Komodo islands cruise, Indonesia

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

A small-group expedition at sea.
Beyond Komodo 1 is operated by Explorer 1, a 20-metre motor vessel carrying a maximum of eight guests across four cabins. Our small-group format allows guests to explore Komodo’s marine environments without the scale of mass tourism, while limiting the number of people visiting the same sites at any one time.

Solar-powered energy onboard.
Explorer 1 is equipped with a 10 KWp solar power system, including panels, batteries and an inverter. Under suitable weather conditions, this can reduce the amount of time the generator needs to operate, helping us reduce diesel consumption and associated carbon emissions during the cruise. A typical cruise day uses the generator 2 hours per day, instead of 24 hours / day. Hence a reduction of approximately 375 kg of Co2 over a 22 hours operating day. In addition to drastically reducing carbon emissions, transitioning to solar power actively protects the surrounding marine ecosystem. By eliminating exhaust fumes, fuel leaks, and underwater engine vibrations, it ensures local fish and coral reefs remain completely undisturbed. Furthermore, it delivers a silent, vibration-free experience for ultimate comfort while at anchor or on a mooring, all while fully powering all onboard appliances, including the air conditioning in the passenger cabins.

Walking and water-based exploration.
This itinerary includes sunrise trekking at Padar, snorkelling, beach exploration and wildlife observation. Guests experience the landscape through walking and water-based activities rather than relying solely on motorised sightseeing. We also encourage our guests to join our crew into beach cleaning missions

No additional domestic flights between destinations.
Once guests are onboard in Labuan Bajo, the itinerary is designed around the vessel itself. Shore excursions are reached using the vessel’s own tender where required, avoiding the need for additional domestic flights or separate transport arrangements between the islands.

Fresh water produced onboard.
Explorer 1 uses a reverse osmosis desalination system to produce fresh water onboard. This supports longer journeys in remote areas and reduces the need to rely entirely on water transported from shore.

Vegetarian and vegan food options.
Vegetarian and vegan meal options are available on our cruises. Guests can request these when booking so that our onboard team can prepare suitable meals throughout the trip.


ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Our crew mission: Faced with the decline of the artisanal fishing industry due to depleting fish stocks, our crew—all former traditional fishermen—adapted by joining the marine tourism sector. This shift transformed their relationship with the ocean: instead of hunting marine life, they have become its primary protectors, guiding our guests while actively safeguarding the local ecosystem

Komodo dragons in their natural environment.
The first day includes a visit to Rinca, where guests can observe Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. Our crew encourage respectful wildlife observation and guests are expected to follow the instructions of park rangers and local guides.

Experiencing protected marine environments.
The itinerary includes Rinca and other islands within the Komodo region, as well as snorkelling and beach exploration around Banta and Double Bay. Where applicable, entrance and conservation fees are included in the trip price, contributing to the management of protected areas.

A quieter approach to island exploration.
Our itinerary combines well-known locations such as Padar with quieter anchorages around Pulau Kelapa and Banta. The small number of guests helps us explore these environments without the scale of larger group tourism.

Respecting coral reefs and marine life.
Our crew brief guests on responsible snorkelling, including avoiding contact with coral, not touching marine life, and taking care not to leave waste behind. We aim to ensure that wildlife encounters remain educational and respectful rather than intrusive.

Learning from the marine environment.
The crew share their knowledge of the local marine environment throughout the cruise, helping guests understand the importance of coral reefs, coastal habitats and the wildlife that depends on them.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Indonesian crew and local knowledge.
Explorer 1 is operated by an Indonesian captain and crew. Our team come from Indonesian coastal communities, bringing practical knowledge of the sea and the places we visit.

Supporting local employment through marine tourism.
By prioritising Indonesian crew, we help keep tourism income within Indonesia and create opportunities for people whose livelihoods are connected to the sea.

Local services around the cruise.
Wherever possible, we use local services and suppliers in the destinations where we operate, including local guides, shore excursion services, suppliers, and other operational support.


EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

Local employment and fair working conditions.
Our captain and crew are Indonesian, and we aim to provide fair employment opportunities with salaries in line with the industry standard and our crew qualifications and family status. An additional daily compensation is provided for each day spent at sea, recognising the demands of multi-day liveaboard work. On a busy month, our crew can earn twice their salaries

Opportunities for people connected to the sea.
Many of our crew come from local fishing communities. Working in marine tourism provides an alternative career opportunity while allowing them to maintain their connection to the sea and share their knowledge with guests.

A respectful and inclusive workplace.
We aim to provide a respectful working environment and equal employment opportunities, without discrimination based on gender, race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or other personal characteristics.

Small groups and personal service.
With a maximum of eight guests, our crew can provide a more personal experience and respond to individual guest needs. We are happy to discuss specific accessibility requirements before booking, although the vessel’s remote locations, stairs, tender transfers and uneven shore terrain mean that this cruise may not be suitable for all guests with limited mobility.

Land Staff:
If our onboard crew are all males, 80% of our land staff are females handling reception, administration, accounting, purchasing, catering and laundry duties