komodo tour planner

Komodo Tour Planner

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The Complete Guide to Komodo National Park (How to Plan a Komodo Island Tour)

last Updated: February 10, 2024 indonesia komodo labuan bajo

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

Headed off to see the dragons of Komodo National Park and looking for the best Komodo tour package? We just got back a few months ago, and I have to say, you’re in for a real treat. Dragons, rusty-red volcanic hills, coral reefs, pink sand beaches, glassy turquoise waters… yeah, you’ll see why I’m semi-obsessed with this group of islands in Indonesia already.

Everyone visits Komodo National Park in Indonesia to see one thing and one thing only – the dragons. And for good reason – Komodo’s the only spot in the world to meet them! But what many don’t realize is that the Komodo islands are oh so much more than these giant monitor lizards. 

In our 3 days on our Komodo island tour, we swam and snorkeled in crystal clear turquoise waters, jumped into the Flores Sea from our two-story boat, watched millions of bats fly overhead at sunset, hiked up ~1,000 steps for the most spectacular sunrise views, and wandered/relaxed around pink sand beaches. 

We watched the sunrise and sunset in the same day, woke up to luminous blue waters surrounding our boat, drank fresh fruit juice at every meal, and forever gazed at green volcanic mountains jutting out of the sea.

To say our Komodo trip was nothing short of spectacular is an understatement – heck, we kiiiinda loved Komodo even more than we loved Bali ( and we fell head over heels for that place ).

There’s just something to be said about waking up to gentle waves, sailing to new islands and sandbars every few hours, witnessing the most dramatic sunset, and sleeping beneath the brilliant stars on comfy bean bags come nightfall. And then doing it alllll over again the next day.

Komodo National Park’s even been selected as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, along with already being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And this diverse location in Indonesia surely deserves all its accolades and then some! It’s downright dreamy.

However, planning a trip to the Komodo islands can be all kinds of confusing. If you follow my advice you’ll be visiting a whole slew of islands in the National Park, not just Komodo (which is the main island and the largest of them all).

After reading this lengthy guide (I know, I know, I’m beyond wordy), I hope it’s the one and only Komodo island blog post you’ll need to plan your trip. Am I missing something? Please let me know down below in the comments! I write these guides for you guys to have the best trip possible!

***Note that the Indonesian government will temporarily close Komodo Island in January 2020 to help preserve/protect the remaining dragons, with no reopening dates announced just yet. HOWEVER, don’t fret, ONLY Komodo Island will close to tourists (and thankfully not the entire National Park, there are numerous other islands).

You can still see Komodo dragons on Rinca Island (where we went), as well as visit all the other islands we visited (including Pink Beach, Padar, Kanawa, etc). We didn’t even go to Komodo Island on our Komodo tour (nope, not even once!). So yes, this means you can still take the same trip I did and see the same exact sights.

Komodo Trip Planning Logistics

Where is komodo national park anyways.

If you gave me a world map a few months ago, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you in the slightest bit where Komodo Island could be found. And to tell you the truth, I didn’t even know it was in Indonesia (facepalm; I can’t be the only one).

Now I can thankfully not only give the general vicinity of Komodo, but I can pin-point its exact location as well. How’s that for progress?!

If you haven’t figured this out by now (no judgements), Komodo National Park is part of the Indonesian archipelago.

It’s located between Lombok and Flores, and is a few islands east of everyone’s favorite, Bali. The park is comprised of three main islands: Komodo, Padar, and Rinca (you’ll probably visit all 3 on your Komodo tour), as well as 26 smaller, less frequented ones. 

When to Visit Komodo

Komodo essentially has two distinct seasons – the dry season and the rainy season.

This comes as no surprise, but you’ll want to visit Komodo National Park during the area’s dry season , occurring between April and December. The weather is pretty much perfect – not toooo hot, and with very little to no rain whatsoever. If you’re hoping for that lush greenery on the volcanoes, plan a visit between April and June, as you’ll find comfortable temps, cool, fresh air at night, and calm seas.

Do note that it’s technically most crowded in July and August, although we didn’t feel this much (except for our sunrise trek up Padar Island).

A visit during the rainy season (December to March, with February being the peak of monsoon season) will result in rainy, wet days, making walking paths uncomfortably muddy and difficult to trek around. Heavy rainfall, strong wind, and big waves are common, so avoid this time if that doesn’t sound your like idea of fun. 

And thankfully, no matter when you visit, you can see Komodo dragons. Do note that July and August is the height of Komodo mating season, meaning you may witness a male dragon fighting to get attention from a female. We actually saw two dragons mating, although they were doing their thang in private under a large structure, so we couldn’t really see much of the action. :p

Another dragon was guarding her eggs, although I don’t really know why they do so since they’re known to eat some of their young anyways!

How Long to Stay in Komodo

Many travelers opt to spend a few nights on a Komodo tour. We slept two nights on a liveaboard boat, and another two nights in Labuan Bajo (1 night before the Komodo island tour and one night afterwards), making our total trip 3 days (5 if you include arrival and departure days) and 4 nights.

And trust me – 3 days in Komodo is the perfect amount of time to witness the sunrise and sunset from the deck of the boat, numerous times. However, we could have stayed an extra few nights, it was that comfortable! 

With all that being said, I think spending 2 and a half days will suffice, especially if you booked yourself on a fully equipped Komodo tour package which takes you to the best spots in the National Park (like we did). We were thankful we had a ½ day to relax at our resort (the oh so beautiful Ayana Komodo ) after trekking around in the hot hot sun for a few days.

And if you’re a serious diver, you’ll probably want to spend an extra day or so doing your thing, as Komodo is a haven for all kinds of underwater life. We unfortunately don’t our scuba certs, so I can’t report much on all things diving for ya.

How to Get to the Komodo Islands

Note that if the Komodo Islands are your final destination and you aren’t interested in spending a few days (or more) in Bali, you’ll first need to get yourself to Bali anyways. 

Komodo National Park is roughly an hour flight plus a 2 hour boat ride away from Bali, and although it’s kiiiinda a pain to get to, it’s 1000% worth it, and then some. Keep reading, you’ll see.

Coming from Bali → By Far The Best Option

If you’re headed to the Komodo Islands from Bali like we were, it’s easiest to hop on a quick 1 hour, 15 minute flight over. You’ll need to get yourself to Labuan Bajo on Flores Island, the main gateway to Komodo National Park.

Thankfully, there’s heaps of daily, nonstop flights available from Bali (DPS) to Labuan Bajo Airport (LBJ) on Flores Island. We ended up on a flight with NAM airlines for about $100 roundtrip, but note that there are also direct flights on Wings Air and Garuda Indonesia as well. 

And trust me – that flight over to the Komodo Islands will be one of the most scenic you’ll ever experience (atolls and reefs every step of the way, especially once you get closer to the National Park). Don’t give up your window seat for just anyone — I had my eyes peeled to the glass the whole time!

Once you’re on Flores situated in Labuan Bajo, the Komodo Islands are just a quick-ish boat ride away.

For visual learners like myself: Bali airport (DPS) → flight to Labuan Bajo (LBJ) on Flores Island → taxi into town → boat to Komodo Islands

Psst: you can actually take a ferry over to Flores from Bali, but a 36 hour trip through treacherous waters doesn’t sound very appealing to me.

Coming from Lombok → Possible, but not the best choice

If you’re coming from Lombok, you’ll also find flights as well, although many make a stop in Bali (kinda silly, but that’s airlines for ya). After doing a bit of research, it looks like there’s ONE direct flight on Wings Air per day, so snatch that up if you’re able to (check LOP → LBJ).

If you really prefer not to head back to Bali and can’t catch a nonstop flight, you can also take a 24 hour bus/ferry combo (ouch), or a 4 day/4 night snorkeling boat trip (with conditions which I heard aren’t all that great). Just come from Bali if you can. 🙂

How to Get Around Komodo National Park

*Psst: There are only a handful of hotels on the Komodo Islands (which get booked up quite far in advance), and you’re only allowed to visit Komodo Island with an official guide and park ranger.

Meaning you’ll absolutely 100% NEED to book a tour (this isn’t a DIY type of trip, although there are Komodo tours for all price points). There are plenty of options for staying in Labuan Bajo, don’tchu worry.

You’ve basically got two options when it comes to touring around Komodo National Park. And no, since Komodo National Park is an archipelago (a group of islands), you cannot drive around yourself (ha!). 

Option #1. Basing yourself in the town of Labuan Bajo (the main gateway for the park) and taking day trips to the different islands of Komodo.

If you’re choosing this option I’d highly recommend finding tours ahead of time and getting yourself on those. I mean, how often are you gonna be visiting Komodo National Park? Might as well get on the exact ones you want, right?

If you’re more of a last-minute planner (I most definitely am not), you can show up in Labuan Bajo and book tours directly in the town itself once you arrive, but there’s no guarantee your preferred dates will be available. My advice? Just book tours ahead of time for some peace of mind.

Tours to check out beforehand:

• Best of Komodo Island Hopping : You’ll 100% want to do a full day Best of Komodo tour (like this one or this one ), as they go to a bunch of the hot spots, including Padar Island, Pink Beach, Kanawa Island, Taka Makassar, and of course, Komodo Island. If you only have time to do one tour during your time in Komodo, make it this one .
• Sunset tour at Kalong Island : Watching the flying foxes/bats (by the millions I might add) fly overhead at sunset is just one of those “must do” things in Komodo. Don’t miss it (book here).
• Komodo Diving : And if you’re a driver, definitely check this out . The underwater life in Komodo is just teeming with excitement – it’s a known hotspot for divers!
• Cave Tour on Flores Island :  If we had extra time I would have definitely wanted to take this cave tour on Flores Island near Labuan Bajo. There’s always a next time for us, but you can check it out now! And be sure to report back and lemme know how it is!

Option #2. Finding a Komodo island tour, inclusive of meals, island hopping, snorkeling equipment, and of course, accommodation on the boat .

This is essentially a complete Komodo tour package (meaning you don’t have to worry about a thing once you get yourself to Labuan Bajo). Most of these Komodo tours are 3 days and 2 nights, but you can easily find one for 1 or 3 nights instead, depending on your interests and time availability. Komodo island tours vary in price, with the average being approximately $100 or so per day.

Psst – As you could have guessed after reading about me gushing about the boat so much, we chose the second option and absolutely loooooved it. I can’t imagine staying in Labuan Bajo and missing out on boat life! For reference, we chose a 2-day/3-night liveaboard, and felt like it was the perfect amount of time. 

And now for some not-so-fun-yet-highly-necessary stuff:

Malaria pills: Unlike Bali and other parts of Indonesia, you’ll want to talk to your doctor about taking malaria pills if you’re planning a trip to the Komodo Islands, as malaria is quite common in these parts of the country. Key words: talk to your doctor (I ain’t a doc and I don’t pretend to be one).

We both chose to take malaria pills – we figure, better to be safe than sorry (and plus, I typically get eaten alive, although I only managed to get a handful of mosquito bites on our trip #notcomplaining).

Vaccinations : The CDC states that all travelers to Indonesia should be up to date on routine vaccines (MMR, tetanus, chickenpox, pollo, flu shot).

In addition, it’s also wise to get the Hep A, Hep B, and typhoid vaccination as well (some of these are good for years, so if you plan to do a lot of traveling to other undeveloped countries, you’ll probably need them there – might as well get them now and keep yourself protected always). As always, talk to your doctor.

Water : Do note that you absolutely cannot drink the water in Labuan Bajo or the Komodo area in general; you’ll find that all hotels/restaurants and Komodo tours provide fresh drinking water (either bottled or from large treated water jugs).

Because of the unsafe water, Bali belly is quite common – which is just a fancy name for food poisoning. We had no problem while in Labuan Bajo or with the food on our liveaboard. You may want to ask your doctor for a prescription of Ciprofloxacin for serious travelers diarrhea in case you find yourself with any disturbing stomach issues. We always pack immodium as well, just in case.

Travel insurance: Yes, you need this. I always recommend purchasing travel insurance before your trip. You never know what might happen (flight delays, lost baggage, illness), and travel insurance definitely helps with all of those unfortunate unexpectancies.

I highly recommend the company SafetyWing . I’ve recently been buying coverage with SafetyWing since they cover pandemic-related costs (which most travel insurance companies do not do).

Whenever we travel, we always buy a short term plan (depending on how many days/weeks we’ll be away) before leaving for any trip! Even if you don’t end up using it, peace of mind is 100% worth it in my opinion. Find plan options and pricing here (and at only a few bucks a day, there’s no excuse not to!) I always say, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford your trip. It’s that easy.

Dragons : I can’t have a safety section and not mention the dragons. I mean, they’re called dragons for a reason .

However, fear not; visiting them on Komodo Island isn’t as scary as I initially perceived it to be – we casually strolled around (with an official park ranger of course) and saw the dragons lazing on the grounds, caring about us humans for less than .2 seconds. It was actually a bit anticlimactic to tell you the truth (yet still terrifying at the same time).

Their diet mostly consists of deer (and other large-ish mammals like the water buffalo – yup!); however , Komodo dragons also occasionally attack humans, which is why it’s oh soooo very important to do EXACTLY WHAT YOUR GUIDE SAYS. With shark-like teeth and poisonous venom, a bite from a Komodo dragon can kill a person within hours.

I don’t say this to scare you (or deter you from visiting), I just want you to understand the significance of not following directions. Just stay with your guide at all times and you’ll be golden. 🙂

A Note for the Ladies: You may wanna plan your trip around your cycle/period/menstruation (whatever you wanna call it). The dragons can smell blood from miles away, and are more prone to attack. If you can’t alter your plans to fit around this time of the month, be sure to ask your guide/park ranger the best course of action.

It’s possible they may advise to skip a visit to see the dragons. This may seem silly, but it’s no joke! Komodo dragons occasionally attack humans, although this is relatively uncommon (and guides will use all precautions to keep visitors safe). I’m pretty sure one girl on our trip was on her period (I overheard her talking to our guide), and she said it was ok to come along.

While no one will be checking of course, I’d highly advise you to disclose this information to your guide just in case.

An Extra Note on the Komodo Dragons

Can’t visit Komodo National Park without hanging out with a few dragons, right?! These dinosaur-esque looking creatures are endemic to the Komodo Islands and are a very rare species, meaning you can’t see them anywhere else in the world! There are about 5,700 dragons left in the wild, and they’re all over here in this stunning part of Indonesia.

Being the largest and most lethal lizard on Earth, they can weigh as much as 300 pounds, with some growing as long as 10 feet! The dragons are not only carnivorous, but cannibalistic as well! Since the dragons are known to eat their young, not many survive, which is a prime reason for their endangeredness. 

As noted earlier, Komodo Dragons are dangerous creatures, so be sure to stay with your guide (always) and follow all their safety instructions. Below are clear instructions we were given:

• Never look a Komodo dragon directly in the eye
• Keep your head down
• Stay together with your group (at all times)
• One ranger leads the group while another is at the back end
• Walk only on the specified trail
• Never go to the bathroom alone

Where to Stay on Labuan Bajo

If you’re planning to book a liveaboard Komodo tour like we did (sleeping on the boat and all that jazz), you’ll need to sleep in Labuan Bajo the night before. You don’t really have a choice, as flights don’t arrive early enough and you definitely won’t make it there by ferry in time. Since the Komodo tours start pretttyyyy early in the morning, getting to Flores island and Labuan Bajo in particular the night beforehand is a must. Don’t wanna miss your boat!

We decided to check out two different spots on Labuan Bajo → one before our Komodo tour package started (Le Pirate), and one once the Komodo island tour was finished ( Ayana Komodo ).

I planned it quite strategically, staying at the less expensive option the first night (since we were planned to arrive in Labuan Bajo around sunset and were getting picked up early the next morning – meaning not much actual time to enjoy the hotel) and a much more lux spot the last night (when we knew we would have much more time to actually enjoy the amenities).

Le Pirate Labuan Bajo: That first night before the Komodo tour started we stayed at the simple Le Pirate Labuan Bajo, which turned out to be a-okay, especially considering it cost about $60 a night and had a rooftop bar and pool (we saved our pennies for the resort afterwards).

It was that first night we witnessed our first Komodo sunset – and it was absolutely surreal. SO. MUCH. COLOR. All from the roof of our little hotel. There are dorm style rooms and private rooms to choose from.

Ayana Komodo : Once the trip was over, we checked into the Ayana Komodo , and it was by far one of our favorite hotels on our entire trip to Indonesia .

Besides the stunning infinity pool overlooking the exquisite Waecicu Beach, the design was exceptional, the cuisine superior, and the service unparalleled (everyone here’s so warm and friendly). And it’s basically brand new – it first opened its doors in September of 2018. 

Again, that sunset view! I swear we witnessed more golden sunsets in Komodo and Labuan Bajo than elsewhere in the world. If you’re looking for top notch (in terms of amenities and location), check out the Ayana Komodo , as it’s the only 5 star resort in Labuan Bajo. We loooooved it, and I don’t say that lightly (plus, I’m always keepin’ it real over here so you can be sure you’ve got our honest opinions).

Just beware – if you do decide to spend a night or two at the Ayana, don’t book any of their tours – they are ridiculously overpriced (FYI).

Other accommodations options in Labuan Bajo include Bintang Flores Hotel , Plataran Komodo Beach Resort , and The Jayakarta Suites Komodo Flores , but in all reality, I think we chose the best two (and trust me, I did tons and tons of research, like I always do before any big bucket-list trip).

What to Bring on any Komodo Tour

Thankfully, if you book a Komodo liveaboard tour like we did, you won’t need to pack any camping gear, cookware, or other heavy nonsense. The boat provides all that and more. Do be sure to ask your specific tour operator what specifically is needed, as I’m sure all don’t provide the luxuries we had on board. However, there’s a few things you will most definitely want to bring/be aware of when packing before visiting the Komodo islands!

First of all, you’ll want to pack on the lighter side . The planes to Labuan Bajo (for Komodo) are quite small, with a lighter luggage allowance than most other flights. With that being said, you can always pay for extra baggage, which is what we had to do since my husband brought along a full-size suitcase (he’s not as swift at packing for 2 weeks in a carryon like I am).

If I remember correctly, the prices were more reasonable than other times we needed to upgrade baggage. The bigger bag was fine on the boat, but I wouldn’t suggest bringing more than one suitcase per person. Most people on our liveaboard brought backpacking backpacks.

A few recommended items : a strong mosquito repellent, high SPF reef-safe sunscreen (to protect the fishies and coral of course), medicine for seasickness (we don’t suffer from seasickness, but if it’s your first time sleeping on a small-ish boat you may want to bring some dramamine just in case – we did), bathing suits, hiking shoes/sneakers for trekking (we both brought Tevas), and high-quality camera gear (photo spots alllll around, you’ll see).

Things to do in Komodo National Park

It’s hard to get bored in Komodo. There’s stunning beaches, colorful coral reefs, and exotic wildlife every corner you turn. Below are the most popular things to do in Komodo National Park, and exactly what we did on our few days in the area! Don’t miss any of them (I’d be hard pressed if I had to eliminate one or two).

Hike up Kelor Island, take in the views, then go swimming

Kelor is kinda the perfect island – there’s hiking, crystal clear water, sandy beaches, and coral underneath the surface.

Kelor Island was our first stop on our Komodo tour, and we trekked up the hill right away! To be honest, it was much more difficult than I had initially thought (read: steep), although others were breezing right by me. And plus, I get a tad nervous (okay, I’m scared shit) when hiking down on loose gravel/sand, so I did the crab walk for the better portion of the way back (ha, ha, ha). 

BUT the views more than made up for my dirty bum. Just look! And we didn’t even make it to the very tippy top (although the rest of our group who hiked did – some stayed at the surface enjoying a bit of extra beach time)! 

If you’re gonna trek up, I highly advise you do so in proper shoes with a good grip (my husband and I wore tevas); others in our group wore sandals but they obviously had much more hiking experience than us.

You can also go snorkeling here, but our guide noted that there was much better snorkeling nearby which we’d be doing soon anyways. After the quickish hike, I searched for seashells and swam in the shallow waters near the shore.

Meet the Dragons (on Rinca Island and/or Komodo Island)

Imagine standing next to a Komodo dragon. In the wild. Yup, it’s a terrifying and utterly fascinating experience all at the same time. I was petrified (just like I was of the monkeys in Bali ). But you absolutely cannot visit this group of Indonesian islands and not hang with the largest lizard in the world (fun fact)! 

Komodo Island National Park is the only spot on planet Earth where Komodo dragons call home (all 5,700 of them). And once you make it the area, you’ve got a few islands to choose from, particularly Komodo Island and Rinca Island.  Yes, it’s a little confusing, but Komodo is also the name of a specific island as well (although when many say they’re headed to Komodo Island they mean the area in general).

So which one to visit? Well, you can always visit both, but we just visited Rinca and found our experience to be satisfying enough (hey, more time for the beach, right?).

While you can easily spot dragons on both islands (with a guide, of course), there are a few main differences.

1) The amount of time it takes to get there – Komodo Island is reachable in about 4 hours from the mainland of Flores (originating from Labuan Bajo), whereas Rinca is significantly closer, taking roughly only 2 hours.

2) The number of dragons on the island (with the largest population existing on Komodo Island with roughly 1,700, with Rinca coming in as a close second with approximately 1,300).

If I had to choose just one, I’d pick Rinca.

Since Rinca is less impacted from tourism, you’re much more likely to spot the dragons in their natural habitat (a reason why Komodo Island is shutting its doors to visitors soon). The island is completely undeveloped, making it the perfect home for exotic and dangerous wildlife (hence the dragons).

On Rinca there are 3 main trekking paths to choose from; we chose the shortest trek (roughly 20-30 minutes) and saw a dozen or so of these 300ish pound monsters along with a spectacular view out to sea. And with Rinca’s extreme heat, I doubt you’ll be able to handle a much longer trek (we were dripping).

Regardless of which island you end up visiting, you’ll be walking through the bush in search of the Komodo dragons with a guide (always!) and armed only with a stick. We also saw a water buffalo lurking behind some trees, which was quite shocking to say the least! Do note that venomous snakes frequent the area, so be sure to stay on the path and always watch your step.

Snorkel with sea turtles

If there’s one thing I make sure of on any tropical trip, it’s including some time to snorkel with the sea turtles! And thankfully, not only did our Komodo tour include some great snorkelling spots, but green turtles and hawksbill turtles are quite plentiful in coral reefs in Komodo! Your guide/tour will know great spots to jump outta the boat for a good snorkel, so fingers crossed you see a few of these beauties yourself!

If you’ve never swam with a sea turtle before, you’re in for a real treat. There’s just something so majestic about these (larger-than-you-realize but) graceful creatures swimming below the surface.

And please oh please – do not attempt to chase/feed/pet/play with a sea turtle. Our touch is dangerous to their sensitive turtle shells, potentially causing disease and other harm.

Pro tip for spotting the sea turtles: While seeing animals in the wild is never guaranteed, there’s a few tricks you can use to increase your chances. First things first, you’ll wanna swim to where the edge of the reef meets the open ocean. Turtles seem to congregate over in these parts, and you’ll have a much higher chance of seeing them over here!

And just remember, turtles need to come to the surface for air every so often, so keep your eyes peeled all around you! You can see them resting on the sea bed, swimming up for a breath, and just casually hanging around. Patience!

Witness millions of bats overhead at Kalong Island

What’s more insane than watching a swarm of thousands upon thousands of the world’s largest bats fly overhead at sunset? People actually call them flying foxes they’re so big! It’s a pretty surreal experience, despite sounding extra odd (haha). 

Our guide anchored our boat some distance from the island, and we just couldn’t peel our eyes away from the sky full of bats! I mean, just look at these photos! Absolutely spectacular!

Where do the bats come from anyway (yes, I wondered about this too)? Kalong Island is covered with mangrove plantations which is where hundreds of thousands/millions of these bats live. Once dusk arrives each and every day, the bats leave their roost (where they rest during the day) and head for their feeding grounds on the mainland.

It’s really a magnificent spectacle. Be sure to book a Komodo tour package which includes this experience, it’s just like being in the pages of National Geographic.

Fun tidbit: Kalong actually means bat in the local language, which makes perfect sense all things considered!

Hike up Padar Island for Sunrise

Set your alarm clock, because we’re waking up early (as in 4am or so)! If there’s one thing you can’t miss on your Komodo tour, it’s the spectacular sunrise trekking on Padar Island. The views are by-far outta this world insane. BUT it comes at a grueling price – about 1,000 steps or so straight up the mountain!

It’s quite a steep hike, and was quite challenging to reach the top, but not impossible by any means.

I even wore sandals (with a strap on the back though, which really helped)! Just so you’re aware, the first few sets of wooden and then stone steps are safe, but then, near the top, they’re pretty crumbled and/or non-existent. You may want to grab your hiking shoes instead, which I probably should have done. Also a wise idea to come equipped with a water bottle and sunscreen!

