komodo island trip

THE 10 BEST Komodo Tours & Excursions

Komodo tours.

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• Cultural Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Photography Tours
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• Up to 1 hour
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. One day Komodo trip with Bintang Komodo Tours

2. Full Day Trip to Explore 6 Destinations in Labuan Bajo and Komodo

3. Private boat trip Komodo 2 or more person for 3 days 2 nights, Kelor, Rinca...

4. Komodo Tour 3D/2N Live on Board -Join Group Category-Share Cabin

5. Full Day Tour to Komodo Island By Speed Boat to explore 6 destinations

6. Private tour 4 days 3 nights Komodo on boat, waterfall and Rangko cave

7. Sunset at Komodo Island

8. One Day Trip to Komodo National Park, using a luxury fast boat

9. A Day to Komodo Island

10. 1 Day Komodo Trip By Shared Luxury Fast Boat

11. Full-Day Adventure Tour to komodo Island with join Speed Boat tur

12. 3 Days Deluxe Boat Private Cabin Sailing Trip in Komodo Island

13. 3 Days Komodo island Tour

14. 1 Day Komodo Trip by Private Fast Boat

15. Komodo Private tour 3Days 2 Night

16. Komodo Day Private Speedboat Tour

17. Komodo Day Tour to explore 5 Islands and 3 Snorkeling Experience

18. Flores Dreamland Tour

19. 3-Day Komodo island Tour with or without Roundtrip Flight From Bali

20. Komdo National Park and Beyond - All Inclusive (Sharing Trip)

21. 3Days Komodo Tour by Private Boat for 10 pax

22. Komodo Private Liveaboard Tour 3 Days 2 Nights

23. 1- day Komodo island Tour hopping around by Speed Boat

24. Komodo Day Shared Speedboat Tour

25. 7Days Explore Komodo & Flores

26. Day Trip Explore Komodo Park & Snorkeling

27. 3Days Komodo Tour By Private Boat for 4 pax

28. One Day Tours Komodo - Padar Island

29. 2Days Komodo Tour By Private Boat

30. 2 Days and 1 Night Komodo Kayak Tour

What travelers are saying.

• One day Komodo trip with Bintang Komodo Tours
• Full Day Trip to Explore 6 Destinations in Labuan Bajo and Komodo
• Full Day Tour to Komodo Island By Speed Boat to explore 6 destinations
• Private boat trip Komodo 2 or more person for 3 days 2 nights, Kelor, Rinca...
• Sunset at Komodo Island
• MMB Komodo Tour
• Komodo Top Holiday
• Best Komodo Tour
• Komodo Kayaking
• Komodo Eco Tour
• Scuba Republic
• Seraya Divers
• La Galigo Liveaboard
• Dolin Komodo Tours

Komodo Islands Travel Guide For Indonesia

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

Komodo National Park is UNESCO designated , with dozens of exotic islands, white and pink sand beaches , 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 my second home, I’ve visited the Komodo islands a bunch of times over the years and it’s always a thrill. One of the great things about the gateway town, Labuan Bajo, is that it’s not far from Bali and it’s easy to reach with a short flight from there.

This travel guide for Komodo will explain how to get there, where to stay, what to do in the islands, and everything else you need to know before you go!

Table of Contents show 1) Where Is Komodo Island? 2) How To Get To Komodo National Park 3) How To Get Around The Komodo Islands 4) Where To Stay In Komodo 5) Labuan Bajo Hotels 6) Best Things To Do In Komodo National Park 7) Komodo Dragon FAQ 8) Komodo Trekking FAQ 9) More Things To Do In Komodo 10) Komodo Island Map 11) Is Komodo Open Or Closed? 12) Komodo Entrance Fee 13) New Entrance Fee? (2024) 14) Other Tips For Labuan Bajo 15) Best Time To Visit Komodo 16) Best Komodo Island Tour / Day Trip 17) Where To Stay In Labuan Bajo 18) Future Of Komodo Tourism 19) More Things To See Near Komodo Indonesia 20) My Indonesia Travel Guide

Komodo has more than just dragons! This is one of the famous viewpoints.

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.

Wild Komodo dragon!

How To Get To Komodo National Park

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 1 juta ($70 USD).

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

It’s possible to knock out all the top sights of Komodo National Park (including the dragons) in one full day tour, or you can 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 dang 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 here to suit all budgets, from backpacker to luxury. However, it’s a little bit more pricey than Bali on average, because the development in Labuan Bajo hasn’t quite caught up to the number of tourists coming here.

We’ve included some of our 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.

One of the most scenic places in 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 all of 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 northwest side of Padar island.

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

Read More: Pink Beach

The extraordinary pink sand beaches at Komodo National Park

• Komodo Dragon Trek

Of course the main attraction of Komodo 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, Komodo is their home), 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? 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 island, where they were 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. Those are 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 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 on the tour.
• 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 sitting close to the Komodo dragons are perspective pics. Don’t worry, 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.
• 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 in the Komodo islands 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. It has perfect white sand and crystal clear water.
• Gili Lawa Darat: One of the most remote spots in Komodo since it’s located on the northwest boundary of the park, just off the coast of Komodo 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 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 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 map of the Komodo islands, showing 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 shortly after they re-opened, and we 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, but if they keep raising it then it may get unreasonable. For comparison, a U.S. National Parks annual pass doesn’t cost much more than this, but it 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

• ATM: There are lots of ATM choices scattered around Labuan Bajo town on Flores. 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 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 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 just 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 Indonesia really depends on what you’re looking for.

You can see the Komodo 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 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, here’s a top rated Komodo 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 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 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.

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 in Indonesia.

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

Don’t forget to check out my complete Indonesia Travel Guide for more 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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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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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

I felt in very safe hands booking a komodo tour with this Company. The communication was excellent and i Will recommend this Company to everyone.

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Komodo Discovery

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Komodo island tours is special for you to explore Komodo National Park. Certainly, Komodo island is a biggest island inside of Komodo National Park. Our Komodo tours will bring you to discover the best places to visit and doing the best activities inside Komodo National Park.

Labuan Bajo is a launching point to explore the island’s interior of Flores and Komodo National Park. Komodo island tours mostly start from Labuan Bajo. We can easily find local wooden Boats embarked at the Harbor in Labuan Bajo waiting for the people going to explore Komodo National Park.

People join Komodo island tours to encounter Komodo dragons. Komodo dragons are the star of the show in Komodo National Park and you can find the most in Rinca Island and Komodo island. It is the most interesting and attractive things also the main reason why the people do Komodo island tours. Actually, there are many other things to see during Komodo island tours such as fabulous Pink Beach, enchanting view from Padar Island and also superb underwater paradise for snorkelers and divers.

KOMODO ISLAND TOURS; DISCOVER KOMODO DRAGON ISLAND

It can be seen clearly recently when you come to Labuan Bajo .  Labuan Bajo is gradually turning into a busy spot because of the divers and the increased number of Komodo visitors. It is a launching point to explore the island’s interior and Komodo National Park .

Why Komodo Island Tours with Us?

We offer Komodo Island Tours and surroundings from Labuan Bajo . But we can arrange Komodo Tours from Bali as there are direct flights from Bali Airport to Labuan Bajo . Labuan Bajo is the launching point to explore Komodo National Park . That is the reason why our Komodo Island tours mostly starts from Labuan Bajo . We have an Office in Labuan Bajo and our operational team are there to assure our Clients on Komodo Island tours are in good care.

Despite we focus on  Komodo Island Tours , we also offer tours to Flores Island Indonesia . Sometimes we combine Komodo island tours with Flores Island Tours . Flores Island Indonesia is the most fascinating and beautiful island. Here, you can swim in pristine lakes and waterfalls and dive at one of the 50 spectacular dive sites or go kayaking among craggy coasts and mangrove shores. And you can explore mysterious caves and warmly welcome by the island’s people in their rituals, dances and daily life.

How to get to Komodo Island?

Since Labuan Bajo is a main entrance to Komodo Island and to discover the interiors of Flores Island, there are Daily Flights from Denpasar, Bali to Labuan Bajo . There are also direct Flights from Jakarta, Surabaya and Lombok to Labuan Bajo . Therefore, it is easy to do Komodo island tours from Bali. It is only 5 minutes from Komodo Airport to get to the harbor by car where all local wooden boats are ready to escort you to explore Komodo National park . We strongly recommend you to plan your tours to Komodo island far in advance, not on the spot. It is to avoid that you get a last-minute price and there is no Boats available when you arrive at the harbor.

The Komodo dragons are the star of the show in Komodo National Park . You can find the most in Rinca Island and Komodo island. It is the most interesting and attractive things. And it is also the main reason why you need to come to Komodo and join our Komodo island tours . Actually, there are many other things to see such as fabulous Pink Beach, enchanting view from Padar Island and also superb underwater paradise for snorkelers and divers.

How much is the price of Komodo Island Tours?

Tours to Komodo Island in Komodo National Park has many options in terms of price. It depends on the Boat type you are going to use during your visit to Komodo National park and how many days you need to spend time inside the park. The entrance fee to Komodo National Park is counted as daily fee, so the longer days you are inside the park, the more you are going to pay.

