One boat, one invoice and a long table for friends who travel well together

On a shared sailing, the timetable is set for a boatful of strangers. With the whole boat it is set for you. Friends who take Navila decide when to climb Padar, how long to stay in the jacuzzi and what time dinner starts. Nobody else comes aboard apart from Navila's crew of six.

The boat suits five to twelve people. Below five you are still in the one-to-four band, which means two friends pay the same as four; worth knowing before the invitations go out. A thirteenth and fourteenth guest bring the extra-guest fee, and beyond fourteen a second boat is needed.

The plan below shows the beds. Each cabin has one double bed, its own bathroom with a hot shower, air conditioning and a safety box. Friends who are not couples should take that line seriously, because twelve people sleep in pairs. Six friends can have a cabin each; from seven, some of you share. If you want separate beds, ask before booking.

The whole boat comes on one invoice, priced by band. On the three-day route it costs IDR 73,000,000 (≈ USD 4,479) for one to four guests. Five to eight pay IDR 77,000,000 (≈ USD 4,724), and nine to twelve IDR 82,000,000 (≈ USD 5,031). How you split it among yourselves is up to you.

Eight friends on the three-day route pay IDR 9,620,000 (≈ USD 590) each. Twelve on the four-day route pay IDR 8,830,000 (≈ USD 542) each, from a boat price of IDR 106,000,000 (≈ USD 6,503). Overall the longer trip costs more, yet each day costs less, and that is what tips many groups towards it.

Paying 50 percent up front keeps the date for you. The remainder falls 30 days ahead of sailing, though cash or EDC on the day is also fine. The card link adds 3 percent.

Outside the boat price sit the park package and tips, any drinks beyond the free-flow list, and a guide or documentation if you want them.

Four days and three nights give a group time to settle in. Day one is Kelor, Manjarite and an evening at Kalong. Day two is the busiest, taking in Padar, Pink Beach, Rinca, Taka Makassar and Manta Point. Day three is quieter: Gili Lawa, Siaba and Sabolo. On day four the boat calls at Rangko Cave before returning to the harbour.

The hours between the stops are what people talk about afterwards: a long breakfast, a swim before the walk, cards after dinner. At night the boat stays at anchor, and the captain picks the anchorage according to the weather.

The captain also chooses each day's first stop, and the tide decides when Rangko Cave works. If the sea calls for a change, the route changes with it. What you see below is the sample route; your own order is settled with the captain.

A private charter sets pickup and boarding by your flight times.

A group booking takes five steps, all of them on WhatsApp.

• Send the dates, the number of friends and the route you prefer.
• We reply with the band price, the separate cost lines and the dates Navila has free.
• Pay the deposit of 50 percent to hold the date.
• Send passport names and a cabin list showing who shares each double bed.
• Pay the balance 30 days before sailing.

Settle the numbers early and you avoid a second quote. The band follows the final head count, so one friend dropping out can move you down a band. Tell us as soon as the count changes and we will price the new band in writing. Put dietary needs on the same list; we confirm each in writing, because no dish is promised until the kitchen has seen it.