However, WHEN you climb to the summit makes a huge difference. Since there’s little shade on the entire trek, come as early as possible (before sunrise) to not only avoid the crowd, but the intense heat. Yes, it was still blistering hot on our way down, but I can’t imagine trekking up with that scorching sun shining down on us nonstop.

I’m guessing it took us roughly 25-30 minutes to reach the top, including a few photo breaks. (Heading back down was way easier despite the heat).

Once you reach the top, you’ll get a grew view of this island dreamscape below – a full panoramic view of all of Padar. Those photos you see on IG are real – 3 turquoise bays, each with different colored sand (a rare combo of sparkling white, charcoal black, and baby pink sand beaches).  We then watched the sun rise above the horizon, making the ground a soft golden hue, before taking about a million and 5 photos.

Do note if you visit just after the rainy season (visiting between April to June), the mountains will be much more lush and green. We visited in July and the land was dry and brown, albeit beautiful, to say the least.

Relax at Pink Beach

Striking pink sands. Clear turquoise waters. Endless blue skies. Rolling green hills. I can go on and on. This idyllic spot has got to be one of the most spectacular places I’ve ever been. In my life . Yeah, yeah, I already deemed San Blas and the Zapatillas worthy of that title, but after visiting Pink Beach (and Komodo in general), I think they’ve been booted of the #1 spot.

And yes, my pink-obsessed friends, Pink Beach does in fact have pink sand; why else would it be called that?! The unique color is formed by crushed shells of microscopic single-cell sea creatures (called Foraminifera – whoaaa science). When you combine these small flecks of red shell with fine white reef sand, you get a soft pink tink! And trust me, you’ll notice the rosy hue even before getting off the boat, as it’s visible from the water.

There are actually quite a few different pink sand beaches in Komodo National Park, but any experienced guide will know the best spots to take you for that fine, fine pink tinted stuff. What to do once you get there? You can either relax, swim, and play in the waters like we did, and/or go snorkeling (the reefs here are booming with sea life).

Be sure to take some photos of this natural phenomenon – it’s not everyday you find yourself digging your toes into pink sand! We definitely took our fair share…

Go swimming with Manta Rays at Manta Point

Imagine crossing paths with a giant Manta Ray; what a magical, remarkable, mind-blowing experience. And no, you don’t even need to go diving to see them as these gentle giants play right on the surface! Definitely bring along your GoPro!

→ Learn my secrets for taking underwater photos here.

Unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate during our Komodo trip (it was a bit windy making the tide too rough), so fingers crossed you’ll get better conditions! Of course safety is the number one priority on any Komodo tour package (as it should be), but to say I was bummed we missed out on this is a complete understatement! Next time!

Wander/Swim around Taka Makassar

Absolute perfection. This tiny blip of white sand in the Middle of Nowhere, Indonesia will surely help live out all your beachy postcard dreams. The sand and sea of Taka Makassar is surely on par with the blues of Bora Bora (can’t believe I’m admitting that), and I kinda wished we had brought along a few Bintangs or some fresh watermelon juice to shore! 

Yes, this banana-shaped sand bar is small – you can walk from end to end in about 5 minutes or so! There’s a bunch of coral lining the sand and water, so be careful! Tons of photo ops here, so don’t forget your camera. 

Sunset at Sebayur Island

Can there ever be enough sunset hikes during a Komodo island-hopping trip? Nope! Thankfully there’s a bit of shade of here, so you hopefully won’t be heading up in the heat!

And just so there’s no confusion, there’s actually two Sebayur Islands, differentiated by their size. I’m honestly not sure which one we hit up, but it was either Sebayur Kecil (small) or Sebayur Besar (big).

Psst: we didn’t actually make it up. We didn’t even make an attempt. It was a last minute decision and we were all waaaaay too tired, so we watched the sunset from the boat, and it was perfection. My husband hiked up the next morning for sunrise and he said it only took about 5 minutes, so there ya go, shouldn’t be too hard. 

Snorkel and relax at Kanawa Island

Before we headed back to Labuan Bajo, we made a pit stop at the fairytale island of Kanawa. Being only 15km or so from Labuan Bajo in Flores, it’s a great first or last place to hit up on any Komodo island tour itinerary.

We lounged and played in the water while others snorkeled. You’ll see – the water is soooo crystal clear you can even see the fish from above water!  And if you’re lucky, you may see a few starfish in the shallow water near the jetty. There are apparently some sea urchin so be careful when walking in the water!

Our Komodo Trip

Our Komodo trip was an overdose to the senses: think crystal clear waters, giant bats flying overhead, stunning views everywhere we looked, and brightly colored corals beneath the surface.

I’ve decided to give you an overview of our entire Komodo tour package so you get an accurate representation of all you can see and do within a short time period. As noted earlier, we chose a 2 night/3 day Komodo island tour, and felt this was the perfect amount of time to explore the islands and take advantage of the boat.

Do note that we slept in Labuan Bajo the night before the tour, and the night after the tour, making our time in the area 4 nights (2 nights in hotels, 2 nights on the boat).

Here’s how our entire Komodo trip went down:

Our Komodo Island/Labuan Bajo Itinerary:

Day 1: We arrived to Labuan Bajo in late afternoon, took a quick taxi ride to town and checked into Le Pirate right before sunset. Not wanting to miss our first Flores sunset, we headed up to the rooftop bar straight away for some dinner and much-needed drinks. 

Day 2:  We got picked up by Travass Life the next morning around 9, transferred to the boat, had some welcome snacks and fresh fruit juice on board, and set sail! First activity: a hike to the top of Kelor island for our first Komodo National Park views and some relaxation time on the beach/go in water/look for shells.

Rinca island was next, for a short trekking loop to see Komodo dragons (!!!), then we anchored the boat near Kalong Island to watch the bats overhead at sunset.

Day 3: Today was a super early day, as we did the sunrise hike at Padar Island. After the trek we spent a fair bit of time at Pink Beach and Taka Makkasar, then spent the rest of the afternoon jumping off our boat and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of Komodo.

Day 4: On our last full day in Komodo, we relaxed at Kanawa Beach, enjoying the bath-like waters and searching for seashells. After one last liveaboard lunch, we arrived back in Labuan Bajo around 2pm, making our way to Ayana Komodo around check-in time (3pm).

Since we were utterly exhausted from the last few days of Komodo adventures, we hung at the pool and relaxed, before witnessing one of the best sunsets of our lives.

Day 5: We woke up early to take full advantage of the stunning Ayana Komodo, before making our way back to Bali in the early afternoon. PHEW, what a few days!

The Boat and our Full Komodo Island Tour Package

After doing an insane amount of research (as I always do), we ultimately decided to book our Komodo tour package with Travass Life. The itinerary included everything on my Komodo bucket list and then some, and promised delicious sounding Indonesian hot meals, fresh fruit juices multiple times per day, and a personal photographer with a DRONE.

We were shocked that meals consisted of freshly caught fish, juicy watermelon and dragonfruit (among other exotic fruits), healthy veggies, and enough variety so we never got bored of boat food, as well as snacks throughout the day; and nope, we never went hungry.

We were lucky that the company’s spankin’ new boat was juuuuust finished right before our trip, and we got to sail on the fully-equipped Papiton (which was an absolute dream).

Our boat consisted of 12 passengers and a handful of crew members, all sharing a few rooms and 3 bathrooms. My husband and I opted for a private room with a comfy full-size bed, and I was in awe of our space on the boat. The deck area was large enough to fit all of us comfortably, with bean bag chairs and chaise lounges for relaxing during our island hopping adventures. 

Are you planning a trip to the Komodo Islands any time soon?! What are you most excited for?

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September 16, 2020 at 2:21 pm

Thanks for this post. It's inspired me to venture from Bali to Komodo when we go next year 🙂 I'm even looking into Trevass Life for our liveaboard experience.

September 17, 2020 at 7:03 pm

You'll have the best time, promise! It's such a stunning set of islands!

April 20, 2022 at 11:36 am

Hi! I am wondering if this company (Travass life) had you wire them money for the payment? I have never paid like this before, so I am a little worried about it. Please let me know if you can! I really appreciate your blog and am using it a lot for my upcoming trip to Indonesia!

Thank you 🙂

April 20, 2022 at 2:58 pm

I just took a look in my emails and it looks like we were able to pay via PayPal (after asking them) — I’d ask if you can! Komodo was absolutely GORGEOUS and I can’t wait for you to go! Glad my blog is helpful! You’ll love Indonesia; we’re dying to go back!

November 17, 2022 at 9:24 am

How did you find the accommodations on the boat? Do you know which boat of theirs you were on?

November 17, 2022 at 10:02 pm

We had a full size bed and it was pretty comfy! A shared bathroom. Way better than we had thought it’d be! I’m not sure exactly what boat we were on, but it was definitely on the newer side and we loved it!

April 19, 2023 at 5:44 am

Hi Jess – thanks for writing about your experience and your trip in such detailed way. I quite enjoy your style of writing! I have couple of question: how was the boat itself? was it air conditioned? how were the bathrooms? private per room? I have also read that the shared/semi-private trips only depart on certain days of the week. is that true? My wife suffers from migraines and having an air conditioned room will ensure us not ruining our trip. We were able to get a room in one of the accommodations on the islands closer to the national park and were thinking of doing the day trips they offer. But now after reading your blog, I am second guessing myself 🙂

April 19, 2023 at 12:11 pm

So glad the you enjoyed the post! If you can, I highly recommend the 3 day/2 night sailing experience. By taking day tours, you will be essentially losing out on a lot of time, and we felt sleeping on the boat and looking up at the stars was an experience second to none. The company we used (Travass Life) has quite a few boats, so I would highly recommend reaching out to them to check for exact accommodations (air conditioning, bathrooms, etc). We were lucky that we were on a brand new boat — I do remember we had a shared bathroom, but a couple who picked a different room had a private bathroom upstairs. Definitely ask them; such a great company and we loved our entire experience and would definitely do it again!

July 1, 2023 at 9:25 pm

We stopping at Komodo Island for just one day on an P & O cruise, how do we book tickets with a park guide to see the dragons. The ones that i have seen all come from mainland, where as we just want to book a park ranger so we can get off the cruise ship and see the dragons. Any help would be very much appreciated.

July 11, 2023 at 9:41 am

Hmm.. I really don’t know! I’m sorry I can’t be helpful! 🙁

November 23, 2023 at 4:13 am

I love your blog. It’s full of details and beautiful pictures. Thank you. Now I wanna go. Great job!

January 20, 2024 at 10:59 pm

Komodo really is a special place! And oh so beautiful! Highly recommend it!

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A Guide to Planning the Perfect Komodo Island Tour

Venture out of your comfort zone and explore the wild beauty of Indonesia on a fantastic Komodo Island tour.

You leave the lush green hills of Flores to explore the Komodo National Park archipelago with the raw sapphire-blue ocean waters!

Hi, we’re Rach & Marty!

We’ve visited every country in the world and want to help you get the most out of your travels!

Whether you need an expertly planned itinerary , some experienced hints and tips , or just craving a delicious food adventure , we’ve got you covered!

We may earn affiliate commissions from websites we link to, at no cost to you. Click here for details.

Enjoy snorkelling along the pink beach, climb to the top of Padar Island to see black, pink and white sand beaches change colour at sunrise and of course see the famous Komodo Island Dragon! 

Yes, Komodo National Park is the only place to see wild Komodo dragons. And if you are lucky, you might swim with the mantra rays . 

We did all of that on our Komodo Island Tour as you need to book a tour to visit the Komodo National Park.

The islands are far away so you either need to book a private boat or join an organised tour.

We visited Komodo National Park in February 2023 so all information here is up to date.

So much has changed here in the last two years and we were surprised to discover that prices for Komodo National Park and Komodo Island tours almost doubled. Many other blogs are now outdated so we decided to write this detailed guide on Komodo National Park with the correct information.

Use this guide to help plan your once-in-a-lifetime trip and make the most out of your tour to Komodo Island!

Before you pack your bags and head to the airport at Labuan Bajo, it’s important to do some research to get the most out of your Komodo Island tour.

I will explain where you need to go and how to get there and of course how to choose the best Komodo Island Tour and what to expect. 

Table of Contents

Komodo Island Tour Map

Everything you need to know to book your Komodo Island Tour:

Where is komodo island.

Komodo Island is part of Komodo National Park. 

To get here, you will need to fly to the nearest town, Labuan Bajo, which has very affordable flights from Denpasar in Bali or Jakarta in Indonesia. You can search for the best fl ights here; however , they’re usually around $50 each way. 

Alternatively, you can also take a boat from Bali via Lombok onto Labuan Bajo, but that takes some time. I’d recommend you visit local travel agencies in Bali to make a reservation.

From Labuan Bajo, you can reach Komodo Island on a boat – private or as part of a tour. There are a few options, more on which Komodo Island Tour to choose from below in this blog.

Where can you see Komodo Island Dragon?

The Komodo dragon can be found on Komodo Island as well as on Rinca Island, Dasami Island and even back on the main island of Flores. As the Komodo Dragon can swim, they have migrated from Komodo Island to the nearby island, but the best place to see the Komodo Dragon is on Komodo Island.

Most visitors see them at Komodo Island, and we were lucky to see five of them during our visit!

How to travel to Komodo National Park in Indonesia?

The only way to get to Komodo National Park in Indonesia is by boat. You may hire a private boat to get there, or you can join a Komodo Island Tour. There are also options for fast and slow boats and overnight journeys exploring the Komodo National Park for longer. 

How much does it cost to visit Komodo Island?

What is the Komodo island tour price? The cost of getting to Komodo Island has increased in 2023. First, you must pay for the boat or tour to get there. We have asked many travel agencies in Labuan Bajo, and these are the prices given in February 2023:

Slow Boat 1 Day Tour  – From IDR 650,000 (USD 43) per person /10-15 people on board. Start at 6 am and back around 5 pm.

Stops usually include Komodo Island, Pink Beach and snorkelling at Manta Point. 

Fast Boat 1 Day Tour  – IDR 1,300,000 (USD 86) per person /8-15 people on the small speed boat and 30-30 on the bigger speed boat. The tour usually starts at 5 or 6 am and returns at 6 pm.

Stops usually include Padar Island, Komodo Island, Pink Beach, Makasar Island for snorkelling, Manta Point and Kanawa Island.

Slow Boat 1 Night/ 2 Days  – The Most Popular Option – 3 cabins on the boat (or more; always check before making a reservation) /IDR 1,800 000  – 2,000,000 (USD 120 – 132) per person for a shared cabin with AC and IDR 2,500,000 (USD 165) per person for a private cabin with AC.

Slow Boat 2 Nights/ 3 Days and longer duration are also available 

Komodo Island Tour from Bali –  Yes, you also take a boat from Bali to Lombok and then to Flores. It will take 2 nights and 3 days to reach Komodo, and you need to check what is included and if it’s worth the price, as you can simply fly to Labuan Bajo. 

What are the Komodo National Park Fees in 2023?

This is where it got a bit complicated as the prices change depending on the tour and what you visit. We took the 2-day/1-night Komodo Island Tour and the fee was IDR 500,000 (USD 33) each which included six places we visited (a detailed itinerary is listed below).

We were a bit confused as when we looked up the cost of the Komodo National Park it said the cost was IDR 150.000 (USD 10), but we had no idea that that was just for Komodo Island and other places had separate fees as well.

So budget about IDR 400,000- 500,000 per person in cash.

Here are the prices for Komodo National Park as they were in Feb 2023. 

• Komodo Island entrance fee is IDR 150.000 per person (working days) and IDR 250.000 per person (public holidays)
• Sports and recreation fee on Rinca Island is IDR 100.000 per person
• Sport and recreation fee on Komodo IDR 100.000 per person
• The hiking fee for Rinca is IDR 5000 per person
• The hiking fee for Komodo Island is IDR 5000 per person
• Wildlife observation for Komodo IDR 10.000 per person
• Wildlife observation on Rinca Island IDR 10.000 per person
• The Padar Island entrance fee is IDR 150.000 per person
• The Kanawa Island entrance fee is IDR 100.000 per person
• Snorkelling fee IDR 50.000 per person
• Dive entrance fee IDR 100.000 per person
• The Ranger fee is IDR 120.000 per group of up to 5 people

Please Note:  The Komodo entrance fees are subject to change without any notice. 

In 2022,  Indonesia announced that it was planning to raise the Komodo entrance fee to 3.75 million Rupiah ($250 USD) per person and restrict park visitors to 200,000 per year.

After many protests from locals, this plan was put on hold as most tourists visiting Komodo are usually more budget travellers. 

How to choose the best Komodo Island Tour?

Book before online vs book when you arrive.

If you are short on time or just want to be ready to depart the next day when you arrive, the best idea is to book your Komodo Island Tour online.

It means you don’t waste any time and it can work really well if you have a group.

One Day Komodo Trip – Set sail from Labuan Bajo and spend a day exploring the islands of the Komodo National Park. See the Komodo Dragons on Komodo Island, hike around the stunning volcanic landscapes of Padar Island, and enjoy many stops to swim and snorkel, including the popular Manta Point and Pink Beach. This tour includes visiting at least three islands in the UNESCO-listed Komodo National Park and free pick-up/drop off from your hotel. (Entrance fees are additional).

1 Day Komodo Trip By Luxury Fast Boat Join Group  – Get to see more of Komodo Islands in less time when you join this guided tour on a high-powered speed boat. See Komodo dragons, snorkel with manta rays at Manta Point; and swim on a pretty pink beach on Komodo Island, too. This tour will have you mesmerized by dramatic views from Padar Island; relaxing on beautiful Taka Makassar Island, and time to snorkel at Kanawa Island. This is the most popular day tour package that includes lunch, water and soft drinks. (entrance fees are additional).

2 Nights/ 3 Days Komodo Islands Private Boat Trip (for 2 or more people)  – Explore the wildlife and epic landscapes of the Komodo Islands and surrounding areas on this 3-day, 2 night boat adventure. Most meals are included and this trip provides you with a more personal experience.

Board a private boat and spend your days exploring Rinca, Kelor, Kalong, Padar, Punya, and Kanawa islands. Enjoy fantastic activities like snorkeling, hiking, and swimming as you sail through this beautiful part of Indonesia (entrance fees are additional).

I highly recommend this option if you’ve got the time – it’s an unforgettable experience! If you’re travelling during high season, I would strongly recommend pre-booking this trip to avoid missing out.

If you have more time, you can explore the town of Labuan Bajo and ask around for prices for the Komodo Island tours.

Each travel agent works with different companies/boats, and prices vary, with some places quoting IDR 200,000 – 500,000 per person for a tour that sounds exactly the same in inclusions/standard of the boat as the previous agency just quoted us.

In the end, we booked our Komodo Island Tour with Yunita at Alexandra Komodo Tour as she has an official travel agency, and we liked her explanation and information the best. 

Her office is on the main road, and you can find the location here on Google Maps .

We ended up booking the 2-day/1-night tour on Rainbow Star Boat, which has 3 cabins in total. Another couple booked the private AC cabin with a double bed, and we had the cabin with 4 beds (2 bunk beds), but it was just the two of us.

There was another cabin with 2 bunk beds that could also be used. 

The boat was spacious, especially the rooftop where you could sit or lay for hours and watch the scenery, simply perfect at sunset. Meals were prepared by the cook on board – Indonesian cuisine. The food was good.

You can bring your beers or soda on board and keep them chilled in the cooler. Coffee, tea and bottles of drinking water are provided.

Should you book a day trip or overnight tour to Komodo Island?

This was another important decision to make.

The slow boat day trip is the cheapest option, but it means you don’t see many stops.

The fast boat day trip can be great if you are short on time and want to see more places. And maybe if you don’t want to sleep on the boat and spend overnight.

The overnight slow boat is perfect for those who crave adventure and would like to spend extended time in the Komodo National Park. It will also allow you to watch the sunset on the boat and the sunrise at Padar Island. We also wanted enough time to enjoy the places we’d be visiting, as opposed to being on a stricter time schedule that perhaps the 1 Day Tour doesn’t cater for.

It is the most expensive option, but we felt like this was the right choice for us. We were also super stoked as it was only 4 of us, and we had a lovely couple to share the boat with.

Our guide Dennis was great, attentive and knowledgable. 

What does the Komodo Island Tour include?

The packages typically include lodging, meals, water, snorkelling equipment, and a guide but not the National Park entrance fees. That is always additional. You will pick up your snorkelling gear from the travel agency – make sure it fits and is good enough quality.

Consider gathering friends together to create a larger group – large groups often get discounted rates and you can always negotiate.

Our 2-Day/1-Night Adventure on the Boat Itinerary

As mentioned, we ended up booking the overnight tour and since it was the rainy season, this itinerary might be slightly different. 

Of course, weather plays a big part, and the guide and crew might change things around. But to help you plan and get excited about your own Komodo Island Tour, here are details of the places we have visited on our tour.

Kelor Island

Our first stop was at Kelor Island. A small island, you can hike up for a view of the beautiful turquoise waters below and the Rinca Island on the horizon. We also went for a swim at the beach.

Manjarite Beach 

Our second stop was snorkelling near Manjarite Beach. It was phenomenal. So many types of fish, and the coral was quite colourful too. We absolutely loved it.

Kalong Island

Our first day came to an end near Kalong Island. It is home to thousands of fruit bats, and each day at sunset, they fly across to Rinca island in search of food. It’s quite spectacular to see as the sun sets down. We then continued and docked near Padar Island for the night. 

Padar Island

This was an absolute highlight of our Komodo Island Tour. We woke up at 4.30 a.m and started our hike up the hill in the darkness. You reach the top in about 30 minutes (stairs the whole way) and then wait until dawn. 

The island appears below, and soon you’ll be able to spot the three beaches: black rock, and pink and white sand beaches. The view is just incredible. We never got blue clear skies, but it was still amazing. During the wet season, the hills are lush and green, while during the dry season, they are mostly brown. 

The walk down is easy, but in the peak season, it might get pretty hot, so best to bring a water bottle. You’ll notice a bunch of great photo opportunities on the way down, so allow for this. We then had breakfast on the boat. 

Shortly after Padar Island, we arrived at Pink Beach for snorkelling and wow! The beach was so pink, and although it was a cloudy day, you could see it clearly.

And the snorkelling at Pink Beach was even better than at Rinca Island. We also took some awesome drone shots.

Komodo Island

And then it was time for the island that everyone was waiting for. No Komodo Island Tour is complete without stopping here to see the famous Komodo Dragons!

We were provided with a ranger guide and set off to look for them, but since two of them were already spotted near the beach we headed straight there.

Are Komodo Dragon Endangered?

Yes, Komodo dragons are endangered by the IUCN’s Red Lis t.

Komodo Dragon is the world’s largest living lizard found only in Indonesia’s World Heritage-listed Komodo National Park and neighbouring Flores, and just 3,458 adult and baby species are left in the wild, according to estimates.

The Komodo Dragon can grow up to be 3 metres long, and it can be dangerous. Komodo dragons are not friendly and should never be approached in the wild. They are wild animals and are very territorial, so you must keep your distance. 

They have shark-like teeth and poisonous venom that can kill a person within hours of a bite.

We also took a short walk through the island with the guide who spotted another Komodo dragon, and learned more about their way of living. 

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Manta Ray Point

We finished our 1N/2D Komodo Islands Tour with a bang! Although we visited Komodo National Park during the rainy seasons, we were very lucky with the weather. 

As we approached the Mantra Ray Point, we could see the storm and rain coming , but that didn’t stop us from jumping in to snorkel with these giant manta rays. 

A truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

We then started our journey back to Labuan Bajo to finish our tour. It was around 6 pm when we arrived back at the port.

Our bags were stored at our guesthouse as you don’t want to take all your luggage on the boat, pack an overnight bag with the essentials and leave your main luggage at the hotel.

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When is the best time to visit Komodo National Park?

Generally speaking, there are two main seasons in Komodo. The rainy season and the dry season.

April to June is one of the best times to visit Komodo as the islands are still very green, with cooler nights and less chance of rain.

July and August are the main seasons here (dry months), so tours and accommodation can be pricier, and your snorkelling hiking spots in the Komodo National Park might be busy with other tourists.

Where to stay in Komodo – Labuan Bajo?

There are a number of options for hotels and accommodation in Labuan Bajo for every budget.

We stayed at Danke Lodge , and I’d highly recommend this place to stay. It isn’t located in the city centre, although it’s straightforward to get into town as Danke Lodge offers an on-call driver for free airport transfers, and he will do pick-ups and drop-offs around town for you at no additional fee.

The rooms at Danke Lodge are modern, with new beds and bedding and spacious bathrooms with a fantastic hot shower. The staff is excellent here, and the very affordable rate comes with an included tasty breakfast too.

View Availability at Danke Lodge

I’ve listed some other popular accommodation options in the city of Labuan Bajo below:

What to pack for your Komodo trip 

Before you embark on this exciting island getaway, pack the right travel gear.