Some visitors have limited time but really want to see the highlights of Komodo National Park . Then you can do a Komodo day trip with speedboat which only take 1.5 hour to Komodo Island. You can use local wooden Boat which is cheaper and slower and can reach Komodo Island around 2.5 – 3 hours. Of course, using speedboat is more expensive than local wooden Boat but you can safe more time. So, let us know your budget to get the best offer of Komodo island tours .

What do you need to wear during Komodo Island Tours?

Tours to Komodo Island is about exploring the islets inside of Komodo National park . It is an adventure trip to discover the fabulous things that Komodo National park can offer to you. Many things to experience such as the superb underwater live, snorkeling in pristine water at Pink beach. And also trekking on Komodo or Rinca Island to see the dragons in wild life, trekking to the top of Padar island to get the stunning view over the Islets. We strongly recommend to use Casual and comfortable lightweight clothing, good shoes are suitable for travelling in Komodo National Park . Please be ready with change clothes during your trip to Komodo island .

How to plan a tour to Komodo Island?

Once you get to Bali, we recommend you to have one day or two days rest of jet lack. We recommend also to have more days to enjoy and explore Bali Island before leaving for Komodo Island. Definitely do that and make sure you check to see when and how much the flights are from Bali to Labuan Bajo . Or you can combine Bali Island tour and Komodo Island tours with us.

Important Things to Know about Komodo Island Tours

The most important things when you start planning your trip to Komodo Island are as follows. Firstly, you need to think about time. The best time to visit Komodo National Park is during the dry season, from April to December. You can trek in the park and see the Komodo dragons all year around. Although between July to August and September to November the dragons are less active due to the mating and nesting seasons.

Secondly, how long your trip should be to Komodo Island. You can spend two days and a half in the park and it is enough to enjoy the top attractions of Komodo National Park . I would say to do at least a two days trip from Labuan Bajo to the Komodo Islands, then one more day to relax. If you go to Komodo National Park for some serious diving, we suggest staying a bit longer.

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DISCOVER THE DRAGON

Komodo island tours.

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• Komodo Island Tour
• Highlights of Komodo
• Liveaboard Komodo Tour
• Day Tour Komodo
• Rinca Island Tour
• Package Tour Komodo

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KOMODO BOAT CHARTER

• Seamore Papua
• Amalia Bahari
• Dara Komodo

KOMODO & FLORES HOTELS

• Bintang Flores
• Ina Labuan Bajo
• Ayana Resort
• Pelataran Komodo
• CF Komodo Hotel
• La Prima Bajo

FLORES ISLAND TOURS

• Wae Rebo Village
• Flores Highlights Tour
• Komodo Flores Tour
• Kelimutu Komodo Tour
• Komodo Ca-Ci Dance
• Discover Flores Komodo

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Choose Your Komodo island tours at one place with Ease

Our Komodo Island Tours focus to offer tours to Komodo Island Indonesia. Komodo is a name of an Island inside of Komodo National Park. It considers as one of the biggest Islets where The Dragons , the biggest living Lizard, was firstly discovered by the world scientific in 1912, Lieutenant J. K. H. van Steyn van Henbroek. Therefore, we call it now as “ Komodo Dragon ” (Varanus Komodoensis). This animal is called “ORA” by the locals and is an endangered animal because these animals are endemic animals. Endemic means this animal only lives in certain areas.

The highlight of Komodo Island Tours is Komodo Dragons . Komodo Dragons only lives on an island like Komodo Island. They are also live in Rinca Island, Gili Motong, Gili laba and in the North Side of Flores Island like in Riung and Pota. Komodo dragons are carnivorous animals and these animals have a rather elongated tongue shape and are forked at the tip like a snake’s tongue. Research shows that the tip of the forked tongue serves to “taste” its food. These animals usually make nests underground. Komodo dragons are the star of the show during your Komodo Island tours . But the natural spectacle in Komodo National Park goes beyond those dangerous lizards.

The best tour to see Komodo Dragon in Komodo Island Indonesia

Komodo island tour is a best way to discover the Komodo dragons in their habitat. So, the highlight of Komodo island tour is Komodo dragon. Therefore, we have to visit Komodo and Rinca island where the most Komodo dragons live. Komodo and Rinca island are inside of Komodo National Park. On Komodo island tour , We have the opportunities to explore surrounding Komodo and Rinca island. Komodo dragon is star of the show in Komodo national park. Actually, there are many other things to see such as fabulous Pink Beach, enchanting view from Padar Island and also superb underwater paradise for snorkelers and divers.

How big is Komodo Dragon?

Komodo Dragon is the largest land reptile in the world with average length 2-3 meters. This large size is related to the symptoms of island gigantism, namely the tendency of the body to behave certain animals that live on small islands. It is associated with the absence of carnivorous mammals on the island where dragons live, and a small metabolic rate of dragons . Because of their size, these lizards occupy the top predator position that dominates the ecosystem in which they live.

Dragon only lives on an island called Komodo Island, Indonesia. Komodo dragons including carnivorous animals. These animals have a rather elongated tongue shape and are forked at the tip like a snake’s tongue. Research shows that the tip of the forked tongue serves to “taste” its food. These animals usually make nests underground.

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Komodo Islands: How to Tour in Komodo National Park

One of the best-untouched treasures of Indonesia is the Komodo Islands. Komodo National Park is part of Flores, a group of 29 small and big quite white-sanded islands. It is home to the world-famous Komodo Dragon, countless manta rays, sea turtles, dolphins, small sharks, world-class snorkeling and diving sites with millions of fish, stunning hiking paths, and pink beaches.

What’s inside Komodo National Park

Exploring the Komodo Islands is done by a single or multi-day boat tour from Labuan Bajo . A small port town on the west tip of Flores Island. Depending on the weather conditions, your route will be filled with the most stunning spots around the national park. You can expect these things to be seen around the Komodo Islands.

Read: 21 Best  Things to do in Komodo, Flores

Viewpoints at Padar

One of the three larger volcanic islands in Komodo National Park is Padar. Padar Island offers a 20-minute hike to the top viewpoint. From here, you have a jaw-dropping view over the full bay. It is host to the Komodo dragon and a large population of deer. Contact our friend Yande below to make a booking .

The newly-build stair stops at multiple viewpoints so there is a difficulty for everyone. To enter Padar, an entrance fee of 150.000 IDR (10 USD) is required.

Here are all your hotel options in Komodo.

Meet the Komodo Islands inhabitants

See how the locals of Komodo Island live inside Komodo village. Most people make a living by fishing and others by creating and selling handicrafts to visitors of Komodo Island.

The local guides give a well-spoken English guided tour and make it possible for you to interact with the inhabitants.

A million flying bats at the Komodo Islands

Directly after sunset, the sky at the Komodo Islands turns black, filled with a million bats leaving the mangrove forest located on Kalong Island. This is a must-see experience during your Komodo Islands boat tour. Truly magical, and for sure, a highlight of your trip.

Swim with Manta Rays

Manta Rays are very common in Komodo National Park. They can be spotted year-round by snorkeling or diving. However, during the rainy season, the water is colder, and there is glowing plankton, which is food for the Mantas. During this time, hundreds of Manta Rays gather at Manta Point.

The rainy season runs from December to March and is the best time to spot Manta Rays around the Komodo Islands.

Dive in world-class reefs of the Komodo National Park

Divers and snorkelers can be very satisfied at Komodo National Park. With over a thousand kinds of fish and 230 species of coral, the reefs at the Komodo Islands are world-class for snorkeling and diving. Penga Kecil and Karang Makassar are the most visited reefs.

Expect to see small reef sharks, turtles, loads of fish and sea stars in all kinds of colors and sizes, dolphins, and even whales sharks.

The Pink Beaches of Komodo

There are many pink beaches around Komodo National Park. White sand mixed with tiny pieces of red coral makes the beach look pink. Expect other tourists during your visit due to its popularity.

Please: Never take sand or shells; keep nature as it is. It is also prohibited, which can get you in trouble at the airport. Read more about sustainable travel .

Komodo Dragons

Komodo National Park is the only place where the largest lizard on planet earth lives; the Komodo Dragon. Hiring a trained Ranger is required on Rinca Island to view the Komodo dragons. He keeps you at a safe distance and guides you through the park. 

The hike through the park and to the viewpoint is available in a short (1h), medium(1.5h) or long walk (2.5h). The medium was very easy to walk although we don’t recommend walking too in much middle of the day.

The Komodo dragon can grow up to 2.5 meters, weigh over 85 kilograms, and a bite from it is actually very deadly. Always stay behind the ranger, it’s his job to keep you safe.

Boat Tours at the Komodo Islands

Labuan Bajo is the start of every Komodo Islands boat tour. A small harbor town located on the western tip of Flores. Discover Komodo on a day trip from Labuan Bajo or spend some nights on the boat inside the national park.

Booking a Komodo Islands boat trip

Booking a Komodo boat tour can be done online or while you are in Labuan Bajo. There are boats available in every level of comfort and size. We’ve created a partnership with a local company in Komodo that offers:

• A Shared Cabin for 2.500.000 IDR (~ 165 USD) per person.
• A Private Cabin from 3.500.000 (~ 235 USD) per person.

The options above are for a 3-day, 2-night tour and include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, coffee/tea/mineral water, snorkeling gear, and more. Contact our friend Yande below for more information or to make a booking .

No matter with what company you book your trip, please keep in mind that most multi-day trips are fully booked 8 weeks in advance.

