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Hey guys! Here is the complete breakdown of both legs of my epic ocean adventure! A lot of people don’t realize that the route from Lombok to Labuan Bajo and the return route from Labuan Bajo to Lombok have completely different itineraries and vibes. Here is my authentic, vlog-style POV recap of the entire journey onboard the Menami Deluxe Boat with Golden Island Cruises!
My journey started early Saturday morning on the 11th. The crew picked me up right from my hotel in Senggigi and drove us to the Golden Island Cruises office in Kopang for check-in. The super friendly staff welcomed us with a refreshing drink and genuine smiles. After finishing the payment and safety briefing around 12:00 PM, we headed straight to Kayangan Port and boarded the Menami Deluxe Boat.
By 1:00 PM, all guests were settled, and our guides, Tio and Ramli, gave us another warm briefing as we set sail toward Kenawa Island. We reached Kenawa Island around 5:00 PM, and honestly, all I could say was “Masyaallah, this view is insane!” We did a short trekking session to reach the Kenawa Island Summit to catch the sunset. Pro-tip: make sure to bring a bottle of mineral water and wear sturdy shoes or sandals! After watching the sunset, our guides called us back to the Menami Deluxe Boat using a small dinghy. We enjoyed a delicious group dinner on board and went to bed early so we could wake up in time for the whale sharks the next day.
At 5:40 AM, I woke up just as we arrived at Saleh Bay. Stepping out to the boat’s bow, I was greeted by a stunning sunrise when suddenly another guest shouted, “Whale sharks!” Everyone immediately rushed to change into swimwear, grabbed their snorkeling masks, and jumped into the water one by one. Even though this was my third Lombok to Labuan Bajo sailing trip, it was my very first time swimming right alongside giant whale sharks in Saleh Bay!
By 8:00 AM, we climbed back on board for a heavy breakfast. The meals served on this boat were consistently amazing throughout the whole journey! After breakfast, we sailed toward Tambora for some thrilling boat jumping. After lunch, our guide warned us that we were approaching Selat Sangar, a passage known for high waves, strong winds, and heavy currents. I took motion sickness pills in advance, and right around 2:00 PM, the wind picked up and the ocean got rough, making the sailing super wild and exciting!
After surviving the thrilling waves, we entered the calm, turquoise waters of Komodo National Park. We spent the day exploring iconic destinations, starting with a trek on Komodo Island to see the famous Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. Next, we headed to Pink Beach, where we swam, snorkeled among vibrant coral reefs, and relaxed on the unique pink sand.
Before the sun went down, we hiked up the iconic steps of Padar Island to reach the Padar Island Summit. The panoramic view of the three colored beaches from the top was absolutely magical and worth every single step!
Our final morning on the Lombok to Labuan Bajo cruise started with a refreshing one-hour snorkeling session in the crystal-clear waters of Manjarite Island. Swimming through the vibrant coral reefs and spotting graceful sea turtles was the best morning wake-up call!
By midday, we cruised over to the picturesque Kelor Island, where we spent 2 to 3 hours relaxing on the white-sand beach, snorkeling with harmless reef sharks in the shallow waters, and hiking up to the hilltop for sweeping panoramic views. After enjoying our final delicious lunch on board, we made our final sail into Labuan Bajo Port for disembarkation, wrapping up an extraordinary first leg of the trip before saying goodbye to our amazing crew!
We kicked off our return Labuan Bajo to Lombok boat tour starting at 02:00 PM with check-in at the Golden Island Cruises office in Labuan Bajo. After a warm welcome from the friendly crew, we boarded the Menami Deluxe Boat, settled into our cabins, and set sail out of the harbor. The evening started with a delicious freshly prepared dinner on board while watching the sunset over the open sea. We spent the night enjoying a peaceful, starlit overnight cruise toward Padar Island so we could wake up right at the spot for sunrise!
Day two started at 06:00 AM with an early soft trek up the iconic hills of Padar Island. Reaching the summit just in time for sunrise was pure magic, with panoramic views of the famous tri-colored bays. After breakfast back on board, we headed over to Pink Beach to swim, snorkel, and relax on the soft pink-tinted sands. In the afternoon, we arrived at Loh Liang on Komodo Island for a guided trek through Komodo National Park to observe ancient Komodo dragons and native wildlife in their natural habitat before anchoring for the night.
We arrived early in the morning at Satonda Island to catch a peaceful sunrise, swim in crystal-clear waters, and do some optional kayaking around the island. Next, we sailed to Moyo Island, a lush tropical paradise. We spent the day snorkeling among well-preserved coral reefs, swimming, and trekking through tropical forests to the iconic Senggalo Waterfall. After an adventurous day, we prepped for an overnight sail toward Kenawa Island.
On our final morning, we anchored at Kenawa Island for a light trek up the grassy hills, taking in breathtaking ocean views, snorkeling, and swimming in crystal-clear waters. After an hour and a half, we made our final 1.5-hour sail to Kayangan Harbour in Lombok. After saying farewell to the incredible crew, the Golden Island Cruises team provided a smooth, stress-free shuttle drop-off straight back to our hotels in Senggigi and Mataram!
If you want the ultimate island-hopping adventure, completing the entire Lombok to Labuan Bajo & Labuan Bajo to Lombok round trip sailing on a deluxe boat is hands-down the best way to do it!
So, is it worth doing both ways? 1000% YES! The Lombok to Labuan Bajo and Labuan Bajo to Lombok routes each have their own unique highlights and destinations that you definitely don’t want to miss. From swimming with whale sharks in Saleh Bay and hiking for sunset views on Padar Island, to diving into the freshwater pools at Moyo Island’s waterfall you get the absolute best of both worlds!
If you want to experience a premium, cozy, and super fun sailing trip, book your slot directly with Golden Island Cruises. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
Don’t forget to like, save, and share this post with your ultimate travel buddies! See you on the next adventure! BYEEE! ✌️✈️⛵
