bali trips to komodo island

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• From Bali to Komodo | Complete guide to visit the Komodo Islands in Flores, Indonesia
• Travel Guide

The Off the Beaten Track Adventure From Bali to Komodo Island

This itinerary from Bali to Komodo island is made of unforgettable adventures and discoveries: ideal for holidays with family or friends!

Between its pink sand beaches, its hikes on green hills and volcanoes, and its incredible diving spots, Komodo National Park is a real treasure for travelers in search of magnificent landscapes and unforgettable adventures. Not to mention the famous Komodo dragons, to see absolutely once in your life! Komodo National Park includes the three large islands of Komodo, Rinca and Radar as well as many other small islets that are full of breathtaking landscapes, stunning seabed and animals that you will not see anywhere else. Follow this guide to organize a successful stay in Komodo!

In 1991, the park was included in the list of World Heritage and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO since 1977.

See Komodo, the world’s largest lizard, in their natural habitat with this tour from Bali. You’ll fly to Flores Island and cruise to Rinca Island, part of Komodo National Park, where you’ll have the chance to see the gargantuan creatures up close. This package includes two nights of accommodation, breakfast and lunch over two days, and the services of a local guide.

Most people come to Komodo National Park to see the biggest lizard in the world, the Komodo dragon. These dragons live on specific islands like Komodo, Rinca, Gili Motang, Gili Dasami, and Flores.

The largest group of Komodo dragons, about 2,000 of them, can be found on Flores island. The next biggest population, around 1,700 dragons, lives on Komodo island. If you get the chance to see a Komodo dragon hunting and catching its food, you’ll see just how strong and important they are.

How to go from Bali to Komodo Island and what are the prices?

To travel from Bali to Komodo Island, you can take a flight from Ngurah Rai International Airport ( DPS ) in Bali to Komodo Airport (LBJ) in Labuan Bajo, Flores. The flight duration is approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. Once you arrive in Labuan Bajo, you can take a boat or a ferry to Komodo Island.

1. Go Labuan Bajo? (starting point for cruises to visit the Komodo Islands)

Labuan Bajo is the starting point for cruises to visit the Komodo Islands. There are two ways to get there: by plane, it’s fast, comfortable. Or by boat, but it is longer and the crossing can be dangerous.

By airplane

A) from bali to komodo island by plane, then ferry.

Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes. Cost: fares start at IDR 469,000 (US$31.50) From Bali Airport (DPS) to Labuan Bajo (LBJ) Airport, it takes 1h 10mn. From Labuan Bajo ferry terminal to Komodo National Park it takes (2h 30min by ferry once a day).

What airline companies run services from Bali and Komodo Island?

• Batik Air (Parent organization: Lion Air)
• Garuda Indonesia
• Citilink Indonesia

If you are boarding an international flight, the island is accessible via Jakarta on the island of Java, or via Denpasar in Bali ( DPS airport ). From these 2 cities, you can then take a domestic flight to Labuan Bajo in Flores, this is the airport and the departure city for tours to visit the Komodo Islands. A flight from Jakarta to Labuan Bajo will take about 2.5 hours while a flight from Bali to Labuan Bajo only takes an hour.

B) Flights from Lombok to Labuan Bajo

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes Cost: fares start at IDR 703,000 (US$47.50) For some years there has also been a daily flight from Lombok to Labuan Bajo, operated by Lion Air/Wings Air.

C) Flights from Jakarta to Labuan Bajo

Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes Cost: fares start at IDR 1,200,000 ($81) Direct flights from Jakarta to Labuan Bajo are operated by Lion Air  and Citilink . The duration of the trip is around 2h15 and fares start from IDR 1,200,000 ($81).

D) Flights from Surabaya to Labuan Bajo

Duration: 1h30. Cost: fares start at IDR 630,000 ($42.50). The flight between Surabaya and Labuan Bajo only takes 1.5 hours. Batik Air operates a daily direct flight that departs at 11:10 am from Juanda de Surabaya airport.

Notes: flight fares can vary depending on the airline, time of booking, and class.

By boat (ferry)

Less comfortable, long but more economical option: you can also get to Labuan Bajo by boat from Bali or Lombok and then by bus. But this alternative is not recommended because of the very fluctuating schedules, the length of the journey (36 hours minimum) and above all the discomfort and insecurity of the ferry.

The slow ferry departs from Lombok from Lembar port to Labuan Bajo, the crossing lasts 27 hours, departure at 5 p.m. and arrival at 8 p.m. the next day. The price is IDR 236,000 (around USD 15 or AUD 23), reservation possible on the PELNI website.

