What to Pack for a Komodo Liveaboard (Cabin-Sized List)

What is the one thing people get wrong?

Luggage. A large hard-shell suitcase is a genuine problem on a wooden boat. Cabin floor space is measured in a couple of square metres, there is no luggage hold in the sense a hotel has one, and a rigid case cannot be folded away under a bunk. It ends up standing in your cabin for three days, blocking the space between the bed and the bathroom door, and it slides when the boat rolls.

A soft duffel or holdall collapses flat and disappears under the bed. If you are arriving from a longer trip and have a hard case, that is fine — repack into a soft bag for the sailing and leave the case at your Labuan Bajo hotel or with our team. Almost everyone who has done a liveaboard before does exactly this.

The full list, by category

Why does the sunscreen have to be reef-safe?

Because you will be swimming directly over living coral, several times a day, in shallow water. Filters such as oxybenzone and octinoxate are widely restricted in reef destinations for that reason. Mineral formulations based on non-nano zinc oxide are the straightforward substitute, and a long-sleeved rash vest is better than any sunscreen — it does not wash off, does not need reapplying, and covers the part of you the sun actually reaches while you snorkel face-down.

Apply on the boat, well before entering the water, so it has bonded. Applying at the waterline puts most of it straight onto the reef.

What footwear do you actually need?

Two pairs, and only two. Flip-flops or slides for deck and tender, and one pair of closed shoes with real grip for Padar’s stepped climb and the dragon trails. Trainers are adequate; trail shoes are better; hiking boots are overkill and take up half your bag. Nothing white — Padar in the dark is dusty and the tender is wet.

Shoes come off on deck. Wooden decks are cleaned constantly and shoes bring grit that scratches them, so expect to be barefoot most of the trip.

Electronics, power and the charging reality

Yumana carries twin generators, so there is power at anchor and sockets in cabins and common areas. What there is not is unlimited capacity for eight cabins charging simultaneously, and there are windows when the boat runs quieter. Bring a power bank so your phone is never the reason you miss a photograph, and bring more camera batteries than you think you need — humidity and heat drain them faster than at home.

Indonesia uses 230 V at 50 Hz with the European two-pin plug, so most European equipment needs no adapter and UK, US or Australian equipment does. A head torch matters more than anyone expects: the walk from cabin to tender at 04:30 is entirely dark, and holding a phone torch while climbing Padar wastes a hand you want free. The full picture on power and connectivity is in our guide to Wi-Fi, signal and power on a Komodo liveaboard.

What should you leave behind?

• Hard suitcases — covered above.
• Hairdryers and travel irons — generator load, and pointless on a boat.
• Formal clothes — there is no dress code. Dinner is barefoot on deck.
• Large quantities of toiletries — cabin bathrooms are compact and shelf space is limited.
• Drones, unless you have checked — use is restricted in parts of the park and around wildlife. Ask the crew first.

How much cabin storage you get varies noticeably by category — the upper-deck cabins and the Royal Suite have more room than the lower-deck Superior cabins, and that is worth knowing before you pack. The layout differences are set out on our cabin comparison and deck plan. Once your booking is confirmed you will get a pre-departure pack that repeats this list against your specific dates and route, as described on our how-to-book page. Our parent operator publishes similar pre-departure guidance across its fleet.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of bag should I bring on a Komodo liveaboard?

A soft duffel or holdall that folds flat and stows under the bed. Hard suitcases do not fit well in phinisi cabins and slide when the boat moves. Leave a hard case at your hotel in Labuan Bajo if you have one.

Do I need to bring my own snorkelling gear?

No, snorkelling equipment is available on board. Many guests still bring their own mask because a well-fitting mask that does not leak makes a large difference over several days in the water.

How much cash should I bring?

Enough rupiah for park fees, tips and any extras, plus a margin. There is no ATM inside the park and card acceptance at ranger posts is unreliable, so withdraw in Labuan Bajo before boarding.

Can I do laundry on board?

No. On a two- to four-night sailing you will not need it — pack light, quick-dry clothing and expect to be in swimwear most of the day.

Is there anywhere to lock valuables?

Cabins are private and lockable. Bring only what you need, keep passports and cash in a dry bag in your cabin, and hand anything you would rather not keep in the cabin to the crew for safekeeping.

What should I wear for the Komodo dragon trek?

Closed shoes with grip, light long-sleeved clothing, a hat and sunscreen, carrying water. Do not take food onto the trail — dragons have an acute sense of smell.