the perfect Insta shot ha ha ... they couldn't have done enough for us. Boat was sound, fully equipped ... and they were absolutely all about safety given the crossing (in wet season) can be a little treacherous ... they were not about taking risks just for money. All in all the early start was absolutely well worth it. A fabulous day ... with a fabulous team ... and fabulous memories made! If you're looking to book this great trip then definitely, definitely go to these guys on the main strip ... Mikel, Albert and the team will look after you and ensure you have a day to remember! Thank You Guyssss ...

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Vipulan T

Review Date: 17 Jun 2019

Review Body: We have two young children and went on this trip with friends who have three children, so we definitely put the crew through their paces!! They were ALL fantastic. They provided an unofficial baby sitting service and looked out for them in the water better than we did. Although the schedule changed a little, we were well informed at all times with regular daily briefs, and the crew were always happy to be flexible with timings (especially if loads of Mantas turned up and we all jump in again for 1 hour snorkelling). We are annoying vegetarians (trying to save the world!) but the food was excellent and plentiful. Lots of fruits too. They provided free soft drinks for the kids, and provided naughty snacks of biscuits and crisps after our trips. They also provided metal drinking bottles to refill to keep plastic use down. The rooms were small but we easily fitted the 4 of us (our friends managed 5), with AC too. The only minor point was that the rooms were not very dark due to lights outside the boat, so bring eye masks, but my expectations of getting a good nights sleep on any live a board is always low. The shower was basic and was enough to rinse off salt water, and the stop off at Pirate's Cove was lovely. Kids loved the beach and again really nice food. All these live a boards are not cheap, but I think it was well worth the money. For us it was made extra special by the lovely crew, who were just amazing with the kids. That will take some topping! I hope I get a chance to return when our boys are older and maybe get some diving in! Vip

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Dilly78, Malaysia

Review Date: 17 Dec 2018

Review Body: My husband and I boarded the Salacia 02 early December 2018 for a 3 days 2 nights tour not really knowing what to expect since it would be our first snorkelling experience together. We were impressed by the hospitality rendered by the entire crew, especially Wayan and Ewal. They took the time to really brief us before each day. The beauty of each place we visited took our breath away. The lunch prepared by the crew was delicious and an amazing feat considering the limited facilities. Throughout the journey, we felt safe and looked after. Although the camp site on Sebayur was basic, it was adequate and in fact the first night there we had one of the best sleep in days! The air was so clean and fresh, mosquitoes and bugs aside (we were living among nature, this was to be expected), it was a relaxing atmosphere. Although I hate cold showers, I was grateful to at least have a shower with clean water. The meals on the island too were basic but delicious. At night after dinner, we bought some chips and beer and sat under a canopy of stars (something us cityfolk miss seeing) One thing we would recommend is for the program to exclude the trip to Komodo island. We only saw one big dragon there, and sadly it looked staged. For the entrance fee we paid, that experience was a little disappointing. Rinca was much better, we saw many dragons and were treated to an amazing view at the top of our trek. All in all, we had a memorable experience and would definitely recommend this trip to our friends and family, especially with wayan and his crew.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Wiwin W

Review Date: 21 Feb 2020

Review Body: OMG! It was an amazing experience sailing with Flores XP Catamaran. I started from friendly and easy booking, pick up service, so friendly crew, amazing captain. We started the sailing trip in an unfriendly weather, hard rain all day long but our happines was beyond anythingelse. We were entertained by lots of flying fish and dolphins on the way to Rinca island, warm welcoming by lots of komodos eventhough we were tracking in the rain we found lots of new amazing experiences. We saw a baby komodo hiding in the hollow! After visited komodos, with unsure weather we were off to Mawan island and snorkling in the paradise of mantarays! Gosh! This is truelly unforgetbale moment. I never experienced swimming with lots of mantas! After that we sailed to Turtle city for having lunch and saw lots of big turtles and colourful fish ( another snorkling). On the way back we were stop in the pink sand beach where no one else except us! Felt like we own the beach! And then last destinasion was the sand bar. That was an amazing nature. How come the sand in the middle of the ocean???? Ok, the weather was getting darker again so we sailed back home but wait! Lots more dolphins dancing around to entertained us!!!!. Now, I have a good words" BEHIND THE BAD WEATHER, THERE'S A BEAUTIFUL SCENE". Big thanks to a wonderful captain who sail the boat safely, and the very nice crews who serve us very well. Big thanks to Flores XP Catamaran for the opportunity to sailing with. Unforgetable moment! Love it love it.... will do it again for sure

