Sixteen graduates, three days, one boat and a shared bill

Sixteen friends are eight pairs, and one of the nine cabins stays empty. Charter cabins all cost the same, since the price covers the whole boat. That frees the group from the oldest argument of a shared house. Nobody pays more for Misool, so the pairs can draw for it.

The cabins differ in size and fittings. Misool, on the upper deck, is 34 sqm and has the private balcony with jacuzzi. Weh and Mentawai are 13.6 sqm with a bathtub and big windows. Selayar and Rote on the main deck are 9.24 sqm, and the four lower cabins are 8.75 sqm with a small round marine window. Only Misool, Weh and Mentawai have a bathtub.

Who fits where is a short list. The pair who talk late take a lower-deck cabin, a deck below the lounge. The pair who rise at dawn take a main-deck cabin beside the dining room. The graduate of honour takes the draw. Tell us the pairs and the ages, and ask how an odd number is shared. The plan is confirmed by us in writing, ahead of payment.

The standard route is three days. Day one begins with the 08:30 pickup, then Sebayur or Siaba, Taka Makassar and Manta Point, and ends at Padar. Day two is Pink Beach, Komodo Island, Pengah and Kalong. Day three is Kelor and Manjarite, with the return between 11:00 and 12:00. Book flights after 14:00.

Three days suits a group with little leave and a modest budget. It is a brisk trip. The stops are real, and the captain confirms their order.

A fourth day gives the exams a proper goodbye. In the four-day sample, Rinca and Manjarite take day three and Kelor takes day four, and the boat returns around midday. Four days for 16 guests is IDR 203,000,000 (≈ USD 12,454), or IDR 12,690,000 (≈ USD 779) each. The fourth day adds a fraction to each share and gives Rinca a morning of its own. You and the captain settle the final order, and our written confirmation comes ahead of payment.

The first ten guests share the whole-boat fare of IDR 140,000,000 (≈ USD 8,589). Each of the six guests after them adds IDR 4,500,000 (≈ USD 276). For sixteen that comes to IDR 167,000,000 (≈ USD 10,245), and divided by sixteen it is IDR 10,440,000 (≈ USD 640) each.

That figure covers the boat, the nine cabins, onboard meals, snacks and drinks, snorkelling gear, the paddleboard, the canoe and the pickup and drop-off in the city area. Flights, hotel nights, park tickets, travel insurance and personal expenses are all paid separately. Both a guide and a photographer can be requested, each quoted on its own.

Park tickets cost IDR 250,000 for each foreign guest and IDR 50,000 for each domestic guest on a weekday, so a mixed group has two rates. Appoint one friend to hold the money. Send us one message with the names, and one written price comes back that the treasurer can read to everybody.

A deposit of 50% of the total secures the booking. Settle the balance 30 days ahead of departure. If the booking itself is made within 30 days of departure, the full amount is due at confirmation. Ahead of the deposit you get a written confirmation of boat, dates, cabin plan and price.

How the friends gather the money is their own business. If more than one person will pay, check with us whether the method you pick allows it, and the answer comes in writing. A payment link handles card payments, and the fee on any method is displayed before you pay.

Plans change after exams. A date can move free of charge up to 30 days before departure if the new date is free. From just under 30 days down to 14 days, a change costs IDR 500,000. A refund of 50% applies to a cancellation made 60 days or more out, and 25% to one made 30 to 59 days out.