What to expect of a Komodo Islands boat tour

During a 4-day boat trip, you are able to explore the national park, visit lesser-known locations, do loads of snorkeling, seek for shooting stars at night, have an incredible sunrise at a sandbank and so much more.

Prepare for an unforgettable experience waking up on top of the boat in our bed with an unbeatable view, a fantastic crew, and delicious Indonesian meals (also vegetarian meals).

Do remember that it is a back-to-basic experience where there is a cold-pump shower and bathroom that you have to share with 8 – 10 people. The staff keeps this very clean 24 hours long. Also, there is no cell phone connection on the water, so don’t be afraid to talk.

Price of a Komodo Islands boat tour

The price of a boat tour totally depends on what you like to see, the comfort you prefer, and how many days you spend in the national park. An entrance fee to Komodo National Park costs 280.000 IDR (18 USD) and is valid for 3 days.

A day trip in the park costs you anywhere between 500.000 – 1.000.000 (~45 USD) per person for a shared boat tour. Four days on a boat, including meals, would cost you anywhere between 3.000.000 to 6.000.000 IDR per person. (~300 USD)

Whatever your budget is, a visit to Komodo National Park is an experience you absolutely must-do in Indonesia!

How to get to the Komodo Islands

Over the past few years, it has become much easier to visit the Komodo Islands. You can easily combine a 4-day Komodo Islands boat tour with your 3-week Bali Route .

Flights from Bali to Labuan Bajo’s brand-new airport take 60-70 minutes. The airport is a 5-minute ride from Labuan Bajo town.

Labuan Bajo & where to stay

Labuan Bajo is a great upcoming little town. Fantastic pool bars and restaurants opened their doors in 2013. Our favorite restaurants were La Cucina (Italian) and Happy Banana (sushi).

Please note that religion is Christian and Muslim. The people are lovely, so as a sign of respect for visiting their region, don’t walk in your bikini on the street.

Where to stay in Labuan Bajo

Labuan Bajo has a shortage of accommodation (2019), which is why they are building a lot at the moment. This makes it recommended to book a guesthouse or hotel in advance.

Hotels in Labuan Bajo 😴

By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support. ♥️

• Find Hotels via Booking.com
• Find a Rental Car via Rentalcars.com
• Find Flights to Komodo via Skyscanner
• Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
• Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
• Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go

Indonesia Travel Guide: The Ultimate Itinerary to Bali, Java & Flores

11 things to do in labuan bajo, flores, 13 things to do in komodo, flores.

Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.

Hi, just wondering what airline you flew with to Komodo or what do you recommend? Thank you 😊

Hi Orla, I think we flew once with Indonesia AirAsia and the other time with Lion Air. Have the best time!

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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?

• Munduk Bali: 11 Great Things to Do in 2023!
• How to Take the Ferry to Lombok From Bali
• Banjar Hot Springs Bali: All you need to know

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Komodo Dragon, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

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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.

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Komodo Island Day Trip: EVERYTHING You Need To Know

Find out all about THE BEST Komodo Island day trip below!

With its real-life Komodo Dragons, Barbie-pink beaches, jaw-dropping viewpoints and whale sharks galore. Komodo Island National Park sounds like something out of a fantasy novel .

Nevertheless, I can assure you that this stunning Indonesian national park doesn’t just exist in mere fantasy but in real life too. 

It’s not only the landscapes that are out-of-this-world. There’s plenty more natural beauty to be discovered below sea level too.

Komodo Island National Park has been regularly voted as one of the best diving spots in Indonesia and also one of the best diving locations on the planet!

With dolphins, whale sharks, manta rays, turtles and a whole host of colourful fish, it really is a scuba-diver haven . 

After visiting 54 countries and many national parks, I can safely say that Komodo Island National Park is one of the most awe-inspiring places I have ever visited in my life . And, my Komodo Island day trip is not one I’ll be forgetting anytime soon. 

Since experiencing my one-day trip to Komodo Island National Park, I have not stopped talking about it to everyone I meet, encouraging them to add this majestic place to their bucket list.

I hope this post convinces you to do the same. 

So, what do you need to know about a Komodo Island Day Trip? Read on below to find out!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a verified purchase through the links in this post I will earn a small commission. This will be at no extra cost to you. Thank you 🙂

Komodo Island Day Trip VS 4 Day Live-aboard Trip

There are two types of tours you can do when visiting Komodo National Park.

The first (and most popular) option is a 3-4 day live-aboard boat trip. Here, you will sail around the islands, explore several new spots each day and interact with lots of marine life along the way.

The second option is a day trip to Komodo Island where you will get to see the top highlights of Komodo National Park across a 10/11-hour period. 

Usually, the biggest influence in deciding what type of tour to book comes down to two things:  time and money .

Whilst, yes, you will get to see and do a whole lot more on a 3-4 day live-aboard boat trip than you would on a day trip. However, it is significantly more expensive and time-consuming. 

I think a day trip to Komodo Island is better suited for someone either on a tight budget or short on time (or both).

I decided to book a day trip to Komodo Island simply because I didn’t have enough time, as I was only in the region for the weekend. 

What I will say is that I’ve never once felt like I’ve “missed out” by choosing to do a day trip to Komodo Island over the live-aboard experience.

I still got to see all of the places that I had dreamt about seeing for a very long time. I left the tour with a very happy heart and another item ticked off the bucket list.

How to get to the Komodo Island s

In order to go on a Komodo Island day trip you’ll need to be in the town of Labuan Bajo on Flores Island.  Labuan Bajo is approximately a 1-hour flight from Bali and 2.5 hours from Jakarta with regular daily flights.  

You’ll need to arrive in Labuan Bajo at least 1 day before your tour starts. Once you have arrived I’d highly recommend staying at a hotel/hostel called Seaesta Komodo .

It’s reasonably priced with both dorms and private rooms and is conveniently located close to the port.

It also has a rooftop pool and onsite bar and restaurant.

Who to book a Komodo Island Day Trip with?

When deciding who to book a Day Trip with, it’s super important to look at both the itinerary and the reviews.

Are they taking you to all the top spots in Komodo National Park and are the guests raving about the experience? 

After careful consideration looking at both itineraries and reviews, I decided to book with a company called Bintang Komodo Tours through Viator.

I had such an incredible experience with them, everything was perfect from start to finish and I genuinely cannot recommend them enough. 

What I loved most about Bintang Komodo Tours is not only how friendly and knowledgeable the tour guides are, but also how well-planned the itinerary is.

I never once felt rushed to leave a stop, and felt like we had a really good amount of time in each place.  On top of this, Bintang Komodo Tours is super accommodating to solo travellers .

The guide constantly checked up on me and even offered to be my personal photographer at each stop.

By the way, this is not a sponsored post, just a positive review from one very happy customer!

How much is the Komodo Island day trip with Bintang Komodo Tours?

The cost of the day trip to Komodo Island with Bintang Komodo Tours is £114 or $145.

What’s included in the price with Bintang Komodo Tours?

The price of the trip includes transport, lunch and water/soft drinks.

Do I have to pay any additional fees with Bintang Komodo Tours?

Yes. On top of the cost of the trip, you will also have to pay a fee for visiting Padar and Komodo islands, a government tax and a snorkelling fee which is  450,000 IDR per person (£24/$30). If you wish to fly a drone in Komodo National Park you must purchase a flight licence at the National Park Office in Labuan Bajo 3 days prior to the start of your trip.

The cost of the licence is  1,000,000 IDR (£52/£66).

What’s included in the itinerary with Bintang Komodo Tours?

The below is included on the Komodo Island day trip with Bintang Komodo Tours : 

• Padar Island Trekking 
• Pink Beach Snorkeling 1 hour 
• Komodo Island Trekking 
• Taka Makassar Island Snorkeling 
• Manta Point Snorkelling ​
• Kanawa Island Snorkelling

What to Expect on a Komodo Island Day Trip

You’ll be getting an early wake-up call to begin your day trip to Komodo Island. Your tour guides will pick you up between 5-5:45 a.m. (depending on where your hotel is in Labuan Bajo). 

Once all members of the tour group have been picked up you’ll then head down to the port and jump onto the boat.

The tour guide will give you a quick briefing and also collect the 450,000 IDR fee for visiting Padar/Komodo islands, the government tax and the snorkelling fee.

You’ll then speed off to the first stop (Padar Island) and be able to watch the sunrise along the way. The journey to Padar Island is roughly 1 hour.

Stop 1 – Padar Island (1.5-2 hours)

Once you have arrived at Padar Island your guide will let you know what time they need you back at the boat.

You’ll have approximately 1.5-2 hours to hike up to and from the viewpoint at your own pace. 

The hike up to the viewpoint is around 20-30 mins.

It’s a fairly steep uphill climb but is over fairly quickly, and it really is worth the hike.

It’s one of the most stunning viewpoints you’ll ever see and you will most likely spend a lot of time taking in the view as well as lots of pictures. 

Please note there will be lots of other tourists here from different boat trips.

However, you will arrive at a really good time. Most of the people already on Padar Island are there to watch the sunrise from the viewpoint.

So by the time your boat arrives, a lot of the tourists will already be on their way back down to head to their next destination.

Stop 2 – Pink Beach (1 hour)

After a couple of incredible hours at Padar Island you’ll head to the next stop (and my personal favourite) Pink Beach. 

