Thalassa
Thalassa Phinisi
Komodo snorkeling cruise on a private phinisi, with dive equipment on board
Updated 23 October 2026
Both Thalassa boats carry free snorkeling gear and dive equipment, and a 3D2N passes Manjarite, Pink Beach, Taka Makassar or Manta Point. Diving needs a license, and we do not publish a dive price; ask us for a quote. The 3D2N whole boat on Thalassa 1 is IDR 50,500,000 (≈ USD 3,098).
Four reefs across the 3D2N
The 3D2N route passes four snorkeling stops. Manjarite comes on day 1, after Kelor. On day 2 the sequence is Pink Beach, Taka Makassar or Manta Point. Day 3 adds Kanawa, a shallow coral reef that makes an easy last swim before the return to Labuan Bajo.
Pink Beach has reef close to the shore, with 45 to 90 minutes of snorkeling in 1 to 8 m of water and mild current. Taka Makassar is a crescent sandbar ringed by shallow reef, visible only at low tide. Manta Point is the demanding one: 30 to 60 minutes drifting with the current in 3 to 15 m, for confident swimmers, and sightings depend on tide and are never guaranteed. The captain picks Taka Makassar or Manta Point as the tide asks.
Snorkelers and divers on one boat
A couple where one dives and the other snorkels is the classic mixed party, and the boat suits it: the snorkeler has the reef from the surface while the diver goes down with the instructor. Each boat lists a compressor, tanks and dive gear, and diving needs a license.
The operator staffs one dive master for every 4 to 5 divers. We do not sell dive trips on this site, and we do not publish a dive price or a dive itinerary. If you want to dive, tell us your certification level and ask us for a quote; the answer comes in writing before you pay.
On the whole-boat charter, Thalassa 1 costs IDR 50,500,000 (≈ USD 3,098) for 3D2N and 1 to 5 guests, fuel included and quoted in writing before you pay.
What the gear list says
The equipment list is short and specific. Snorkeling gear is free on both boats. Each boat lists a compressor, tanks and dive gear for divers. Mask and fin sizes vary, so bring your own fins if you want them, as our packing list suggests.
Both boats carry a canoe and 2 SUP boards, and fun floats. Thalassa 1 has a tender with a 40 HP outboard; Thalassa 2 has two tenders with 50 HP outboards. The tenders take snorkelers to the reef edge at Pink Beach.
Thalassa 1 Buginese schooner
| System | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning (cabins) | Fitted | All 5 cabins |
| Private bathroom in every cabin | Fitted | 5 cabins, 5 private bathrooms with hot water |
| Private balcony | Fitted | Only the 2 Master Cabins Sea View have one; the Private and Share Cabins do not |
| Sundecks and bean bags | Fitted | An open sundeck and a shaded sundeck, with bean bags and a speaker |
| TV and karaoke | Fitted | 32-inch TVs on the balcony deck and in the dining room, plus karaoke |
| Water toys | Fitted | Fun floats, 2 SUP boards and a canoe, free to use |
| Snorkeling gear | Fitted | Free to use |
| Dive compressor and tanks | Fitted | 1 compressor, 28 tanks of 80 cu ft, 2 oxygen tanks. Diving needs a licence; dive trips are not priced on this site |
| Tender boat | Fitted | 1 tender boat |
| Navigation and safety | Fitted | GPS and GPS tracking, compass, VHF and SSB radio, satellite phone, 2 inflatable life rafts (6 guests each), life jackets, 2 ring buoys, 6 fire extinguishers, first-aid kit, emergency oxygen |
Thalassa 2 Buginese schooner
| System | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning (cabins) | Fitted | All cabin types shown |
| Sundeck | Fitted | An open sundeck with fun floats |
| TV and karaoke | Fitted | 32-inch TV on the balcony deck, plus karaoke |
| Water toys | Fitted | Fun floats, 2 SUP boards and a canoe, free to use |
| Snorkeling gear | Fitted | Free to use |
| Dive compressor and tanks | Fitted | 1 compressor, 28 tanks of 80 cu ft, 2 oxygen tanks. Diving needs a licence; dive trips are not priced on this site |
| Tender boats | Fitted | 2 tender boats |
| Navigation and safety | Fitted | GPS and GPS tracking, compass, VHF and SSB radio, 2 inflatable life rafts (25 guests each), 52 life jackets, 6 ring buoys, 6 fire extinguishers, first-aid kit, emergency oxygen |
The water through the months
Mantas are best roughly December to February and July to September. April to June and October to November bring calm seas and high visibility. January and February are the roughest and the wettest months, and July and August are the windiest, with the busiest anchorages.
