Komodo and Eastern coast of Sumbawa cruise, Indonesia

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

A longer journey without additional domestic flights.
Beyond Komodo 2 is designed as a continuous small-group sea journey from Labuan Bajo. Once guests are onboard, the itinerary connects the islands by vessel rather than requiring additional domestic flights between destinations.

Solar energy for a lower operational footprint.
Explorer 1 carries a 10 KWp solar power system, including panels, batteries and an inverter. Under suitable weather conditions, this can reduce generator operating time and help lower diesel consumption during the cruise. A typical cruise day uses the generator 2 hours per day, instead of 24 hours / day. Hence a reduction of approximately 375 kg of Co2 over a 22 hours operating day. In addition to drastically reducing carbon emissions, transitioning to solar power actively protects the surrounding marine ecosystem. By eliminating exhaust fumes, fuel leaks, and underwater engine vibrations, it ensures local fish and coral reefs remain completely undisturbed. Furthermore, it delivers a silent, vibration-free experience for ultimate comfort while at anchor or on a mooring, all while fully powering all onboard appliances, including the air conditioning in the passenger cabins.

Exploring by foot and in the water.
The itinerary includes sunrise trekking at Padar, snorkelling at Crystal Bay, Pink Beach, Banta West Bay and Double Bay, as well as exploration around Gili Banta’s volcanic crater. These activities allow guests to experience the destination through walking and water-based exploration. We also encourage our guests to join our crew into beach cleaning missions

Small-scale cruising.
With a maximum of eight guests, Explorer 1 is intentionally designed around small-group travel. This helps limit the pressure that larger groups can place on sensitive marine environments and allows excursions to remain more personal.

Water efficiency onboard.
Our reverse osmosis desalination system produces fresh water onboard, reducing the need to rely entirely on water brought from shore during the six-day expedition.

Vegetarian and vegan food options.
Vegetarian and vegan meal options are available on our cruises. Guests can request these when booking so that our onboard team can prepare suitable meals throughout the trip.


ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Our crew mission: Faced with the decline of the artisanal fishing industry due to depleting fish stocks, our crew—all former traditional fishermen—adapted by joining the marine tourism sector. This shift transformed their relationship with the ocean: instead of hunting marine life, they have become its primary protectors, guiding our guests while actively safeguarding the local ecosystem

A journey through Komodo’s marine and volcanic landscapes.
Beyond Komodo 2 combines coral-reef exploration with visits to distinctive island environments, including Padar, Pink Beach and Gili Banta’s volcanic crater. The itinerary gives guests an opportunity to understand how different coastal and marine habitats form part of the same wider ecosystem.

Komodo National Park and protected environments.
The itinerary includes Rinca and other locations within the Komodo region. Where applicable, entrance and conservation fees are included in the trip price, contributing to the management of protected areas.

Responsible wildlife encounters.
Guests are encouraged to observe wildlife without touching, feeding or disturbing animals. Our crew provide guidance on responsible snorkelling and wildlife observation, helping guests enjoy marine encounters while respecting the animals and their habitats.

Protecting coral reefs.
Our crew brief guests to avoid contact with coral, not stand on reefs, and take care not to leave waste behind. We aim to reduce unnecessary disturbance to the marine environments visited throughout the cruise.

A final encounter with manta rays.
The itinerary ends with an early morning snorkelling opportunity at Manta Point. This provides a chance to experience one of Komodo’s best-known marine wildlife encounters while encouraging guests to appreciate the importance of protecting manta habitats and the wider marine ecosystem.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Local Indonesian crew.
Explorer 1 is operated by an Indonesian captain and crew. Our team brings local knowledge of the sea and the destinations we visit, helping guests experience Komodo through the people who know the region best.

Supporting coastal communities.
By prioritising Indonesian crew and local operational services, we help keep tourism income within Indonesia and support people whose livelihoods are connected to the sea.

Local services around the cruise.
Wherever possible, we use local services and suppliers in the destinations where we operate, including local guides, shore excursion services, suppliers, and other operational support.

Local knowledge beyond the main attractions.
The itinerary includes smaller islands and less-developed coastal areas, allowing guests to experience more of the region’s natural and cultural landscape beyond the most familiar Komodo viewpoints.


EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

Local employment and fair working conditions.
Our captain and crew are Indonesian, and we aim to provide fair employment opportunities with salaries in line with the industry standard and our crew qualifications and family status. An additional daily compensation is provided for each day spent at sea, recognising the demands of multi-day liveaboard work. On a busy month, our crew can earn twice their salaries

Alternative opportunities for fishing communities.
Many of our crew come from local Indonesian fishing communities. Marine tourism provides an alternative career opportunity while allowing them to maintain their connection to the sea and share their knowledge with guests.

Respectful and inclusive employment.
We aim to provide a respectful working environment and equal employment opportunities, without discrimination based on gender, race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or other personal characteristics.

A personal experience for a small number of guests.
With a maximum of eight guests, our crew can provide a more personal experience and respond to individual guest needs. Accessibility should be discussed before booking, as the vessel’s stairs, tender transfers and uneven shore terrain may not be suitable for all guests with limited mobility.

Land Staff:
If our onboard crew are all males, 80% of our land staff are females handling reception, administration, accounting, purchasing, catering and laundry duties