Don’t forget to include a few items that could be handy during your time on Komodo Island, like insect repellent, sunglasses, sunscreen, a swimsuit, a cap or wide-brimmed hat, and appropriate clothing for the conditions. I recommend a rash vest  for snorkelling to avoid getting sunburnt and protect you from pointy coral.

And bring a power bank , it’s always super handy to have to charge your phone, cameras, etc if power isn’t available.

TIP: Leave your main luggage at the hotel in Labuan Bajo and bring a pair of shoes (sneakers are fine) for the hikes, as it will help a lot.

THE ULTIMATE SOUTHEAST ASIA PACKING LIST

Final thoughts on our Komodo Island Tour and Komodo National Park visit

From seeing Komodo Island Dragon in the wild to snorkelling in pristine waters to swimming with manta rays, there is certainly no shortage of exciting experiences. This is one of the most amazing places to visit, and we have seen many incredible destinations since we visited every country in the world .

So pack your bags and come to Indonesia and don’t miss the beauty of Komodo And Flores Island.

If you are flying via Bali, you might enjoy our blog on the 5 Best Warungs in Canggu, Bali , and our complete Flores Island in 7 Days Itinerary .

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Travel Tips for Southeast Asia

If you’re travelling in Indonesia, you may be interested in visiting some other countries in Southeast Asia too. This is one of our favourite regions of the world to explore. There’s just so much to see, do, and eat! And, the best part is that it’s affordable – whether you’re travelling solo, with friends, or with your family.

You’ll need to pack the essentials for your trip – and our Ultimate Packing List for Southeast Asia  has got you covered.

If you’re considering visiting Thailand (and we highly recommend you do), these  26 Best Travel Tips for Thailand  will give you a good idea of what to expect. We love Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, it’s full of culture, stunning scenery, and great food.

Check out our  15 Best Chiang Mai restaurants and places to eat  and our suggestions on  where to stay in Chiang Mai – our accommodation guide.

And, if you plan to discover the island of Phuket, we recommend you check out Kata Beach and these awesome things to do when you’re here .

For more great tips, our top money-saving hacks,  and our recommendations about the best websites to save you money , head to our Travel Resources Page .

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2 comments . leave new.

Thanks for detail of your adventures

Thanks for the 2023 updated prices regarding the tours. I paid 1.2M IDR (Aug 2023) for the one-day speedboat tour, which I booked online before getting to Labuan Bajo. I thought I had been ripped off after checking the prices listed in some travel blogs from a few years ago, but no… prices have doubled within a couple of years! 1.25-1.5M IDR for such tour was the typical price I found in most of the travel agencies in Labuan Bajo.

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How to plan your perfect Komodo Island tour

• Published on December 4, 2019
• Last updated on November 12, 2023

In this post, we share all our experiences from our 4-day / 3-night Komodo Island tour. To visit this paradise has been a dream of ours for a very long time, and we are thrilled and grateful that we finally made this trip. This post should help you for planning your own perfect Komodo Island tour.

Best time for your Komodo Island Tour

It is possible to visit the Komodo National Park all year round. It has a tropical climate that has two seasons the dry season from Mai to October and the wet season from November to April. However, temperatures are pleasant all year round. We made our Komodo Island tour at the beginning of October, and the weather was perfect.

How to get to Komodo National Park

To visit the Komodo National Park, you have to book a flight to Labuan Bajo Komodo Airport. You can combine your visit, for example, with your Bali trip. The flight from Bali takes only one hour and cost us around 80$ per person. To book your flights at the best price available, we recommend either Skyscanner or Kayak .

Labuan Bajo

Most Komodo Island tours start in the Morning at the harbor of Labuan Bajo. Therefore we highly recommend you to arrive in Labuan Bajo the day before your tour. There are a lot of cheap accommodations and good places to eat here. We stayed here the night before and also after our boat trip. Which was way more comfortable and less stressful than to arrive or leave on the same day of our trip.

Where to eat in Labuan Bajo

• Happy Banana : they serve amazing vegan Sushi and Poke bowls
• La Cucina : very good Pizza – we usually don’t eat Pizza while traveling in Asia but this one was really worth the try
• Le Pirate Bajo Restaurant : excellent for sunset, good views & drinks

Where to stay in Labuan Bajo

We stayed at a basic hotel, Blue Ocean Hotel , directly next to the harbor. The room was clean, and the location was very good. We can recommend this place.

Meanwhile, Labuan Bajo has grown a lot, and the options for great hotels have become much bigger. For example, these amazing Elang bamboo villas

Choose a tour company for your Komodo Island tour

The Komodo National Park can only be visited by a guided tour. Many different tour operators are offering you all kinds of different tours. You can choose the duration of your stay, from day tours to overnight trips on all types of lengths, and also the comfort of the boat (private cabin, shared cabin, private tour).

We chose to go on a 4-day / 3-night Komodo Island tour with Le Pirate Explorer , and we can highly recommend this company (this is not sponsored; we are just happy with our choice and would like to share it with you). The trip was very well organized, the boat was very cool and comfortable, there was a nice deck to relax in between stops, and the staff was amazing. They did a great job. Also, the food was no problem for us vegans. You can find their rates and more information in the link above. 

We definitely recommend you go on an overnight Komodo Island tour of at least three days / two nights because there is so much to see in the national park, and it’s also a great adventure to sleep on a boat.

4-day Komodo Island tour

Day 1 – snorkeling with manta rays and turtles.

We met our crew at the Le Pirate Restaurant at 9 am. We got a coffee and an introduction and started our tour at 10 am. When we first came to the boat, we put our luggage (you can generally bring one backpack per person; if you have more oversized luggage, you can leave it at the tour operator’s office) into our lovely cabin and then got to know our crew better. After that, we had lunch all together. There were 10 people on this Komodo Island tour, which is the average size.

The first day was all about snorkeling and spending time in the water, which we greatly enjoyed. We saw giant turtles, and beautiful reefs, and the absolute highlight was that we swam with Manta Rays. This experience was a dream of ours for a long time, and we were so happy that we could swim with mantas twice that day. They are so much bigger than we expected; they can reach a width of 7 meters, but they are also so gentle and elegant. Manta Rays eat different kinds of plankton and are not dangerous for people at all. We were fascinated by these beautiful creatures. Several times, we came up to the surface to look at each other and say, “wow wow wow”.

Day 2 – Padar island, pink beach, Rinca island, and sunset at Kalong island

On the second day, we had an early wake-up call and experienced a beautiful sunrise on the boat while driving to Padar Island. Just after sunrise, we arrived at the Island and started our hike to the top where we enjoyed a spectacular view. Most tours come here for sunrise, and we heard that it gets very crowded, that is why we were happy to be there a bit later when most tours were leaving already. That is something we liked a lot about our tour company; they mostly tried to bring us to the places at other times than most tours do so that we could enjoy them with less other people.

From the top of Padar Island, you can see that this Island has beaches of 3 different colors, black, white, and even pink sand beaches. By the way, you can fly a drone here, but recently you have to pay a commission of 1 million Indonesian Rupia (about 70 USD), which we thought is too expensive. That’s why our tip is to place your camera at a higher point and you will get a photo like ours too, without flying the drone. The commission only has to be paid at the main Islands; there are also places where you can fly your drone without paying, just ask your tour company.

After the hike, we returned to the boat and drove to one of the pink beaches to swim and relax. It was such a fantastic experience to see a pink beach finally. And yes, they are really pink! We asked us this many times before. The pink color of the beach comes from tiny pieces of red coral in the sand. But sadly, the pink color is getting less. This happens because of coral bleaching, which is happening due to global warming and pollution of the ocean. This place showed us again why we want to do our best and fight for our beautiful planet: we really wish this paradise would last forever.

After lunch on the boat, we went to Rinca Island to visit the Komodo Dragons — the most giant lizard on the planet. One bite of a Komodo Dragon is deadly for a human. This is because the Komodo Dragons eat their prey only after the meat is rotten, and this leads to bacteria in their mouth, which is so strong that it kills humans very fast. Fortunately, today, there is a medicine that can help, but it has to be taken quickly. But don’t worry; you will visit this Island with a very well educated and experienced guide. It was exciting to see the world’s biggest lizard.

Just after a beautiful sunset on the boat, we stopped next to Kalong Island, where we experienced one of the most magical moments ever. The sky was full of bats flying above us. Strictly speaking, they are one of the world’s biggest flying foxes.

After that, we had dinner and a movie night on the boat with our crew. We watched Finding Nemo together, and it was super cozy.

Day 3 – Snorkeling, Kelor Island, and Le Pirate Island

On the morning of our third day, we again went to some fantastic snorkeling points, as on every day of the trip. We loved to spend so much time in the ocean. We have seen more beautiful fishes than ever before and all kinds of colors of corals, from red to green and even blue.

After the snorkeling, we went on a hike to Kelor Island, where we enjoyed another stunning view over the turquoise blue waters and the hills of the other islands.

In the afternoon, we arrived at “Le Pirate Island”, which is exclusively included in the tour with Le Pirate Explorer and not other companies. But you can, of course, visit this Island from Labuan Bajo without a tour or add this to your trip with another tour, you just have to organize it yourself and pay additionally for it.

On the Island, we stayed at an adorable beach hut just in front of the ocean. It was a dream to sleep there and wake up with the sunrise. We loved the whole Island because every corner is so beautiful and with a bohemian touch. It’s such a relaxing place. Also, there is excellent snorkeling just in front of the accommodation.

We had a great night on the Island with sunset drinks, a table barbecue and the most fantastic food. The food was also very vegan-friendly, we got so much tofu to grill. After dinner we had a glass of wine by the bonfire with some of our new friends.

Day 4 – Le Pirate island

We spend our last day on the Island of “Le Pirate” and had a great time. We made fruit juice without electricity, relaxed in a hammock and enjoyed the beautiful beach and crystal clear water.

In the late afternoon we they brought us back to Labuan Bajo by boat which took us about 1 hour.

Budget for a Komodo Island tour

There are many different tour companies, and the prices vary a lot depending on how much luxury you choose. But we listed here our costs, which can help you understand how much you have to count for a Komodo Island tour.

• Return flight from Bali: 150$ per person
• Cost of 3 day / 4-night tour including food: 680$ for two people
• National Park / Snorkeling Fee: 30$ per person
• Rinca Island: 10$ per person
• Hotel in Labuan Bajo before and after the trip: 40$
• 2 Dinner in Labuan Bajo before and after the trip: 30$

Total cost for two people for a Komodo Island Tour: 1’130$

• See what others think about this post and share your opinion with us

Hi there! beautiful post and really nice pictures. I am also planning to go to Indonesia in October (if Covid lets me :/) and I’m thinking of doing this kind of cruise. Were you alone onboard? or were there other couples? I’m reading some reviews and there are many bad ones. I just wanted to know a little bit more because is a high price and I’m a solo traveler. Many thanks, take care <3

Hi Rocio. Thank you very much for your lovely comment. We’re sure that you’re going to love Indonesia. It‘s a beautiful country with so much to see. We can highly recommend the Pirate Explorer to visit the Komodo National Park as we had a fantastic experience. We were a group of ten people (five couples). Four couples slept in the upper compartments and one couple in a lower one (behind the captain’s bridge). We were lucky and had funny people in our group. Compared to other boats we saw on our trip, the Explorer ships were the only ones that …  Read more »

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Komodo Islands Travel Guide For Indonesia

The Komodo island in Indonesia is famous for being home to the beastly Komodo dragons (the world’s biggest lizard), and it’s an incredibly scenic place with lots of other ‘bucket list’ travel experiences.

The UNESCO designated Komodo National Park has dozens of islands with white and pink sand beaches , exotic mountains for trekking and coral reefs for diving, and it’s the only place in the world where you can see Komodo dragons up close in the wild and get your picture taken with them!

Since Indonesia is our second home, we’ve done the Komodo island tour a bunch of times over the years and it’s always amazing. One of the great things about Komodo’s gateway town, Labuan Bajo, is that it’s not far from Bali and it’s easy to reach with a short flight from there.

Komodo Island is currently open for tourism in 2024! There was some talk by the Indonesian government about drastically raising the entrance fee for foreign tourists, but that idea has officially been called off, so now is a great time to plan a visit.

This Komodo island travel guide and map will explain how to get there, where to stay, what to do, best tour packages, and everything else you need to know before you go!

Where Is Komodo Island?

Komodo Island is part of the Komodo National Park, a group of tropical islands located just off the coast of Flores, in east Indonesia.

The park’s three main islands are Komodo, Rinca, and Padar , but there are lots of smaller ones too, so it’s the perfect place for island hopping!

The closest city is the fishing town of Labuan Bajo in Flores, which has its own airport and plenty of hotels and restaurants to enjoy in between visits to the park.

Komodo dragon island!

How To Get To Komodo Island Indonesia

The only way to visit Komodo Island and the rest of the national park is on a boat tour from Labuan Bajo, where the airport is located. You can’t fly to Komodo Island directly.

There are a bunch of flights to Labuan Bajo airport (LBJ) every day from Bali, with a 1 hour flight time and several airlines offering ticket prices as low as $40 USD.

Getting to Komodo island from Bali is easier than ever now that AirAsia flies between them several times per week. You can also fly to the Labuan Bajo airport from Jakarta, Surabaya, or Ende. You can shop for flights to Labuan Bajo on Skyscanner.

Once you get to Labuan Bajo, it’s possible to book a boat tour to Komodo Island at the harbor, or you can book a day tour online (more on that later).

The Komodo islands are located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Labuan Bajo as the crow flies, and the journey normally takes 3 hours with a slow boat, or less than half that with a speedboat.

You can knock out all the top sights of Komodo National Park (including the dragons) in one full day tour, or it’s possible to stay in a liveaboard boat and spend several days sightseeing!

How To Get Around The Komodo Islands

The three boat types for exploring the Komodo islands are slow boat, speedboat, or liveaboard boat.

Slow boat is the cheapest option, and it’s commonly used for day tours, but you do waste a lot of time in transit because it’s just so darn slow. Speedboat is much faster and more efficient, but it’s quite a bit more expensive.

Liveaboard tours can also be pricey, but it’s a unique experience where you get to sleep in a cabin and spend several days sightseeing and enjoying more of the sights in the park.

Book Now: Komodo Liveaboard Tours / Day Tours

Where To Stay In Komodo

There are no hotels in Komodo island. All of the hotels and accommodation are in the nearby town of Labuan Bajo.

You can find hotels and accommodation in Labuan Bajo to suit all budgets, from backpacker to luxury. However, it’s a little bit more pricey than Bali on average, because the development hasn’t quite caught up to the number of tourists coming here.

We’ve included some of our Komodo hotel recommendations below.  

Labuan Bajo Hotels

Seaesta Komodo Hostel & Hotel

Plataran Komodo Beach Resort

Bayview Gardens Hotel

Sunset Hill Hotel

Best Things To Do In Komodo National Park

• padar island.

The most scenic viewpoint of Komodo Indonesia is on the small island of Padar. It’s a short 30 minute hike to the top, and you’re rewarded with probably one of the best views in Southeast Asia.

This is like a Jurassic Park landscape. The island has a giant X shape, with three bays where you can see a white beach, black beach, and pink beach.

Each of those sand colors is pretty special in itself, but to see all of them in one place is crazy. This is probably the only place in the world where you can witness that!

Even though Padar is one of the smallest islands in the Komodo National Park, this scenic viewpoint has become a famous natural landmark of Indonesia, and it’s even been featured on the 50,000 Rupiah cash note.

Read More: Padar Island

The iconic Padar Island viewpoint

Beaches in all directions!

• Pink Beach

The Komodo islands are home to several pink sand beaches! The color comes from tiny organisms in the coral called foraminifera.

Pink beaches are very rare, and there are only a handful of them worldwide. The one with the brightest color is hidden in a bay on the north side of Padar Island.

These unique beaches are a must see when you’re visiting Komodo National Park.

Read More: Pink Beach Komodo Island

The extraordinary pink sand beaches at Komodo National Park

Pink Beach Komodo Island

• Komodo Dragon Trek

Of course the main attraction of Komodo Indonesia is getting to see the dragons themselves in the wild! The Komodo National Park is the only place in the world where you can do this.

For this part of the tour, you’ll go ashore at one of the two main islands where the dragons live in Indonesia (Rinca or Komodo Island) and do a short trek looking for dragons while accompanied by a park ranger. The trekking path is flat and suitable for all fitness levels.

For sightseeing purposes, there’s not much difference between Rinca Island or Komodo Island, and many tours use these locations interchangeably. There are plenty of Komodo dragons living on either island.

You’re almost guaranteed to see at least a few dragons (after all, it’s Komodo dragon island), and with the guide’s help you can even take pictures with them! It’s an amazing experience getting to see these animals up close in the wild.

Komodo Dragon FAQ

• How big are they? Adult Komodo dragons can be 3 meters long (10 feet) and weigh more than 140 kilos (300 pounds). The males are bigger than the females.
• Are they venomous? I think the jury is still out on that. Some research has shown that the Komodo dragon bites may be dangerous because of venom or bacteria.
• How do they hunt? Komodo dragons can smell blood from almost 10 kilometers (6 miles) and they can run in bursts of speed up to 20 kilometers per hour (12 mph). Truly dinosaurs!
• What do they eat? A mix of deer, boars, monkeys, birds, goats, wild horses, and water buffaloes. Their favorite food is the deer (Javan Rusa). They can also be cannibals sometimes and eat other dragons.
• Do they attack humans? Yes, but rarely. The dragons don’t think of us as food. Less than a dozen people have been killed by them in the past 50 years, and all of the victims were locals at the village on Komodo dragon island, living in close proximity to the animals.
• Do they breathe fire? No, the dragons can’t breathe fire, but the first Dutch explorers in the Komodo islands believed that!
• Are there Komodo dragons in Bali? No, there aren’t any wild Komodo dragons in Bali. You can see captive dragons at the Bali Bird Park or Bali Safari Marine Park , although I think it’s a much better experience to see the dragons in their natural environment on the island of Komodo or Rinca. Bali does have monitor lizards, which look kind of similar to Komodo dragons, but they’re smaller.
• Are there Komodo dragons in the Galapagos islands? No, there aren’t any Komodo dragons outside of Indonesia except in zoos. The lizards in the Galapagos islands of Ecuador are marine iguanas, not Komodos. Totally different animal. They’re much smaller and tamer.

Komodo Trekking FAQ

• Is it safe? Yes, just stay close to your guide and you shouldn’t have any issues. The only tourists that have ever been attacked by dragons were trekking alone without a guide.
• Can I visit during my period? Yes, menstruating women can still visit Komodo dragon island (even though the dragons are good at smelling blood), but you’re supposed to tell the park staff so your guide can be more careful.
• How long is the trek? There’s a short, medium, long, or adventure trek. If you’re on a day tour (island hopping), then you’ll probably only have time to do the short or medium trek (both less than 1 hour) before you’re whisked off to go see the manta rays or pink beach .
• How easy is it to see dragons? You’re practically guaranteed to see dragons, even on the short trek, because there are thousands of them living on Komodo and Rinca. I’ve done the trek a bunch of times, and I saw lots of dragons every time. You can also spot them on the beach sometimes. Photo ops galore!

• Are the dragons sedated? No, the dragons are absolutely not sedated! The reason they lie around motionless sometimes is because they’re digesting a big meal or resting after a hunt. You’d want to sleep too after eating an entire deer. The dragons are most active in the morning, but like to chill in the middle of the day.
• Can I touch them? No way! The photos in this travel blog where we’re up close with the Komodo dragons are perspective pics. We kept a healthy distance from them and definitely didn’t touch them.
• What else can I see? If you’re lucky on the trek, you can also see Komodo nests, baby dragons, rare birds, snakes, spiders, and more. Snake species include the spitting cobra and island pit viper. It’s way more than just a Komodo dragon island.
• Do I need to tip? Tipping isn’t customary in Indonesia, but if your guide takes good pictures for you then a small tip is certainly appreciated. The guides on Komodo dragon island are not paid very much.

More Things To Do In Komodo

• Kalong Island: Also known as bat island, if you go here at sunset you can see thousands of fruit bats flying through the sky.
• Manta Point: Amazing spot where you can swim with giant manta rays in the ocean. They’re a little shy but not dangerous at all.
• Taka Makassar: This is a small crescent shaped sandbar near Manta Point. Taka Makassar has perfect white sand and crystal clear water.
• Gili Lawa Darat: One of the most remote spots in Komodo Indonesia since it’s located on the northwest boundary of the park, just off the coast of Komodo dragon island. It has a hill that’s great for sunrise.
• Kelor Island: A lot of Komodo tours stop at this island since it’s close to Labuan Bajo. It has a hill you can climb for a nice view of Flores island.
• Private Island Resorts: For private island resorts near Komodo, you have your choice of Le Pirate Island , Sebayur Island Resort , or Kanawa Island Resort .
• Scuba Diving: Komodo Indonesia is famous for its world class snorkeling and scuba diving. You can see bright coral reefs and lots of underwater wildlife here.
• Labuan Bajo: Don’t forget to spend some time exploring the town of Labuan Bajo and its surroundings. There are a bunch of good things to do near Labuan Bajo. I’ll be covering those separately from this Komodo Island travel guide.

Snorkeling at Sebayur Island

Le Pirate Island — you can camp in bungalows on this private island for very reasonable rates!

Drone pic at Kelor Island, one of the popular stops on Komodo tours.

Komodo Island Map

Here’s a Komodo island map showing all the dive sites and main areas of interest. You can click on the image to see it bigger.

Komodo dragons can only be seen on Rinca or Komodo Island. The town of Labuan Bajo (top right) is where all the restaurants and hotels are concentrated.

Komodo island map

Is Komodo Open Or Closed?

In 2019, the government of Indonesia announced plans to close Komodo Island for the year of 2020 in order to work on conservation and rehabilitation. The idea got a lot of backlash, though, so they decided to reverse it at the last minute.

A lot of the locals in Komodo and Labuan Bajo survive off of tourism, so closing it is a tough proposition for them. To be honest, the islands do need better conservation, but I’m not sure if that means they need to be closed completely. Trash cleanup could be done regardless, and some of the places need it.

As it turns out, the Komodo National Park was closed anyway for almost 6 months in 2020 because of the covid pandemic, but the park reopened in August 2020. We visited the islands again in 2021 and had a wonderful time.

Tourism activities at Komodo were temporarily stopped again for two days in August 2022, because of strikes related to the Indonesian government trying to dramatically increase the park entrance fees.

You can read more about this in the section below. However, thankfully, the government relented and decided not to raise the park fees at this time, so everything is back to business as usual.

As of 2024, Komodo Island is officially open for tourism!

Komodo Entrance Fee

The Komodo National Park has a confusing ticket system with a bunch of different entrance fees that you pay in a small booth at Padar. Here are some of the main fees:

• National Park Entrance Ticket (Mon-Sat): 150k IDR ($10 USD)
• National Park Entrance Ticket (Sundays & Nat. Holidays): 250k IDR ($17)
• Retribution For Recreation & Sports: 100k IDR ($7)
• Padar Entrance Ticket: 150k IDR ($10)
• Komodo Ranger Fee: 120k IDR per group up to 5 people ($8)
• Komodo Hiking Fee: 5k IDR ($0.30)
• Komodo Wildlife Observation Fee: 10k IDR ($0.70)

When you total everything up, you can expect to pay up to 500k Rupiah ($37 USD) per person for a 1 day park pass that allows you to do the highlights of Komodo National Park.

These ticket prices are current as of 2024 , but they seem to go up every year. There’s no discount for children or KITAS/KITAP holders, either, which is pretty lame. The least they could do is make the tickets last 3 days or 1 week so they have more value.

I think the price is still worth it for the outstanding nature you get to see at Komodo Indonesia, but if they keep raising it then it may start getting unreasonable. For comparison, a U.S. National Parks annual pass costs not much more than this, but gives you access to 400+ national parks for 1 year.  

New Entrance Fee? (2024)

In June 2022, it was announced that Indonesia was planning to raise the Komodo entrance fee to 3.75 million Rupiah ($250 USD) per person, and limit park visitors to 200,000 per year.

This change was originally supposed to take effect on August 1, 2022, but it was met with a large scale protest and strike by the local tourism workers, which forced the government to cancel the plan for now .

Most tourists who visit Komodo are not ultra rich, and to make a major change like this with such short notice was very inconsiderate of park visitors and most likely would’ve been a death blow to the local businesses in Labuan Bajo as well.

Thankfully, the Indonesian government reconsidered this plan and decided not to raise the Komodo entrance fees, and the boat trips and all other tourist activities in Komodo National Park resumed like before.

Near the end of 2022, there was some more talk about raising the Komodo entrance fee excessively, which was supposed to happen on January 1, 2023. However, the Indonesian news reported that this plan has been canceled once again.

