An open trip (also called a join tour or sharing charter) puts you on a phinisi alongside 8–14 other travellers at a flat per-person rate. Fixed departures, fixed itinerary, identical boat and crew to a private charter — at roughly half the per-person cost.
You book a single cabin (or a bed in a twin-share cabin) on a scheduled departure. The boat, route, meals, and crew are the same as a private charter — what changes is that you share the experience with 8–14 other guests. Departure dates are fixed and listed several months in advance; cabins go on a first-come basis.
Most open trips run 3D2N covering the park’s greatest hits — Padar, Pink Beach, Komodo dragons, Manta Point, Taka Makassar. Shorter 2D1N and longer 4D3N options exist on selected boats.
Solo travellers, couples, and pairs of friends who want the overnight phinisi experience without the per-boat cost. The format suits independent travellers in their 20s through 50s, mostly international, often on longer Southeast Asia trips. Cabin pairings for solo guests are matched by gender, and a single-cabin upgrade is available at a surcharge.
Open trip wins on price for solo and 2-person bookings. Private charter wins on flexibility (you set the date and route), privacy, and group dynamics — and once your group is six or more, private charter is often the cheaper option per person. We’re happy to quote both formats side-by-side.
Roughly half the per-person cost of a private charter for solo and couple bookings. From USD 285 pp for 3D2N.
Small group of 8–14 travellers. By Day 2 you know everyone’s name and the trip feels like a shared adventure.
Fixed weekly departures — pick a date that suits, book a seat, done. No need to assemble a group first.
Yes. Cabins lock, pairings are gender-matched, and our partner boats have many years of safely hosting solo female guests. Komodo is one of the most relaxed regions of Indonesia for solo travel.
Two to four weeks ahead in high season (May–Oct). Popular dates and single-cabin upgrades sell out faster.
BYO is welcomed on most open-trip phinisi. The boat usually keeps a small selection on board for purchase as well.
The captain may adjust the route on the day for safety. If a trip is cancelled by the operator due to weather, you receive a full refund or reschedule.
