Senada Phinisi
Senada Phinisi
Two hikes, three snorkels and a sunrise, shared out
Updated 26 October 2026
Komodo hiking and snorkeling group boat: the 3-day route on Senada Phinisi has two hikes, Rinca and then Padar for the July sunrise at 06:18, and three snorkels: Taka Makassar, Manta Point and, on the last morning, Siaba or Sebayur. A Superior seat costs IDR 5,300,000 (≈ USD 325).
The hikes, ranked by effort
By effort, Padar comes first. The way up to the viewpoint is stairs and dirt path, climbed for the sunrise, which is at 06:18 in July. Wear shoes with grip and a hat, and carry water.
Rinca comes next, a trek on dirt paths with a park ranger. There the heat is the hard part, so closed shoes, a hat and water.
Kelor is the first stop ashore on day one: a short, steep hill with a view over the bay, where shoes with grip help. The 4-day sample route adds a walk on Komodo Island, also with a ranger.
Heat and stairs are the honest limit here. Nobody has to do every hike.
The snorkel stops, ranked by depth
Each snorkel stop has its depth on its own page, so here they are ranked by what they ask of a swimmer.
Taka Makassar is the easiest, a sandbank ringed by shallow reef. Siaba or Sebayur on the last morning is easy too, with the captain choosing which on the day. Manta Point asks the most, because the current can be strong and the swim is guided, so it's for confident swimmers.
Manta Point is on the route. Whether the mantas come is up to the sea, and the captain and guide choose the moment to go in. No sighting is promised.
Splitting the group when not everyone climbs
Ask the group first who wants to climb. Write the names on the plan the night before, with the alarm time, and let the rest watch the sunrise from the sundeck with a coffee.
On Rinca the walkers go with a park ranger, and on Padar the group sets its own pace. Everyone else stays on the boat or the beach, and the crew of 7 is aboard the whole time, so nobody is left waiting alone on a jetty.
Snorkel stops work the same way. The captain decides where and when the group goes in. Strong swimmers head further out, beginners stay in the shallows with a life jacket and a friend. On a shared sailing the guide swims with the group; on a private trip, ask us to quote for one.
Snorkel kit aboard, and the rest in your own bag
The boat supplies snorkel gear and has life jackets on board. If there's a particular item you're asking about, ask us, and if you're fussy about fit, bring your own.
For your own bag: shoes with grip for Padar and Rinca, a hat, reef-safe sunscreen and a light layer for the sunset. On board there's free-flow water, with tea, coffee and milk, and a canoe that goes in at the beaches.
Camera drones come under national park rules, so ask us before one goes in the bag.
The 3-day plan with the early starts marked
Friday: pickup before an 11:00 start, lunch, Kelor, the trek on Rinca and sunset at Kalong. Set an early alarm for Saturday, because the Padar walk starts before the sun is up.
Saturday: sunrise on Padar, breakfast, Pink Beach, lunch, then snorkelling at Taka Makassar and Manta Point. It's the day with the most walking and the most swimming, and the early start pays for itself.
Sunday: a last snorkel at Siaba or Sebayur, then the sail back, arriving around midday. Book flights after 14:00. The whole boat for 9 to 12 guests is IDR 78,000,000 (≈ USD 4,785), and a Superior seat is IDR 5,300,000 (≈ USD 325).
Day 1
| What happens | Sailing time | Have ready | |
|---|---|---|---|
| · | Labuan Bajo: pickup from your hotel or the airport before an 11:00 start | — | passport or ID |
| · | Lunch | — | |
| · | Sail to Kelor Island | — | shoes with grip, water |
| · | Trek at Rinca Island | — | closed shoes, hat and water |
| · | Sunset at Kalong Island | — | a light layer |
| · | Dinner on board | — | |
| 🌙 | Night aboard. Where the boat spends the night depends on the weather and the captain's decision that day. | ||
Day 2
| What happens | Sailing time | Have ready | |
|---|---|---|---|
| · | Padar Island walk at sunrise | — | shoes with grip, hat and water |
| · | Breakfast | — | |
| · | Beach time at Pink Beach | — | reef-safe sunscreen |
| · | Lunch | — | |
| · | Snorkelling at Taka Makassar | — | mask and snorkel |
| · | Snorkelling at Manta Point | — | mask and snorkel |
| · | Dinner on board | — | |
| 🌙 | Night aboard. Where the boat spends the night depends on the weather and the captain's decision that day. | ||
Day 3
| What happens | Sailing time | Have ready | |
|---|---|---|---|
| · | Breakfast | — | |
| · | Snorkelling at Siaba or Sebayur Island | — | mask and snorkel |
| · | Sail back to Labuan Bajo around midday, then to your hotel or the airport | — |
Stops that can swap places on the day: Manta Point ⇄ Taka Makassar.
Pickup comes before the 11:00 start and is the one fixed hour. Every other time on this page is a planning guide, and the captain sets the stop order on the day.
FAQ
How hard is the Padar climb?
The way up to the viewpoint is stairs and dirt path, walked at sunrise. It is a proper climb rather than a stroll, and the heat starts early, so wear shoes with grip and carry water.
Is snorkel gear on board?
Yes. Snorkel gear comes with every trip, and there are life jackets on board. If you want to know about a specific item, ask us and we reply in writing.
Can non-swimmers join the snorkel stops?
Yes, wearing a life jacket, at the shallow stops such as Taka Makassar. Manta Point has a strong current and is for confident swimmers only; non-swimmers watch from the boat. The captain decides on the day.
Which stop is best for beginners?
Taka Makassar, a sandbank with shallow reef around it, is the easy one, and Siaba or Sebayur on the last morning is easy too. Manta Point's current makes it a stop for confident swimmers. We promise the stops, never what you'll see.
What shoes do we need?
Shoes with grip for Padar, Rinca and Kelor, and closed shoes on Rinca. Sandals are fine on the boat and the beaches. Add a hat and water and you're set. Pack the shoes in the bag that comes on board on day one, not the one staying at the hotel.
Check availability for Senada Phinisi
Senada Phinisi is booked through PT Komodo Explorer Indonesia. We confirm your cabins, take the payment and arrange the pickup. The boat sails with its own crew of 7.