We were 12 travelers from all over the world, meeting for the very first time. Our group was made up of a solo backpacker from Brazil, two Aussie sisters, an older couple from Germany, their adult son, a young couple from China, best friends from Denmark, me and my husband from the U.S. By day two, we were a weird little family. Life aboard a phinisi.
That’s what it’s really like unless you opt for a private liveaboard. If you’re wondering what else to expect, keep reading. You’ll get a glimpse into everything from the cabins and meals to morning routines and nights under the stars.
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What’s a Phinisi, Anyway?
Phinisis are traditional Indonesian sailing ships. Ours had two levels and a bow perfect for sunning and stargazing.
Our boat looked straight out of a pirate movie with creaky stairs and wooden decks that had definitely seen some stories. Think: teak wood, gentle waves, and nothing but sea and islands in every direction. Sailing through Komodo National Park on a traditional Indonesian phinisi was more than a way to get around. It was a floating escape and our front-row seat to the magic that unfolded every day.
Tour of the Phinisi
Our Cabin: A Little Floating Dream at the Back of the Boat
Okay, so let’s talk about the room. Our cabin was tucked into the very last spot on the lower deck, like a hidden treasure chest.
At the foot of the queen-sized bed were French doors that slid open onto our very own private back deck. Two chairs and nothing but endless ocean trailing behind us. The water was so close, you could literally reach down and touch it. The room had big wraparound windows. We saw scattered islands peeking up from the Indian Ocean like something out of a nature documentary. It made brushing your teeth feel oddly cinematic.
And yes. We had our own ensuite bathroom, which is a total win when you’ve got salt in all sorts of places. But don’t expect privacy walls to separate the shower from the rest of the bathroom. The whole bathroom is the shower. Just be warned: storage is minimal. Think cubbies and hooks, not closets. So do yourself a favor and pack like you’re going on an island-hopping mission, not moving in.
Bottom line? Life aboard a phinisi isn’t a suite at the Ritz. It was quite compact. But it felt like our little nook on the ocean. If you get the chance to book a cabin like this—grab it. Your journal (and your soul) will thank you.
Dining Room and Meals on the Water
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were served “family-style” on the lower deck. One long table was lined with food all the way down the middle, and it had chairs on both sides. We were served local Indonesian dishes and food from all over the world. Some I was familiar with and some not so much. We all grabbed seats, shared stories and talked excitedly about the next day’s adventures.
Mealtime was definitely a highlight. Snacks magically appeared between snorkel stops (hello, banana fritters). And they always made sure tea, coffee, smoothies and fresh fruit were stocked.
Living Spaces: Where We Hung Out & Watched the World Go By
Life aboard the phinisi wasn’t just about sleeping below deck. It was about finding your favorite perch in the open-air living spaces.
At the front of the ship, the bow, we had a large, covered area that quickly became home base. This was where we all gathered before loading into the dinghy for our island excursions. The space was cozy and communal, with comfy couches and lounge pads. It had a table in the center where the crew would set out cold drinks and platters of fresh fruit. It was where we were still drying off from snorkeling the Taka Makasar Sandbar and swapping stories. The perfect place for checking drone footage while enjoying the salty breeze.
Then there was the top deck, a wide, flat platform above the cabins, completely open to the sky. During the day, it was a sun-drenched escape. A perfect place to sprawl out with a sarong and take in the 360° views of the ocean. But at sunset, the vibe completely shifted.
When we anchored off Kalong Island, the top deck was where it all happened. Everyone gathered barefoot with drinks or cameras in hand. Lying on the comfy loungers as the sky turned from lavender into burnt orange. When the flying foxes took to the air, we didn’t say much, just watched and breathed it all in.
One night, I took my blanket up to the top deck and fell asleep under a sky so full of stars it looked fake. No Wi-Fi, no noise, just the sound of waves. It was the kind of peace you don’t realize you need until you have it. And that’s life aboard the phinisi.
The Daily Rhythm
- 5:30–7:00 a.m.: Wake-up call (or Padar Island hike prep!)
- 7:30 a.m.: Breakfast + sail to first stop
- 9:00–12:00 p.m.: Island hop, hike or snorkeling
- 12:30 p.m.: Lunch onboard
- 1:30–4:00 p.m.: More island exploring or swim stops
- 5:30 p.m.: Anchor for sunset
- Evening: Dinner, card games, stargazing, hammock naps
The Crew
They were the quiet heroes of the entire trip. The crew on our phinisi did everything. Seriously.
They prepped our cabins before we even stepped onboard, cooked and served every delicious meal, ferried us to and from each island in the dinghy like clockwork, and somehow always did it with a smile. Whether it was tying off ropes or handing out fresh fruit after a long hike, they made the whole experience feel effortless. Behind every perfect moment was a crew member working hard to make it happen.
Want to plan your own Komodo trip? Start with my full packing guide and how to choose a liveaboard.
Plan Your Own Komodo Trip
Download my FREE Komodo Liveaboard Travel Guide!
- International Travel Checklist
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- Clickable Links
Ready to set sail? I’ve got a post on choosing the right liveaboard in Komodo to help you find your dream boat. And if you missed my full trip recap, here’s how our 4-day itinerary unfolded.
