About Red Whale II
We run Red Whale II hard through the straits between Komodo and Rinca when the tide turns at first light. That’s when the current pushes hard, and you need the punch of three 250HP Suzuki outboards to keep the bow up and the ride clean. I’ve spun this hull at full throttle past Banda Rea, cutting 45 minutes off the run to Manta Point compared to most charter boats. She’s not built for lounging at anchor – she’s built for covering ground fast, without sacrificing comfort. Her deep-V hull slices through chop, and we keep her dry even when the wind picks up across the Sape Strait.
You won’t find ten cabins on this boat, just one dedicated overnight space tucked below the wheelhouse. That means if you charter her privately, your group owns the entire vessel – no sharing decks or facilities with strangers. The cabin runs full beam, with twin air conditioners humming quietly overhead and a solid teak door that seals tight. We’ve fitted marine-grade, flush-mount toilets that handle long runs without backing up – rare on speedboats this size. There’s a freshwater shower just outside, shielded behind a folding curtain, so you can rinse off after swimming at Batu Bolong.
Our standard run starts at 07:00 from Labuan Bajo, heading straight for Manta Point. By 08:15 we’re moored, and you’re in the water with the first rays hitting the reef. Mantas glide in on the incoming tide, and we position the boat on the eastern edge where the current funnels them close. From there, we push to Padar – not for the full sunrise climb, but to land by 10:30 and hike the lower ridge for panoramic shots of the triple bays. The speed means we spend less time sitting in transit and more time on the sites. We skip the crowded midday stop at Komodo Village, opting instead for a quiet sandbar near Sebayur where you can swim in waist-deep water with no one else in sight.
Lunch goes out at 12:30 on a shaded deck seat – grilled tuna caught that morning, sambal, steamed rice, and fresh papaya. We don’t serve buffet lines on this boat; meals are plated and handed to you. Afternoon takes us to Pink Beach by 14:00. We anchor in the north cove, away from the day-crowd tenders, and drop the snorkel platform on the lee side. The coral slopes here stay vibrant down to 15 meters, and the sand gets its blush from foraminifera, not crushed coral. You’ll see it best in this light. We leave by 15:30, hitting Kanawa Island for a final drift along the east wall before turning for Labuan Bajo at 17:00. Back by 18:00, with just enough time to walk straight into town for dinner.
This boat doesn’t pretend to be a liveaboard. She’s a precision tool for seeing Komodo fast, safely, and without the bone-jarring ride most speedboats deliver. Our crew of three knows every eddy and tide gate from Padar to Nusa Kode. We time our runs to avoid the worst swells, and we’ll reroute on the fly if weather builds near Gili Lawa Darat. If you’re short on time, or want to chase mantas without a multi-day commitment, Red Whale II gets you there quicker and more comfortably than anything else on the water.
