A phinisi is the two-masted Buginese schooner from South Sulawesi, now built as a motor-sailing liveaboard for Komodo National Park. Neptune Cruise is a modern 40-metre example: three decks, seven en-suite cabins, up to 20 guests, sailing from Labuan Bajo on 2D1N to 7D6N routes.
What a phinisi is, without the brochure language
The phinisi is a hull and rig tradition, not a brand. Buginese and Konjo builders in South Sulawesi have been shaping these two-masted wooden schooners for generations, originally as cargo carriers working the archipelago. Over the last two decades the same yards have adapted the form for passengers: the wide beam that once held freight now holds cabins, a dining room and a sundeck.
Here is the part most operators leave out. A modern passenger phinisi in Komodo motors. Neptune Cruise carries a W Marine 8D16 engine and cruises at 6–10 knots; the masts and rigging are part of the vessel’s identity and are raised for photographs and the occasional favourable stretch, but nobody is tacking you to Padar. If a company implies you will spend three days under sail in the park, treat that as marketing. What you actually get is the deck space, the woodwork and the shallow draft of a sailing hull with the schedule reliability of an engine.
Why a phinisi beats a steel liveaboard in this park
Komodo rewards boats that can sit close in. A shallower draft lets a phinisi anchor near sandbars such as Taka Makassar and tuck into bays at Gili Lawa and Sebayur where deeper hulls keep their distance. The open upper deck is the second advantage: the hours between stops are a real part of the trip, and a phinisi gives you somewhere to spend them that is not a saloon.
The trade-off is honest too. Wooden hulls are noisier under engine than steel, and they move more in a beam swell. If anyone in your party is prone to seasickness, the lower-deck Deluxe cabins are the steadiest berths on the boat, and the northern channels near Manta Point can run hard even in the dry season.
Neptune Cruise, deck by deck
Top deck. The two Premium Mansard cabins, I and II, each with a queen bed, a private balcony, panoramic windows, an en-suite bathroom and air conditioning. Forward of them is the sundeck, which is where the boat is at its best at anchor.
Main deck. The Junior Suite, queen bed, private balcony and direct deck access, which makes it the easiest cabin for anyone who would rather not take stairs. The indoor dining room, outdoor dining area, lounge and the bar and karaoke lounge share this level.
Lower deck. Four Deluxe cabins, each with a queen bed, a sea-view window and an en-suite bathroom, plus the dive deck where snorkel sets, fins and any dive kit live. The full layout, including which cabin suits which traveller, is on the cabins and deck plan page.
Phinisi, day boat or speedboat?
| Phinisi liveaboard | Day boat from Labuan Bajo | Speedboat day tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nights on board | 1–6 | None | None |
| Sunrise at Padar | Yes, ahead of the day fleet | Rarely – arrival is mid-morning | No |
| Sites per day | 4–5, unhurried | 3–4, on a fixed clock | 3–4, fast transfers |
| Cabin comfort | En-suite, AC, queen beds | None | None |
| Manta Point timing | Chosen for the current | Fixed by the tour schedule | Fixed |
| Typical guest count | Up to 20 on Neptune Cruise | 20–30 | 6–15 |
| Best for | Anyone with two nights or more | One-day sampler | Tight schedules |
If you are still deciding between formats and departure points, the Komodo island cruise planning page walks through flights, transfers and embarkation in order. You can also browse other phinisi in our operator’s catalogue to see how Neptune Cruise is specified against other wooden boats in the same class.
Booking a phinisi: cabin or whole boat
Shared 3D2N departures sell by cabin: USD 610 per person in a Deluxe, USD 730 in the Junior Suite, USD 850 in a Premium Mansard, with additional-person rates of USD 310–410. Private charter takes the entire vessel for USD 8,900 (2D1N) up to USD 20,950 (7D6N), for up to 20 guests, on dates you choose. Everything above is the operator’s own published rate; we do not quote a number here that differs from the one you will see on the main luxury cruise page.
Frequently asked questions
What does phinisi mean?
Phinisi refers to the traditional two-masted rig and hull form built by Buginese and Konjo shipwrights in South Sulawesi. Today the term is used for wooden Indonesian schooners converted or purpose-built as passenger liveaboards.
Does Neptune Cruise actually sail?
It is a motor-sailing phinisi with a W Marine 8D16 engine, cruising at 6–10 knots. Sails are carried and raised on occasion, but the itinerary runs on the engine, as it does on essentially every passenger phinisi in Komodo.
How big is the boat?
40 metres long with an 8-metre beam, three decks, seven cabins and a maximum of 20 guests. Fresh water capacity is 10,000 litres.
Is a wooden boat safe in Komodo waters?
Yes, when it is properly crewed and maintained. Neptune Cruise carries life vests for all guests and a professional crew with an English-speaking guide. Routes are adjusted when weather requires it, particularly between December and March.
Which cabin moves least in swell?
The four lower-deck Deluxe cabins. They sit closest to the waterline and near the centre of the hull, which is where motion is mildest.
Can we sleep on deck?
Guests often spend evenings on the sundeck, and the crew can set up mattresses on calm nights at anchor. It is weather-dependent and always at the captain’s discretion, so treat it as a bonus rather than a booked feature.
How far is Labuan Bajo from the first stop?
Roughly one to one and a half hours of sailing to Kelor Island, then about 30 to 45 minutes on to Manjarite. Sailing times vary with sea state, so we quote ranges rather than fixed minutes.
Do you take single travellers?
Yes, on shared 3D2N departures. Cabin sharing and single-occupancy options depend on what is already booked, so message us with your dates and we will tell you exactly what is available.
Book Neptune Cruise
Send us your dates and we will confirm which cabins are open on the next phinisi departure.
WhatsApp: +62 811 3823 875
Email: [email protected]
Neptune Cruise is operated by Komodo Luxury, based in Labuan Bajo, Flores. Tell us your dates, guest count, dietary needs and whether anyone in the party dives, and we will confirm availability and a written quote.