Another alternative if you have more time is to take a multi-day boat trip from Lombok, an island just east of Bali. But this cruise is long with uncomfortable boats. On this route the sea can be rough and accidents have been reported in the past.

2. How to get around in Flores?

You can choose to take a day trip which will allow you to visit the islands of Rinca and Padar in 1 day with a departure in the morning and a return in the late afternoon.

If you want to visit more, as well as other more remote islands then you will need to take a 2 to 4 day cruise depending on what you want to visit. You will therefore live aboard a boat for several days and sail from island to island, alternating visits to islands, beaches, snorkeling spots, hiking…

3. Prices for entering Komodo National Park, including entrance fees and activities

Here are the estimated general entrance fees for Komodo National Park, as well as the activity fees for both Indonesian and foreign visitors (valid from Monday to Sunday):

The general entrance fee to Komodo National Park is approximately:

• Monday – Saturday: IDR 150 000 (USD 9.55) / day / person
• Sunday and national holidays IDR 225 000 (USD14.32) / day / person
• Monday – Saturday: IDR 5 000 (USD 0.32) / day / person
• Sunday and national holidays IDR 7500 (USD 0.48) / day / person

The activity fees for Komodo National Park for Indonesian and foreign visitors (Monday-Sunday) are approximately:

• Trekking: IDR 5000 (USD 0.32)
• Wildlife viewing: IDR 10 000 (USD 064)
• Snorkeling: IDR 15 000 (USD 0.96)
• Diving: IDR 25 000 (USD 1.60)
• Sport Fishing: IDR 25 000 (USD 1.60)
• Photography: IDR 250 000 (USD 16)

The total fee is determined by adding up all the charges for the activities on your trip. For instance, a standard boat trip usually covers the main fee, hiking, seeing wildlife, snorkeling, and taking pictures.

Source: Official Instagram account of the Komodo National Park (in Indonesian Language)

The Komodo entrance fee covers a lot of amazing experiences:

Guide Certified local guides will be with you, sharing their deep knowledge of the park’s plants, animals, and history. They’ll make sure you have an educational and enriching journey.

Meeting the Dragons You’ll get to see the incredible Komodo Dragons, the world’s largest lizards, in their natural home. These impressive creatures, with their ancient look, big size, venom, and unique behavior, will leave you in awe and give you an unforgettable memory.

Beautiful Hiking Paths Explore the stunning landscapes of Komodo National Park through its well-maintained hiking trails. Every step you take reveals a new wonder waiting to be found, from lovely hillsides to breathtaking views.

Snorkeling and Diving Fun Jump into the colorful underwater world around the Komodo Islands. You’ll come across a dazzling array of vibrant coral reefs filled with sea life. Whether you’re snorkeling or diving, you’ll be amazed by this underwater paradise.

The reasons for this increase initiated by the government!

The Indonesian government explains this pricing decision with a report from the Ministry of Environment and Forests concluding that Komodo National Park would not be able to welcome more than 219,000 annual visitors.

It is true that since its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991 and since it was named one of the 7 natural wonders of the world in 2011, Komodo Island has been stormed by tourists of the whole world.

Is it dangerous to visit Komodo?

As for Komodo… that’s another story! There have been accidents before and they are potentially dangerous wild animals. Indeed, their saliva contains many bacterias and their bite can be fatal. In addition, they measure up to three meters long, weigh 150kg (330 lbs) and can run at more than 20 km/h (around 12 mp/h). Generally it does not make you want to rub it too much.

However, if you listen carefully to the instructions and don’t mess around, you should be fine. Listen to the rangers, stay in a group and in Indian thread, don’t make noise or sudden movements, stay away from the Komodo (5 meters or 16 feet seems appropriate) and everything will be fine. If you are bleeding or having your period, it seems that you should report it, because blood attracts Komodo dragons.

Activities and excursions in Komodo Island

Komodo National Park is largely a scuba diving destination without too much tourist infrastructure. The attraction is rather the incredible nature, so it is possible to do other activities during your stay, or for non-divers, such as:

• Go hiking in the hills of the islands and around the Kelimutu volcano
• Go visit the famous Komodo
• Explore Flores Island sites (e.g. Python Cave)
• Snorkeling on a day trip

There are several travel agencies in Labuan Bajo that can arrange all of these excursions.

