Environment
Plastic-free voyages
Single-use bottles, straws and cutlery are eliminated on every voyage we book. Partners are verified for reef-safe practice and waste management.
Sustainability pledge
Promises we keep
in Komodo and Flores.
Our pledge covers the environment, wildlife, culture and the local economy — and every operator we work with is held to it, season after season.
The pledge
Six promises,
one standard.
The commitments that apply to every voyage we book across the Komodo and Flores ecosystem.
Wildlife
Close to wildlife,
never too close.
Encounters are planned around the animal, not the photograph.
Built to last
Sustainable because
it is built by hand.
Phinisi boatbuilding by Bugis and Konjo craftsmen of South Sulawesi was recognised by UNESCO in 2017 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
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Skill over machinery
Hulls are shaped by skilled hands rather than energy-intensive industrial processes.
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Durable timber
Ulin ironwood and teak from suppliers with verifiable, legal forestry practices.
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Made to be repaired
Designed for longevity and repair rather than disposal.
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Local at every stage
Communities are involved from timber selection to the final rigging.
The most sustainable boat is one that stays in service — so phinisi are built for repair, not replacement.
Custom new buildYour part
What we ask
of every traveller.
Every traveller is briefed on respectful behaviour before departure, and group leaders reinforce it daily.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen only — it is checked before boarding
- Leave single-use plastic ashore; bottles, straws and cutlery are not used
- Follow your ranger and keep the minimum distance from dragons
- Never touch, chase or feed manta rays, reef sharks or any wildlife
- Follow community-led protocols and your local guide in villages
- Use a zoom lens rather than closing in for the shot
We educate rather than tolerate behaviour that breaks these principles.
Packing guideEvery season
Partners earn
their place.
Operators are scored on sustainability every season. Those below the minimum standard leave our recommended list, whatever their price advantage.
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Verify
Reef-safe, plastic-free, waste handled
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Brief
Every traveller, before departure
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Reinforce
Group leaders repeat protocols daily
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Score
Sustainability scorecard each season
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Remove
Below minimum? Off the list
FAQ
Pledge
questions.
What the pledge means for your voyage — and for the operators we choose.
What does the pledge cover?
Environmental practice, wildlife protection, carbon, cultural respect and economic inclusion across the Komodo and Flores ecosystem — plus how we evaluate the operators we work with.
Do you really check sunscreen?
Yes. Sunscreen is checked before boarding and only reef-safe formulations enter the park. Partner operators provide a reef-safe replacement if needed.
How close can we get to Komodo dragons?
Viewing is ranger-led, with enforced minimum distances. Feeding wildlife is forbidden, and photography uses zoom lenses so animals do not become habituated to people.
Who leads village visits?
Local guides from the Manggarai community lead all cultural exchanges, and visits on Komodo, Rinca and mainland Flores follow community-led protocols.
Are the boats themselves built sustainably?
Phinisi are built largely by hand from durable ulin and teak, sourced from suppliers with verifiable, legal forestry practices, and designed to be repaired rather than replaced.
What happens if an operator falls short?
Partners are scored on sustainability every season. Operators that fail the minimum standard are removed from our recommended list, regardless of any price advantage.
Company
More from
the company.
The commitments behind the pledge, and how we check what we publish.
Travel by the pledge
Plan a voyage
that treads lightly.
Tell us your dates and interests. We match you with operators who meet the pledge and brief your group before departure.
WhatsApp +62 811-3941-4563 · bd@juaraholding.com
Operated by Komodo Luxury, part of Juara Holding Group — in Komodo marine tourism since 2015.