I’d seen pictures of Pink Beach on social media and honestly, I thought all of the images had been heavily edited to make the beach look pinker than it was.

Mostly because I have been to “pink” beaches before and they didn’t look pink at all.

Anyway, to my pleasant surprise, upon arriving at Pink Beach I could see that it was genuinely as pink as I had seen in the pictures .

I was totally gobsmacked at just how beautiful it is. 

The beach gets its colour from calcium carbonate materials left behind by foraminifera as well as thousands of broken coral pieces and shells. 

Pink Beach has a small beach bar where you can leave your belongings and purchase a fresh coconut. 

Visiting Pink Beach was my highlight of the day trip to Komodo Island.

Stop 3 – Komodo Island and Lunch (2 hours)

After Pink Beach, you’ll head over to Komodo Island and get to see those famous dragons.

Komodo Island National Park is renowned as the best place to see Komodo dragons, offering you the chance to get up close and personal with these majestic creatures.

Once you arrive on the island you will be met by some guides who will give you a safety briefing, some information about the island and important tips on how to behave/react around the dragons. 

There are 3 walking routes you can take around the island  (short, medium or long), and your tour group will be split up depending on preferences.

You must stay with a guide at all times, and they will lead your hiking group from the front. 

It’s almost guaranteed that you will see a Komodo Dragon and don’t be disheartened if you don’t see one on the trail, you can often f ind them lazing on the beach . 

I used to go to an Indonesian restaurant regularly as a child where they had life-size statues of Komodo Dragons and remember being so impressed by them. It felt like a real full-circle moment getting to see these majestic creatures in real life. 

Once everyone has completed their trail you will head to the lunch area and have a freshly cooked Indonesian lunch with a bottle of Bintang to wash it down with (if you wish).

Once everyone has eaten and is ready to go you’ll head on to the next stop.

Stop 4 – Manta Point Snorkelling ​(1 hour) 

After lunch, you will head to your first snorkelling stop of the day.

If you are lucky you’ll get to see some of the famous Manta Rays that can usually be found at Manta Point. 

Unfortunately on my trip, there were no Manta Rays to be seen.

After 15-20 minutes of searching the waters, the guides suggested that we head to the next spot to ensure that we weren’t wasting any precious time on the trip.

Stop 5 – Taka Makassar Island Snorkelling (1 hour)

Next up you will head to the gorgeous Taka Makassar Island which is like a little slice of the Maldives in Indonesia. 

The boat will not drop you to shore, but outside of the reef instead, and as a group you will snorkel and swim to the island.

The snorkelling I experienced here is probably some of the best snorkelling I have done in my whole life. The visibility is incredibly clear and the fish are super colorful.

We even got to see 3 rather large turtles which made this snorkelling stop extra special. 

Once you have finished your snorkelling and arrived at the shore of Taka Makassar Island, you’ll have some time to enjoy this stunning spot before heading back on the boat.

Thankfully, you won’t have to swim back out to the boat, it will be waiting closer to the island for you.

Stop 6 – Kanawa Island Snorkelling (1 hour)

I want to highlight that on my day trip to Komodo Island, we did not stop at Kanawa Island, because we spent extra time at the other stops above.

Therefore I cannot talk personally about my experience here.

However, I have heard great things (and now feel a little bitter I didn’t get to see it 😂 ). You can learn more about Kanawa Island here .

Arriving Back

In total, you will spend approximately 10-11 hours on the trip, and you will arrive back in Labuan Bajo at around 4 p.m.

Changes to the Itinerary

It’s important to note that the itinerary for the snorkelling stops on the Komodo Island day trip can change depending on the day (and the guides will always give the group a heads-up about any changes). 

They could decide to change the snorkelling spots for a number of reasons but it’s usually in order to chase marine life that’s been spotted in a certain area that’s not on the itinerary.

Additionally, the guides could also decide to skip past a scheduled itinerary stop because there is no marine life in the area, and so will make the choice to move on to give you more time somewhere else. 

For this reason, you’ll notice that the order in this blog post is different to what is listed on Viator .

We headed to Manta Point before Taka Makassar Island and also only stayed at Manta Point for 15-20 because, after some tireless searching, the guides couldn’t find any Manta Rays in the area.

Happy Exploring 

I hope this post has helped answer your questions about what to expect from a Komodo Island day trip. If you have any questions about anything in this post please feel free to reach out.

Looking for more Asia travel inspiration? Why not check out my other guides !

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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!

Crucial Logistics

Komodo National Park requires all boat trip passengers to pre-register. After you've booked your boat trip, you'll be required to submit your full name, nationality, and passport number to your boat host at least a day in advance, otherwise you'll be denied entry to the park. Several travellers have missed their boat trip for this reason!

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 should aim to arrive a day before your trip, since all boat trips start before the flights arrive.

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

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.

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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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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 .

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✅ Check out our Travel Gear  and  Travel Resources for more valuable tips to save you money!

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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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Komodo Islands: How to Visit Komodo National Park, Indonesia

September 30, 2019 · In: Indonesia , Travel Guides

Komodo National Park is a group of islands located in the East Nusa Tenggara Province in Indonesia within the Lesser Sunda Islands. The three main islands include Komodo, Padar and Rinca, as well as 26 smaller islands. The area is most famous for being the home to the Komodo Dragon, the largest living lizard on earth!

During your visit to the Komodo Islands you will experience unique landscapes, pink sandy beaches, the Komodo dragon and some of the most biodiverse marine life in the world!

Table of Contents

Explore the Komodo Islands by Boat

One of the best and only ways to explore Komodo National Park is by boat. Most visitors will embark on their adventure with either a one or multi-day boat tour departing out of Labuan Bajo.

From the harbour you will board a small speedboat which will take you to your sail boat for the duration of your trip!

The boat will depart around 11AM and you will begin our adventures and exploration around one of Indonesias most beautiful places!

Kelor Island

After departing from the harbor in Labuan Bajo the first stop of the day is to Kelor Island. This small, uninhabited island is surrounded by turquoise water and has a prominent grass covered hill.

To get to the island you will take a small speedboat and arrive on the beach. From here you can hike about 20 minutes up to the top of the hill.  

There are no stairs to reach the top, just some rocks that you can use as stepping stones. Be careful though as the sandy areas can be a bit slippery. Therefore, make sure to take it slow as you ascend up and down the hill.  

The view from the top is spectacular, with sweeping views of the surrounding landscapes and crystal clear water.

Visit Rinca Island to See the Komodo Dragon

The second stop is to Rinca Island to get up close with the dinosaur-like Komodo dragon. This ancient lizard, whose scientific name is Varanus komodoensis, can only be found on a few islands including Komodo, Rinca and a few others.

They are the world’s largest lizard reaching up to 300 pounds with an extremely venomous bite! Their saliva contains about 54 different species of bacteria and just ONE of those strains can kill you!

Once you arrive at the National Park your group will first check in at the ranger station. It is necessary and required to walk around the park with a Ranger who has a deeper understanding of the behaviors of the Komodo dragons.

The Rangers will carry a long stick in the rare case that a dragon will get too close and they need to provide protection for the guests. 

There are 3 different paths in the park: short, medium and long. I believe that we took the short trail since we arrived a little bit late to the park. During our walk we saw about 10 different Komodo Dragons and passed by the nesting grounds where the females lay their eggs. 

Kalong Rinca to See the Bats at Sunset

Your last stop of day one will be to Kalong Rinca where you will get to witness thousands of bats flying out of their cave at sunset. This lasts for about one hour and is an incredible spectacle to watch from your boat. 

Visit Padar Island for Sunrise

Your boat crew will wake you up early around 4:30 AM once you dock at Padar Island. The small speedboat will take you to shore and you will begin the 30-45 minute climb to the top for sunrise. Here there are stairs for the majority of the trek until you get near the top when you will have to do a bit of rock climbing again.

One thing we didn’t expect was how many people were actually here at the same time. Due to the mass amounts of people you may have to wait for awhile to get a decent photo here. Also, be careful when passing people during your climb up and down the hill as there are some slippery spots and narrow paths. 

The view from the top is absolutely stunning. Look to the right and you will see the white sandy beach where all the boats dock. Take your eyes to the left and see first the black sand beach and then just beyond that is the pink sandy beach. 

Padar Island is the 3rd largest island in Komodo National Park and used to be home to the Komodo Dragon. However, due to lack of food the dragons eventually moved out and now the island is one of the most popular hiking spots within the National Park.

» Photography Tip 📷 Climb up a little bit after the spot where the stairs have ended and you will find some large rocks. Here you can stand on top of the rocks and use some strategic angles to get this photo without all of the people.

Visit the Pink Beach

It really is pink! We were truly blown away by the color of this beach as we honestly didn’t expect it to be this pink in reality! The color of the sand is formed from the combination of the white sand mixed with the red coral that gets broken up from the crashing waves.

Once you arrive to the beach you will be amazed by the contrast of the pink sand with the bright, turquoise water and surrounding mountain views. It really is a magnificent sight!

Once you’ve finished admiring the beach, grab your snorkel and mask and take to the water for some snorkeling. The marine life in the Komodo islands is flourishing and spectacular!

Snorkel with Manta Rays at Manta Point

After enjoying a few hours at the pink beach you will head to the spot where Manta Rays are known to be swimming and feeding. Within minutes of arriving to the area we spotted two giant mantas gracefully circling in the water.