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Marie-Claire S, Canada

Review Date: 14 Jun 2019

Review Body: From Fanny in the office to James, the junior member of the crew of 6, Flores XP staff are amazing. And that is essential to ensure a safe but fun trip to the islands. We took a 3 day, 2 night trip to Komodo, Padar and so forth. Although the trip to Padar was cancelled due to high winds, the adventure was memorable. The boat was pleasant; although the cabin (with AC!) was small it was sufficiently spacious for us. Our only suggestion would be to improve the toilet area. It was clean but basic, with a shower that dribbled. However, it was better than nothing to rinse off the salt water from the skin. The crew brought us to great spots for snorkeling and diving. We were briefed daily so we knew what was planned. Our meals on board as well as at Pirates’ Cove were very good. Speaking of Pirates’ Cove, we were given the highest bungalow perched on the side of the hill. A real trek up - not the faint hearted - but, oh, so well rewarded with a stunning view of the bay... especially at sunset. During our trip, we saw dolphins, manta rays, wonderful exotic fish and corals. I had snorkeled in the Maldives and Thailand, but this is by far the best snorkeling that I did. As I mentioned, this is a trip that we will remember. Hopefully, local populations and governments will continue to preserve the beaches, coasts and seas. I was heart broken when I saw trash on Pink Beach, or floating plastic items in some areas of the sea.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: 648duarted, Portugal

Review Date: 30 Sep 2018

Review Body: We did the 4 day adventure tour with flores xp. Its really worth it and it was the most amazing days we had in our 3 week vacation in Indonesia! You will visit amazing places for snorkeling (diving as well but we did not have a license yet!) such as crystal rock, castle rock, the caldron, manta point, turtle bay its just breath taking the amount of beautiful corals, sharks, turtles, barracudas, lion fish, mantas, sting rays that you will see. You always have someone diving with you that as amazing experience (in our case it was Fanny). We did 2 treks to see the islands and the komodo dragons, one where we did 4 hours and crossed komodo island and saw komodos in the wild. The boat is really cool, with sunbeds, tables for relaxing and eating (in the shade). The only negative comment I have here is that the rooms get a little hot at night, you hear the boat generator and smell a little like petrol. But hey its a boat... The food throughout the tour was amazing and local, made by the crew. You can get beer on the boat although its a little expensive compared to prices at Bajo. The crew is composed by 1 divemaster, 1 dive instructor, 1 snorkeling master, and the boat crew (4 guys), which were really helpful throughout the trip, nice and funny! We loved the experience so much we stayed 2 more nights at their camp and did the Padi open water diving course (excellent price and conditions)

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Today, you will fulfil your required dives and acquire new dive skills!

Itinerary Description: 7:30AM: Depart for Komodo National Park 9:00AM: First dive 10:00AM: Surface Interval 11:00AM: Second Dive (Deep Adventure Dive) 12:00PM: Lunch 1:00PM: Third Dive (Navigation Adventure Dive) 5:00PM: Return to Labuan Bajo

Itinerary Day 2

Itinerary Summary: Today you will get to free dive in Komodo National Park as you learn more about buoyancy, fish identification and exploring wrecks!

Itinerary Description: 7:00AM: Meet at office 7:30AM: Depart for the National Park 9:00AM: Fourth Dive 10:00AM: Surface Interval 11:00AM: Fifth Dive 12:00PM: Lunch 1:00PM: Relax or leisure dive