1. See the Komodo dragons at Komodo island

The Komodo dragons are undoubtedly the main attraction of the island. Disturbing and fascinating at the same time, going to meet these mythical animals will make you live unforgettable moments. Other animals also invest these places, such as buffaloes, wild horses and deer.

Komodo Island is part of Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the Lesser Sunda island chain, Indonesia. It is famous for being home to the legendary Komodo dragon, the largest species of lizard on the planet.

It’s the only place in the world where you can see them in the wild, but Komodo has plenty more to offer. Komodo Island has amazing and varied landscapes – from white sand beaches to pink beaches, from tropical forests to grassy savannah hills.

It is also one of the best scuba diving destinations in Indonesia, with dozens of pristine reefs filled with colorful marine life. Along with over 1,000 species of fish, the waters around Komodo Island teem with whales, sea turtles, reef sharks and manta rays.

The many islands of Komodo National Park are scenic

The many islands of Komodo National Park are scenic and varied and the magnificent dragons are found on four different islands:

• Gili Montong.
• Gili Dasami.

In fact, Rinca Island is the best option for seeing dragons in the wild, as it is home to more Komodo dragons and is also closer to Labuan Bajo town, so easily accessible on an excursion. of a day with half a day of snorkeling on the reefs.

Planning to go to Komodo Island? It is quite easy to get there wherever you are in Indonesia. The first option is to fly to Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores and then take an organized boat tour to Komodo.

The second option is for more adventurous travellers : Take a 3-day, 2-night boat tour from the Gili Islands or Lombok to Flores with several stops (including Komodo) along the way. For many travelers, this is one of the best experiences of the whole trip to Indonesia!

2. Visit Komodo National Park Villages

The Komodo National Park is not just a single village but a protected area consisting of multiple islands, including Komodo Island. The villages around the park primarily serve the needs of the local communities and support tourism activities in the area. They offer accommodations, guides, and various services for visitors exploring the park and its surroundings.

Komodo National Park Village, also known as Komodo Kampung , is a small village located on the northwestern coast of Komodo Island, the largest island in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. The village is situated in a sheltered bay with stunning views of the surrounding islands and the turquoise waters of the Komodo Strait.

Yes, you can visit some villages around the Komodo National Park. These villages often organize tours or welcome tourists who are exploring the area. To visit, you can arrange a tour through local guides or tour operators based in Labuan Bajo or nearby towns. They offer day trips or excursions that include visits to villages within the park.

As for prices, they can vary based on the specific tour, services included, and the village you intend to visit. It’s best to inquire with local tour agencies or guides for details on pricing and what each tour entails.

Within the vicinity of Komodo National Park, some villages are frequently visited by tourists. Here are a few:

• Kampung Komodo: A village on Komodo Island itself, inhabited by locals and known for its proximity to the Komodo dragons.
• Kampung Rinca: Located on Rinca Island, another spot to observe Komodo dragons and experience local village life.
• Kampung Melo: Found on Flores Island, this village offers cultural experiences and traditional weaving demonstrations.
• Kampung Baru: Situated near Labuan Bajo, this village provides insights into local life and craft-making.
• Kampung Komodo Kecil : Located on Komodo Kecil Island, a smaller island within the park, Kampung Komodo Kecil offers a secluded and authentic experience. It’s known for its traditional fishing practices and close connection to the natural environment.

These villages provide opportunities to experience the culture, traditions, and daily life of the people living in and around the Komodo National Park area.

3. Scuba dive to admire the underwater flora and fauna

Read also:  Best Dive Spots in Bali: A Guide to the Best Underwater Wonders

Here is the list of the best dive sites on the island:

Manta Alley : this is the best place to observe the famous manta rays. This relatively shallow site, between 10 to 20 meters (30.80 – 60.60 ft), allows you to maximize the time spent underwater and make the most of the aquatic spectacle.

• Batu Balong: its coral gardens are teeming with fish. Strong currents and steep drop-offs attract big fish like Napoleon wrasse and sharks at greater depths. Photographers will be able to capture unforgettable photos.
• Golden Passage: This is a popular drift dive site close to Gili Lawa Darat. You can see corals, reef sharks, and sometimes even dolphins and manta rays.
• Manta Point: this site offers the chance to dive with manta rays that come to feed in the current. This drift dive with strong current allows you to see white tip reef sharks, nasons and small squills.