We immediately donned our masks and snorkels and jumped into the water to swim side by side with these underwater ballerinas.

The manta rays are filter feeders meaning they only eat plankton or small jellyfish that they can filter through their wide mouths. They are completely harmless and safes to swim with but please do not try to touch them.

During our time at Manta Point we jumped in the water 4 times and swam with about 10 total manta rays. The best spot to swim with them is at the “cleaning station.” This is a place where small fish will consume dead skin or parasites off of the manta rays body.

This was the only area that we swam that didn’t have a ton of jellyfish in the water. The jellyfish are quite prevalent in this area and generally won’t sting, however, there is definitely a chance they can so be careful.

Takka Makassar Sand Bank

Your fourth stop of the day will be to the super popular Takka Makassar sand bank. This tiny, pink sandy island is surrounded by crystal clear water and is another great snorkeling spot.

If you arrive here early in the morning you can beat the crowds. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived there were already a ton of people there. Luckily it is still a gorgeous spot despite the crowds!

Siaba Island to Snorkel with Turtles

After the sand bank you will head to your final spot of the day! Siaba Island is known for having a large population of sea turtles and some of the best reefs in the area. Your sail boat will park a safe distance from the reef and you will be taken closer by the small speedboat.

We saw 2 large turtles from our sailboat but none while we were snorkeling. The reef here is one of the best we have seen! There are many species of colorful coral, marine life and sea plants. You will truly be amazed by the underwater world here!

Luckily, the clarity of the water is crystal clear so you will have no trouble seeing tons of marine life even at deeper depths!

After the snorkeling you will head back on the boat for the evening and enjoy another sunset out at sea!

Visit Kanawa Island in Komodo Island

Your last morning in on the Komodo Islands tour is all about relaxation! You will arrive at Kanawa Island early in the morning with the option of sun bathing or snorkeling. We chose to relax in the shade and take a short walk along the white sandy beach.

The island is pretty large and has a very photogenic dock where you will arrive from your boat.

After spending a few hours on the island your sail boat will head back to the Labuan Bajo harbor where your trip will end. The tour company will either drop you off at your hotel or the airport!

National Park Entry Fees in Komodo Island National Park

In order to enter the Komodo Island National Park you have to pay an additional 550K IDR ($40 USD) per person. The fee is less expensive for locals at a price of 150K IDR ($11 USD) per person.

There is also a new fee that was implemented as a snorkeling retribution fee of 100K IDR ($7.15 USD) per person if you want to swim and snorkel. The fee for locals is 50K IDR ($3.60 USD). 

There is also a 1 million IDR ($72 USD) fee if you want to fly your drone on Padar Island. It isn’t clear on who you pay. There also didn’t seem to be anyone at the beach when you arrive that was collecting money.

Ultimately, we chose not to spend the money to fly the drone here. It would be best to discuss this fee with your tour company should you choose to fly your drone at this particular spot. 

» More Indonesia Guides: Discover the Best Things to Do in Nusa Penida’s West Coast

How to Choose the Right Boat Company in the Komodo Island

With so many tour companies to choose from it can be a bit overwhelming to select the right trip. There will be a few factors that will affect your decision with the majority being time and money.

Additionally, some of the different options that you can choose between will be a private tour or shared accommodation, single day or multi-day and diving or snorkeling. 

If you don’t book a company prior to your arrival it is best to have a general idea of what you are hoping to see before heading out on the street to ask around.

On average many of the tour companies were quoting around 3.5 to 4 million IDR (~$285 USD) per person for a private tour which did not include the additional park entry fees. 

For our trip, we choose a company called Flip My Trip and selected the 3 day & 2 night journey in order to maximize our time and see as much as we could within that time.

The trip cost 2.3 million IDR ($165 USD) per person and included all meals, unlimited water, the crew, shared accommodations and pick up/drop off to our hotel. 

What to Expect on a Shared Accommodation

One of the first questions I get about this trip is about the shared accommodation. In all honesty we were a bit concerned as well. However, as soon as we boarded the boat and met the other passengers all our worries completely subsided.

Now this could be completely different depending on who you end up on the boat with so I can only speak for our experience.

On the sail boat there were 3 rooms and 2 bathrooms. The rooms were divided up in this way: 1 room with bunkbeds that can sleep up to 8 people, 1 room with bunkbeds for 2 different couples and one private room.

We were placed in the shared room with one other couple. We chose the bottom bunk and they had the top. The sleeping arrangements were actually very comfortable and each room had enough space for your belongings.

The shared bathrooms were also completely fine with a toilet, shower and toiletries. You will need to bring your own towel. We didn’t have one so we had to purchase one at the local supermarket in Labuan Bajo.

I understand that safety of your belongings is probably a big concern. At no point during our trip did we feel concerned about our stuff, including all of my expensive camera gear or our wallets. Everyone on the ship is there for the same reason as you, to enjoy the beauty of the Komodo Islands and doesn’t seem concerned with your belongings!

Overall we actually really enjoyed the shared accommodations and sharing these experiences with our new friends!  If you choose a shared boat, have an open mind and maybe you will leave with some new friends!

How to Get to the Komodo Islands

There are a few different ways to reach the Komodo Islands but the easiest and quickest would be to fly to Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores. Here there is a small airport located right in the center of town making it easy to move around and reach the harbor where you will leave on your boat trip. 

You can catch inexpensive flights from Bali with a few different airlines. For our flight to Labuan Bajo we flew with Wings Air from Lombok since we were coming from Gili Air.

If you also want to visit the Gili Islands before or after your trip you can easily do so. To get to from the Gili’s to Flores you can take a public ferry to Lombok and then fly out of the Lombok Airport.

You can also do it in reverse by flying from Labuan Bajo to Lombok and then taking the ferry from the Bangsal harbor in Lombok to the Gili Islands. 

How to Get Around Labuan Bajo and the Island of Flores

If you are staying in a hotel nearby the harbor it is very easy to walk around the city center of Labuan Bajo. However, if you want to explore or head to the surrounding areas for sunset viewpoints then you will need to either rent a motorbike or use a tour company. 

There were many tour companies in the center of town that were offering single day or multi-day overland trips to see more of the island of Flores.

Some of the most popular sights to see during the overland trips would be the Wae Rabo Village, the Cunca Wulang waterfall and the Kelimutu twin lakes. We ended up finding a relatively unknown waterfall and were the only ones there! 

If you are adventurous and know how to drive a motorbike you can rent them either from your hotel or in town. We rented one from our hotel for 75K IDR ($5.40 USD) per day. You may have to request a helmet if they don’t automatically give one to you. 

How to Get Around the Komodo Islands

The only option to visit the Komodo Islands is to take a boat tour. You can choose a single day tour or a multi-day tour. The most popular trip is the 3 day & 2 night tour which is the one that we did.

Many companies offer longer tours that usually go up to 5 nights. If you have the time and extra money I would highly recommend the longer tour!

There are also many dive shops where you can join a live aboard. On these trips you’ll do multiple dives per day which we imagine would also be pretty amazing. 

What to Pack for Your Komodo Island Trip

A bathing suit is essential for your trip to the Komodo Islands. You’ll definitely want to swim in those turquoise waters, experience the underwater world and get close to the manta rays!

The boat company that we used did not provide towels so we ended up purchasing one for cheap at the local supermarket in Labuan Bajo.

Make sure you bring closed toed shoes for some of the treks like Kelor Island, Padar Island and to see the Komodo dragons at Rinca Island. However, if you’re like us and only have flip flops you’ll also be just fine. My flip flop even broke at Padar Island so I had to hike the whole way barefoot!

Most likely your boat will provide you with enough food that you’ll actually never be hungry. However, it is wise to pack a few snacks just in case. Be sure to stop into the local supermarket in Labuan Bajo before your boat trip to pick up a few things. Your boat will most likely have water so you shouldn’t have to bring a bunch of bottles. However, it’s best to double check before you leave.

The sun is strong in the Komodo Islands so make sure to pack sunscreen. Since you’ll be doing some snorkeling around the coral reefs it is important to use reef safe sunscreen . My favorite is a brand called Sun Bum. Luckily, there are many companies out there now producing sunscreen that won’t harm the reefs.

Due to the strong sun you’ll also want to pack your favorite sunglasses and hat! Be sure to cover up as much as possible so you don’t get sunburnt!

As always, pack your camera gear and all corresponding chargers. They have plenty of outlets on the boat so you’ll be sure to have fully charged batteries!

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October 4, 2019 at 7:11 pm

Bring me there!!! Wow, the Komodo Islands look absolutely gorgeous! Everywhere you guys went looked amazing. Also I love how informative this article is. Totally adding this to my bucket list.

October 25, 2019 at 12:47 pm

You would love it here Taylor! Definitely try to make it out this way when you plan your trip to Indonesia! There are rumors of Rinca Island with the Komodo Dragons being closed next year but if that doesn’t happen there is so much beauty on the other islands that it wouldn’t even matter!

October 9, 2019 at 10:15 am

Komodo islands look really great! I’m dying to go there to see the “dragons” in real! 😍

Yes! Komodo National Park is so amazing! And the Komodo Dragons are seriously cool!

October 9, 2019 at 7:36 pm

Reading your post makes me want to go back! I did a similar tour in August but I chose the 4 days and 3 nights tour starting from Lombok. This was definitely one of the highlights of my 2 month trip. You’re photos are a dream too!