I’ll update this Komodo travel guide if we get any more new information. I think it’s very unlikely any big price changes will happen, because the locals really depend on tourism. For now, tourists are welcome in Komodo like always, and the prices haven’t changed!

Other Tips For Labuan Bajo & Komodo

• ATM: There are lots of ATM choices scattered around Labuan Bajo town. BNI worked great in our experience.
• Credit Cards: Some places accept card now, but many don’t. It’s good to keep a bit of cash handy for meals, taxis, and such.
• WiFi: A lot of hotels in Labuan Bajo still have weak WiFi connections, but they’re improving every year as the infrastructure catches up to the massive influx of tourism.
• Cell Service: Telkomsel has good 4G reception in Labuan Bajo, Komodo, and even some of the intermediate islands. We used this for a hotspot at times when we didn’t have good WiFi.
• Restaurants: There are lots of good places to eat in Labuan Bajo. Some nice restaurants to check out are Green Cherry , Baccalá , and La Cucina . We also liked Ayam Bakar Primarasa , near the airport.
• Transportation: Labuan Bajo town on Flores is small and easy to get around. You can rent a scooter all day for 75k Rupiah ($5 USD), or take a taxi around town for 50k per trip.
• Language: The locals in Flores and Komodo speak Bahasa Indonesia, and a little bit of English that they’ve been able to pick up from tourists. English proficiency isn’t nearly as widespread as in Bali, so be patient and come prepared to explain things by pointing or showing pictures.
• Religion: The island of Flores is mostly Catholic, but there’s also a significant minority of Muslims in Komodo, and there are several active mosques in Labuan Bajo. When I visited Labuan Bajo in 2018, there was a mosque using a noisy loudspeaker at all hours of the day and night, but when we last visited in 2021 we didn’t hear any mosques, so maybe the local authorities have asked them to turn down the volume. In any case, if you’re a light sleeper then it’s a good idea to bring ear plugs with you to Labuan Bajo in case there’s a noisy mosque at night.
• Mosquitoes: According to this Lancet study from 2018, Malaria cases are rare and decreasing in Flores and the Komodo islands. I’ve never heard of a tourist getting Malaria from mosquitoes in Komodo. We didn’t take malaria pills on any of our Komodo trips, but it’s still a good idea to wear repellant while out and about, just to be safe.
• Drones: The Komodo park rangers don’t allow anyone to fly a drone at Padar Island anymore unless you pay an exorbitant fee of 1 million Rupiah ($70 USD). No prior application is needed, you just pay the fee in cash on the spot, and then they let you fly. There are some ways to get around this if you’re creative.

Javan Rusa (deer). The favorite meal of the dragons.

Best Time To Visit Komodo

The best time to visit Komodo Indonesia really depends on what you’re looking for.

You can see the dragons all year round. Prime diving season is March to October. High season for Komodo National Park is July to August, when the weather is cooler and more comfortable, but the park is also more crowded with tourists.

The climate in Komodo tends to be drier and more sunny than other places in Indonesia, like Bali. The main months to avoid for Komodo Island are December to February, when Indonesia has its rainy season and the weather is not very good for sailing or trekking. Generally the only reason to go in these months would be to avoid the crowds.

The grass color at Komodo changes with the seasons. It’s green in the tail end of the rainy season (January to April). By April or May, the grass color starts to turn yellow. In the summer and fall (July to November), the islands are bone dry and the grass is all brown. The pictures in this Komodo travel blog were taken in early March.

The scenery and dragons are honestly spectacular in any month of the year, so regardless of when you go, you’re sure to have a very memorable trip. Happy travels!

Sunset in the Komodo islands

Best Komodo Island Tour / Day Trip

If you’re looking for a vetted tour company for visiting Komodo Island Indonesia, here’s a top rated Komodo National Park day trip with Klook starting from Labuan Bajo.

This speedboat tour includes the top sights in Komodo like Padar Island , Pink Beach , and the Komodo Dragon trek, and their prices are very competitive based on what we’ve seen being quoted for similar tours in Labuan Bajo. The online reviews are positive too.

We’ve used Klook for lots of tours and activities around the world, and they’re great! Highly recommended.

Book Now: Komodo Island Tour / Day Trip  

Where To Stay In Labuan Bajo

Future of komodo tourism.

The future of Komodo tourism is still uncertain. I’m happy Indonesia has opened the park for everyone to enjoy, and I’m glad it’s given employment to the locals, but further development of the islands could become a problem.

There’s been some talk of a ‘Komodo dragon park’ or luxury resort being built on Rinca Island, for example, which seems like a very bad idea.

Komodo dragons are amazing animals. They’re already endangered, and their habitat is very limited. I hope Indonesia will do the right thing, and choose conservation over greed, so we can continue to enjoy this place for many years to come.  

More Things To See Near Komodo Indonesia

There are lots of other great things to do near Komodo Indonesia if you have time.

On mainland Flores island, you can visit the Goa Rangko Cave in Labuan Bajo, and then do an overland tour of Flores from west to east and see sights like the spiderweb rice fields, Wae Rebo traditional village, Mount Inerie volcano, and the turquoise volcanic lakes of Mount Kelimutu .

The Kelimutu National Park has a trio of colorful volcanic lakes in central Flores, and you can see it without doing any hiking. The lakes are known to regularly change colors (to blue, green, pink, or brown!) because of changes in the underlying gases and elements.

Alternatively, if you want to skip the Flores road trip and just go directly from Komodo to Kelimutu , you can fly directly from Labuan Bajo to the Ende airport (ENE) and visit Kelimutu from there. That flight takes 1 hour and costs about $60 USD.

In spite of the lack of publicity and infrastructure, Flores is definitely one of the best places to visit in Indonesia!

Read More: Best Islands To Visit In Indonesia

Kelimutu National Park is one of the most spectacular sights on Flores island

My Indonesia Travel Guide

Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed this travel guide for Komodo Island Indonesia.

Seeing dragons on the Komodo tour was one of the best parts of our visit to Flores, Indonesia.

Don’t forget to check out my complete Indonesia Travel Guide with more free tips, info, and photos!  

• Most Beautiful Indonesian Islands – Best Places To Visit In Indonesia
• Indonesia Beach Guide – Best Beaches In Indonesia
• Best Hikes In Indonesia – Volcanoes, Jungles, & Waterfalls
• Best Things To Do In Indonesia – What To Do In The Islands
• Indonesia Waterfall Guide – Best Waterfalls In Indonesia
• Indonesia Travel Guide – Tips, Info, & Photos

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Hi thank you for sharing information about Komodo Island

Thank you for the wonderful blog. its really useful and informative.

Brilliant, organized, informative post!!!

I really appreciate your day trip recommendation. Is that with a speedboat or slow boat?

Do you have any recommendations for an upscale two or three day liveaboard boat?

Hi Clay! The day tour recommended in the article is a speedboat tour, which is normally faster and more efficient, so you get to have more time on the islands compared to the slow wooden boats. We normally do day trips instead of liveaboard, but I know GetYourGuide has a very high rated 3 day or 4 day tour with a combination of hotels and some liveaboard action. Cheers

Io sono disabile causa un incidente di macchina avvenuto in Germania nel 2009 . Ho una moglie indonesiana e un figlio di 10 anni. Sono al momento in vacanza a Lombok. Un disabile può vedere le lucertole di Komodo su una delle isole??? Grazie

Ciao Giuseppe. Dovrai prendere una barca, ma sì, penso che sia possibile per una persona disabile vedere i draghi sull’isola di Komodo. La spiaggia è pianeggiante e facile da navigare. Grazie per il tuo commento!

Hi, I’m currently in Bali on a holiday. As I was walking in Seminyak, which is near the shops, I saw a massive Komodo dragon in one of the streams that are between two buildings. It was walking pretty fast and I couldn’t take a pic but yea I think there are Komodo dragons in Bali just very rare. That was crazy tho

Hi. That would be a monitor lizard, which looks kind of similar to a Komodo dragon, but a bit smaller. They are fairly common in Bali and always fun to see. 🙂

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Asia , Indonesia , Komodo , Travel Guide · July 11, 2019

The Ultimate Komodo Travel Guide: everything you need to know

Since a lot of people seem to think that chasing Komodo dragons is the only thing to do at the Komodo national park, I created this Komodo travel guide with everything you need to know about these beautiful Indonesian islands. There is way more to see and do at this wonderful piece of earth.

If you want to hike and see one of the most incredible views in your life, relax on a pink beach, snorkle to find Nemo and sea turtles or dive with Manta Rays, then Komodo is your place to be! The good news is that all these things are doable in one day, even though I recommend staying longer.

Don’t let the news of the 2020 park closure scare you off; there are enough places at the national park to explore and see the dragons besides Komodo island.

Komodo Travel Guide: everything you need to know

Where is Komodo?

Komodo National Park is situated between the Indonesian islands Sumbawa and Flores. It consists of three bigger islands Komodo, Padar and Rinca and several tiny islands.

How to get there?

The fastest and safest way to get to Komodo is to take a flight to Labuan Bajo, a small fishing town in the west of the island Flores. It is the nearest coastal town to the park. I flew from Bali with Garuda Indonesia, but there are also flights from other Indonesian islands and other airlines who provide flights.

Make sure to book your flight in time and keep in mind flights often get cancelled/changed, so you’ll probably end up on another flight. (I booked an early morning flight back to Bali and was transferred to an afternoon flight, so I had to change my travel plans to Nusa Penida, since I was too late to catch the last fast boat)

Where to stay?

There are several options to stay at Komodo; you can stay at a hotel at Labuan Bajo, sleep on a boat during a multiple day tour or even stay at a private island!

I stayed at Le Pirate hotel at the harbour of Labuan Bajo. From there it was easy to book day trips, since it is located on the main street. The rooms look like beach cabins and are rather small, but super clean.

What makes this hotel so special and fun is the rooftop bar with its little swimming pool. There you have a fantastic view on the bay and the sunset. They serve the best drinks and delicious food with lounge music always playing in the background.

Every evening they organize something different like live music or movie night (including free popcorn!) which is perfect to enjoy the warm evenings on the rooftop.

I met other people who stayed at Golo Hilltop Hotel and they were very pleased with this hotel also. It is situated on the hill and has a great view on the bay and the sunset.

If you are looking for something a little more adventurous you can also book a three day trip on a boat. There are a lot of tour options. Le Pirate also has its own boat: Le Pirate Explorer . If you don’t want to spend the night on a boat, you can also sleep at a private island! I visited Le Pirate island for just one day, but the sleeping huts looked very comfortable! The only downside is that if you want to explore Komodo that you first have to go back to Labuan Bajo by boat (about an hour) to start your day trip on another boat.

How to visit Komodo National Park?

I booked a one day boat tour twice, because I stayed at Labuan Bajo for 4 nights. I wanted to be sure to see dragons and I just loved being able to experience the fantastic landscapes above and under water twice!

You can book these day trips easily at the main street of Labuan Bajo where you will find a lot of little tour agencies. Most companies will pick you up between 5.30 and 6.00 am at your hotel and drop you back off between 4.00 and 5.00 pm. They often offer the same program. But there are also more specialized diving companies that focus more on diving areas.

You can also book multiple day trips, so you will sleep on a boat. Next time I’ll definitely consider doing that!

Komodo Travel Guide: What to see and do?

Padar island.

This was the first stop of the boat tour, since you have to do a serious hike up the hill to a view point. Once the sun rises it gets really hot, so the earlier you arrive, the better.

Make sure to wear some decent shoes and bring a water bottle (often offered on the boat), because the hike is no joke! The view is definitely worth it! Never before did I see a black, a white and a pink beach, magnificent hills and clear blue water all at once. It is for sure one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen!

DISCLAIMER: I found this (dead) coral on the beach. So no, I didn’t harm it. I would never do that. Just saying, because someone started a whole Twitter riot with my photo and blog name, claiming I had pulled it from the sea, which is a straight lie. I told him to get his facts straight. But some people just think it is OK to start some drama on someone else’s back.

There are several pink beaches at the Komodo National Park and most tours go to a bigger pink beach, but the ones I did took me to a smaller more private one. There were no other boats so the beach was ours! And yes the beach is really pink! It gets its color from a million pieces of shattered coral that wash ashore. The dry sand isn’t that pink, but the wet sand surely is. Especially when the waves hit the sand. The contrast of the pink sand with the sparkling blue water makes it even more magical.

It is also a wonderful place to snorkle. The corals are super pretty and there are hundreds of cute little fish.

Komodo dragons

This Komodo travel guide wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Komodo dragons, since they are the main reason for most people to visit the national park. You can only spot these giant lizards on several islands; Komodo, Rinca, Gili Motang and Flores. They are the biggest species of lizard (max. 3m) in the world.

Most tours will bring you to Komodo island. Your group will be guided by two rangers with a massive stick; one in the front and one in the back, to protect you from the dragons. They will take you along a path through the park to look for the dragons. On the way they share a lot of dragon facts and they are happy to answer all your questions. Once they find a Komodo dragon they will offer to take a photo of you with the dragon.

I swear they look creepy as hell and yes, they are dangerous even though they look super lazy. Apparently they can run 40 km per hour. So they advised us, if a dragon runs towards you, start running zig zag to slow them down. They are also venomous so if you get bitten, you are in serious trouble. I don’t know if those sticks are enough to protect you. I am just glad the rangers didn’t have to use them! If you are there, just stay with the group, because the tourists that got bitten in the past are the ones that went venturing out on their own.

On my first tour I only saw one big dragon. On the second tour I saw three big ones and two baby dragons, so I was very lucky!

Taka Makassar

Taka Makassar is a dreamy crescent beach in the middle of the sea where you can snorkle and find Nemo, triangle fish, sea turtles and many other sea creatures. I loved this spot!

Manta Point

On the way to the last island of the boat tour you will stop somewhere in the middle of the sea to dive with black manta rays. I was a little scared to jump into the dark blue water on the first tour since the boat was constantly on the move, leaving people alone in the water. On the second tour the manta rays decided to stay hidden, so I didn’t see them.

Kanawa Island

This island wasn’t very special, but it was another spot where you can snorkle. I found a lot of star fish here.

What to take with you?

• You will be in the sun all day, in and out of the water, so you’ll definitely need a lot of sunscreen !
• hiking shoes/sneakers to hike at Padar and Komodo island.
• cash for Komodo’s entrance fee and souvenirs
• underwater camera to take photos while snorkling
• breakfast box (most hotels offer these)

Where to eat and drink?

Apparently the rooftop bar of the hotel I stayed at was a very popular hang out place. I am not surprised because both the drinks and the food were delicious and fresh. I loved the quesadillas and the Rusty Anchor cocktail! Having dinner here while watching the sun set was magical!

This Mexican restaurant is situated on the main road of Labuan Bajo and it serves large portions of tasty Mexican food. The top floor has big open windows where you also have a great view on the harbour.

Komodo Travel Guide: extra information

• Take into account that domestic flights often allow less luggage. My flight allowed 20 kilos of checked luggage.
• Fast boats are way quicker, so if you want to be one of the first at Padar, take a fast boat. Tours with a fast boat also do more stops in one day.
• Do not harm/touch the corals. It will destroy them and they are very important to the marine ecosystem.
• If you don’t feel comfortable in the water or you get tired easily, but you don’t want to miss out on snorkling; ask for a life jacket. (I wore it most of the time)
• Water and soft drinks are often included in the price of your boat trip
• I booked my first boat tour online and the others I booked on the day of arrival at the tour agencies on the main street of Labuan Bajo.

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Your Cheat Sheet to Planning a Trip to Komodo Islands [2024]

Everything you need to know about planning your bucket list trip to komodo national park.

Komodo National Park is one of our favourite places in the world to visit. Over the years, it has become increasingly gentrified - from not having street lamps or pavements a few years ago, it now even has a Starbucks! It doesn't get easier to plan a trip there though as questions like how to choose a boat, what are the park fees etc, are still maddeningly opaque.

Here is everything you need to know about planning a trip. If you're ready to book, check out all the Komodo experiences here !

What are the Komodo Islands?

Most people don't know this, but the UNESCO heritage Komodo National Park doesn't just have one island, it has 29 islands. Komodo Island is just one of the many islands on Komodo National Park (more on that later).

When you visit Komodo National Park, you not only see Komodo dragons, you'll also head to other islands to see Pink Beaches, swim with Manta Rays and hike up to otherworldly view points.

How to Get There

The gateway town to Komodo National Park is Labuan Bajo (LBJ). Labuan Bajo airport has a few international direct flights, but most travellers will fly here via Jakarta or Bali (which has multiple flights a day to LBJ).

From Labuan Bajo town, it takes a couple of hours by boat to get to Komodo National Park. Most of the boat trips will offer a pick up from Labuan Bajo town.

Finally, for adventurous travellers, there is a boat that goes from Lombok to Labuan Bajo via Komodo National Park.

How to Explore Komodo National Park

You can only see Komodo National Park on an island hopping boat tour. You can either do a sightseeing boat tour or you can do a diving boat trip .

The sightseeing boat tours range from a day tour on a speedboat to a 3D2N liveaboard . Both will cover all the usual highlights like trekking with Komodo Dragons, seeing a Pink Beach, hiking to the viewpoint at Padar island and some snorkelling.

The diving boat trips range from one day leisure dives to 4 day liveaboards. They usually are only diving focused and they'll take you to some of the top dive spots but they won't go sightseeing to the various islands.

Staying in Komodo National Park

There are no hotels in Komodo National Park so generally travellers will stay in Labuan Bajo town. If you want to spend the night in Komodo National Park, you'll need to choose an overnight boat , and stay on board ( pictured ).

While there are resorts that are located on an island, and not in LBJ town, these resorts are not in Komodo National Park itself. The issue with staying in these resorts is that the join-in boat trips do not offer pick up from these resorts, so it'll be more logistically painful to do a sightseeing boat trip.

How Much Time to Spend Here

The shortest amount of time you need here is 3 days, even if you're only doing a one day speedboat trip . Because you'll fly in on the 1st day, do the speedboat trip on the 2nd day, and fly out on the 3rd day.

If you really want to see everything that Komodo National Park and Labuan Bajo has to offer, we would recommend 7 days if you're not diving (for 3D2N boat trip + 1 day road trip around LBJ + 2 days travel time). If you want to dive as well as sightsee, we would recommend at least 9 days (including travel time).

Note that the timings of the boat trips usually means you should fly in the day before your trip starts, and fly out the day after it ends.

Best Time to Go

Try to avoid the rainy season from January to March, as most boat trips don't run during this time, other than the one day speedboats. Even the one day speedboat trips may be cancelled on the day due to bad weather. If you do go then, plan for a couple of days' buffer time so you can reschedule your boat trip in case the original trip gets cancelled.

If your aim is only to see Komodo dragons, avoid mating season in July and August. You'll likely only see small Komodo dragons during this time as the large dragons are in the forest mating, and hard to find.

Finally try to avoid local holidays (for e.g. Raya) as it's way too packed then. You'll be queuing to hike up Padar, and crowding around the Mantas!

What to See & Do

Komodo island.

This is one of the two islands where Komodo dragons live, and the largest island in Komodo National Park. This is also the only island in Komodo National Park that's inhabited by humans, as Komodo village and the indigenous Ata Modo are here. Here you'll get to trek with a local guide (usually from the indigenous Ata Modo tribe!) and try to spot wild Komodo Dragons.

Tip: Usually boat trips will either visit Komodo Island or Rinca Island to see Komodo dragons. But it's a bit harder to spot them in Komodo Island as the island is larger and more wild.

Rinca Island

Home to over-1000 Komodo dragons, Rinca is the only island other than Komodo Island where you can find Komodo dragons. Though it's not as famous as Komodo Island, it's actually easier to spot Komodo dragons here as it's a smaller island with a larger population of dragons on the island!

Tip: Rinca Island is a bit more manicured, with a boardwalk and easier sightings. If you want something more wild, go to Komodo Island.

Padar Island

This is the most iconic viewpoint at Komodo National Park, and the picture you've probably seen everywhere. Here you'll do a 45 minute easy trek to the top, and get to see panoramic views of Komodo National Park. If you peek carefully in that picture, you'll see a pink beach, a black beach and a white sand beach!

Tip: If you do an overnight boat trip, you'll be able to come here for sunrise when it's a little less crowded.

There are several Pink Beaches in Komodo National Park. The Pink Beach that most boats go to is the one near Komodo Island, which is a little less pink recently as travellers take the red coral (which gives the sand its colour) home. To see the pinkest part of the beach, venture to the far end of the beach where travellers don't go, and you'll see it in a dark pink hue.

Tip: If you take a private boat or if currents permit, you can head to the pinkest (and more remote) Pink Beach near Padar Island - called Short Beach. Don't forget to leave the red coral behind 🙈

Manta Point

Here you can snorkel with giant Manta Rays! The waters here are colder, which is what the gentle Mantas like, and during Manta season you'll be able to swim with many Mantas around you.

Tip: The best time to come here is actually in rainy season from December to March where the waters are especially cold, but you'll be able to see them up to June. If you come here from July to September though the chances of seeing them are low.

Also known as Turtle Bay, Siaba Bay is home to gorgeous coral reefs and where giant turtles like to hang out because of their favourite food (sea grass!) here. Siaba Bay is one of our fave spots in Komodo - you can snorkel and dive here to see the super zen and gorgeous turtles.

Tip: Not all the boat trips go to Siaba Bay so if you do love turtles and want to come here, check the itinerary carefully or go for a private boat where you can customise your itinerary.

Kalong Island

This was our highlight when we went to Komodo National Park! Here you'll see the exodus of millions of bats at sunset and it's such a otherworldly sight. First you'll see just a handful of bats fly out, and before long the entire orange sky is entirely covered with bats.

Tip: Not all boat trips go to Kalong island. The 3D2N trips will go, but the one-day join-in speedboat trips and dive trips won't. Kalong island alone is a good reason to do a 3D2N trip or a private speedboat trip !

How to Choose a Boat Trip

Join-in vs private boat.

Most of the boat trips in Komodo are join-in boat trips , but you can charter your own private boat as well.

If you're solo/couple or want to make friends, do a join-in trip. But if you have 4 or more persons, or any time constraints, you may want to charter a private boat . It's more flexible, more comfortable and not a lot more expensive.

The join-in trips have a number of constraints that private boats don't. For e.g. if you want to do a 3D2N join-in trip you'll need to arrive by Thursday. And if you're looking to do a 2D1N trip, you'll only find basic boats willing to do that trip on a join-in basis. If you do a private trip you don't need to worry about any of this, and can customise your itinerary!

Day Trip vs Overnight

If you want to wake up with the incredible views of Komodo National Park, you'll have to do a liveaboard trip as there are no hotels in Komodo National Park. However if you would rather not spend the night on the boat, a one-day speedboat actually covers most of the destinations that the overnight boats do.

The only difference in itinerary is that on a one-day speedboat, you don't get to go to Padar Island at sunrise (which isn't the biggest deal really), and you don't get to see the exodus of bats at Kalong Island. If you really want to see Kalong Island on a one-day trip, you can charter a private speedboat .

Diving vs Sightseeing

You'll need to decide whether you want to dive or go island hopping to see all of Komodo's highlights. The dive boats usually only includes one or two highlights like trekking with Komodo dragons and Padar Island, and, on the other hand, the sightseeing boats will have snorkelling but not diving.

If you want to dive and sightsee, you'll need to do 2 separate trips. Either a 4D3N diving liveaboard trip and then a separate one day Komodo sightseeing boat trip . Or you can also do a 3D2N Komodo sightseeing boat trip and a one day leisure dive trip

Budget Boat vs Phinisi Boat

For overnight trips, you can choose between basic boats , or Phinisi boats (which is basically a deluxe or luxury boat - pictured).

A basic boat usually has on-deck sleeping and you can choose from either a 2D1N trip or a 3D2N trip. A Phinisi boat will have private rooms (some will have both private rooms and dorms), and generally have better food, and amenities.

Komodo is a complicated place, and every year, several basic boats do sink. So if you do go for a budget boat do check their safety credentials carefully.

Common Questions from Travellers

What are komodo park fees.

Generally park fees are excluded from your boat tour price, and you'll need to bring cash for the fees. Usually the amount is quoted as a range, not a fixed sum because, well, it's complicated!

Komodo park entrance fees depend on the island you're visiting, whether it's a weekday or weekend, whether you're foreigner or local, and even how many people there are on your boat. To complicate it more, there are constant talks about increasing the fees 🤷

Current fees per person/per day on weekdays: Foreigners/Kitas holders: IDR 400-500k / Indonesians: IDR 180-250k. Sundays/public holidays per person (Foreigners/kitas holders : IDR 450-550k / Indonesians : IDR 180-250k)

What should I pack?

Pack light if you're spending the night on the boat! The rooms on the boats aren't large so if you bring a large suitcase you may not even be able to open it in your room.

