About Lamain Cruise I
We keep the throttles forward early in the morning when heading west from Labuan Bajo – the sea’s usually flat before 9 a.m., and we need that window to make Kelor by midday. Lamain Cruise I isn’t built for long crossings like the liveaboards; she’s a solid-hulled speedboat designed to move groups fast and dry. With space for 26, we run her at full charter only, never open-share, so the group controls the pace. The cabin belowdecks is small – just one, tucked under the upper deck – but it’s not meant for sleeping. It’s for gear storage, first aid, and giving the dive master a dry spot to prep tanks if needed. Most guests stay topside, where the padded bench seating wraps around the central deck and the canopy rolls out when the sun hits its peak.
Our route depends on the tide and wind, but on a standard run, we drop anchor off Kelor Island by 11:30. That’s where guests jump in for a midday snorkel above the coral bommies in the shallows. The crew has lunch ready by then – rice, grilled fish, and fresh papaya – served buffet-style on the rear deck. We don’t linger long; by 13:00 we’re moving south toward Pink Beach. Lamain Cruise I handles the chop between Bidadari and Komodo Island well, but we slow through the channel where currents squeeze between the points. That stretch near Sebayur Island can kick up standing waves if the wind’s from the southeast.
At Pink Beach, we anchor on the east side, where the sand stays undisturbed and the water’s calmer. Guests have an hour here to walk the cove, snorkel the reef edge near the red-tinged shore, or just cool off under the shade tarp we rig on the beach. We time it so we leave around 15:00, heading north toward Manta Point at Batu Bolong. It’s a 25-minute run, and we brief everyone on manta etiquette while en route – no touching, no flash photos, keep a steady hover. When mantas are in residence, they circle the cleaning station for hours, and we’ll drift quietly above them, letting guests roll off the back one at a time.
By 17:00, we’re on the final leg back to Labuan Bajo. The sun drops behind Rinca, and the crew hands out cold towels and the last round of drinks. The sound system stays on – usually soft reggae or island beats – until we tie up at the marina by 18:00. There’s no overnight cabin use; this boat returns same-day. She’s not for honeymooners or solitude seekers. But if you’re a group of 15–26 wanting a full-day push into Komodo’s highlights with reliable power and space to move, she’s one of the few speedboats here that won’t leave you rattled by the return run.
