About Marea
If you’re looking to balance space and value on a Komodo liveaboard, Marea fits just right — especially if you’re travelling as a couple or small group that appreciates private accommodations without the full charter price tag. At 36 metres, she’s large enough to glide smoothly through the Savu Sea’s afternoon swells, yet intimate with only six cabins hosting up to 17 guests. That means shorter boarding queues at snorkel sites and more elbow room on the sundeck as you watch the sun dip behind Padar’s jagged ridgeline. Your mornings start with strong Indonesian coffee served on the aft deck, timed for arrival at quieter anchorages like Menjerite, where few boats drop in compared to the busier Pink Beach.
Your days follow a rhythm that maximises both wildlife and scenery. You’ll wake early on Day 2 for the trek to Komodo Island’s ranger station, where the guide checks wind direction before leading you inland to spot dragons near the dry riverbed. Afterward, you’ll snorkel at Manta Point with the morning current, where cleaning stations draw consistent visits — we’ve seen groups of up to eight glide through in a single 30-minute session. Marea anchors close enough for quick surface intervals, and the crew keeps chilled towels and fresh water rinses ready on the swim platform. Later, as the light turns golden, you’ll drift through Kalong Island’s mangrove channels, watching thousands of fruit bats spiral into the twilight sky.
The cabins are laid out to suit different travel styles. The Royal Cabin, positioned forward on the main deck, has extra storage and a private door to the side passage — ideal if you’re bringing dive gear or want discreet access. The two Superior Cabins aft share similar dimensions but open directly to the indoor dining area, which can mean slight foot traffic during meal hours. All rooms have individually controlled AC, real wooden finishes, and portholes that open for natural airflow when anchored. There’s no TV, but the library has marine guidebooks and tide charts if you’re planning to quiz the guide about currents in the Dientes.
Meals are served family-style in the enclosed dining room or outside under the awning, depending on sea spray and sun angle. Breakfast includes both Western options and local staples like bubur ayam, while lunch might be grilled mahi-mahi with jackfruit salad. The crew adjusts spice levels on request, and they’ll pack your snorkel snack in a reusable container if you prefer to stay in the water longer. Evening briefings happen at 18:30, with the next day’s map laid out on the teak table — you’ll see why anchoring at Taka Makassar on Day 3 means a smooth sail back to Labuan Bajo by late afternoon.
This isn’t a megayacht with a spa and butler service, but Marea delivers where it counts: reliable engines for sticking to the schedule, shaded deck space when the equatorial sun peaks, and a crew that knows which side of Kanawa has the best coral coverage depending on the tide. She runs the standard 3D2N open-share trip from Labuan Bajo, which works best in the dry season (April–November) when seas are calmer and visibility tops 15 metres. Book early for July and August — those slots fill six months out, especially for the Royal and Signature Cabins.