Pack swimwear for snorkelling (and a rashguard if you're sensitive to the cold), sea sickness pills if you're prone to motion sickness, and hiking sandals or sneakers (as you'll need grip for the Padar trek).

Can I fly out on the day my trip ends?

We don't recommend flying out on the same day. Usually the boat trips are scheduled to arrive back at Labuan Bajo between 4-6pm in the evening. However this is subject to the currents and weather, and is very unpredictable. So ideally you should plan to fly out the day after your boat trip.

Can I go on my period?

Yes you can. Some people are concerned that Komodo dragons may be aggressive towards people on their periods, but that is not a risk at all.

As with any wildlife, whether or not you're on your period, just keep a sensible distance away from the wildlife and you'll be ok.

Can I bring my drone?

Guests who bring their own drone for usage within the Komodo National Park are required to purchase a drone ticket at the National Park Office at Labuan Bajo 3 days prior to the trip. The cost of the ticket is 1 million rupiahs so please do prepare enough cash. 

Can I go from Bali to Komodo on Boat?

No you can't. You can only fly from Bali to Labuan Bajo (1.5 hours flight, multiple flights a day), which is the gateway town to all the Komodo boat trips. You can however take a sightseeing boat from Lombok to Labuan Bajo via Komodo National Park , which sails from April to December every year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Komodo National Park in Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia is a UNESCO World heritage site, and one of the most beautiful places on earth. Here you can see the prehistoric Komodo Dragon (basically a giant lizard!), swim with manta rays and turtles in crystal clear waters and see surreal pink sand beaches. You’ll do an island hopping boat trip here to visit all the highlights of Komodo National Park, and you can hike, dive and snorkel when you’re here.

To safely encounter Komodo dragons in their natural habitat, it is essential to visit the Komodo National Park with an experienced guide. These local guides are knowledgeable about the dragons' behavior and will ensure your safety while maintaining a respectful distance from the animals. Additionally, it is important to follow the guidelines provided by the park and your guide, such as not feeding the dragons, wearing appropriate footwear, and staying on designated paths.

• Manta Point - Known for its large population of manta rays, this site is perfect for observing these majestic creatures up close.
• Castle Rock - An underwater pinnacle teeming with fish, sharks, and other marine life, Castle Rock is ideal for experienced divers seeking a thrilling adventure.
• Batu Bolong - A coral-covered rock formation that attracts an abundance of marine life, including turtles, reef sharks, and schools of colorful fish.
• Cannibal Rock - This dive site features stunning soft corals, sea fans, and a variety of macro creatures, making it a favorite among underwater photographers.
• Tatawa Besar - With its gentle currents, Tatawa Besar offers a relaxing drift dive along a vibrant coral reef, perfect for divers of all levels.

We would recommend not visiting Komodo National Park during January to March as this is monsoon season and most boats don't run during this time, other than the one day speedboats. Even the one day speedboat trips may sometimes be cancelled if the weather is so bad that it's deemed unsafe to go out on the day. So if you visit Komodo National Park during this period, include more buffer time just in case your initially booked trip gets cancelled because of the weather.

Other than that, the other months are fine to visit Komodo National Park. The timing that you visit will determine what you'll get to see as some months are better for Komodo dragon sightings and other months are better for Manta Ray sightings.

• For Komodo dragon sightings, the ideal time to visit is during the dry season, which typically occurs between April and November. However, it is essential to avoid the mating season (July and August) when the dragons are less active. During mating season, the large dragons would be much more difficult to spot and you'll likely only see small, monitor-lizard sized dragons.
• Manta rays on the other hand love the rainy season. So if you only care about seeing them, the rainy season from December to February can be an excellent time to visit. Although the weather is wetter, manta rays are more likely to be spotted during this period as they tend to aggregate near the surface to feed on plankton.
• To maximize your chances of seeing both Komodo dragons and manta rays, consider visiting during the shoulder months of April, May, October, and November. These months generally offer favorable weather conditions and fewer crowds, increasing your chances of memorable wildlife encounters.

More Field Notes finds

Let me show you the islands I love…

While headquartered in Bali, I spent many years in the tour business. In 2013 my wife, two kids, and I moved back to the family farm on Flores Island where I was born. Since the world has opened up again after COVID, my new team has been making traveler’s dreams come true, here in the beautiful islands from Labuan Bajo to Bali. My dream is not to be the biggest tour  company . . . just the best Komodo tour planner!

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My years as a guide taught me how to plan and create great adventures for you. I’ve sailed every nautical mile and walked every step of these Cruise Komodo tours. Now I work for YOU. And because I live right here in Labuan Bajo, I know the best times to visit and the best deals when you arrive. 

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I love to meet all you travelers who come to Indonesia from around the world. The happier you are, the happier I am!

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As a Komodo tour planner on Labuan Bajo, I have a huge network of friends in the travel biz. I can put together a tour customized just for you in a flash! Or get you on a daily cruise right away and on the pink sand beach or mountain top by the afternoon.

10 Amazing Facts About Komodo Dragons!

Many thanks to these amazing creatures who lure you to visit us in our enchanting islands. And all they have to do is hang out in their natural habitat. Click on this box to learn more about them. Can they swim? Are they venomous? Are they an endangered species?

QUESTIONS for your Komodo tour planner?

I love to hear exactly what you are seeking. before we talk or chat, please read the cruise komodo faq below which might have the answers to some of your questions., cruise komodo faq, what type of currency payments do you accept.

Our tour prices are presented in IDR (Indonesian rupia). You may send your deposit via PayPal, Wise.com, or bank transfer . Payments may be in either in IDR, or US dollars and Euros, based on the current exchange rate. Any bank fees for transfer of funds are your responsibility. 

Do you need a deposit or down payment?

To confirm your tour booking, we require a 30% downpayment of the total amount and 70% balance 7 days before the start of your tour or when you arrive at your lodging in Labuan Bajo. Full payment may be paid either in IDR, or US dollars and Euros, based on the current exchange rate. Any bank fees for transfer of funds are your responsibility. We will send you an email confirmation once the total amount is agreed upon for your existing tour or custom tour.

What is your cancellation policy?

• 20% of full amount for cancellations 60 days before your arrival date.
• 30% of full amount for cancellations 30 days before your arrival date.
• 50% of full amount for cancellation 14 days before your arrival date.
• Full payment if you do not show up on your arrival date.

FYI: These policies may vary depending on the kind of tour. We can discuss this further when you decide exactly what you want.

What happens if Cruise Komodo cancels my tour because of weather or other causes?

If Cruise Komodo cancels, I will reschedule for another time or refund your money.

Where is best place to exchange money in the islands?

You will get the best exchange rates in Bali and other larger Indonesian tourist destinations than here in our island world. Be prepared before you arrive. Cash speaks everywhere, especially Indonesian rupiah.

Do all the islands have ATMs?

Most villages on Flores Island have ATM. Only select restaurants and businesses accept credit cards.

Can you create a customized tour just for me?

Of course! I wouldn’t be a Cruise Komodo tour planner if I couldn’t! Luxury? Bare-bones? Somewhere in between? The more you let me know about your desires, your visiting time, your budget, and the number of travelers, the better I can plan exactly what you want.

Do the cabins on the boats have air conditioning?

Most do, some don’t. If you need air conditioning, I can arrange it. The boats in the area are very diverse, from traditionally old fashioned to absolute luxury.

What languages do your guides speak?

Most guides speak enough English to communicate well. If you want a guide who speaks a specific language, let me know and I will try to satisfy your request.

Is Cruise Komodo certified by an official travel organization?

Yes it is! Cruise Komodo is registered under PT. Frendosarthatour and officially certified by HPl, Himpunan Pramuwisata, the Tour Guide Association of Indonesia

What should I bring on your tours?

This depends on the tour, but here is a checklist for you. Sunglasses, sunblock, sunhat, sun visor, sandals, trekking shoes (water-resistant during the rainy season, long-sleeved shirt, pants, jacket or raincoat,  sleeping bag for overnight village tours, insect repellent, towel, swimming suit, flash light, video camera, replacement batteries and charger, extra memory cards, Indonesian SIM card for internet, personal toiletries and medicine, extra cash for gratuities and souvenirs, passport, visa, airline tickets, and that book you’ve been excited to read. Either pack your suitcase half-full or buy another one in the islands for all the treasures you’ll want to bring home.

What is the meaning of life?

Don’t worry. Be happy. Life is short. Make it wide! With Cruise Komodo, you’ll have a panoramic experience of island adventures to treasure forever!

+62 0813-3728-8941

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Cruise Komodo is registered under PT. Frendosarthatour and officially certified by HPl, Himpunan Pramuwisata, the Tour Guide Association of Indonesia

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Komodo National Park: Everything You Need To Know To Plan Your Trip

18 September 2019.

Soaring at 37,000 feet, I crane my neck back and forth across the window as the twisting trail of Indonesia’s Sunda Islands slither by far below. The stark peak of Mount Agung peers between the clouds, mighty Mount Rinjani reveals its glimmering crater lake and the vivid green of Sumbawa’s farmlands sprawl towards the horizon.

Speckled across the vast inky expanse of the Flores Sea, Komodo National Park finally glides into view, marked by dramatic hills that cascade into wide tracts of aquamarine reef.

With a perfect storm of raging currents, warm nutrient-rich waters and an explosion of marine life, Komodo has long been coveted as a mecca for divers, but I’ll soon discover that the landscapes that climb above the surface are just as magnificent.

Watching the morning light creep across the prehistoric folds of Padar Island is an undeniable highlight, while hiking dusty trails in the footsteps of the world’s largest lizard, cooling off in the crystalline waters of a pink coral-stained beach and catching an incredible sunset as it stains the sky an impossible shade of fuschia are also experiences that make the journey here unforgettable.

What’s more, your days will be filled with the kind of sun-drenched, salty haired bliss that only comes from back to back days on the ocean.

Of my three months in South East Asia, Komodo National Park was the place that stole my heart and despite spending far more time (and money!) here than I had anticipated, it’s a place I’d happily return in a heartbeat. Surprisingly, many visitors pass through for just a day or two to drink in the otherworldly landscapes and be engulfed in the kaleidoscopic world that lies hidden in its depths, but you could easily spend more time if your budget allows.

If you’ve already begun planning your trip, this comprehensive guide to Komodo National Park covers everything you need to know, including all the possible ways to get there, what to budget for the trip and the best ways to experience this incredible pocket of Indonesia.

Psst… Only visiting for the diving? Don’t miss this post on diving in Komodo .

* This post includes affiliate links and any purchases made through these links will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. *

Komodo is really a year-round destination, but whether you’re seeking fewer crowds, rich green landscapes (or parched brown ones), calm seas, minimal rainfall or the best chance to see manta rays will dictate when is the best time for you to plan your Komodo trip.

Overall, April to November is considered the best time of year to visit Komodo National Park, but this period still sees a great deal of seasonal change.

December to March is rainy season which means plenty of wet weather, strong winds and big waves that reach their peak in February when many tours are cancelled in anticipation of bad weather (i.e. February is probably the worst time to visit). However, this time of year is also when mantas are most prevalent.

April through June brings calm seas and landscapes washed in green following the summer rain. This is one of the best times to visit when tourist numbers are low, the islands are lush and ripe for exploration and there’s still a good chance to see the lingering manta rays. I visited in late May and was lucky enough to see them every day!

July and August are high season for tourists when prices soar and crowds increase considerably, especially at popular dive sites and day trip destinations. Temperatures are milder at this time but wind and waves are common. This is also mating season for the Komodo dragons which makes sightings more difficult.

September through November is another fantastic time to visit when the tourist hoards have ebbed to a trickle and the area begins to welcome whales and mantas back for the season. Hot and humid conditions mean the islands are painted with a dry brown palette.

Diving in Komodo is excellent all year round but some locations are only accessible at certain times of the year.

Ultimately, April to June or September to November would be my picks for when when to visiting, providing the best mix of stable weather, wildlife spotting opportunities and few crowds.

Labuan Bajo acts as the gateway to Komodo National Park and for many will be their first stop before setting off to explore the area, but that’s certainly not the only way to do it. Depending on your time and budget, these are your options for getting to Komodo National Park and Labuan Bajo.

The fastest and easiest way to get to Labuan Bajo is by plane with several direct daily flights from Denpasar (Bali), Jakarta and Surabaya (Java), Makassar (Sulawesi) and Praya (Lombok), as well as connections to the main towns on Flores. It’s possible to find flights for as little as 700,000IDR (€45) one way on a low-cost airline, even during high season, so try book your tickets a few weeks in advance to get the best deal.

Find the best deals on flights here.

TOP TIP  |   Flights departing or connecting through Indonesia do not allow tripods, selfie sticks, Go Pro sticks and the like to be packed in carry on luggage. Bali is particularly strict on this rule! If you’re travelling with carry-on luggage only, some airlines will check these items for you free of charge, others (looking at you Air Asia!) will ask you to pay the full fee for checked luggage.

Pelni Passenger Ship

Pelni operates a handful of services each month on large passenger ships departing from Benoa (Bali) and travelling either direct to Labuan Bajo or calling in at Ampenan (Lombok) and Bima (Sumbawa). Direct crossings take around 25 hours while those with stops can take around 7 hours longer. If you’re on a tight budget, this is the cheapest option for getting to Labuan Bajo with prices starting from 230,500IDR (€15).

Onboard there are four cabin classes as well as economy class which is more of a dormitory set up. Note that boats are often overloaded and can be a little chaotic, so know what you’re walking into and keep an eye on your stuff.

See the Pelni timetables and rates here.

Ferry + Bus

The bus and boat combo between Bali and Labuan Bajo is a rather long winded affair, takes four days and involves a series of transport changes, but it’s another affordable option for those not wanting to wait around for the passenger ship.

First, you’ll need to take a ferry from Padangbai in Bali to Lembar on Lombok, followed by a minibus to Mataram. From there, it’s a bus to Bima on Sumbawa (with a ferry crossing) and another bus to Sape before jumping on the final ferry to Labuan Bajo, Flores.

This guide has a good roundup of the trip or search for online tickets  here .

Multi-day Tour

It’s about the journey, not the destination right, so why not make getting to Flores an experience in itself.

Setting off from Lombok or Bali (and vice versa), it’s possible to join a multi-day tour that allows you to experience all the beauty of Komodo National Park and northern Sumbawa as you make your way toward Labuan Bajo. Expect plenty of snorkelling stops, waterfall hikes and epic sunsets onboard, along with all of Komodo’s highlights.

Some tours are geared toward the budget backpacker crowd, like Wanua Adventures , with prices starting at 230,000IDR (€145) for the 4-day tour, whereas others have a heavy focus on diving while still making time to explore the otherworldly landscapes, like these Komodo Liveaboards .

Thankfully, Labuan Bajo offers a range of accommodation to suit any budget, from bohemian backpacker haunts and comfortable guesthouses to luxurious villas with spectacular views.

Shoestring Budget

La Boheme Bajo   |  One of the best budget options in town so you can spend more of your hard-earned rupees on the fun stuff. La Boheme oozes that quintessential backpacker vibe and offers basic dorms, a number of affordable tours and plenty of chillout spaces complete with hammocks and bean bags. The onsite restaurant and bar also has excellent happy hour deals though the internet here isn’t great.

Check rates and availability on  Booking.com  or  Hostelworld .

Ciao Hostel   |  A top rated-hostel with exceptional views across the bay, Ciao is a 10-minute walk from town and offers spacious dorms, a gorgeous terrace area, tour desk and free shuttle to the airport and town.

If you’re travelling on a tight budget but looking to avoid the hostel scene, there are also plenty of affordable, locally run guesthouses scattered around Labuan Bajo. Search the full range of accommodation here .

Mid Range + Luxury

Puri Sari Beach Hotel   |   Located 15 minutes from the centre of town, Puri Sari offers bright spacious private rooms, a pool, lush garden, private beach access and breakfast included.

Check rates and availability here  or read the latest reviews on  TripAdvisor .

Plataran Komodo Beach Resort   |   A collection of beautiful luxury Indonesian-style villas boasting beach access, an onsite restaurant and bar, spa and gym.

AYANA Komodo Resort   |   Cascading down the cliff towards the beachfront, this sprawling 5-star resort offers up stunning ocean views perfect for catching the sunset along with a full suite of services and amenities. Check its superb location in the shot below.

Check rates and availability here.

DON’T MISS:   A COMPLETE GUIDE TO MALAYSIA’S GORGEOUS PERHENTIAN ISLANDS

Hike padar island.

My personal favourite of the trip, Padar Island is a spectacular sight to behold. The otherworldy furrows and peaks crawl into the distance like some prehistoric beast making for some epic island views. It’s just a 20-minute hike to the upper viewpoint and is an essential stop for anyone visiting Komodo. Even better is to visit for sunrise or sunset.

Visit the Komodo Dragons on Komodo Island or Rinca

You could hardly come all this way and not see the Komodo dragons right! Both islands have various hiking options to see the lizards where you must be accompanied by a guide.

Hike Gili Lawa Darat

Gili Lawa Darat is another spectacular viewpoint off the northern tip of Komodo Island and is visited by far fewer tourists than Padar. It’s a steep 15-minute climb to the top.

Snorkel or Dive Komodo’s magnificent underwater world

Komodo has some of the most pristine reef, vibrant fishlife and charismatic underwater critters of anywhere in the world and if you’re not taking the time to explore it, you’re sorely missing out. Read more about diving Komodo here.

See Manta Rays at Manta Alley

Manta rays are one of the most majestic creatures I’ve ever seen and while they’re most abundant during the rainy season, they do frequent the area for much of the year. Manta alley, a channel with several cleaning stations, is the best place to see them.

Snorkel and Sunbathe at Pink Beach

Made famous for its rose-tinted shoreline, the water here is also impossible clear and calm and bursting with beautiful soft coral gardens.

When it comes to actually visiting the national park, the only way to do that is on a Komodo tour of which there are three main options – a day trip, a multi-day trip or a diving liveaboard.

Komodo Day-Trip

If you’re short on time, a day trip will allow you to tick off all the main highlights, including climbing Padar Island, snorkelling at Pink Beach, visiting the dragons on Komodo Island and a quick dip at Manta Point to see the spectacular rays doing their thing. It’s a long but awesome day and is excellent value for such a jam-packed itinerary.

Multi-Day Trip

Multi-day tours generally go for 2 or 3 days and follow much the same itinerary as the single day trip with added stops at Rinca Island, Batu Cermin Cave, Gili Lawa and another snorkelling spot. The added time allows for a much slower pace and more time to drink in the beauty of the park. Spending the night on the boat rather than having to make the 3-hour commute each way also has its benefits, such as being able to climb Padar Island for sunrise, visiting Komodo Island in the morning when the dragons are far more active and watching one of Komodo’s signature blazing sunsets across the bay.

Though I ultimately went with the one-day tour, I would absolutely do an overnight tour were I to visit again.

It’s possible to book tours online or in Labuan Bajo where dozens of agencies line the main road. Some tours are very basic though so if you’re after a more luxurious experience or a private tour rather than joining a group, be sure to confirm exactly what boat you’ll be on and what is included (see below for prices). Check Komodo tour options here.

Dive Liveaboard

Most liveaboards are unsurprisingly all about the diving, with your days spent in a blissful loop of eat, dive, chill, repeat. But there are a few operators that combine the underwater world with Komodo’s major land-based sights and include places like Komodo Island and Padar on their itineraries. Find the best Komodo Liveaboards here .

When reports began surfacing in early 2019 that Komodo Island would be closing to tourists, the travel media rumour mill was rampant with stories encouraging travellers to ‘get there while you still can’.

So, what’s the deal?

At this stage, any concrete details are still being finalised, but it does appear that while Komodo National Park will remain open to visitors, Komodo Island is expected to be off-limits from January 2020.  

The decision was sparked after an alleged smuggling ring was busted in East Java attempting to traffick 41 Komodo dragons alongside other endangered animals for use in traditional medicine. Officials say the island’s closure will focus on environmental rehabilitation to help preserve the dragon’s habitat and increase population numbers.

However, for those worried they might have missed their chance to see the Komodo dragons up close, you’ll still be able to view the enormous beasts on neighbouring Rinca Island which many actually consider to be more beautiful.

**2020 UPDATE: In October 2019, authorities announced a backflip on the decision to temporarily close Komodo Island to tourists, citing that over-tourism did not pose a threat to the dragons. The island currently remains open for visitors and tours are continueing as normal. Read more here .

A chance to see the last of these enormous prehistoric beasts that have wandered these islands for millennia and deliver an infamously venomous bite is a big part of why this tiny group of islands has landed on so many bucket lists.

Sadly though, many visitors walk away somewhat disappointed with their dragon encounters. Something I heard repeatedly was that, sure, they were cool to see, but the rest of the park was far more impressive. In all honesty, this was exactly the sentiment that crossed my mind as I sailed away from Komodo Island.

Perhaps this could be taken as an indication of just how breathtakingly beautiful the park really is, but I suspect it’s more to do with the fact that, for the most part, the whole dragon viewing ‘experience’ just isn’t done in the best way.

For a start, many tours arrive at the hottest part of the day when the lizards retreat to the shade and stay dormant until the temperatures begin to cool. It’s just not the best time to see them. More concerning, however, is that after an hour of hiking the island’s forest trails, it’s a little too convenient to then find a group of lizards congregated around the restaurant’s kitchen.

What’s more, I heard several stories about dragons being fed on Rinca Island in order to keep them nearby and ensure the tourists got their photos and left happy, which is incredibly disappointing.

This is not a zoo. These are wild animals that should be allowed to stay wild, whether tourists are disappointed with their inactivity and abundance or not. But I’d suggest it may be best to temper your expectations accordingly.

READ NEXT:   EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DIVING IN KOMODO NATIONAL PARK

However you plan your trip, chances are you’ll be spending some time in Labuan Bajo as well. Here’s a few things to keep you occupied near town.

Catch Sunset At Amelia Sea View

Sunsets in Labuan Bajo are something of a spectacle and this cluster of conical-shaped hills just 4km from town provide the perfect vantage point to watch the sky ablaze. It’s a popular spot, but many people leave as soon as the sun has dipped below the horizon. Wait a little longer and you’ll see the candyfloss pinks dissipate into a vibrant orange glow.

Looking for somewhere closer to town? You can also get a beautiful sunset show from virtually anywhere along the promenade with several rooftop bars offering up exceptional views.

Eat At The Fish Market

Every evening around 7 p.m., smoke wafts along the boulevard, embers burn orange and the fish market bursts to life with dozens of stalls offering fresh fruit juice and various seafood options.

The barbecued fish I ate here, basted in some intensely flavourful sauce that will have you salivating in an instant, was so delicious I’m still kicking myself for waiting until my last night to eat here.

It’s one of the tastiest and best value places to eat in town with prices starting at around 40,000IDR (€2.50/A$4) depending on the type and size of fish though, feel free to haggle, respectfully of course.

Cunca Wulang Waterfall

Down a truly horrendous road through the forest, across a bridge and into a narrow canyon, you’ll find the aqua hues of Cunca Wulang Waterfall , one of Labuan Bajo’s most popular day trips. It’s about 30km from town and costs a fairly steep 130,000IDR (€13.50/A$8.50) per person to enter including a guide. Fees are reduced the more people that are in your group.

Internet isn’t always great

Unsurprisingly for this relatively remote corner of Indonesia, internet can be pretty hit and miss. In my hostel it was often non-existent or so painfully slow that just trying to check your emails had you pulling out your hair in frustration. Elsewhere in town, you’ll find a few spots with a far more stable connection, like Bamboo Cafe which was the best I found.

Respect local customs, especially during Ramadan

Usually falling somewhere between April and June, Ramadan is the most sacred time of the year for Indonesia’s Muslim population. As a tourist, you may notice that the vibe around town takes on a more mellow tone, at least during the day, and there are a few things you can do to be more respectful during the holy month.

It may sound obvious, but actually putting on clothes is a good start. You can wear whatever you like when you’re out on the water, but once you mosey back into town, it’s a basic sign of respect to at least throw something over your swimwear. Also, try to avoid openly eating on the street during fasting hours.

How much time do you need?

How much time have got? Or perhaps more importantly, what’s your budget.

Some slow travellers roll in, tanned and salty-haired, having spent four days on the boat from Lombok and head straight to the airport, while others jet in for their well-earned 10-day vacation and do little else aside from diving, drinking and taking in the glorious sunsets.

Whichever way you do it, I’d recommend allowing at least 2 to 3 days, though if you’re not on a tight time frame (or budget), you could easily stretch this out to 5 or more days allowing enough time to dive, visit the islands and explore the countryside surrounding Labuan Bajo.

There are ATMs in Labuan Bajo but…

There are numerous ATMs around Labuan Bajo and they’re generally reliable, that is until they start running out of cash.

Not wanting to stash millions of rupee in my hostel locker, I tended to take out only as much as I needed to cover the following day’s tour or dive trip and my daily expenses. For the most part, this was a good tactic, but on one occasion I had to visit at least 4 ATMs before I found one that could actually give me money.

