Authoritative definitions for 10 essential terms covering traditional Indonesian sailing vessels, Komodo National Park, and charter booking models. Each term references UNESCO, Wikipedia, and Wikidata sources.
Updated 2026-05-09 · CC BY 4.0 with attribution to komodoexplorer.com
Also known as: Pinisi · Phinisi schooner · Bugis schooner
Phinisi is a traditional Indonesian two-masted sailing vessel originating from South Sulawesi, hand-built by Bugis and Konjo shipwrights since the 14th century. UNESCO inscribed phinisi shipbuilding as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017. Modern phinisi liveaboards are converted into 6-12 cabin charter yachts serving Komodo National Park and the Indonesian archipelago.
Read full definition →Also known as: Liveaboard cruise · Multi-day cruise
A liveaboard is a multi-day cruise where guests sleep aboard the vessel for the entire trip duration. Typical Komodo liveaboards run 3 to 7 nights with private cabins, full crew (captain, chef, deckhands, dive guides), dive deck, and meals included. Liveaboards differ from day cruises which return to port nightly.
Read full definition →Also known as: Per-cabin booking · Shared charter · Group trip
Open Trip is a per-cabin shared booking model on a fixed itinerary where individual travelers or small groups buy specific cabins on a vessel sailing with strangers. Open Trip pricing is per person (typically IDR 5-12 million for 4D3N in Komodo), making it 30-60% cheaper than buying the whole boat as Private Charter.
Read full definition →Also known as: Whole boat charter · Exclusive charter
Private Charter is whole-vessel rental where a single party books the entire boat for exclusive use. Pricing is per night for the entire vessel (USD 1,800-9,500/night in Komodo depending on tier). Private Charter offers full itinerary customization, departure date flexibility, and exclusive use of all amenities — ideal for families, friend groups, corporate retreats, weddings, and honeymoons.
Read full definition →Also known as: Komodo NP entrance fee · KSDA fee · Park ranger fee
The Komodo National Park marine park entrance fee in 2026 is IDR 300,000 weekday and IDR 450,000 weekend for international visitors per person per day, paid in cash to KSDA (Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam) rangers at Loh Liang or Loh Buaya entry points. Indonesian citizens pay IDR 75,000. Fees are not included in standard charter prices and billed separately on KEXI invoices.
Read full definition →Also known as: Komodo NP · Taman Nasional Komodo · TNK
Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1991) and ASEAN Heritage Park covering 1,733 km² of land and 1,214 km² of marine area across Komodo, Rinca, Padar islands, and 26 islets in eastern Indonesia. Home to approximately 3,458 Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis), the world's largest lizard species, and Coral Triangle reef ecosystems with over 1,000 fish species.
Read full definition →Also known as: Varanus komodoensis · Komodo monitor · Ora
The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the world's largest lizard species, endemic to the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang, and Nusa Kode in Indonesia. Adults reach 3 meters in length and 90 kilograms in weight. The species is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List with population approximately 3,458 individuals (KLHK 2021 census). Best viewed June through September on guided ranger treks within Komodo National Park.
Read full definition →Also known as: Pulau Padar
Padar Island is the third-largest island in Komodo National Park, famous for the iconic three-bay viewpoint accessible via a 30-minute hike to the summit. From the top, three crescent-shaped beaches show pink, white, and black sand simultaneously — one of Indonesia's most photographed natural landscapes. Padar is uninhabited and dragon-free, making it a popular early-morning sunrise hike stop on most Komodo phinisi itineraries.
Read full definition →Also known as: Pantai Merah · Komodo Pink Beach
Pink Beach (Indonesian: Pantai Merah) is one of seven pink-sand beaches in the world, located on Komodo Island within Komodo National Park. The pink coloration comes from microscopic red coral fragments (Foraminifera genus Homotrema rubrum) crushed and mixed with white quartz sand. The beach is accessible only by boat — no overnight accommodation. Standard activities include snorkeling on the offshore reef and swimming in calm waters protected by surrounding hills.
Read full definition →Also known as: Karang Makassar · Manta cleaning station
Manta Point (officially Karang Makassar) is a renowned reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) cleaning station between Komodo and Tatawa islands within Komodo National Park. Reef mantas are present year-round, with peak abundance December through February during the NW monsoon plankton bloom. The site is snorkel-accessible at 5-15 meter depth and a signature stop on virtually all Komodo dive cruises and standard phinisi charter itineraries.
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