Amandira is the rarest way to see Komodo. Aman’s flagship — a 52-metre, two-masted phinisi hand-built by Konjo shipwrights and run to the standard of an Aman resort — is chartered whole, for up to ten guests, with a crew of thirteen that includes two private chefs, a dive master and a spa therapist. Its name blends the Sanskrit for ‘peace’ with ‘dira’ — intrepid, yet calm. On a Komodo voyage that is exactly the register: dawn treks among prehistoric dragons and afternoons drifting over manta cleaning stations, bracketed by long lunches at anchor and dinners under the stars. This is the guide to chartering Amandira through Komodo National Park — the yacht, a sample five-night itinerary, the diving, and how to book.
Amandira: Aman’s flagship phinisi
Travelling under sail as well as by motor, the 170-foot Amandira was custom-designed and crafted from local hardwoods by the Konjo artisans of South Sulawesi, combining the romance of the old spice-trade vessels with contemporary comfort. Below decks are three king-bed cabins — a master in the stern with above-water views, and two deluxe cabins port and starboard, each with a living area and en-suite — plus two bunk cabins, accommodating up to ten guests in all. A crew of thirteen runs the ship: two chefs serving Indonesian, Asian and international menus across multiple dining settings, an expert dive master, skilled waitstaff and a trained spa therapist. The broad foredeck lounge is built for sun salutations, sundowners and stargazing.
Chartered whole — for up to ten guests, with a crew of thirteen.
A Komodo voyage
Komodo National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site spanning Rinca and Komodo islands in the Nusa Tenggara archipelago — is among the most biologically diverse marine regions on Earth, and the only place the Komodo dragon still roams wild. From the colourful reefs of Tatawa to the blush sands of Pink Beach, it is a forgotten Eden on land and sea. Amandira cruises it on voyages of five nights or more (up to twenty-one), the whole boat yours, anchoring in isolated coves the day-boats never reach. The gateway is Labuan Bajo on western Flores — an hour-and-a-half flight from Bali, then ten minutes to the harbour and five by tender to the ship.
The diving
Komodo’s nutrient-rich currents make it one of Indonesia’s great dive regions, and Amandira carries world-class scuba facilities with nitrox aboard, overseen by an experienced dive master — so seasoned divers gain more time below, and beginners can earn their PADI certification under instruction. The voyage strings together the headline sites: the reefs and turtles of Tatawa, the manta cleaning stations of Makassar Reef, and the current-swept pinnacles of Crystal Rock and Castle Rock off Gili Lawa Laut. Sites range from gentle macro to fast drifts and underwater seamounts, suitable for all levels; visibility runs from ten to thirty metres, best between March and October.
Nitrox aboard, an expert dive master, and the manta channels of Makassar Reef.
The dragons & the islands ashore
An early-morning trek on Rinca, led by expert rangers, reveals Komodo dragons in their natural habitat alongside buffalo, wild horses, macaques and rare birds; a second trek on Komodo Island finds more of the same prehistoric wildlife. Between the dives lie the set-pieces: Pink Beach, its sand blushed by red coral, where at dusk thousands of fruit bats lift off the island in search of food; desert-island beaches for a picnic lunch; and the calm of an overnight mooring under the stars. Ashore and afloat, an experienced guide reveals the secret of each new bay — a turtle snorkel here, a viewpoint there.
Aboard: dining, wellness and the deck
Dining aboard Amandira is a gourmet journey from sunrise until the constellations wheel overhead — cuisine as artful as in any land-based Aman, served in multiple settings, including a moonlit barbecue on an empty beach. Wellness translates beautifully to the high seas: massages in the privacy of your cabin or yoga on the sand, with menus curated to be more health-focused on request. The foredeck is for sun salutations at first light and meditation at dusk; the sundeck for cocktails as the light drops. Amandira also caters to weddings, honeymoons and anniversaries — an intimate, otherworldly venue.
When to go & how to charter
Komodo voyages aboard Amandira run from March to October, when the seas are calmest and the water clearest — the prime window for both the diving and the dragons. A classic voyage is five nights, though itineraries are curated on a bespoke basis and can extend to twenty-one nights or link onward to Satonda and Amanwana. Reach the ship by flying to Labuan Bajo via Bali. To charter Amandira, send an inquiry — our desk confirms the dates, the route and the price, and tailors the voyage to your party before anything is paid.