Many ATMs also have a fairly low maximum withdrawal limit, often around 1 million rupees (€65), so if you’re getting charged any bank fees and need to make several withdrawals, these costs can add up quickly.

Be Conscious Of your Plastic Consumption

Indonesia has a huge issue with waste management and despite being perched alongside one of the world’s most pristine and biodiverse ecosystems, Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park are sadly not immune to the inundation of plastic brought to the archipelago.

For the most part, the ocean appeared relatively clear of trash, but it was impossible to miss the layers of garbage that have accumulated along the shoreline or in empty plots around town. Heartbreakingly, when the rainfall comes, what begins on land will inevitably end up in the sea.

As visitors to this stunning corner of the world, we all need to do our part to keep it clean and by doing just three simple things, you can dramatically reduce your daily plastic consumption.

  |  Carry a reusable water bottle  –  always have it with your and fill it up as needed at one of the many free water refill points around town.

  |  Ask for NO straw with every drink  –  many cafes have already made the switch to eco-friendly alternatives, like bamboo or paper straws, but that’s definitely not true of everywhere. Ask for no straw, just in case.

  |  Bring a tote bag – for market visits and spontaneous shopping sprees, a large reusable tote will help you avoid needlessly accumulating plastic bags.

To go even further, support those businesses that actively aim to reduce plastic pollution in their day-to-day operations. Many dive shops already use this approach inhouse and on their boats, but unfortunately, many of the smaller day-trip operators don’t.

Around town, Trash Hero Komodo , the local chapter of the global, community-led, non-profit organisation, is a constant presence whose mission is to bring communties together to clean and reduce waste. They’re supported by a number of local businesses – look for the flyers in the window – who provide onsite water refill stations, stock plastic-free products, assist with weekly clean ups or provide support to clean up crews.

EXPLORE BALI:   3 AWEOME PLACES TO GO SCUBA DIVING IN BALI, INDONESIA

Day tours and pricey dive trips can quickly burn a hole in your travel budget, especially if you’ve been shoestringing your way across South East Asia. The good news, however, is that they’re absolutely worth it! Here’s a breakdown of exactly how much you’ll need to budget for.

Accommodation

For budget travellers, dorms start from around 100,000IDR (A$10/€6.50), while a basic private room at a guesthouse in town will set you back around 350,000IDR (A$35/€22). On the higher end, you can find comfortable mid-range rooms for around 800,000IDR (A$82/€50) through to lavish waterfront resorts and villas with all the extras for several million rupees. Find the perfect accommodation for you here .

Compared to somewhere like Bali, the food options in Labuan Bajo, particularly on the cheaper end of the scale, are fairly limited with just a few local warungs and a number of restaurants that cater heavily to tourists, with prices to match.

Warung Mama , Rafael’s Kitchen and the nightly fish market are decent for cheap eats where you can get a meal and drink for around 40,000IDR to 80,000IDR (A$4/€2.50 to A$8/€5). At most other restaurants, expect to pay upwards of 100,000IDR (A$10/€6.50) per person which is still super affordable by western standards, though rather pricey for Indonesia. Bamboo Cafe was my go-to chillout spot during the day serving up delicious vegan smoothies and tasty veggie lunches, while La Cucina is perfect for dinner, serving up excellent pizza and pasta dishes with a lovely outlook over the water.

Getting to Labuan Bajo can cost anywhere from €15 by passenger ship to around €145 on a multi-day tour through the national park with flights falling somewhere in between.

Labuan Bajo itself is easily navigable on foot but for exploring the nearby countryside, scooters can be hired for around 75,000IDR ($A8/€5) per day.

Diving and Tours

A full day of diving including 3 dives, lunch and all gear will set you back around 1,800,000IDR (A$185/€115, not including park fees) per day with discounts available for multiple days. Liveaboards start from around €500 for a budget 3D/2N trip and soar well into the thousands for longer and more luxurious expeditions. Compare Komodo Liveaboard options here.

Basic one-day tours to Komodo National Park start from 400,000IDR (A$41/€25, not including park fees) while multi-day trips cost around the same per day. For private tours on a more luxurious boat, expect to pay around 3,000,000IDR (A$300/€200) per person for a multi-day adventure. You’ll find a number of agencies offering tours around town, or check these online options .

Park Entrance Fees

For each day you spend inside Komodo National Park, you’ll need to pay a series of fees in addition to the cost of any tour.

On dive trips, expect to pay 275,000IDR (A$28.50/€17.50) per day which includes fees for Komodo National Park entrance, boat access and scuba diving. For day tours that include stops at Padar and Komodo Islands and any snorkelling stop, expect to pay at least 300,000IDR (A$31/€19) which covers park entrance, snorkelling, hiking on each island and a ranger’s fee for Komodo Island.

Any trips that run over a Sunday or Public Holiday will incur an extra charge of around 100,000IDR (A$10/€6.50).

In late 2018, there were rumblings that a significant price hike could be on the cards for the national park entrance fee, with a slightly ridiculous US$500 marked as the minimum price, but it remains to be seen whether this will actually occur. Let’s hope not!

Underwater camera   |   Seriously, you’ll want to capture every single second of life beneath the surface, whether it’s the incredible macro life, a chilled-out green turtle munching on coral or a giant manta soaring inches from your head. The  Olympus Tough TG-6  paired with the  underwater housing is an excellent choice of compact underwater camera system with a number of specialised settings for underwater and macro to help you capture fantastic stills and video. The camera alone can be used to 15m while the housing extends its depth capabilities to 45m.

Reusable Water Bottle + Bag   |   Please don’t contribute unnecessarily to the piles of plastic water bottles and bags that already lie discarded around Labuan Bajo – use reusable ones instead! I use this bottle along with a durable tote.

Reef Safe Sunscreen   |   If you’re travelling all this way to visit one of the most beautiful pockets of reef in the world, chances are you don’t want the chemicals in your sunscreen to destroy it. Honestly, I’m still trying to find a brand of reef-safe sunscreen that I love, one that’s easy to apply and doesn’t make you look like a ghost, but these are a few brands that are recommended: Stream2Sea ,  Sun Bum Mineral ,  Tropical Sands  and  Blue Lizard .

Sun protection  |   Most boats have ample shade, but between swims, it can be far too tempting to while away your time at sea sprawled out in the sun. A hat, sunglasses and light, long-sleeved shirt are essential!

Swimsuit  |   Obviously, you’ll need your swimsuit. Two sets are best as the humidity means things take a long while to dry.

A light jumper  |   With average temperatures well over 30 degrees, I never thought I’d be craving a jumper in Indonesia, but in the afternoon when the wind picks up and the clouds roll across the sky, having a dry, warm change of clothes on the boat isn’t a bad idea.

Diving In Komodo National Park, Indonesia’s Underwater Mecca

3 Awesome Places To Go Scuba Diving In Bali

Thank you for this amazing Komodo guide! We hope to dive there, but would also love to do all the other activities you suggested. Beautiful pics!

Thanks Sindhya and glad the post was helpful for you! The whole park is stunning, above and below the water, so you can’t really go wrong 🙂

Your website is do good, thank you so much to publishing about my home island. I have a local tour company here that support locals and I would love to you to come next time and tour with us! Thank you for spreading the world and helping the local people. We need it after covid is so bad. Thank you – Jejey!

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From Dragons to Dreamy Beaches: Planning the Best Komodo Trip

• 1 Where is Komodo Island?
• 2.1.1 Flights from Bali
• 2.1.2 Flights from Jakarta
• 3 Best Time to Visit Komodo Islands
• 4 Where to Stay in Labuan Bajo
• 5.1 1. Rinca and Komodo Islands
• 5.2 2. Padar Island
• 5.3 3. Pink Beach
• 5.4 4. Kelor Island
• 5.5 Snorkelling: Manta Point and Siaba Bay
• 5.6 Kalong Island
• 6 Types of Komodo Trips
• 7.1 Types of Boats
• 8.1 Best Komodo Tours from Labuan Bajo
• 9 Komodo Islands Boat Tour Price
• 10 Komodo Itinerary
• 11 What to Pack to Visit Komodo Islands
• 12 Helpful Tips for Visiting the Komodo Islands

LOOKING FOR SOME HELP AND INSPIRATION TO PLAN YOUR UPCOMING KOMODO TRIP? – I’ve got you!

If you’re looking for a well-rounded adventure experience of seeing Komodo dragons in their natural habitat, trekking to views of unique tropical landscapes, snorkelling with manta rays and sea turtles, basking on the infamous Komodo island pink beach and sailing the gentle waters with the ocean at your bedroom window then this is a boat trip not to be missed in Indonesia!

Komodo National Park (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is truly an Indonesian treasure! However, being that this is still a growing tourist destination you could definitely do with some tips for planning your Komodo trip!

Komodo tours in Indonesia are quickly becoming a dime a dozen as popularity flourishes here, but the key to visiting Komodo Dragon Island is in the planning!

This Komodo Trip travel guide will outline the most important info you need to know about a trip to Komodo Islands

Where is Komodo Island?

Komodo Island (in Indonesian: Pulau Komodo ) is one of the 17 000+ islands that comprise the Republic of Indonesia. It’s located in the West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara- whoa that is a mouthful , but more easily it’s known to be in Flores Islands and is a short boat ride from the coastal town of Labuan Bajo . Check out the Komodo Island Map below:

NEED MORE INSIGHTS INTO KOMODO ISLANDS?

📖 READ:  How to Choose the Best Komodo Islands Boat Tour: Everything to Consider

📖  READ:   The 10 Best Komodo Island Tours: My Top Picks

📖  READ:   17 Stunning Labuan Bajo Hotels – Where to Stay in Labuan Bajo (all budgets)

📖  READ:   Paint your world Pink at Pink Beach Komodo Island

📖  READ:   Padar Island Hike: The Most Spectacular View in Komodo National Park

📖  READ:   22 Amazing Labuan Bajo Restaurants to Try for the Hungry Traveller

📖  READ:   20 Best Things to Do in Labuan Bajo: Island Hopping, Dragons and More

How to Get to Komodo Island?

The Komodo Islands are most easily accessed from the small city of Labuan Bajo, which is East of Java and Ba li. Labuan Bajo’s airport is actually called Komodo Airport. Most Komodo Island tours will depart from Labuan Bajo, so it’s best to book a tour leaving from Labuan Bajo .

A flight from Jakarta to Labuan Bajo will take about 2.5 hours, and Komodo Island from Bali will be 1 hour.

Another alternative route is a multi-day boat trip from Lombok, but it involves leaving from a specific city (which I don’t have much information on) .  

➡️ Is there an option to do a Komodo island tour from Bali?  Yes, try this option .

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:  We travelled from Jakarta for our trip to Komodo, so the Bali-Komodo flight is a great option because a stop in Bali on the way back is always a win.  

Airline Schedules to and from Labuan Bajo

Flights from bali.

BALI TO LABUAN BAJO FLIGHT SCHEDULE

BALI TO LABUAN BAJO : CHECK FLIGHT TIMES/DAY AVAILABILITY AND PRICES WITH 12GO ➡️

Flights from Jakarta

When I first visited Labuan Bajo, I travelled from Jakarta. Unfortunately, pre-covid I couldn’t find any direct flights from Jakarta (or I couldn’t find any :/) but now thankfully there are!!!

JAKARTA TO LABUAN BAJO FLIGHT SCHEDULE

{POST-COVID-19}  Current Available flights from Jakarta (DPS) to Labuan Bajo (LBJ)  Unfortunately flights are not always available daily. Will update as more airlines start flying this route

JAKARTA TO LABUAN BAJO :  CHECK FLIGHT TIMES/DAY AVAILABILITY AND PRICES WITH 12GO ➡️

💡  In light of COVID-19 flight schedules may have changed. Please check flight availability before booking any trips to Komodo. Komodo National Park entry may also be affected.

Best Time to Visit Komodo Islands

Is it possible that there could be a bad time to visit this bucket list destination? Frankly, NO!

But it’s important to know if you are visiting to sight the wildlife, certain times of the year are better suited for your Komodo tour package.

The months of April through June are during Indonesia’s rainy-wet season , therefore you’re going to experience luscious green and blossoming leafy landscapes, as well as gentle and crystal clear waters lapping at the Komodo beaches.

Whilst September to November is prime time for spotting Komodo Dragons and sea creatures – this is a great time for those looking to dive Komodo too! Highlights include spotting manta rays, sea turtles fluorescent fish and whale sharks.

Although like any wildlife environment, the animals don’t always stick to a prescribed schedule so if you have a sighting its a win!

The high season is known to be from June to August , so if you don’t mind the crowd, be sure to get your bookings in early for Flores Komodo tours and Labuan Bajo accommodation because these will be hard to come by if you’re visiting on a whim!

As previously mentioned, whilst there truly is no bad time to explore a fantastical island inhabited by these prehistoric mythical creatures and other spellbinding wildlife, it’s good to know what you can expect when visiting at any certain time.

Where to Stay in Labuan Bajo

The Komodo Island trip allows for two options of travel accommodation (you can’t physically stay on any Komodo Islands ):

🛌 Stay in a hotel in Labuan Bajo and do day trips to the Komodo Island s

🛌 Stay on a boat for the Komodo Island hopping liveaboard trip

TRAVELIST TIP: Whether you are doing day trips from Labuan Bajo or heading out on a Komodo boat trip, you usually will need a place to stay at least the night before you head out on the boat. As you can see above, the flights arrive after your tour departs so you usually have to arrive and stay the night before) .

As Labuan Bajo is a seaside town, most of the hotels, resorts and even hostels have sea-view accommodation!

📖RELATED READ: 17 Stunning Labuan Bajo Hotels – Where to Stay in Labuan Bajo (all budgets)

If you only have 10 USD or 100 USD you’ll find stunning and scenic sunset views for every budget.

my top accommodation picks

Plataran Komodo Beach Resort

Local Collection Hotel

Seaesta Komodo Hotel & Hostel

Attractions of the Komodo Islands

1. rinca and komodo islands.

Well, would it be a trip to the Island of Komodo if you did not visit the only remaining natural habitat of the Komodo dragon?

What is important to understand here is, we often refer to the Komodo Islands as the culmination of the islands in Komodo National Park, but it actually is an island itself.

Rinca Island (Komodo Dragon Island) is also its own island and its actually easier to spot Komodo dragons on Rinca Island as you’re be walking the terrains with a ranger. This is especially lovely because the guide shares so much information about the Komodo dragon’s habitat, diet, behaviour, life cycle etc.

TRAVELIST TIP: If you’re not a fan of the reptilian creatures , that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do a Komodo cruise. You can still do Komodo boat trips but opt to stay on the boat for the Komodo dragon portion.

Spotting Komodo dragons on Komodo island is significantly more difficult because they live in remote parts of the island away from the hiking trails. So if you only manage to get to Rinca Island it’s definite that you will see one, on Komodo Island, it’s not always guaranteed .  

TRAVELIST TIP: You’ll find that most tours will not include the Komodo National Park entrance fee in the Komodo boat tour package price (the fee is per day so it is important to visit both these islands on the same day if you’re going to both) . There is more info about fees in the sections below.

2. Padar Island

You can get all this view just a short walk uphill from the shoreline! Padar Island is truly one of the most unique looking Jurassic Park-like landscape that you can photograph from every angle.

Whether you’re right on top or only halfway up you still can capture the incredible view as well as the stunning bay-like creations on either side. This was one of the highlights of my trip to Komodo Island.

TRAVELIST TIP:  A good tip for this Komodo sailing trip is to visit Padar Island around or just after sunrise. Visiting during midday will be an extremely hot hike up to the top.

3. Pink Beach

Is this not just an Instagram influencer’s dream?

A Komodo Islands boat trip isn’t complete without a trip to Pink Beach. This is one of only 7 natural pink beaches in the entire world.

The amazing pink hue is created from the breakdown of corals and crushed shells of microscopic organisms called Foraminifera.

4. Kelor Island

This view is to die for! Another view that rewards so much after a 10-minute walk up a sand-like hill. The blues and greens truly are mesmerizing.

Snorkelling: Manta Point and Siaba Bay

Let this be mentioned, divers from around the world come to Flores to see the magnificence that is the marine life in this region. Apart from the stunning vibrant corals and sensational fishes, there also the opportunity to see and swim with gentle manta rays and sea turtles.

TRAVELIST TIP:  If you’re looking for the experience of swimming with manta rays, plan to visit around September to October.

• Kalong Island

Although you might not physically set foot on this island , what you will experience is the flight of thousands of flying fox bat-like creatures that leave the island each dusk in search of food.

The pinks and purples of the sunset coupled with this sunset migration are truly spellbinding. It is something worth seeing!

TRAVELIST TIP:  Make sure you’re on a boat that has a comfy lounge deck and some bean bags, to lay back and take in the full experience.

Types of Komodo Trips

This is a just an explanation of the terminology you’ll find on the tour operators websites or adverts :

Liveaboard:  Staying on the boat overnight

Open trip:  A trip in a group (not private)

Private trip:  Only you or your guests on the trip

Day trip : A one-day Komodo trip that leaves and returns the same day from Labuan Bajo

Chartered Trip: This is also a private trip whereby you hire a boat specifically for the purpose of touring the islands. You would have to check what this includes as this sometimes only means the boat (I.e.: no meals etc.)

Komodo Liveaboard Boat Trips

Visiting the Komodo Island tour hopping whilst staying on a boat is extremely popular! There are now hundreds of tour companies and providers that offer this service .

With that being said, because there are now so many tour operators, with the many good operators that there are, there will be a handful of bad ones.

📖RELATED READ: How to Choose the Perfect Komodo Island Boat Tour

Types of Boats

⛵ Standard Boat: No-AC (AC = Air Conditioning)

⛵ Standard Boat: with AC

⛵ Traditional Pinisi

⛵ Luxury Speed Boat or Yacht

TRAVELIST TIP: Only the Luxury Sailing vessels and Pinisi boats have the option for private cabins. Picking your boat to Komodo will definitely depend on your comfort level and budget. As I’m no longer in the backpacking stage and not a fan of confined non-ventilated places, the cabin and amenities inside were important to me.

One day Komodo island tours will be on a different boat as there’s no need for staying on board.

Komodo speed boat tours are a great option for those who prefer the comforts of a hotel and who experience severe motion sickness on boats.

Staying on a boat is VERY DIFFERENT from staying at a hotel.

There’s a lot to consider before deciding which Komodo boat tour to choose! So much so I’ve compiled a whole article detailing exactly what factors you need to consider when choosing a boat and tour!

Some of the factors will include:

Cabins (private or shared)

Maximum capacity of the boat

Air Conditioning or Ventilation

Some of the above points may seem like a necessity but on the boat trip to Komodo island, but you really do get what you pay for so, be sure of exactly everything you want on a boat before booking .

💡For a detailed guide, check out my article on How to Choose the Best Komodo Islands Boat Tour: Everything to Consider + My Recommendations

If you are happier to stay in Labuan Bajo and do day trips to Komodo Island, that is equally as easy. There are a number of tour providers that offer Komodo day tour s.

Komodo Island Tour Packages

Best komodo tours from labuan bajo.

MOST REVIEWED DAY TOUR: 1-day Komodo Open Trip with Bintang Komodo (TOP DAY TOUR PICK) BOOK IT ➡️

MOST BOOKED DAY TOUR: Full-Day Komodo Speedboat Tour from Labuan Bajo BOOK IT➡️

BEST PRIVATE MULTI-DAY TOUR (2 People): Private Komodo Islands boat tour (TOP PRIVATE MULTI-DAY TOUR PICK) BOOK IT ➡️

BEST PRIVATE MULTI-DAY TOUR (Small Group): Private 3 Day 2 Night Tour BOOK IT➡️

MOST RECENTLY REVIEWED PRIVATE MULTI-DAY TOUR: Private 4-Day Komodo Boat Trip incl Labuan Bajo attractions BOOK IT➡️

If you’re doing a sleep-on board boat to Komodo tour , these are some of the common inclusions/exclusions:

C ommon Inclusions:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Bottled water

Snorkelling gear

Tour guide (speaking your language)

Pick up and drop off from hotel/airport in Labuan Bajo

These are just some of the main things that all boat tours will have included on most Komodo boat liveaboards.

Common Exclusions:

Komodo National Park Entrance Fees

Flights to and from Labuan Bajo

Travel and luggage insurance

Personal drinks and snacks

⚠️ I can’t stress enough if you are booking a tour ahead of time to make sure you know what is included and excluded, ESPECIALLY the Komodo National Park entrance fees.

TRAVELIST TIP: Make sure you have in writing exactly how much you should be paying for the Komodo National Park entrance fees. Unfortunately, there have been stories of foreigners being charged incorrect prices or tour providers going back on their initial word of what the pricing was. The price is significantly higher for foreigners than it is for locals, however, these prices appear fair as this is for conservation purposes and the environment is extremely well maintained.

Komodo Islands Boat Tour Price

The price range for these trips can range anything from 1 million rupiah for day trips to 40 million rupiah for liveaboards  depending on the type of tour, boat, number of days, inclusions and exclusions you choose.

So there really are options for budget and luxury travellers.

The average Komodo Island tour price for 3 day 2-night open trip on a standard air-conditioned Pinisi boat (with basic inclusions) is IDR 4 to 5 million rupiahs.  

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: We did a Komodo Liveaboard 3-day-2-night tour which included all meals, bottled water, a tour guide, pick up and drop from the hotel, private cabin and private bathroom on a Pinisi boat which cost IDR 5 million per person. This excluded flights to and from Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park entrance fees. This appears to be on par with many local tour providers which we checked and verified in compiling this article.

Komodo Itinerary

How many days do you need to visit the Komodo Islands? I feel that a 3 day 2-night trip is the perfect length , you will, however, find that day trips from Labuan Bajo are ever-popular but those who are on the sailing or liveaboard tours will have Carte Blanche and be first on the scene.

Typical 3 Day 2 Night Komodo Island Boat I tinerary

DAY 0 Stay the night before in Labuan Bajo

• Sail out from Labuan Bajo
• Rinca Island
• Komodo Island
• Padar Island
• Snorkelling at Manta Point
• Snorkelling at Siaba Bay
• Kananwa Island and Snorkelling
• Kelor Island
• Sail back to Labuan Bajo
• Flight back to Jakarta or Bali

TRAVELIST TIP:  If you’re doing the Komodo Island boat trip (liveaboard), arrive the day before in Labuan Bajo. The flights arrive in Labuan Bajo after 9:00 and most tours will leave at 9:00 or before. It also gives you a  chance to stay in a gorgeous hotel and sample some of their incredible restaurants

What to Pack to Visit Komodo Islands

Well, let’s just start by saying pack light! There is really no need for tons of clothing for this trip. A medium-sized backpack or carry-on luggage size back and day bag is literally all you need.

TRAVELIST TIP: Bring a dry bag (waterproof bag) for your snorkelling trip and to use when travelling in the speed boat from the ship.

The islands are hot! Regardless of the time of year, Indonesia is a tropical country and its humid! Light-weight or cotton based clothing works great to absorb sweat (yes, you will sweat). There will be some trekking but you don’t need serious hiking gear, as long as you have closed shoes like sneakers or mountain sandals , you’ll be fine.

TRAVELIST TIP: If you’re exploring more of Indonesia, travel light! The humidity of the country is intense if you’re not used to the climate. If you’re prone to getting chilly on the plane or maybe doing a sunrise volcano hike (like Mount Bromo  or Kawah Ijen) in one of the regions, you’ll only need to pack in 1 pair of long pants and 1 jacket and 1 long top.

I feel it needs to be mentioned, but it goes without saying, if you’re staying on a boat or even just coming for the beach, there’s likely to be some swimming involved and even more so if you’re coming to snorkel with the manta rays.

Swimming Towel

Often the liveaboards and sailing trips do provide bath towels, but a swimming towel will be great to keep in your dry bag on your snorkelling trip and when lazing on the beach. Opt for a lightweight microfibre towel for quick drying. You’ll definitely want to pack this is when lounging on Pink Komodo Beach .

Whether it’s your phone, professional photography gear or a GoPro and drone, you will want to document your trip. We literally used everything!

🔋 Power Banks

It is highly recommended to bring a power bank, whether you need it to charge your phone, your smartwatch, your camera gear etc.

TRAVELIST TIP: Don’t forget to pack your charging cables as well as a universal travel adaptor. On most boats there is only one power outlet per cabin, sometimes there’s two, but one is for the light or air conditioner, so a multi-plug may be needed if you don’t have a power bank to assist in charging all your devices. In Indonesia, Type C or F plug sockets are used.

💊 Motion Sickness Medication

If you’re prone to seasickness, you’ll need this. The boat ride is relatively smooth , but there may be patches where you’re sailing during the night when the waters become a bit rocky.