BATU BOLONG, ON THE SOUTHWEST COAST OF NUSA PENIDA

Explore the southwest coast of Nusa Penida , known for its captivating dive sites. One standout location is Batu Bolong, an iconic spot that promises a rich underwater experience. This legendary site, which even inspired the Warnakali restaurant logo, boasts abundant marine life, mesmerizing aquatic displays, and encounters with sharks, rays, and the elusive mola mola. Our divers’ stories of this unforgettable dive will leave a lasting impression on your memory.

Situated off the southern coast of Nusa Penida , Batu Bolong features a striking arch that’s often captured in photographs. To ensure a safe dive, it’s best explored during a rising tide with low swell conditions, keeping in mind the potential for strong currents and waves. The pinnacle offers glimpses of various pelagic species along the steep walls, while the walls themselves showcase a vibrant array of macro-life thriving among the stunning corals.

4. Go to Padar island

Padar Island is one of several islands scattered in the Komodo National Park area, this island has a shape with several bays, white and reddish beaches and several beautiful hilltops.

Padar Island is covered with savannah hills. Steep volcanic mountains covered with bushes and meadows lead to deep bays with beaches of different colors, popular with divers. Its three main turquoise bays have stunning beaches: one is white, another is charcoal black, and the other is soft pink. The black beach has a volcanic origin, while the pink consists of red coral mixed with white sand.

The best time is April-June and also the dry season; September-November. July and August are very crowded and December to March is too rainy. Padar is about 30 km (20 ml) from Labuan Bajo, a fishing town on the westernmost part of Flores. Take a 30 minute hike to the top of Padar to see the whole island.

With its diverse landscapes and mesmerizing vistas, Padar Island stands as a testament to the natural wonders that Indonesia has to offer.

To reach Padar Island, you can follow these steps:

Many tour operators in Labuan Bajo offer guided tours to Padar Island as part of a package that includes other popular spots like Komodo Island and Rinca Island. This is a convenient way to explore the area.

If you prefer a more personalized experience, consider chartering a private boat. This option provides flexibility in terms of timing and allows you to customize your itinerary. Once you arrive at Padar Island, be prepared for a short but moderately challenging hike to the viewpoint. The trail is well-marked, but it’s a good idea to wear comfortable clothing, sturdy shoes, and bring some water.

5. Visit Rinca island

If you are eager to meet the famous Komodo dragons during a hike, then do not hesitate to discover the island of Rinca. Indeed, this island is the closest to Labuan Bajo (on the western coast of the island of Flores), the starting point for excursions to Komodo National Park.

Unlike Komodo Island, Rinca Island is smaller with an area of approximately 196.25 km² (643 864.82 ft²). The chance of seeing giant monitor lizards in their natural environment is then greatly increased.

Rinca Island is the closest to Labuan Bajo and surprisingly the least visited. A 2-night boat cruise in the Komodos archipelago not only allows you to meet the dragons, but also to discover the richness of the underwater fauna and flora of the Komodos archipelago.

It is worth remembering that komodos are wild animals and that they can present a certain danger if their tranquility is not respected. It is mandatory to keep your distance from the animal and to follow all the recommendations of your guide and the local ranger who will accompany you on the excursion.

6. Stop at Kanawa island

Kanawa Island is also known as the gateway to Komodo Island because all ships heading to Komodo Island will definitely pass through this island.

The island which has an area of ​​about 32 hectares (80 acres) is approximately 15 km (9 miles) from Labuan Bajo (the capital of West Manggarai).

You can spend a day relaxing on the hammock, camping, playing beach volleyball, getting a massage on the beach, trekking to the hills, snorkeling, diving, or enjoying the view of the sky at night.

7. Visit Pink beach ( Pantai Merah Muda )

Is Pink Beach really pink?

Let’s be clear: if you’re expecting a flashy pink beach, you’re going to be disappointed! On the other hand, yes the sand of this page has a rather pink color, due to the presence of large fields of multicolored corals which are located offshore.

Apart from the giant lizards that give the park its name, Komodo National Park is also well known for its beautiful, undeveloped beaches. One of the most unique is Pink Beach ( Pantai Merah ), named for the pink sand that gets its color from weathered chunks of red coral from the nearby reef.

Clear, calm waters make the beach an excellent site for snorkeling, especially since the coral reefs just below the surface are home to hundreds of species of marine plants and animals. Located about 15 minutes by boat from Loh Liang pier, Pink Beach is a great place to relax in the sun or cool off in the water after a day of trekking in the national park.

There are 2 pink beaches:

The pink beach on Padar definitely has more colorful sand, but the Komodo pink beach has a nicer background for photos, with lots of steep hills and trees.