October 25, 2019 at 12:44 pm

Thank you so much Maria! That sounds amazing! Honestly, I wish we had more time there and would love to go back to do a diving liveaboard! Sounds like your experience was just as magical!

November 2, 2019 at 1:34 pm

I’ve always wanted to go to the Komodo Islands and now I want to go even more!! A boat trip definitely seems like the way to do it. Thanks for such a helpful guide.

February 17, 2020 at 9:11 am

Thanks Sophie!! I think the only way to see the Komodo Island is by boat and it is definitely worth it! So many beautiful spots and sights along the way!

November 2, 2019 at 2:40 pm

The Komodo Islands look so stunning! I would love to visit one day and a boat tour looks like the perfect way to do it. Super informative and the photos are beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing!

February 17, 2020 at 9:12 am

Thank you Pauline! The boat trips are so fun and it is amazing waking up on the ocean with views of magnificent islands and turquoise waters!

November 2, 2019 at 7:33 pm

The views, the wildlife, the fun activities. Everything about this place looks incredible. I’d love to visit and see the komodo dragons too

November 3, 2019 at 5:19 am

Thanks Emma! It was such a spectacular place to visit and totally took us by surprise! We loved it so much and it should definitely be added to your bucket list!

November 3, 2019 at 9:31 am

This sounds like a great way to see the Komodo Islands. I love a good boat trip and definitely don’t need it to be super fancy.

November 17, 2019 at 2:58 pm

Then this definitely sounds like your kind of trip! You would love this boat trip and all the places you visit along the way!

November 3, 2019 at 11:07 am

I haven’t heard about this place before, but it looks very beautiful. Your guide is very complex, so thank you for sharing it, those tips really helps!

November 17, 2019 at 2:59 pm

It is such a gorgeous place to visit and I hope you make it there one day! Hopefully it will help you plan your trip!

November 3, 2019 at 5:58 pm

The Komodo Islands look like a gorgeous place to visit! I would love to visit Rinca Island to see the Komodo Dragons. The Cunca Wulang waterfall looks gorgeous as well!

November 3, 2019 at 7:43 pm

Oooo I really wanted to visit Komodo when I was in Indonesia a couple years ago, but I didn’t have time. It’s at the top of my list to go back for. Gorgeous photos!

February 17, 2020 at 9:07 am

You would love it there Carrie! I hope you can make it back one day and take the boat trip around the islands!

November 4, 2019 at 3:07 pm

How fascinating about the saliva containing so many different types of deadly bacteria! I had no idea that they were sooooo poisonous haha. The islands look beautiful though, definitely added to my bucket list!

We didn’t know either!! So crazy and makes you a tiny bit nervous being around them because they are so fast! But the entire Komodo Islands are gorgeous so you should definitely try to make it out there one day!

November 4, 2019 at 7:57 pm

Indonesia is a dream come true for those (like me!) who love the outdoors and meeting wildlife. I literally have seeing Komodo dragons on my bucket list ❤️ Loved your photos, and the info is super useful! Pinned for future references!

November 21, 2019 at 5:49 am

Thank you Coni! If you are an outdoor enthusiast than you will absolutely love it there!! Let me know if you ever have any additional questions!

November 5, 2019 at 1:19 am

What a wonderful collection of photos! The pink beach is just stunning. I’d love to check out the many islands in Indonesia!

Thank you so much Katy! We were so impressed that the color of the sand was actually that pink!

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Boat Trip in Komodo National Park

Come on board .

Captain komodo has created for you several itineraries to discover this amazing archipelago with your family or your friends. Get on board and just enjoy your boat trip in Komodo islands. When cruising with our phinisi “Alcira” you will experience what most people only dream about. Our boat comes fully equipped with International Safety Standard and Snorkeling equipment. It has 2 rooms with double bed and 2 cabins with 4 single beds each. It can accomodate up to 12 passengers. The vessel has a home anchorage at Labuan Bajo on the West coast of Flores, Nusa Tenggara Oriental, Indonesia. There is an airport at Labuan Bajo so it’s really easy to access.

Shared Trip 3 Days / 2 Nights

Private Trip 1 Day

Private Trip 2 Days / 1 Night

Private Trip 3 Days / 2 Night

Private Trip 4 Days / 3 Night

Private Trip 5 Days / 4 Night

Visit komodo national park on a boat trip.

Komodo National Park has one of the richest reefs in the world thanks to its privileged position that attract a large number of species looking for food: manta rays, sharks, whales, dolphins, Napoleon wrasses, dugong and sea turtles. Snorkeling is just an amazing experience in this location.

Experience a boat trip and meet the komodo dragons

Captain Komodo offers you a boat trip adventure in one of the most beautiful place in the world. Komodo National Park, a Man and Biosphere Reserve since 1986 and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991 to conserve the unique Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard. Situated within the East Nusa Tenggara region of Indonesia, between Sumbawa and Flores, Komodo National Park includes three major islands: Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as around 100 smaller islands. Most of the islands are unhabited and offer beautiful white sand beaches.

Tour in Flores

In addition to your liveaboard adventure, we can also organize for you a tour in the mainland. From Labuan Bajo to Maumere, there are many highlights to visit as the traditional village of Wae Rebo near Denge Village, the traditional houses of Todo Village, the spyder web rice fields in Cancar, the village of Bena in Bajawa, the three colored lakes of the volcano Kelimutu near the town of Moni and much more.

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Asia , Indonesia , Travel · May 1, 2023

Komodo Islands: How To Plan Your Sailing Trip

The Komodo Islands offer some of the most exciting and unique adventures you can have in Indonesia. From beautiful towering mountains to bats taking flight during sunset, a pink beach (yes.. the sand is actually pink) and even seeing the infamous Komodo Dragon up close, there is SO much to see and do here.

We had the pleasure of setting sail with Sail with Papiton and Travass Life, one of the premier travel companies on Labuan Bajo, that offer incredible multi-day tours. We sailed on the Papiton Duwa boat and had an incredible time enjoying the comforts of home while sailing through some spectacular islands.

In this blog post were are going to share with you everything you need to know about booking your trip to the Komodo Islands in Indonesia, including information on Labuan Bajo, why we sailed with Travass Life, and our full tour itinerary!

Let’s get into it!

Watch our complete travel vlog and guide to sailing the Komodo Islands in Komodo National Park here!

How To Get To The Komodo Islands

Komodo Islands are located East of the popular Island of Bali, Indonesia. However, you will begin your trip in Labuan Bajo, a small coastal town that is the gateway to the Komodo Island sailing adventures.

To get to the town of Labuan Bajo, you can take a domestic flight from most airports in Indonesia and will arrive at the Komodo Airport. From there, depending on your arrival date and time, the team at Travass will pick you up and bring you to the boat, or you will go to a hotel of your choice for the night!

We choose to arrive in Labuan Bajo a day early so we had time to explore the town and relax before our three day sailing adventure!

Komodo Islands Sailing Itinerary

Keep in mind that the itinerary is very weather dependent and can be changed if the guides feel another route is more suitable.

Komodo Islands Tour Itinerary: Day One

On day one, the Travass Team arranged pickup from our hotel at 8:00AM! From there we were brought to the port and transported to the Papiton Duwa, our home for the next 3 days. Once all 10 guests were settled on board, we began to sail to our first destination of the day!

siaba Island

After about 2 hours of sailing, we arrived at Siaba Island. This was a great snorkeling spot with colorful corals and fish. If you get lucky, you may even see some turtles! We spent about 45 minutes here enjoying the ocean and the sun before heading to our next stop for the day.

Manta Point

After a brief lunch break, we set sail to one of the most exciting points on this trip! Manta Point! There is never a guarantee to see Manta Rays, but if you visit from December to March, the likelihood is apparently higher. We got SO lucky and saw 5 Manta Rays during our hour here. They are absolutely magical and so gentle. This was a bucket-list moment for us!

Taka Makassar

Once we all boarded the boat with excitement from swimming with Manta Rays, we headed over to a sand bar in the middle of the ocean! We traveled shortly after a storm period so there was unfortunately quite a bit of trash and debris on the beach. However, this is not always the case. We spent about 45 minutes here soaking up some sun, before we sailed to our final destination of the day.

Padar Island

If you have ever googled “Komodo Island” then you will likely see a photo of this incredible Island pop up alongside many photos of Komodo Dragons. Padar Island, has one of the most beautiful lookout points in Indonesia, looking at 3 different sand bays below towering mountains.

As this is one of the most popular stops for day trips to Komodo, Travass Life brings their guests for sunset. This was the perfect time to visit in our opinion. The sun is not as hot on your hike up the 800+ steps to the top, and we were one of the only boats there, meaning we got to enjoy it with just a few others.

We have traveled to a lot of places, and we often see photos that really hype places up. This place far exceeded our expectations and no photo or video could ever capture just how beautiful this place is.

Dinner And rest

Once we returned to the boat from Padar Island, our captain set sail to where we would anchor for the night and sleep. We anchored directly in front of Pink Beach, which would be our first destination for the next day!

The crew made an incredible dinner, our group shared travel stories and got to know each other more, and then we all went to our cabins to sleep and prepare for another day of adventure!

Jake saw some Reef Sharks from our Balcony in the evening, and apparently they frequent this area at night, so make sure to look for them!

