About Amore
We launched the Amore in 2019 and since then she’s handled the Komodo currents with steady balance, especially when we’re holding position off Pink Beach in mid-afternoon swell. At 26.5 metres, she’s not the longest on the circuit, but her draft allows us to tuck into shallower bays like Sebayur or Taka Makassar, where larger boats can’t anchor. Our crew of eight knows her roll pattern in the Savu Sea chop — we time departures from Labuan Bajo to avoid the midday swell through the strait. She’s built for comfort without sacrificing access, and that matters when you’re chasing the last light for a snorkel at Kalong Island.
Each morning, we rig the tenders early. If it’s a Padar sunrise, we leave at 05:15 — just enough time to hike the north ridge before the day boats arrive. The Amore carries sixteen guests max, spread across six cabins, but we keep group sizes tight. From the top sundeck, you’ll see why: when we’re moored near Kanawa, the view spans three different blues — one where the sand is white, one over the reef flat, and one where the current drops off into deep water. We don’t motor through the Dampier Strait at night; instead, we anchor in the lee of Nusa Kode and let guests hear the sounds of the island after dinner.
The boat runs on a 3D2N open-share schedule, starting and ending in Labuan Bajo. Day one usually lands at Menjerite — not the most famous spot, but reliable for soft coral and turtle sightings, and calm by 17:00 when we want guests in the water. We serve dinner in the indoor dining area, where the AC holds through even the hottest stretches. There’s a karaoke room, yes, but most guests end up on the aft deck, watching the sky fade, talking quietly. We keep the music low. This isn’t a party boat; it’s a working vessel that happens to have space for singing.
On day two, we’re at Padar early. The trail starts just past the beach — you’ll see the markers — and takes about 45 minutes up. After the dragon walk at Komodo Island — always with ranger escort — we lunch aboard before Pink Beach. That’s where the shallow coral meets the shore, and you can float over staghorn without touching. Then, Manta Point in the late afternoon: same spot every time, because we know where the cleaning stations are. We don’t drift with the current there; we anchor up-current and let guests swim back to the boat. Safer, and better for photos.
Final day, we head to Taka Makassar. If the tide’s right, you’ll see the sandbar emerge by 09:00. After an hour of swimming, we move to Kanawa for a final drift along the outer slope. We’ve mapped the reef entry points here — one has a natural arch you can surface under. By 14:00, we’re underway back to Labuan Bajo, serving tea and fruit. The crew does a final gear check to make sure no fins are left behind. We’ve lost one GoPro in three years — not bad.
Amore was designed with long crossings in mind, but we avoid them. Instead, we use her range to stay deep in the park. She’s refuelled and cleaned after every trip. We don’t run back-to-back charters without a full turnaround. That’s our rule.
