A liveaboard is the classic way to see Komodo. Most boats are phinisi, the two-masted wooden schooners built in Sulawesi, ranging from simple boats with a shared deck and a few cabins to luxury yachts with en-suite cabins, a full crew and a chef. Trips run from one night to a week or more, and the longer you go, the further you get from the day-trip crowds.
A typical two- or three-day itinerary takes in the Padar viewpoint at sunrise, Komodo dragons on Komodo or Rinca, Pink Beach, Manta Point, Kanawa and Taka Makassar sandbank, with snorkelling at most stops. Dedicated dive liveaboards add three or four dives a day at sites such as Batu Bolong, Castle Rock and Crystal Rock.
Choose between a shared trip, where you book a cabin and travel with other guests, and a private charter of the whole boat. Ask what safety equipment is on board, whether park fees are included, and whether the cabin has its own bathroom and air conditioning. The calmest seas are usually from April to November.