Tour Itinerary: Day Two

We woke up in the morning to a beautiful sunrise and views of Pink Beach! This is one of the busiest destinations in the Komodo Islands, so our team made sure we were the first boat there! Our small boat took us to shore and we enjoyed the beautiful pink sand and some of the clearest blue water we have ever seen for about an hour! When we were leaving, about 7-8 large boats pulled up with SO many people.

While we understand beautiful places are popular for a reason and sometimes it is inevitable to share them with a crowd, we did appreciate that our boat crew got us there early so we could enjoy the beautiful beach in solitude with just our group!

We boarded the boat and then set sail for our next destination while breakfast was served.

Komodo Island

This is the stop that SO many people on our boat were waiting for! Komodo Island! This is one of the handful of Islands in Indonesia that still have a Komodo Dragon population. This endangered species is from the prehistoric era, and are the largest lizards in the world. Komodo Dragons can grow up to 3 Meters Long (10 feet) and can weigh over 70 kg (150+ lbs).

When you arrive, a guide is assigned to the group and they give you a safety briefing regarding the Komodo’s. From there, you will begin a small hiking loop taking you to areas that you are most likely to see these beasts! We got very lucky and saw 8 during our visit! One of them being about 2.5 meters long.

The guides are extremely knowledgeable and ensure your safety during the trip. Listen to your guides and keep a distance from the Komodo Dragons because they still are wild animals and can be aggressive if they feel provoked.

This Island had some souvenir tents and small market areas to buy soda, beer and some snacks!

We spent about an hour and half here. We then got back on the boat to have our lunch as we sailed to our next destination.

Snorkeling Spot

Our Travass Life team surprised us with an incredible snorkeling spot on our way to our final destination of the day! This was absolutely welcomed as it was mid-day and our group was very warm from the trekking around Komodo Islands. This spot had quite a strong current, so make sure to wear a life-jacket if you need it.

We saw a sea snake, some stunning colorful coral, a lot of tropical fish and some starfish!

Kalong Island

With a snack served as we sailed, we headed to our final stop of the day, Kalong Island for sunset! This island is famous for it’s Flying Foxes or a type of bat, that fly back to their home island everyday at sunset. This is one of the coolest experiences you will ever have! It was surreal to have thousands of these massive bats fly over the boat. This experience lasts for around 30 minutes and starts at sunset. Our entire group sat on the top deck of the boat and took in this phenomenon as the sun set around us. Absolutely magical.

Dinner and Rest

While our crew served us an amazing dinner, they filled us in on our final itinerary for the following day! We could not believe that we only had a few activities left before we returned. After dinner, our group went back to their rooms to get some sleep before our last morning of adventures!

Tour Itinerary: Day 3

Our boat moved and anchored at Manjarite Island for the night as there was some rough water and a storm that occurred overnight in our previously planned sleeping area. This change is sleeping location benefited us as we had quick access to our activities for the day!

Kelor Island

On our final morning, the boat crew woke us up at around 5 AM to get to our first Island of the day, Kelor Island. We made our way from the Paption Duwa to the beach of Kelor Island for a sunrise hike. The hike itself is only 10 minutes to the top, but it is quite steep and the trail is very muddy, so after some rain, can be a bit hard to navigate. You are going to want to pack shoes with good grip for this one!

Once we reached the top of the hill, our group sat in silence and watched as the sun rose over the adjacent mountain. This is a great way to start the day! After we hiked back down, there is a small group of vendors set up that sell drinks and snacks as well as some souvenirs. There is also a small white sand beach and a dock.

Manjarite Island

After we returned to the main boat, we had some time for breakfast as we waited for the sun to rise over the mountain of Manjarite Island. Once the sun appeared, we got ready to head over to our final stop of our trip! We had the option to visit the dock and enjoy the view and sunshine, or jump in the water and snorkel the rich coral reef that surrounds the island. We opted to hang out on the dock and soak up some sun. Although the group that decided to snorkel said they saw a lot of starfish and even a turtle!

Return To Labuan Bajo

Our trip has come to an end and we all boarded the boat for the last time! We set sail for Labuan Bajo and our group sat around sharing their favorite moments of the trip and contact information to stay in touch! Once we reached the port, the Travass Team had already per-arranged transportation for everyone to bring them to their hotel or to the airport!

Boat Amenities

Like we said above, we sailed on the Papiton Duwa! This boat has 5 cabins and can sleep up to 12 guests. There is a full crew on board, including a guide, a photographer for the trip, a chef and of course, the captain! This is one of the only boat tours through the Komodo Islands that we have seen that offer a photographer during the trip! We thought this was a great feature to add something extra special to the trip.

We stayed in the Manta Room which is a spacious suite at the back of the second deck of the boat. This room has a comfy bed, an en-suite bathroom, and a private balcony! This is the only room on the boat with a private balcony and it was SO great to have. We got up in the morning, made a coffee at the front of the boat and them came and enjoyed it on our balcony.

Each room on the boat has a private en-suite bathroom complete with a shower and flushing toilet. There is a shared dining area with a small kitchenette located at the center of the boat. Coffee, tea and filtered water are always available in the kitchenette! They crew always had some kind of snack out as well, whether it be Bananas, Cookies or Cereal! There is a community fridge if you decided to bring any of your own drinks on board as well, there is no alcohol on board, so you will need to bring that yourself.

There is a large sun deck located on the top of the boat, that offer some great views while sailing! At the very front of the boat there are two nets that act as a hammock which are perfect for relaxing.

Trip Inclusions and Exclusions

There is a lot included in the trip. All meals and snacks are included as well as Tea, Coffee and Drinking Water. Every room has a full private bathroom with hot water. Towels and linens are included as well. There is a guide as well as person responsible for Photos and Videos (professional camera and drone) of the trip. We thought this was a great bonus, as not many other boats offer this service!

Here are a few things to note that are not included on trip. Any alcoholic beverages, soda or juice need to be brought on the boat yourself. The National Park fees are not included in the trip and are 250,000 IDR per person. If you want to fly a drone in the National Park (Padar Island) than it is 1,000,000 IDR! You will need to notify the boat crew that you would like a drone permit so they can prepare it prior to your arrival to the National Park. Also tips for the crew! There are a lot of hard working crew members on board the boat making your trip magical, so make sure to give them a tip.

Final Thoughts

Sailing the Komodo Islands is a trip that you need to plan ASAP! If you like checking things off of your bucketlist, in one trip you will swim with Manta Rays, visit a Pink Sand Beach and see Komodo Dragons. This truly is a once in a lifetime trip!

We hope you found this blog post helpful. Let us know if you have any questions in the comments, we would be more than happy to answer them.

Check out Sail with Papiton and Travass Life !

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exclusive BOAT TOURS

Exclusive boat tours.

Our Boat Tours in Komodo Island are our designed tours by boat as for you who prefer the flexibility of a trip independently. On this tour, there will be only you in the boat with your family or friends and our team (Guide and Boat crews). You will not share the boat with other travelers. Boat Tour Komodo Island are varied and are ranging from one day to 4 days both live on board and daily trip. We are also arranging Komodo Island Shore Excursions from Cruise Port which is especially dedicated to the passengers from a cruise ship on Port of Call Komodo Island.

Komodo Boat Trip 1 Day

Komodo boat trip 1 Day is the shortest among the Boat Tours in Komodo. This tour…

Boat Tour Komodo 2 Days

Boat Tour Komodo 2 Days is one of the most requested Boat Tours on Komodo Island

Komodo Boat Tour 3 Days

Komodo Boat Tour 3 Days 2 Nights is one of the most requested boat tours. This tour offers…

Komodo Tour By Boat 4 Days

Komodo Tour by Boat 4 Days is the longest Boat Tours Komodo by boat

Day Tours To Komodo

Day Tours To Komodo is the most popular daily boat trip into Komodo National Park. This day trip is…

Komodo Tours 2 Days

Komodo Tours 2 Days is Komodo Island Boat Tours and is the shortest overnight Komodo Boat Tour…

Komodo Trip 3 Days

Komodo Trip 3 Days is another overnight boat tour offered by Komodo Dreamland Tour There is a saying that…

Komodo Tour Package 4 Days

Komodo Tour Package 4-Days is the longest overnight boat tour of Komodo Island Boat Tours…

2 Days Labuan Bajo Tour From Hotel

Labuan Bajo Tour From Hotel is another option of the tour to visit Komodo dragon which…

Komodo Island Shore Excursions from Cruise Port

Click here to change this text. Komodo Island Shore Excursions from Cruise Port is a type of tour that is specially designed for…

Private Boat Tour Types

There are actually 5 types of the boat tours we use on all tours. Fast boat tour/speedboat, standard boat tour, superior boat tour, deluxe boat tour and luxury boat tour. The most boat tours we use on our tours are Fast boat, Standard boat, superior boat, and deluxe boat. All the below boat photos only are some of the boat tours we mostly use in the tour.

Fats boat tour/Speedboat

Fast boat/speedboat is a private boat type we use on our Day Tours to Komodo (Komodo Boat Trip 1 Day). We use this boat because it is the best choice for those who want to visit Komodo National Park in a very short time. We also use fast boat tour on our combination tours ( Boat Tours and Land Tours ) with the choice of 1 day tour to Komodo island. The boats tour featured on our website are only some of the boat tours.

