About Vela
If you're travelling with a close-knit group or celebrating a milestone that calls for privacy and space, the 50-metre Vela is built for your kind of adventure. With just one dedicated cabin configuration, this vessel is designed to host up to 12 guests across thoughtfully laid-out sleeping areas, making it ideal for families, multi-generational trips, or a reunion of friends who want shared moments without sacrificing personal comfort. The layout balances open social zones — like the cushioned sundeck and open-air lounge — with quieter corners where you can retreat with a book or watch the Flores Sea glide past.
Your days unfold across Komodo’s most iconic sites, timed for calm waters and fewer crowds. You’ll arrive on Day 1 in Labuan Bajo, settle in with a welcome drink, then sail to Kelor Island by late afternoon. Snorkel the fringing reef as the sun dips behind the hills, then return to Vela for dinner under lanterns, perhaps catching a film on the outdoor cinema screen with a light sea breeze. There’s no rush — the pace matches how you want to travel: unhurried, attentive to detail, and close to nature.
Day 2 starts before dawn with a short tender ride to Padar Island. Climb the trail in cool morning air and watch the sun spill across the jagged coastline and turquoise bays below. After breakfast back on board, you’ll head to Komodo Village for the ranger-led dragon walk — a chance to see these prehistoric creatures in the wild. Later, anchor near Pink Beach, where you can swim in the shallows or kayak along the shore. By mid-afternoon, you’ll drift above Manta Point, where currents draw in graceful reef mantas. Whether you snorkel or watch from the glass panel on deck, it’s a moment that stays with you.
On Day 3, you’ll sail to Taka Makassar, a sandbar that emerges at low tide — perfect for photos and a final swim. Then it’s onward to Kanawa Island, where coral gardens lie just beneath the surface. After a final lunch of grilled fish and tropical fruit, Vela turns back toward Labuan Bajo, arriving by late afternoon. You’ll step ashore not just with photos, but with a clear sense of having moved through the landscape, not just past it.
This isn’t a mass-market cruise. Vela’s single-cabin configuration means bookings are typically private charters, so your group sets the rhythm. That also means availability is limited — especially in peak season (May–October) when skies are clear and seas are calm. If you're considering a July or August departure with a full group, securing your dates 4–6 months out is wise. Outside that window, you gain flexibility and softer rates, though you may encounter brief afternoon showers in November or April.
The boat is equipped for both ease and adventure: a full set of snorkeling gear, safety-certified dive equipment, shaded lounging areas, and a kitchen that turns out Indonesian and Western dishes with fresh local ingredients. There’s no formal dress code — you’ll be in swimwear by day, light cotton by night. What matters is that Vela doesn’t just take you to Komodo — it lets you live in it, quietly and well.