🦟 Insect Repellent

This was definitely needed when staying in Labuan Bajo, and also when trekking on Rinca Island and up Padar Island. A number of the convenience stores in Labuan Bajo sell insect repellent and it’s really affordable too.

😎 Sunscreen and Eyewear

The sun is harsh in the area and coverage is extremely limited. Often there is direct sunlight in your eyes, so sunglasses are a must and skin protection is vital on literally every part of the trip! I’m a user of the higher SPF’s and sunscreen choices may be somewhat limited in Labuan Bajo.

TRAVELIST TIP: If you use a particular brand, make sure to pack it in as pharmacies or convenience stores in Indonesia might not carry it and the imported sunscreen brands that are available are EXTREMELY expensive.

Helpful Tips for Visiting the Komodo Islands

📶 Internet on Komodo Islands

You’ll be surprised but you actually can get internet signal on most areas of the Komodo Islands in Komodo National Park. The most popular network to use is Telkomsel. You might find like other mobile networks like Indosat will not have coverage in Labuan Bajo or the Komodo Islands.

TRAVELIST TIP:  Pick up a Telkomsel sim at the airport in Labuan Bajo or when you land in Jakarta or Bali. They are not easily found at convenience shop’s and 7 elevens because they need your passport to register the sim card, so getting a small traveller data package is best from the airport (and they’ll set it up for you!)

You will certainly need cash at some stage of the trip. Komodo Islands have no ATM’s so don’t be surprised. You’ll need cash when paying for your Komodo National Park Entry Fees or just tipping your guide. You’ll also find in Labuan Bajo, that only certain restaurants will accept credit and debit cards, so be sure to check before ordering.

It’s recommended to get your currency exchanged at the airport or certified money exchanger.

There are also a number of ATM’s in Labuan Bajo from which you can use your card to withdraw cash, I recommend using an ATM that is attached to a bank or in the vicinity or inside the supermarket as those are known to be the most reputable.

The currency used in Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah, usually shown as IDR or Rp . Use XE Currency  to check your countries’ exchange rate against the Rupiah.

Drones are prohibited from Rinca and Komodo Island. I have witnessed drones being used on the other islands. Please exercise caution with all drone use and make sure you are up to date with Indonesian drone regulations for the area.

TRAVELIST TIP: If you are uncertain of the drone laws for your trip, make sure to check with your tour provider as to whether you’ll be able to use your drone on the trip on the other islands and boat.

Regardless of the country, you are from and what the customs are there , the Komodo Boat trip crew (especially the sailing and liveaboard trip) does actually rely on tips.

They only earn such a small percentage of what the tour providers actually pay them so it’s really important that you have some cash on board to give them if you appreciate and received great service.

MY PERSONAL APPEAL TO TRAVELLERS: As much as you may read about bargaining in South East Asia , These trips really are good value for money and considering how hard these boat crews work as well as how well the islands are maintained, please try to pay what is fair. It’s not kind to try to get people down to the bare minimum as the economy is still developing, you should be a contributor and in light of COVID-19 prices are already significantly reduced.

🚺 Time of the month (for Women)

Well, this seems like a strange thing to mention, but it actually is something that NEEDS TO BE MENTIONED.

It has been recommended that women who visit during their menstruation cycle, really need to be careful when visiting Komodo or Rinca island. Komodo dragons can smell blood from a distance of approximately 8 kilometres. Rangers would need to be aware of this as the Komodo dragons can become restless and aggressive – they are wild animals.

ARE YOU EXCITED TO TOUR KOMODO ISLANDS NOW? I hope this guide to the Komodo Island Tours helps you enjoy this incredible adventure in East Nusa Tenggara Flores. 

I honestly feel like the Komodo tour was the best trip I have taken in the country so far, I’m so sure that your tour to Komodo Island will be too!

Affiliate Disclosure : Some of the links in the article have affiliate links,  what this means is , if you click a link and make a purchase I may earn some money to buy a coffee  (whoohoo!) . Thanks for the support, I’d love to keep making this content freely available to all. As always opinions and thoughts remain my own.

2 thoughts on “From Dragons to Dreamy Beaches: Planning the Best Komodo Trip”

Such a complete and very informative article, thank you for visiting the Komodo National Park. We are happy to see you come back.

An essential read for anyone looking to explore the Komodo Islands. This guide provides invaluable insights and tips to ensure a memorable and seamless adventure. A must-have for every traveler’s checklist

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Asia , Beach Guides , Indonesia · August 16, 2023

Komodo Islands Tour: Everything You Need to Know

The Komodo Islands tour is a popular boat trip to Indonesia’s most beautiful islands near Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. Revered for its incredibly diverse scenery both on land and underwater, this set of idyllic islands is nothing short of magical and a designated UNESCO site.

Think crystal-clear waters filled with coral and fish, dreamy rose-hued beaches, epic viewpoints, and hikes through dense forests for a chance to spot Komodo dragons in their natural habitat! Little wonder, it’s one of the best things to do in Labuan Bajo and a huge must on any Indonesian bucket list .  

If you plan to go island hopping in Komodo, here’s everything you need to know about the Komodo Islands boat tour – from what to expect to the best attractions to booking your trip and, of course, all my tips. 

Disclaimer: This post probably contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through one of these links, I might receive a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

Before You Go

Komodo National Park consists of a group of picturesque islands off the coast of Flores , just a few islands east of Bali and the Gilis . 

The main jump-off point to the iconic Komodo islands is the sleepy fishing town of Labuan Bajo , located at the westernmost tip of Flores Island. The easiest way to get to Labuan Bajo is by catching a quick flight to Komodo Airport . Direct flights are available from major cities in Indonesia , such as  Jakarta ,  Bali ,  Surabaya , and a few other spots. Search flights and compare prices here on  Skyscanner . 

How to Access the Komodo Islands

The only way to access the Komodo islands is by boat from Labuan Bajo. It’s easy to arrange a Komodo tour  online in advance, through your hotel, or at one of the many travel agencies or tourist booths in town. Each Komodo islands tour package is a little different, so I recommend doing proper research in advance so that you can choose the best tour for you.  

When choosing a Komodo Island boat tour, the first thing you’ll need to decide is how much time you have. Another thing to consider is your budget. The three main options to tour the Komodo Islands are slow boat, speed boat, or liveaboard.

Komodo Tour Boat Options

• Slow Boat:  If you’re strapped for cash, your best bet is a slow boat tour. Just know that you’ll probably spend more time on the boat than exploring the islands. 
• Speed Boat:  A great way to maximize your time and see all of Komodo’s best gems is on a full-day speed boat tour. While it’s a bit more expensive than the slow boat, it’s worth every penny. We booked this full-day tour with D’Tour , and I cannot recommend it enough! The trip was extremely well planned, with sufficient time to snorkel and explore each spot. Moreover, it included a tasty lunch, snacks, drinks, and a hotel pick-up and drop-off. 
• Liveaboard:  If you have more time in Komodo, why not consider a multi-day sailing adventure? On a liveaboard, you’ll get to spend a few nights on a boat and explore the islands at a much slower pace. There are oodles of different packages ranging in length and price. Before booking a liveaboard, though, check the fine print carefully. You’ll want to ensure that the package includes pick-ups and drop-offs at your hotel, meals, water, and snorkeling equipment. Here’s one for every budget: Budget | Mid-range |  Luxury

Komodo National Park Entrance Fee

Since the Komodo Islands are part of the Komodo National Park, visitors must pay a national park entrance fee . These fees are usually not included in the boat tour packages, so bring cash to cover the extra costs.

There is a bit of confusion about how much the actual park fee is. We were told to bring IDR 350,000 but only paid  IDR 300,000 per person . To be safe, bring IDR 300,000 – 400,000 for the entrance fee. 

It’s also a good idea to bring extra cash along on your trip to buy drinks and snacks at the islands. While most excursions provide lunch, snacks, and beverages, you’ll definitely want to refuel (or at the very least grab a Bingtang) – you’ll need it after all that hiking, swimming, snorkeling, and tracking down Komodo dragons. 

Full-Day Komodo Islands Tour: What to Expect & Highlights

Padar island.

Padar Island is one of the highlights of any Komodo island hopping trip. 

Straight out of a scene of Jurassic Park, Padar Island is famous for its breathtaking landscape boasting three turquoise bays, each with a different color of sand (pink, ebony, and ivory). 

You can hike all the way to the top for an unobstructed view of the entire island and its trio-colored beaches. However, you should know that getting to the summit is not the easiest task. There are 820 steps to climb and then a bit more scrambling over rocks and sand. While you certainly don’t need to go to the tippy top to experience the jaw-dropping beauty of this island, it’s highly recommendable because the views from above are absolutely mind-blowing!

The hike takes about 30-40 minutes to the top, and you’re almost guaranteed to break a sweat. Bring some water for the trek – you’ll start huffing and puffing about halfway up, especially if you’re visiting summer. It’s also advisable to wear proper sneakers (or hiking shoes) as the stone steps near the summit are pretty crumbled and loose.

If you want to see Padar Island covered in lush greenery, it’s best to visit after the rainy season —plan for April to June. We went in August, and while it was quite dry, it was still absolutely breathtaking! 

Travel tip:  Don’t bring your drone to Padar Island because you won’t be able to fly it! 

Indonesia is one of only a few places in the world where you can see pink sand beaches. And if you’re visiting Komodo National Park, you’re in for a real treat.

As you probably guessed, Pink Beach is known for its rosy-tinted sands, and yes, it’s just as dreamy as you imagine (if not more)! The striking hue results from the crushed shells of tiny organisms known as  Foraminifera  that live in the coral reefs. When these reddish bits of shell mix with reef sand and other crumbled coral, it creates the pastel hue pink beaches are so famous for. 

Once ashore, get ready to channel your inner Barbie because you’ll take a million and one photos here! After an intense photo shoot, cool off in the crystal-clear waters or work on your tan beachside. There are also a couple of warungs dotted along the beach where you can grab some snacks or sit back with an ice-cold Bintang or a freshly cracked coconut under the shade. Just know that things are seriously overpriced here! Expect to pay IDR 70,000 for a small Bintang. 

Komodo Island

Komodo National Park is the only place in the world where you can spot Komodo dragons in the wild, and probably one of the main reasons you’ve traveled to this remote corner of the world. 

Komodo dragons actually live on (and swim between) several islands within the Komodo National Park. And for the best chance to spot these giant reptiles, your boat tour will take you to either Komodo Island or Rinca Island . We visited Komodo Island, which is home to about 1300 Komodo dragons. 

A couple of trails run through the rugged jungles of Komodo Island, varying in length. But since you’ve joined a day tour, you’ll likely only have time to do the shortest trek. The walk is about 30 minutes long, and two experienced guides will accompany you. The path is flat and easy to walk, but it’s a good idea to bring your water bottle along to stay hydrated.

You’re almost guaranteed to see at least a few dragons (we saw two), and with the guide’s help, you can even take pictures with them! Just remember, Komodo dragons are extremely dangerous . And while they don’t usually attack humans, this has happened in the past. Stick with your guide, don’t stray off the path, and always stay at least 5-6 meters away from the dragons if you spot one! 

Travel tip for all the ladies out there: If you’ve done your research on Komodo, you probably know that Komodos can smell blood miles away. While our guide didn’t mention anything, it might be a good idea to plan your trip around your cycle or, at the very least, disclose it to your guide. Just in case! 

Manta Point

Next up on your Komodo Island day tour excursion in Manta Point . And as its name suggests, it’s THE place to spot giant manta rays in the Komodo Islands! I spotted two! 

While manta rays are the shining star here, you might spot a few other sea creatures if you’re lucky! These include everything from turtles to unicorn fish to even sharks! 

Manta Point has a vibe similar to Shark Point in Koh Phi Phi – so expect to jump off the boat into deep blue sea waters literally in the middle of nowhere! The water is about 10m deep here, but there is a very strong current. Make sure you stick with your group! And if you’re not a strong swimmer, it might not be a good idea to swim here.

Taka Makassar

Taka Makassar is a spec of soft sand floating in the Flores Sea that will leave you oohing and ahh-ing as you approach it. 

Situated not too far from Manta Point, this beautiful banana-shaped sandbar forms part of the largest reef in the Komodo National Park. It features soft sand and crystal clear water filled with colorful coral and even more colorful fish. As a result, it’s one of the best snorkeling spots in the Komodo National Park.

Since it’s quite shallow here, you can swim (and in some sections even walk out) to the pink-tinted sandbar for postcard views over it and the surrounding islands. The sandbar is not very big, but you could easily spend a good amount of time here – swimming, snorkeling, beachcombing, or taking photos. 

Kanawa Island

Beautiful Kanawa Island is the last stop on your full-day boat tour of the Komodo Islands. It is the closest island to Labuan Bajo and your last chance to work in a bit of snorkeling before heading back to civilization. 

Besides its tranquil setting, what really makes Kanawa Island so unique is its pristine waters brimming with a kaleidoscope of marine life. The water here is crystal clear – so much so that you can even spot schools of fish swimming in coral gardens right from the pier!

Plop down on the white sandy beach if you’ve had your fill of snorkeling for the day. There’s also a cool swing for all the Instagrammers out there and a tiny warung (look out for the blue hut) where you can kick back with an ice-cold Bintang and some snacks as you watch the day’s last rays melt away over the Flores Sea. 

Where to Stay

For the ultimate glamping experience on a secluded island, book yourself in at the dreamy  Le Pirate Island . You’ll be off the grid here with little to no cellphone reception and only a solar power set-up, but it’s a small price to pay if you really want to embrace island life at its best. 

If that’s not for you, your best bet is to base yourself in Labuan Bajo . The town has a good selection of hotels and hostels catering to all budgets and many shops and eateries. Here are my top picks:

AYANA Komodo  is a fantastic 5-star resort for those looking for an upscale stay in Labuan Bajo. The hotel features beautifully decorated, spacious rooms, several onsite restaurants, an infinity pool, and direct beach access.

If you’re looking for something a bit more affordable without sacrificing style or comfort, another great upscale option is  Loccal Collection Hotel . This Greek-themed 4-star hotel features stunning views over the port, lovely decorated rooms, and the dreamiest infinity pool imaginable. 

For budget travelers,  Seaesta Komodo Hotel & Hostel  is a great base with dorm and private rooms for those who value their privacy. The hotel also has a lovely rooftop pool area with great views over the ocean. 

Still need more options? Search for the  best hotel deals in Labuan Bajo  here on Agoda. 

Best Time To Visit Komodo

The best time to visit the Komodo Islands is during the dry season , which runs from March to October. During these months, the area experiences the least rain, and it’s prime time for diving, snorkeling, beaching, and hiking.

July and August are the busiest months to visit Komodo, Indonesia. If you’re planning a trip during these months, make sure you book accommodation well in advance. 

What to Pack for a Komodo Island Hopping Trip

Along with all the usual stuff you’ll bring on a boating adventure (swimsuit, cap, shades, camera), here are a few more items I highly recommend bringing with you:

• Seasickness medicine:  I don’t suffer from seasickness, but if you get queasy easily, bringing some Dramamine  along on your Komodo Island day trip is a good idea. 
• Reef-safe sunscreen:  Being out on the boat and in the water all day is just a recipe for sunburn. Pack a reef-safe high-SPF sunscreen to protect you and the marine life. This  Sun Bum SPF 70 spray  is my go-to. 
• Portable power bank: You’re going to take  a lot  of pictures – trust me! Bring a portable power bank to ensure your phone never runs out of juice. 
• Waterproof phone case:  Bring a  waterproof phone case   to capture the colorful coral gardens and tropical fish Komodo is so famous for. 
• Dry Bag:  Pack a  lightweight dry bag  to help keep all your stuff dry while on the boat. 
• Quick Drying Towel:  You’ll need a lightweight, quick-drying towel if you’re beaching, swimming, or snorkeling. I love this  Turkish beach towel . Not only does it dry in a jiffy, sand does not stick to it! 

Komodo Islands Day Tour in Conclusion

Joining a Komodo tour is a huge must-do on any visit to Flores! Whether you’re visiting for nature, dragons, or endless snorkeling and diving opportunities, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable experience. 

Well, that wraps up this full-day Komodo island-hopping guide! Have you visited the Komodo Islands? Feel free to share your top tips, island highlights, best tours, and everything in between in the comments below! 

Don’t forget to save this Komodo Islands tour for your next island hopping adventure!

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Komodo Island Tours: 9 Best Options to Book Your Trip!

Komodo National Park is a place where adventure meets natural wonder. It’s probably high on your bucket list and as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s absolutely worth visiting this breathtaking Indonesian archipelago. Komodo Island tours by boat are the only way to visit the stunning scenery of the National Park. Having visited Komodo National Park previously, in this post, I’ll let you in on what I learned and what boat tours are the best to book to get the most out of your experience!

Komodo National Park

Padar Island

Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . It’s a place of natural wonders and a sanctuary for biodiversity. Located in Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands and a part of East Nusa Tenggara, this extraordinary destination spans over 1,700 square kilometers.

Its rugged landscapes are home to the legendary Komodo dragons, remarkable creatures that have roamed the Earth for millions of years. Beyond these mighty reptiles, the park boasts crystal-clear waters teeming with vibrant coral reefs, exotic marine life like manta rays, and mesmerizing underwater vistas.

Stunning pink beaches, lush forests, and breathtaking viewpoints create a complete picture that will surely leave you spellbound!

Most captivating sights in Komodo National Park

There are a few sites in Komodo National Park that you’ll definitely want to visit. You’ve probably seen photos of these sites on Instagram profiles or many bloggers and I can assure you: Yes, they are as beautiful, maybe even more, witnessed in real life. 

Here are the most popular sites in Komodo National Park!

Padar island

Padar Island, Komodo National Park

Padar Island is one of the most popular sights inside the Komodo National Park. Despite its small size, this island packs a punch with its diverse landscapes and spectacular panoramic views.

Hiking to the island’s highest peak rewards you with a surreal vista of three picturesque bays. Turquoise waters touch the pristine white-sand beaches, while rugged hills are shrouded in lush greenery. As the sun sets, Padar Island transforms into a magical wonderland, painting the sky gorgeously pink.

Komodo Island

Komodo Island is one of the prominent jewels of Indonesia’s Komodo National Park. It is, together with Rinca Island, one of the native habitats of the remarkable Komodo dragon.

This island offers a rare opportunity to witness these legendary creatures up close. Beyond the dragons, Komodo Island will spoil you with beautiful rugged terrain, rolling hills, dense forests, and stunning viewpoints.

Rinca Island

Rinca Island is the second largest island in the park. It is home to a thriving population of Komodo dragons, allowing you to observe them in their natural habitat.

Trekking through the island’s varied landscapes, including grassy savannahs and lush forests, offers a chance to encounter not only Komodo dragons but also an array of other wildlife species such as deer, monkeys, and birds.

Stop at Komodo Island Tours: Pink Beach

Pink Beach is a natural marvel on Komodo Island. As its name suggests, this beach boasts a unique pink color, created by a mix of white sand and red coral fragments. The sight of the glistening pink shoreline against the backdrop of turquoise waters is breathtaking.

Snorkeling or diving in the surrounding coral reefs is possible and you will discover a vibrant underwater world, teeming with colorful fish and marine life.

Manta Point

Manta Point is a dive site within the Komodo National Park. It is one of the best places in Indonesia to see the majestic manta rays.

Diving or snorkeling at Manta Point is included in every tour. The site’s strong currents attract plankton, which in turn attracts these gentle giants, but do note that sightings are not guaranteed. 

My experience visiting Komodo National Park

Before I get into the various tours that are recommended to visit Komodo National Park, I would like to let you in on my experience visiting Komodo National Park. 

Having visited the National Park on a day trip, looking back, I wish I would have done things differently. As a solo traveler on a budget, I didn’t have a big pile of money to spend and I found that multi-day tours didn’t fit my budget. 

However, looking back, I truly regret this. Visiting Komodo National Park is probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one day is simply not enough to explore all the beauty of this natural wonderland.

During my trip, we visited the most important sights inside the national park. I’m happy that I’ve been able to witness the magnificent things the park offers, like Padar Island, Komodo dragons at Rinca Island, Pink Beach, and a snorkel session (without seeing any manta rays unfortunately).

Arriving on Pink Beach

The speed, however, rushing with the boat from one sight to the other, is something that completely put me off. Yes, I’ve seen the best places in the park. But did I truly get to enjoy them? Not really.

In this post, I’ll share with you a few day trips inside Komodo National Park but, if your budget allows it, I highly recommend taking your time to explore Komodo and spend at least three days inside the national park.

In my opinion, the best way to do this as a conscious traveler is not by taking a multi-day organized tour but by renting out a private boat that allows you to put together your own schedule. That way, you can plan according to your liking and you will avoid having a schedule that puts you at sights together with all the other tour boats. 

It will allow you to have a more intimate experience of the park, in which you can truly take in the splendor of the area.

Komodo Tour Packages

Coral reefs inside Komodo National Park

For backpackers on a budget, I’ll mention a few one-day tours below that seem to be of good quality. When I visited Komodo National Park, I was kind of shocked when I saw what kind of worn-out boats some tourists were using to visit the National Park. 

They didn’t look safe at all and lacked any kind of comfort, like toilets and decent seating. Don’t get me wrong, I love to explore things in a local way, but visiting Komodo is not a short boat ride from point A to B. 

You’ll be spending a lot of time on your boat, actually the majority of the time. A day trip takes about 10 to 12 hours and you’ll spend half of that time on your boat.

A good boat, in this case, can really make or break your trip. Here are some decent suggestions for one-day tours, if you can’t afford a multi-day trip.

Full day Komodo Island Tours

Note that these tours start very early in the morning, with a pick-up usually around 5 A.M. After that, you will be taken to the pier where you will find yourself in complete chaos. All the tourists leaving for Komodo that day are brought to the same starting point and it can get quite hectic. 

You will likely receive a colored bracelet from your tour operator. Because of that bracelet, the staff can put you on the correct boat at the dock.

One-day Komodo Island Tour with Bintang Komodo tours

Best Komodo tours

• Duration: 11 hours
• Rating: 5/5

Embark on an extraordinary adventure with this one-day Komodo boat trip offered by Bintang Komodo Tours. This group tour is the top choice to explore the unique wonders of Komodo National Park.

With Bintang Komodo Tours, you can expect a carefree and unforgettable experience. The tour includes visiting Komodo Island, where you can witness the legendary Komodo dragons in their natural habitat.

You’ll also get to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of Pink Beach, marvel at the breathtaking landscapes of Padar Island, and explore the vibrant marine life at Manta Point.

Such an INCREDIBLE trip !! From beginning to end it was so well planned and the staff went above and beyond. It really is worth every penny. We had the best day and flew in specially for this trip. We were the 2nd boat to leave the harbour & at Padar island it wasn’t too busy! The views after a short climb were unmatched, wow ! We spent plenty of time at the top before a lot of other tours arrived. Pink beach was the next stop and again was amazing & not too busy! For the Komodo tour we had an amazing guide & we did the long walk and saw 5 Komodo dragons which were incredible to see !! Here we had lunch which was really good & so filling. Next we snorkelled over to an island & it had such healthy coral, it was amazing (much better than any snorkelling around Bali) & then it was time to head over to Manta point and wow, we saw 5 mantas (you do have to be a stronger swimmer as they can move quite quickly) but was definitely a highlight! Finally, we stopped at one more amazing snorkeling spot and saw a turtle, what more could you ask for ?!? Book this tour and you won’t regret it.

JESSICA ( Read more reviews )

With professional guides, comfortable transportation, and a well-planned itinerary, this tour ensures that every moment will be filled with excitement and discovery.

Do keep in mind that a day trip is pretty exhausting so only book this if you only have time to spend one day in Komodo National Park!

One day Komodo Island hopping tour by Speedboat by Indo Trip

Komodo National Park tours

• Rating: 4,5/5

Visit all the highlights of Komodo National Park on this elaborate group tour by speedboat . This tour makes a stop at Padar where you can hike to the top of the island, Komodo where you van witness the majestic Komodo dragons and Pink Beach.

It afterward takes you to Taka Makassar Island, a tiny boomerang-shaped island only consisting of a patch of beach, Manta Point, where you can snorkel with Manta Rays and Kanawa Island which also offers excellent snorkeling.

It was a relatively seamless experience. Flew from Bali to Labuan Bajo. Pick up from hotel was timely and smooth. The boat road was fine. Adequate time at each island. Crystal clear waters. Komodo dragons were very active. The tour guide got me back to the airport in time to catch my flight back to Bali. I’d recommend it!

LANCE_M ( Read more reviews )

This tour also offers pick-ups and drop-offs at the airport of Labuan Bajo. Although I can highly recommend visiting Flores, this is an option if you have a limited amount of time on your hands.

