About Ciela
If you’re looking to balance privacy with group energy on the water, Ciela makes sense — especially if you’re travelling solo or as a pair open to shared experiences without being packed in. At 28 metres long with space for up to 15 guests, she’s sized to feel social but not crowded, and her single cabin setup suggests a focus on shared accommodations rather than full charter exclusivity. That works well for small groups or independent travellers who want comfort without paying for an entire boat. You’ll find the rhythm of the trip settles in quickly: morning light over Kelor Island, snorkels timed with currents at Manta Point, and afternoons when the deck becomes your floating lounge.
Your days unfold across the heart of Komodo National Park, starting with a late afternoon arrival at either Kelor or Menjerite — both offer calm waters and a first taste of coral gardens just below the surface. By Day 2, you’re up early for Padar Island, where the hike starts before sunrise to catch the coastlines glowing in soft gold. After breakfast back onboard, the route swings to Komodo Island for the ranger-led dragon walk through savannah scrub, then straight to Pink Beach where you can walk the blush-coloured shore or snorkel the drop-off near the north tip. The afternoon is for drifting at Manta Point, where currents bring plankton and mantas glide in predictable arcs — your best chance to swim alongside them is mid-tide, which the crew times carefully.
Day 3 is lighter, focused on open water and sandbars. Taka Makassar appears only when the tide is right — a narrow stretch of white reef that emerges like a pathway to nowhere. It’s perfect for photos and shallow snorkeling, but only accessible for a few hours. By late morning, you’re moving to Kanawa Island, where the volcanic cone rises sharply and the reef shelf drops fast. This is where experienced snorkellers stay out longest, watching batfish swirl around the coral heads. The return to Labuan Bajo takes the back route past Bidadari Island, giving you a final stretch to relax on the outdoor deck or in the shaded indoor dining area.
Ciela’s layout keeps things simple: one cabin type means no upgrade decisions, and the shared arrangement helps keep costs down without sacrificing key comforts. Each cabin has sea-view windows, ventilation, storage, and shared bathroom access — practical touches for a 3D2N trip where you spend most of your time outside the room anyway. The crew quarters are forward, galley amidships, and the upper deck is reserved for lounging, with cushioned mats and shade sails rigged depending on sun angle. There’s no AC in cabins, but cross-breeze is reliable when anchored, and fans help at night.
Meals are served family-style: rice, grilled fish, stir-fried greens, and local sambal made fresh daily. Breakfasts include toast, eggs, and fruit platters — nothing elaborate, but hot and filling before a morning hike. Snacks like bananas or crackers are available between stops. Water, tea, and coffee are free; alcohol and soft drinks cost extra. The boat doesn’t have Wi-Fi, and signal fades once you leave the harbour, so plan to disconnect. Charging points are available near the salon, but power is limited — one outlet per cabin rotation.
This is a dry-season trip — April through November — when seas are flatter and skies clear. Outside that window, especially in January and February, swells can make the journey between islands rough, and some sites may be closed by park authorities. Ciela doesn’t run private charters by default, so if you need full exclusivity, another vessel might suit better. But for a social, active, no-fuss Komodo experience with reliable crew and solid snorkeling stops, she delivers.
