About Zendaya
We keep the starboard stabiliser reefed just after dawn when rounding Padar’s north tip – the current pushes hard this time of month, and the Zendaya handles it clean with her 23-metre hull biting into the swell. Our crew of five have run this route for three seasons now, and we time the turn so guests get dry decks and first light on the ash-grey slopes. At 23 metres, she’s not the longest phinisi here, but her draft and beam give her balance in the straits, and we don’t rush. That means you’re not slipping across polished teak on descent – a real thing on narrower boats when the tide surges between Komodo and Rinca.
Zendaya sleeps up to 15 across three cabin types, each named for islands we visit. The Padar Cabin guests come aft, just above the engine room – it’s our quietest zone, insulated well, and gets the breeze late into the night. Rinca & Komodo Cabins sit midships, two per side, ideal for those who want quick sundeck access after the dragon walk at Loh Liang. Kanawa & Sabolo cabins are forward, slightly more motion on choppy days but first in line when we anchor in glassy coves like Taka Makassar. All have reading lights with USB ports, individual AC controls, and private bathrooms with constant hot water – not a given on boats this size.
Our standard 3D2N trip starts with arrivals in Labuan Bajo by 13:00. We push off by 14:30 and head for Kelor, where the coral shelves drop fast and reef sharks cruise the edge. Snorkeling here at 15:00 gives new guests a confidence boost – shallow entry, no current, and turtles almost guaranteed. Sunset drinks go out on the bow as we motor toward Rinca, and we anchor under Kalong Island’s mangroves by 18:30. On Day Two, we’re up at 05:30 for Padar. The trail starts 30 minutes after landing, timed to avoid the midday heat and tour groups. By 09:00, we’re at Pink Beach – not just for photos, but to snorkel the reef flat where blue starfish cling to submerged rock.
Manta Point at 10:30 is where the boat earns its keep. We anchor on the northwestern marker, where the cleaning stations sit in 8 metres of water. Our crew drops a surface float, and guests drift with the mild current. We’ve seen mantas on 92% of visits this year – most between 11:00 and 11:45, when plankton rises. After lunch, we shift to Kanawa for late afternoon swimming. The sandbar appears at low tide, and kids from other boats often swim across to join us. Day Three starts early at Taka Makassar – we anchor by 07:00. The sandbar is widest then, and underwater, Napoleon wrasse hover near the drop-off. We return to Labuan Bajo by 13:00, with coffee and snacks out till docking.
The sundeck isn’t just for lounging – we’ve rigged shaded benching on the port side for dive prep, and the starboard rail holds six mask stations with rinse buckets. Snorkeling gear is included, and we stock extra wide straps for guests with glasses. Free Wi-Fi works within 20 nautical miles of Labuan Bajo – enough for messages and light browsing, but not streaming. Coffee, tea, and drinking water run all trip. Our galley crew cooks with local seafood and market vegetables – we don’t serve frozen imports unless requested. If you need dietary adjustments, let us know 72 hours before departure.