Full day trip exploring 6 destinations inside Komodo National Park

Best Komodo Island tours: Swimming with manta rays

• Duration: 9 to 11 hours

This group tour takes you to six locations in Komodo National Park on a luxury boat, called the “ Ocean Queen “. It makes the same stops as the previous tours including Padar Island, Pink Beach, Komodo Island, Taka Makassar, Manta Point, and Kanawa Island.

It was an amazing experience overall! The weather was good, so we managed to visit all locations in the description. They also offered lunch during the trip. We are vegan and they prepared us a vegan meal, which was really tasty. Our guide Sam was really good and experienced, giving us details and info about things we were seeing. For us, the coral snorkeling was the highlight of this experience. We saw alive corals with hundreds of colorful tropical fish. Unfortunately we didn’t have the chance to see the manta rays as they were not in the area on that day. But the whole trip was magical! Totally recommended experience!

LOUKAS_I ( Read more reviews )

Lunch, coffee, and tea are included in the price and they can cater to special dietary requirements. They also offer snorkeling equipment and swimming floaties free of charge. 

The price of this tour is slightly cheaper than the two previous ones.

One-day Komodo Island tour by private boat with Flores Fantastic tours

Tours to Komodo Island

• Duration: 11,5 hours

If you’re not a group tour person, consider booking this private tour with Flores Fantastic Tours . The price you see on the booking platform is for five people so this is the perfect tour if you travel with a family or a small group of people.

I was doing this tour to see some Komodo Dragons, Because this was a private tour, I was able to customize the trip order and we also spent more time on Komodo Island itself. Most tours go to Padar first and then Komodo, but we were able to go to Komodo first, while it was still quiet and the dragons were active. I encountered no other tourists there for the first 90 minutes, which was great. I saw three big dragons, so I was very pleased! Two seemed used to seeing humans and lounged placidly for photos, but one was clearly still very wild as he ran away very quickly when he saw some scary humans approaching!

GRAHAM_H ( Read more reviews )

The great thing about this tour is that you are able to adjust your schedule. Even though the itinerary is shown on Viator, the order of the locations and time spent at each place can be adjusted to your own preferences.

Looking back, for a day trip, this would be my first choice now. I would opt to take in fewer sights and carve out more time for snorkeling.

Multi-day Komodo Island Tours

Although the day tours to Komodo seem very tempting and take in the most popular sights, exploring the national park on a multi-day adventure is worth every penny. 

If I would ever go back, I wouldn’t hesitate and book a private boat to take me around the islands for a few days in a heartbeat. I am a backpacker that usually travels on a budget, so, the fact that I am saying this, really means something!

Komodo National Park is simply too big to see thoroughly on a day trip. It is also pretty exhausting since you’re rushing from one sight to the other. 

My advice, especially to backpackers is to not skimp on money here. Book this trip, even if it seems expensive. You won’t regret it!

Private Komodo Island tour 3days/2 nights by discovery Komodo Adventure

Top Komodo Tours

• Duration: 3 days/2 nights

This private Komodo Island trip that lasts for 3 days and two nights takes you beyond the popular sights of Komodo National Park. It explores hidden gems away from the tourist crowds like Sabolo Island, Bidadiri, and Kelor Island and you sleep comfortably in all privacy on the boat

We did the 3D2N trip with Hans as our guide and couldn’t be happier. We were blessed with spectacular weather and were very lucky with all the wildlife we encountered: 5 Komodo dragons, manta, eagle rays, turtles, and dolphins. Hans went above and beyond to get the most out of our trip and was a wonderful wildlife photographer for us.

Tripadvisor Review ( Read more reviews )

What is great about this tour is that the activities can be adjusted to your preferences. Maybe you fancy visiting both Komodo and Rinca to see Komodo dragons. This can be arranged. But, if you don’t, and prefer snorkeling more, this can be arranged on the spot too. 

A multi-day tour also allows you to have better chances to see wildlife. I didn’t see Manta Rays on my one-day trip, but if I would have had more days, the chances were bigger of course!

3-Day Private Komodo Boat tour for up to 12 people by Flores fantastic tours

This private boat tour for up to 12 people has a five-star rating! It’s the best Komodo Island boat tour I have found online. The price seems much at first but is actually not expensive at all if you can split it with other people. 

This tour is one of the best options to pick if you are traveling with a big group of friends, a large family, or for a group of backpackers in a hostel who want to split the costs.

The private Komodo 3-day island tour was absolutely amazing! An unforgettable experience where you see the most beautiful things, beautiful nature, the real sea life, not surrounded by many tourists. If you want to see what and how Indonesia is like, then don’t hesitate to do this trip. The company Fantastic Tours makes your trip unforgettable. The crew was so friendly, they did everything to make you feel comfortable, we had Amazing food and they make sure that you had the best time and see the most beautiful things. Special thanks to Valdus( Tour Guide) Quin (Cook) Hendra (Captain) Nur ( Crue member) Aven (Crue member) They Were a good team that makes this trip very special. Thanks you everybody !!

KELLY ( Read more reviews )

The boat features six cabins that fit 12 people in total and all the meals are included in the price. There is airconditioning inside the boat and snorkel equipment can be used free of charge. 

If you’re flying in from Bali and don’t want to stay in Labuan Bajo for a night, they offer a pick-up at the airport.

Private 2-day trip with boat stay by the Seven holiday

• Duration: 2 days/1 night
• Rating: 4/5

This two-day/one-night private boat trip with The Seven Holiday takes in the most popular sights of Komodo National Park plus some extra stops like the island of the flying foxes and Bidadiri Island. 

The Seven Holiday is a luxury tour operator in Indonesia that focuses on honeymoon packages and yacht rentals. It wouldn’t be my first choice but it is the best Komodo tour if you are looking for a fancy way to celebrate your marriage.

I had an amazing time on the Komodos. But first things first: My booking and payment was super easy. As it was already my second tour with The Seven Holiday the communication was as expected. Krisna replied directly and gave me all the information I needed. The Komodo islands are a must-do! Amazing scenery. The snorkeling tour was very nice. I don’t know how to describe it, I’m speechless. The night on the boat was fun, a very cool experience. I would book with The Seven Holiday again since they’ve done an amazing job already twice. Highly recommended !!!

ILONA ( Read more reviews )

Compared to a lot of foreign travel agencies selling honeymoons to Indonesia, this company is 100% Indonesian. They work together with local guides and suppliers to arrange their honeymoon packages and boat trips. 

They also seem to care about the environment although they don’t have a real sustainability policy on their website.

Private 4 days/3nights luxury sail trip with Flores Fantastic tours

If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury slow travel experience, consider renting a phinisi sailboat that will take you around the islands in three days . 

Phinisi sailboats are traditional Indonesian two-masted sailing ships. They have been used for centuries to catch fish or transport goods while nowadays these refitted vessels are mainly used as liveaboards for sailing and dive trips. 

It was my highlight in 3 months in Indonesia!!!! everything was so perfect. The food was delicious, the crew super safe and so nice, the boat was so cute and Paskal was the BEST Tourguid ever!!!!!!!!!!! We can recommend that tour with this company 100%!!!! Helpful

TRIPADVISOR REVIEWER ( Read more reviews )

Tours are offered in German, English, French and Spanish. It takes in all the sights from the previously mentioned multi-day trips with an additional stop at Gili Lawa Derat.

Most of the previously mentioned trips don’t offer a cancelation possibility but with this operator, you can cancel up to seven days in advance and get a full refund. 

The phinisi ships are suitable to cater to up to eight people.

4 days/3 nights group tour with Captain Komodo

• Duration: 4 days/3 nights

If you fancy doing a multi-day Komodo Island trip but can’t find additional people to join you for a private boat trip, you can consider booking a shared trip with Captain Komodo . Captain Komodo offers shared group trips on a wooden phinisi boat.

The trip takes in the popular and lesser-known ones like Manjarite, Kalong Island and Siaba Besar. Shared accommodation, meals and snorkeling gear is provided on the boat.

We had an unforgettable time on the boat. Our guide Ady was great and the whole crew on board was very nice. The food was very tasty and there was something for every taste. The boat itself was sufficient and completely ok for us. We really enjoyed the excursions. There was enough time to relax while driving to the next spot. The snorkeling on the tour was also great. The most beautiful underwater world we have seen so far. We can highly recommend the tour with Captain Komodo.

TINE J. ( Read more reviews )

This is a good choice if you want to do a multi-day trip and if you don’t mind spending a few days at sea with complete strangers on a boat. 

Do note that Captain Komodo offers a pick-up service in Labuan Bajo but does not offer pick-ups and drop-offs at the airport.

Best time to visit Komodo National Park

Komodo Island: Komodo Dragon

The best time to visit Komodo National Park is during the dry season, which runs from April to December. More specifically, the months of April to June and September to November are considered ideal for visiting the park.

During the dry season, the weather is generally pleasant with minimal rainfall and lower humidity levels. This makes it easier to explore the park’s trails and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and snorkeling. The waters are also clearer during this time, allowing for better visibility while diving or snorkeling.

The wet season spans from January to March and is characterized by increased rainfall and rougher sea conditions. 

Because I don’t like to travel to destinations in peak season, I visited Komodo National Park in the rainy season.

Weather conditions were perfect on my trip to Komodo National Park but the two days after my visit it was pouring rain all day long. Visiting in the rainy season is possible but keep in mind that your trip can get postponed due to weather conditions.

Komodo entrance fees

When you book a Komodo Island tour, the entrance fees to the parks to see the Komodo Dragons and Padar Island are not calculated into the tour price but need to be paid on the spot. 

There have been some plans by the government in the past years to raise these prices significantly but, due to protests from local tour operators, it hasn’t happened yet so far. 

Nonetheless, I don’t dare give exact prices here, due to the fact that things can change quickly. At the time of my visit, the entrance fee to Komodo was 150.000 IDR. It was the same price for Padar Island.

Small fees are also asked for hiking, wildlife observation, and a fee for a ranger that accompanies you into the park. These costs however are minimal. 

Do note that you also need to pay a considerable sum for bringing professional cameras or a drone.

Also, take into account that entry fees rise by 30% during weekends and public holidays so the best time to visit is on a weekday!

Where should you stay in Labuan Bajo

Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia

Labuan Bajo is the most touristy city on Flores and it’s worth it to stay here for a few days to explore the sights nearby apart from Komodo National Park. Note that good mid-range accommodations are almost non-existent in the city. It’s likely that you either will need to pick a guesthouse or cheap hotel or spend money on 

Here are some great places to stay:

• Golo Tango Guesthouse: if you are coming from the airport and are looking for a place to stay nearby then this cute homestay is an excellent choice. It is relatively cheap and the rooms are decent. I stayed here for four nights. The center is within walking distance. The guesthouse however is located on a mountain and it’s convenient to have a motorbike to get around.
• La Boheme Bajo: The place to be in Labuan Bajo if you are looking for a dorm bed in a clean hostel with a festive vibe. Coffee and tea are available all day free of charge.
• Cool Breeze Authentic Hotel: Probably the best and one of the only mid-range accommodations in Labuan Bajo. The location of this hotel is excellent and overlooks the harbor. The onsite pool is great to chill by after returning from your Komodo Island tour.
• Villa Niang Ando: If you like to have a place to yourself, consider renting this beautiful villa near the center of Labuan Bajo that can accommodate up to six people. The pool is awesome and the villa comes with a private driver that drives you up and down to town whenever you need.

Onward travel in Flores

Bajawa, Flores, Indonesia

A lot of people travel to Flores only to visit Komodo National Park but that’s a real shame. Flores Island is beautiful and still relatively undiscovered by mass tourism when you step out of Labuan Bajo. 

To get around Flores, you can hire a personal driver to take you around the island on a Flores Island tour or travel by minibus like the locals do. 

Flores can be crossed from West to East, ending your trip in Maumere, where you can take a flight out of Flores again. Notable stops on the way are Ruteng for the archeological site of Liang Bua, a 2-day trip to Wae Rebo traditional village, Bajawa for its hot springs and Bena traditional village, and Moni for visiting the Kelimuti crater lakes. 

Komodo Island tours FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about Komodo Island tours:

Are there Komodo Island tours from Bali?

You can book a Komodo Island tour in Bali but this will always require you to take a flight to Labuan Bajo first. There are no boats leaving in Bali to Labuan Bajo, unless you charter a very expensive private sailboat.

You can however take a speed boat or the ferry from Bali to Lombok and start a boat tour from Lombok to the Komodo Islands. Alternatively, you can travel all the way to Labuan Bajo crossing the ocean and Sumbawa by a boat and bus combination.

Are there Komodo Island tours starting from Lombok?

Yes, there are Komodo Island tours starting from Lombok. These tours will take you from Lombok to Labuan Bajo, passing by Sumbawa and the Komodo Islands in 4 days. It will require you to take a flight back from Labuan Bajo. 

I’ve read that the safety on these boats is not always the best, so think wisely before booking a trip. 

Alternatively, you can also travel from Lombok to Flores by a combination of boats and overland bus on Sumbawa.

Komodo Island tours: Final thoughts

Sunset at Padar Island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

There you go! I hope you enjoyed this post about the Komodo Island tours. Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or drop me a message through my contact page . 

Also, don’t forget to check out my resources page with my favorite booking platforms and tips to start planning your trip. Additionally, have a look at my favorite travel gear if you want to pack more consciously!

Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Fancy more Indonesia travel advice?

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• How to Take the Ferry to Lombok From Bali
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Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and  yourself!

On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more !

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Komodo Dragon, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

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GET YOUR KOMODO TRIP : Discover Ikan Kayu and Jinggo Janggo

Isolation Redefined

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Say Hello to Flores!

The Komodo tour packages by Hello Flores will take you to another world, Heaven on Earth, from an island to another, from a paradise to another. Hello Flores aims to gather the most exciting things to do and the most beautiful places to explore in Flores island and the Komodo National Park , a UNESCO world heritage. Hello Flores will help you make your trip your ultimate travel experience and the best Komodo Island tour you can find! Discover more about Flores, Komodo liveaboard and our Komodo Island trip from Labuan Bajo, which offer unique Komodo tour packages and cruising experiences beyond expectations. Welcome to Hello Flores, where your journey begins!

An invitation to paradise

Flores is one of Indonesia’s greatest and most fascinating islands, as it remains preserved from tourist crowds. Forged by active volcanoes and eroded by the ocean, Flores has many secrets to offer. Come and discover untouched waterfalls, breathtaking islands like Padar Island and Komodo Island , lakes and pink beaches, or visit traditional villages deep into the mountains. Flores is also a world class dive site and the home of prehistoric animals, the Komodo dragons. Flores is a land of diversity which has something to offer for everyone.

Find Your Next Ultimate Cruise In Flores

At Hello Flores, our passion is exploring the vast waters of Indonesia. Our team of travel experts has carefully tested and selected the best and safest boats to offer a wide range of options for both private charters and cabin trips.

One Trip to Komodo, Many Experiences

Imagine  swimming with giant mantas  and turtles, diving in one of the world's most renowned dive sites, hiking up to the island’s summit to watch breathtaking sunrises, exploring savannah and looking for the largest lizard on earth, resting on pink sand beaches and relaxing in crystal-clear waters, or spotting whales off the coast...

Cruising through the Komodo National Park with  our brand new Komodo liveaboard  is a unique and unforgettable adventure! The Hello Flores team will make your trip the best Flores tour package you can have! All you have to do is pack your bags and get on board, adventure is calling!

What Travelers Say

“This is the best holiday in my life. We were in Flores and Komodo with Hello Flores fora sailing trip around Komodo National Park. I never imagine what we find there. Kindlypeople, beautiful boat, perfect cooling, perfect crew, perfect guide.The best holiday inmy life!"

“Flawless. This was the most amazing holiday experience. 12 friends had a ball. Thecrew was fantastic. Unforgettable.”

"Unforgettable experience ! We had our first liveabroad experience last week and thanks to Hello Flores everything was perfect. The team was super helpful and gave us some precious advices to choose our boat and itinerary. We stayed on Manta Mae luxury phinisi boat and don’t regret our choice, the staff on board was caring and the activities were customised to our needs. We highly recommend to book a trip with Hello Flores."

Cynthia & Steve @thehoneydreamers

“We decided to go to Flores / Komodo at the last minute on a 4D3N live aboard. Hello Flores was quick to respond and very helpful. Everything was flawless from airport pick-up / transfer to boat and back. They provided a few options and made it happen! Our family had a great time!”

“Thanks to Hello Flores for providing the best experience to discover the Komodo islands. Me and my friends had an amazing trip there !”

“We have to go on a sail trip for 2D1N with family and Hello Flores are very helpful to arrange the schedule and find a great phinisi for us. The phinisi was so great, the service is very good, and the owner is very flexible so we can enjoy the short sailing trip. We would love a whole package that hello flores to give us. We will plan to be back soon. Thanks Hello Flores.”

A Flores Komodo Tour to the Unspoilt Heaven

"Flores" means "flower" in Portuguese, a name given by its 16th-century colonists as they found flowering Flame Tree on the island. Well, the name suits very well with the blooming beauty of Flores we have known today.

Komodo Island tours from Bali are very easy to organise, only 1 hour and a half flight from the airport of Denpasar and you will arrive in  Labuan Bajo , a small port town and launching point to  Rinca Island ,  Komodo Island  and other nearby islands. Almost every trade and commerce take place here, including a range of accommodations, shops, and western restaurants, leaving the rest of the island living harmoniously with nature. No traffic jam and rush hours to hold you stuck in the streets, not many shoulders to bump in the beach, and it almost feels like the whole island is yours. You can also enjoy the area with a Labuan Bajo trip to discover the hidden canyons and waterfalls near by. A perfect first day is paradise!

Flores Island redefines the means of isolation. With a neatly-arranged  Komodo tour package , it’s easy to dwell in an illusion of wandering in a lost paradise under the dome of the clear blue sky, between the vast hills, and among the quiet pristine beaches bordering the Flores Ocean in an impressive gradient of blue.

Raw & Wonderful Flores

The rawness nature and centuries-old cultural heritage are what awaits you in Flores. As soon as our Komodo trip package  hits the road, you will be surrounded by dramatic green mountains, the sun unveils its lush jungle, it almost feels unreal. A while after crossing flowing green, you will feel like being transported into Africa with vast savannah around. Sometimes, you may ask yourself, “am I still in Indonesia?”

In the center of the island, the cloud-ringed  Kelimutu Mountain  loomed from afar, its top hold the striking three-colored lake. As if it’s not magical enough, the colors of the lakes are known to change almost whimsically, ranging from shades of green, blue, white, to red, black, and brown. Crystal clear water runs from the mountain into every rivers, waterfalls, and cave lake to end in the ocean without losing its clarity.

The raw beauty of Flores doesn’t stop here; it extends into small neighbor islands and Komodo tour package will take you sailing from island to island to discover them all.  Kelor Island  will take your breath away with its two soft sandy beaches and panoramic view to Flores, Rinca and other islands around. The Pirate Bay or  Gili Lawa Darat  island offers a breathtaking view and incredible water activities with a chance to see a humpback or blue whale. And wait until you get into  Padar Island , where three bays of curved beaches pushed from both sides of green bumpy hills. At your left, blushed pink beach and black beach sits stunningly side by side. On your left is pristine white beach, and all are calling you to climb down to the coast. A visual feast by nature, feels so surreal it’s almost like waking up in Neverland.

Komodo Island Trip: Meet the Komodo Dragons

The dragon lives beyond the legend. They might not have a pair of broad wings to roam in the vast sky or breathe fire. Instead, they creep on the crisp land with their massive, scaly body, and armored with razor sharp teeth and venomous saliva. They are famous by the name “Ora”, means “land crocodile”, among the locals. And yes, though they can’t fly, these giant beast are gifted with swimming prowess.

Growing to 8 - 10 feet (3 meters) in length, seeing this giant lizard is truly one kind of experience. Seeing them sitting lazily under the sun is enough to make your heart beat ten times faster, but if you are lucky, you might see them feed on deer or piglet in the morning. Living in Komodo island, Rinca, and Padar, this terrifying dragon offers a breathtaking trip which requires well-grounded guide from rangers to keep you safe. A Komodo island tour can take up into the trek, as the Komodo National Park itself consists of the main island of Komodo, Rinca, and Padar. Komodo island tour price itself can vary depending on the itineraries you take, but each offers gratifying experience.

Being one of the New Seven Wonder of Nature and Indonesia’s national animal, Komodo dragon is what make Flores gain its initial popularity. They even say that you’ve never really landed on Flores until you see these endangered species by your own eyes, so a trip to Komodo Island really is a must for every traveler’s bucket list. Take a Komodo Island trip to the only place in the world where you can see Komodo dragons in the wild

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Choose one of the tour packages we offer for an unforgettable adventure with our Komodo Island Tour Package . Explore Komod National Park. Treat yourself to stunning natural scenery, pristine beaches and vibrant marine life as you snorkel in crystal clear waters. Discover the wonders of Komodo Island with our expert guides and create memories to last a lifetime. Don’t miss out on this incredible experience! Book your Komodo Island Tour Package now.

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One of the best travel agent company in Labuan Bajo, with excellent service and highlight destination.100% reccomended

Had a very adventurous tour with best price range. Specially I liked the komodo dragons and hike and snorkeling among fishes was really a very good experience

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It is an incredible trip with so many highlights

We took a tour of two days and one night with flexible hours according to us. Patris is a nice and responsible guy, and with the crew he gave us a perfect treatment. 100% recommendable

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• 11 Tips For Planning A...

11 Tips for Planning a Trip to Komodo Island

One of Indonesia’s best-kept secret, Komodo Island has got the whole package for a rounded adventure, from ancient species to colorful exotic corals, idyllic beaches to lush hills. To get the most out of your adventure, read our tips for planning a trip to Komodo Island.

Plan your route.

Komodo Island is located in the lesser Sunda islands, east from Java and Bali . If you’re boarding an international flight, the island can be reached via Jakarta or Bali. From either of the two cities, you can take a domestic flight to Labuan Bajo (also known as Komodo Airport) in Flores, which is the hub for Komodo tours. A flight from Jakarta to Labuan Bajo will take about 2.5 hours while a trip from Bali will only take one hour. Another alternative route popular among backpackers is a multi-day trip by boat from Lombok.

Choose the best time of year

Choose the right time of the month.

Ladies, make sure to check your menstrual cycle before planning your visit to Komodo Island. Komodo is a wild beast that can smell blood as far as 12 miles, and sometimes it triggers their aggression and predatory instinct. It’s best to avoid exploring the island during your period, this may seem delicate but you can still try to discuss with the tour guide or park ranger in advance and they will advise what to do depending on the situation.

Choose a tour

There are plenty of tour services operating around the islands of Komodo National Park . You may want to research their services and prices beforehand and book in advance, as each has their own advantage. Some services like Perama Tour offer several packages with different highlights. You can also choose a boat or tour service on-the-spot, but be ready to either be charged more or settle with the less-reputable ones.

Pack the right clothes

Exploring Komodo Island will involve a lot of trekking, so choose your clothes accordingly. Pick cotton-based clothes that absorb sweat and choose a comfortable pair of shoes or mountain sandals. Also, don’t forget your swimsuit — Komodo Island has the dreamiest beaches and a lively marine biodiversity.

Protection from the sun

The tropical weather on a small island can be scorching. The sun may be extremely hot, so don’t forget your sunblock and bring the highest SPF you have. Wearing a hat is also advisable when trekking in the open.

Cameras ready

You may not need to be reminded to bring a camera but if you want to go all-out in capturing the picturesque natural beauty of Komodo Island , you may also need your telephoto lenses, underwater camera, or even macro lenses for the wildlife.

Gather your adventurous friends

Visiting Komodo Island is cheaper with more people — you can share boats and tour expenses. Besides, it will be more fun and safe walking in a group, as the komodo dragons may be more tempted to attack lone prey! If you’re traveling alone, you can always ask to join another group in Labuan Bajo before departing for Komodo Island.

Prepare your cash

… and we don’t mean money in a general sense, but physical Indonesian bills. Komodo Islands and its nearby small islands do not have ATM machines, so withdrawing money beyond Labuan Bajo will not be possible. Even if you’ve paid your tour services, always have cash on you, in case you need to buy anything from food to souvenirs.

1. Create an itinerary

Komodo Island has many beautiful aspects, from green hills to underwater coral gardens. There are also stunning beaches including the otherworldly Pink Beach , not to mention the exotic small islands scattered around the main island. Unless you’re signing up for a fully operated tour, you may want to create a detailed itinerary in order to make the most of your adventure. Start as early as you can in the morning to cover more ground. Plus, you’ll get to see the glorious sunrise.

Komodo Island landscape | © Bernard DUPONT/Flickr

Be informed on safety tips

Generally, komodo dragons will not just decide to attack you out of spite. But they may do so if you threaten them in any way. Avoid sudden movements while being around a komodo. If (heaven forbid) you get chased by a komodo, run in a zigzag pattern instead of running straight, and try to get shelter at one of the staged houses in the park, instead of climbing up a tree.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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