Standard boat tour

Standard boat tour is a private boat we most use on our multi day tours. The tour using this boat type is a budget tour because the price is reasonable. If you are sailing on a budget tour, your boat is then a standard local wooden boat (nor a superior boat or luxury boat) that we have been using for our tours and it has enough cabins to sleep (single and double bunked bed) so please do not expect a superior, de luxe or luxury boat tour. The bed in the boat is bunked bed and can be for 2 people (double size). The cabin on a standard boat is 2 cabin and maximum 3 cabins available. This cabin is completed with an air conditioner. For all the standard boat tours, the bathrooms are separated and are shared with other cabins on the boat. Meals provided on the boat (Indonesian home-style food and vegan food (on request), mineral waters, coffee, tea, milk, and snack every afternoon of the day. Bear in mind that the shower and seat toilet is simple and basic but at least it is enough to have a shower. So, please do not expect a shower like in the hotel. The paper is provided in the bathroom. Hot water shower is not available on standard boat.

Superior boat tour

Superior boat tour on our tours are are bigger than a standard boat. The superior boat has 2 designs, private bathrooms on each room and separate bathroom design. Private bathrooms on each room sometimes subject to availability. Hot water shower is almost not available on superior boat tours

Deluxe Boat Tour

De luxe boat is similar with luxury boat (biggest of all the boat type). At a glance, the design between De luxe boat and luxury boat are the same but they have similar facilities too (hot water shower). All de luxe boat have private cabin on each room.

Message: More details on the standard boat, superior and deluxe boat will be informed via correspondence .

9 Things to do in Komodo National Park

K omodo National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Indonesia, and with so many things to do there, a trip is a must-do for any Indonesian traveler.

Famed for being the home of the notorious Komodo dragons, the park offers far more than just wildlife sightings. This UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its untouched nature, stunning landscapes, and rare animal species. 

Whether you’re a thrill-seeker looking to conquer new heights or a marine life enthusiast eager to swim alongside manta rays, Komodo National Park is the perfect place for extraordinary encounters. 

Best time to visit Komodo National Park

The optimal time to visit Komodo National Park in Indonesia is during the dry season, which spans from June to September, when the weather is best for trekking and spotting the park’s famous dragons. 

During these months, the seas are calmer, making boat travel between the islands smoother and diving conditions excellent, with visibility at its peak. While July and August are the busiest months, visiting in the shoulder months of April, May, and October offers a balance of good weather and fewer tourists, allowing for a more tranquil experience without the tourist crowds. 

Best things to do in Komodo National Park

Komodo has a lot to offer, from water activities, hiking, seeing wildlife, and just relaxing on a boat.

1. See Komodo Dragons

Spotting the legendary Komodo dragons in their natural habitat on Komodo Island is an experience you’ll never forget. These huge lizards, the largest in the world, are not merely a tourist attraction but a living wonder of evolution, often seen lazily sunbathing in the thick forests or lumbering through the underbrush. 

You can only explore the Komodo dragon’s natural habitat with a guide, who will provide not only safety but also plenty of information on the dragons’ behavior, diet, and the conservation efforts to protect them. 

The dragons can actually be quite dangerous, and their bite is deadly due to the bacteria inhabiting their mouths. Luckily, guides are very experienced, and incidents only occur when visitors wander off the trails by themselves. Stick to your guide, and you’ll be perfectly safe.

Observing the Komodo dragons is like stepping back in time, a truly unique wildlife experience that defines the raw, untamed beauty of Komodo National Park.

2. Explore Labuan Bajo

Labuan Bajo, once a sleepy fishing village on the western tip of Flores Island, serves as the main gateway to Komodo National Park. This busy port town has transformed into a thriving hub for travelers planning on visiting Komodo National Park or heading on a road trip around Flores. There are also beautiful resorts close to Labuan Bajo since staying in the national park itself is not possible.

But Labuan Bajo’s charm extends beyond its role as a transit point; it invites travelers to dive into cultural immersion, offering stunning sunset views from Amelia Sea View, fantastic seafood restaurants, and a nice waterfront, which is perfect for an evening walk. The town’s rapidly growing tourism infrastructure makes it an appealing spot for both the casual traveler seeking comfort and the rugged, eco-conscious explorer.

3. Go on an overnight boat tour

The best way to explore Komodo National Park is by joining an overnight boat tour, which will take you to see all the highlights.

These tours, which typically depart from Labuan Bajo, range from rustic to luxury, depending on your budget and preferences. Accommodations on these boats vary, offering anything from simple mattresses on deck under the stars to private, air-conditioned cabins. 

Choose from tours ranging from one to four nights and consider if you’re going to be scuba diving, which will need a bigger budget.

Meals on board are typically inclusive, with chefs preparing a fusion of Indonesian and international cuisine, often including the fresh seafood of the region. 

You can book your boat trip online in advance or find an operator on arrival in Labuan Bajo. With so many tours to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find one you’ll like.

4. Hike to Padar Island at sunrise

Padar Island is arguably Komodo National Park’s most famous lookout point and is known for being one of the only places in the world where you can see a white, pink, and black-sand beach at the same time.

For a sunrise hike on Padar Island, it’s essential to start climbing early while it’s still dark. The hike is moderate but involves steep and uneven terrain, so good hiking shoes and a flashlight are necessary. The climb takes around 30 to 60 minutes, and bringing water and a snack is recommended. As the summit can be windy, a windbreaker might be useful. Once at the top, hikers are greeted with a panoramic view of the island’s distinctive crescent beaches and rugged topography. Just keep in mind that this spot is very popular and can get very crowded, so adjust your expectations. To avoid the crowds, consider coming at noon or in the early afternoon instead.

5. Visit Rangko Cave

Rangko Cave is located close to the national park, in an area that is only accessible by boat. This is one of the more off-the-beaten-track things to do in Komodo, so you won’t encounter as many tourists here.

Visiting Rangko Cave requires a drive, a short boat trip, and a short hike. To reach the cave, travelers typically arrange for a taxi or private transfer to Rangko village, followed by a quick boat ride to the area of the cave. 

The locals will know where to take you, and the trail is straightforward and short, so it’s easy to find.

Appropriate footwear is advised due to the rugged terrain. Inside the cave, the main attraction is the stunning natural pool with its crystal-clear, saline water, ideal for a refreshing swim. 

The best time to visit is around midday, when the sun is high, as it illuminates the interior and enhances the beauty of the pool. Visitors should bring swimwear water and be prepared to pay a small entrance fee used for the conservation of the area.

6. Go scuba diving

Komodo National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the world to go scuba diving, and if you have your license, there is no excuse not to try it.

This is one of the most biodiverse marine environments on the planet, and you can see animals like reef sharks, turtles, and, of course, plenty of different tropical fish. The underwater topography here is as varied as it is dramatic, featuring everything from shallow coral gardens to deep walls and pinnacles, with currents that bring a constant flow of nutrients and attract a spectacular array of marine life. 

Whether you’re an experienced diver looking to ride the challenging currents or a beginner keen to explore under the expert guidance of local dive masters, Komodo’s underwater world is sure to leave a lasting impression. With dive operators offering a range of services from day trips to liveaboards, the diving adventure in Komodo can be tailored to fit any itinerary or skill level.

7. Visit Pink Beach

No trip to Komodo is complete without a stop at the national park’s famous pink beach. Named after its blush-colored sands, a natural phenomenon resulting from the mixture of white sand with red coral fragments, Pink Beach stands out as one of only very few pink beaches in the world.

This stretch of pastel-tinted coastline is not just perfect for relaxing, it offers excellent snorkeling opportunities just a few meters from the shore, where the coral reef is alive with a diverse array of marine life. 

Accessibility to Pink Beach is typically by boat, with most tours offering it as a stop for lunch or the early morning. The combination of its rare pink sands, the inviting waters, and the encompassing natural beauty makes Pink Beach a must-visit destination within the park, especially if you’re hoping to take lots of photos.

8. Swim with manta rays

Swimming with manta rays in the pristine waters of Komodo National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The park, particularly around Manta Point or Makassar Reef, is known as a cleaning station where these graceful creatures gather, allowing divers and snorkelers the opportunity to observe them up close. 

Manta rays are an impressive sight to behold, with wingspans that can reach up to 4 meters. Despite their size, they are known for their docility and are friendly towards humans. 

Just keep in mind that manta sightings in Komodo are natural and that the animals are not fed by locals. This means that there is no guarantee that you’ll encounter them, so don’t be disappointed if you don’t. 

Generally, there is a higher probability of seeing manta rays when you scuba dive compared to snorkeling.

9. See the bats at Kalong Island

Kalong Island in Komodo National Park offers an extraordinary natural spectacle that unfolds at dusk each day. As the sun sets, painting the sky in shades of deep oranges and purples, thousands of flying foxes or fruit bats awaken and fly into the night.

This is an incredible sight to see, and you’ll be in awe as thousands of bats fly over your head in large swarms. If you’re staying on an overnight boat, you’ll get to enjoy drinks and maybe even dinner as you watch the bats. The boat crews know exactly where to go for the best view, so you’ll be in good hands.

Guest bio: Victoria is a travel blogger and Indonesia travel expert from Germany and her blog  www.GuideYourTravel.com  is focused on providing helpful and accurate information on the best places to visit in South East Asia.

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