Within one day the swims differ too. The early water at Pink Beach has the calmer surface and the softer color. The sun overhead gives the best color underwater at the shallow Taka Makassar sandbar. After the anchor is down, the day's swims get compared over dinner.
| Month | Sea | Visibility | Mantas | Crowds | Rain | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | rough | low | peak | low | wet | Wet season at its height: heavy showers and the roughest water of the year, with low visibility. Few boats are out and manta sightings are at their best, so it suits a couple who want an empty anchorage and accept a swell. |
| February | rough | low | peak | low | wet | Still wet, with rough water and low visibility. The anchorages are quiet and the mantas stay. A honeymoon here trades calm for solitude. |
| March | moderate | medium | good | low | wet | The last wet month. Showers ease, the sea settles to moderate and visibility climbs to medium, with few boats about. |
| April | calm | high | fair | medium | dry | April opens the dry months: flat water, and some of the clearest reef of the year below the hull. Crowds sit at a medium level. |
| May | calm | high | fair | medium | dry | Dry, calm and clear. Snorkel and trek days are the most predictable of the year, and the evening deck is still and warm. |
| June | calm | high | fair | medium | dry | Dry and clear. The south-east wind begins to build toward July, so mornings under sail are livelier. |
| July | rough | medium | peak | high | dry | The dry wind is up: a choppier sea, medium visibility and the busiest anchorages of the year. Mantas are at their peak. |
| August | rough | medium | peak | high | dry | The windiest dry month, with busy anchorages. Mantas feed in season, and the water stays at medium clarity. |
| September | moderate | high | peak | medium | dry | The breeze softens and the water clears to high visibility again. Mantas are in season and the crowd drops to medium, a strong month for a couple. |
| October | calm | high | fair | medium | dry | Calm, clear and hot, and the anchorages are emptier than in July and August. A quiet month for a honeymoon. |
| November | calm | high | fair | low | dry | The dry season closes with calm water, clear views and some of the quietest stops of the year, the easiest month for a slow honeymoon. |
| December | moderate | medium | peak | medium | wet | The rains begin, and with them the mantas return. Holiday weeks are crowded, and a 10 percent charter supplement applies on the dates in your written quote. |
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If you do not dive
Snorkeling is enough on this route. The reefs near the surface are the ones people photograph, and free snorkeling gear covers every guest. Non-divers lose nothing on the itinerary, and the park ticket covers snorkeling.
The limit is simple. Dive prices are not published here, a license is required, and park tickets and ranger fees are never part of the fare.
FAQ
Can I dive from Thalassa?
Both boats list a compressor, tanks and dive gear, and diving needs a license. We do not publish a dive price or a dive itinerary. Tell us your certification level and ask for a quote; it comes in writing before you pay.
Is snorkeling gear included?
Yes. Free snorkeling gear is part of the fare on both boats, along with the canoe. If you prefer your own fins or mask, bring them in a soft bag. The charter price is all-in and already includes fuel.
Is Manta Point guaranteed?
No. Manta sightings depend on tide and current. The strongest months are roughly December to February and again July to September. The captain picks Taka Makassar or Manta Point as the tide asks, and the current at Manta Point is strong enough that it is for confident swimmers.
Can non-divers enjoy the cruise?
Yes. The 3D2N route has Manjarite, Pink Beach, Taka Makassar or Manta Point, and Kanawa, all snorkeling stops with free gear. Non-divers also get Padar, Komodo and Kalong. The snorkeling is covered by the park entry ticket.
Check availability: Thalassa
Thalassa is published and booked by PT Komodo Explorer Indonesia, a booking partner for Thalassa 1 and Thalassa 2. The boats belong to their owner.