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Luxury travel inspiration from the Asia-Pacific region

DestinAsian

<p><em>This island-studded marine sanctuary beckons for adventurous yachting experiences.</em></p>
<figure id="attachment_144844" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-144844" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-144844 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Purnama-Komodo.jpg" alt="Looking out from the deck of Alila Purnama as it sails through Komodo National Park." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Purnama-Komodo.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Purnama-Komodo-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Purnama-Komodo-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Purnama-Komodo-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-144844" class="wp-caption-text">Looking out from the deck of <em>Alila Purnama</em> as it sails through Komodo National Park. (Courtesy of <em>Alila Purnama</em>)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Encompassing some 1,800 square kilometers off the western coast of Flores Island, Komodo National Park is one of Indonesia’s most popular cruising destinations, famed as much for its underwater attractions as for the legendary dragons that stalk its largest islands. During the region’s dry season from May to November, the port town of Labuan Bajo on mainland Flores is the base for a veritable fleet of wooden yachts styled after Indonesia’s traditional <em>phinisi</em>-rigged sailing vessels, many handbuilt by Sulawesi shipwrights. And with AirAsia’s recent launch of a nonstop flight between Kuala Lumpur and Labuan Bajo, accessing this once-remote corner of Indonesia has never been easier. For those looking to check a Komodo cruise off their bucket list, here are four boats that sail these waters in style.</p>
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<figure id="attachment_144847" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-144847" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-144847 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Vela-Main-Deck-Saloon-and-Sails.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="894" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-144847" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Left to right:</em> Inside the saloon of <em>Vela</em>; the ship sailing past one of Komodo’s many islands. (Courtesy of <em>Vela</em>)</figcaption></figure>
<h2><strong><em>VELA</em></strong></h2>
<p>Launched in 2022 by the team behind boutique Bali resort <a href="https://www.nirjhara.com/en/?destinasian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nirjhara</a>, this sleek luxury sailing yacht can accommodate a dozen guests for multi-night charters. As with the other vessels on this list, <em>Vela</em> comes equipped with top-notch diving facilities, as well as a masseuse, yoga instructor, and lots of water toys. Six cabins appointed with sustainably sourced custom teak furniture and fabrics from Hermès and Dedar ensure the utmost in onboard comfort.<br />
<a href="https://sailvela.com/?destinasian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sailvela.com</a></p>
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<figure id="attachment_144845" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-144845" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-144845 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Rascal-Komodo-Aerial.jpg" alt="A bird’s-eye view of Rascal in the waters of Komodo National Park." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Rascal-Komodo-Aerial.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Rascal-Komodo-Aerial-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Rascal-Komodo-Aerial-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Rascal-Komodo-Aerial-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-144845" class="wp-caption-text">A bird’s-eye view of <em>Rascal</em> in the waters of Komodo National Park. (Courtesy of Rascal Voyages)</figcaption></figure>
<h3><strong><em>RASCAL</em></strong></h3>
<p>The flagship of Rascal Voyages dispenses with the twin masts typical of phinisi rigs, leaving more deck space for communal dining and sunbathing. Hosting up to 10 passengers on both private charters and cabin cruises, Rascal blends traditional Indonesian craftsmanship with a laid-back Hamptons-chic style and amenities designed for adventure-fueled fun.<br />
<a href="https://www.rascalvoyages.com/?destinasian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rascalvoyages.com</a></p>
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<figure id="attachment_144843" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-144843" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-144843 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Purnama-Cabin.jpg" alt="Inside the Sriwijaya Master Suite aboard Alila Purnama." width="1200" height="765" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Purnama-Cabin.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Purnama-Cabin-300x191.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Purnama-Cabin-1024x653.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Purnama-Cabin-768x490.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-144843" class="wp-caption-text">Inside the Sriwijaya Master Suite aboard <em>Alila Purnama</em>. (Courtesy of Alila Purnama)</figcaption></figure>
<h4><strong><em>ALILA PURNAMA</em></strong></h4>
<p>Alila may be known for its eco-luxe hotels and resorts, but the Indonesian-born, Hyatt-owned brand doesn’t stop at terrestrial offerings. The 46-meter-long Alila Purnama has been dividing its time between Komodo National Park and the eastern archipelago of Raja Ampat for more than a decade, making for a smooth operation that runs the gamut from gourmet meals and spa treatments to a well-oiled concierge service. Individual cabins can be booked throughout most of the sailing season.<br />
<a href="https://www.alilahotels.com/purnama?destinasian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alilahotels.com/purnama</a></p>
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<figure id="attachment_144846" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-144846" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-144846 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Samsara-Samudra-Outdoor-Dining-Experiences.jpg" alt="Samsara Samudra guests can look forward to alfresco meals using the catch of the day." width="1200" height="894" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-144846" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Samsara Samudra</em> guests can look forward to alfresco meals using the catch of the day. (Courtesy of <em>Samsara Samudra</em>)</figcaption></figure>
<h5><strong><em>SAMSARA SAMUDRA</em></strong></h5>
<p>This private charter vessel from Bali’s <a href="https://samsaracollection.com/?destinasian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Samsara Collection</a> shares a similar modern Indonesian elegance with its all-villa sister resort in Ubud. Six cabins dressed in wood and cream tones with sea-green accents—the top-deck master suite features an egg-shaped bathtub—are matched by all the niceties you’d expect from a high-end phinisi-style yacht. Plus, there’s a 16-member crew on hand to help craft bespoke adventures on land and at sea.<br />
<a href="https://www.samsarasamudra.com/?destinasian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">samsarasamudra.com</a></p>
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<p><em>This article originally appeared in the <a href="https://subscription.destinasian.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">June/July 2025</a> print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“Komodo Calling”). Buy a single issue or subscribe <a href="https://subscription.destinasian.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</em></p>


A bird’s-eye view of Rascal in the waters of Komodo National Park.

Explore Indonesia’s Komodo National Park aboard a Phinisi

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