8. Go to Kelor Island

Kelor Island is located near Komodo Island, within Komodo National Park in Indonesia. It is a small, uninhabited island known for its pristine beaches, lush vegetation, and stunning views of the surrounding archipelago. Kelor Island is a popular destination for snorkeling, diving, and hiking, offering visitors a tranquil escape from the more tourist-centered Komodo Island.

The island offers a tranquil escape and serves as a popular spot for day trips or island-hopping adventures for visitors exploring the Komodo region.

You have the flexibility to visit Kelor Island either before or after exploring Komodo Island. Both islands offer unique experiences within the Komodo National Park, and scheduling your visit to Kelor Island before or after Komodo Island allows you to tailor your adventure based on preferences or available time.

A brief 15-minute hike

A brief 15-minute hike unveils a stunning panoramic view from the top of Kelor Island, offering vistas of Flores, Rinca Island, and the surrounding smaller islands within the Komodo National Park. The ascent, though short, is steep and lacks stairs, so take caution to prevent slipping.

The captivating reward awaits at the summit, making this minor exertion entirely worthwhile. Kelor Island provides a perfect opportunity for photography enthusiasts to capture breathtaking scenery in all its glory.

Komodo National Park is located in Indonesia, in the Lesser Sunda Islands, bordering the provinces of the West Lesser Sunda Islands and the (East Lesser Sunda Islands).

The national park includes the three large islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar , as well as many other smaller ones. The total area of the park is 1,817 km² (701 miles²) with a land area of 603 km² (375 miles²).

The park also has many lesser islands (island group); Such as Gili Motang Island and Nusa Kode Island.

The national park was established in 1980, with the aim of protecting the Komodo dragon ( Varanus komodoensis ) and cetaceans. The objective was later extended to protection of the flora and fauna of the region, including in the maritime areas.

The islands of the national park are of volcanic origin and 4,000 people live there. In 1991, the park was included in the list of World Heritage and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO since 1977.

Health and security

If you plan to go on a trip to Komodo Island, we advise you to invest in a good travel insurance that also covers scuba diving. You never know what can happen and good insurance can get you out of tough situations. I recommend this travel insurance because they offer worldwide coverage and cover many risky sports like scuba diving. Read also:  Health and Safety in Indonesia

KOMODO DRAGONS & PINK BEACHES – KOMODO ISLAND BOAT TOUR

SAILING AT KOMODO ISLAND

Some Ideas for Exploring Komodo: From Dragons to Aquatic Wonders – Private Tours from Labuan Bajo

Embark on a remarkable voyage that unveils the mystique of Komodo’s ancient reptiles and the mesmerizing beauty of its surrounding islands with our exclusive private tours from Labuan Bajo.

Komodo Dragons & Islands Day Tour: Unveiling the Mystique of the Ancient Reptiles

Embark on an extraordinary journey to witness the awe-inspiring Komodo Dragons, the largest living lizard species, in their natural habitat. This day tour unveils the captivating beauty of the Komodo Islands, where you’ll encounter these prehistoric creatures up close. Discover their intriguing behaviors and learn about their conservation while exploring the stunning landscapes of the islands.

Private Day Tour by Speedboat: Exploring the Gems of Labuan Bajo

Experience the epitome of luxury and personalization with a private day tour by speedboat. Sail through the pristine waters of Labuan Bajo and indulge in the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding islands. Immerse yourself in the crystal-clear waters as you swim and snorkel, marvel at vibrant marine life, and savor a sumptuous lunch amidst nature’s serenity.

Labuan Bajo: Swim and Snorkel Komodo Island Trip with Lunch

Dive into an aquatic paradise with this immersive day trip from Labuan Bajo. Discover the enchanting underwater world as you snorkel amidst the coral gardens and colorful marine life around Komodo Island. After your underwater adventure, relish a delectable lunch on board, soaking in the mesmerizing views that surround you.

From Labuan Bajo: Private Full-Day Komodo National Park Tour

Embark on a full-day private tour to the iconic Komodo National Park from Labuan Bajo. Traverse through the picturesque landscapes, marvel at the rugged coastlines, and set foot on the renowned Komodo Island. Witness the majesty of the Komodo Dragons and explore the ecological diversity that this UNESCO World Heritage site offers.

Komodo Island: Private 3-Day Tour with Boat & Hotel Stay

Indulge in an immersive 3-day private tour that encompasses the essence of Komodo Island’s allure. With a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, explore the island’s breathtaking beauty, encounter its iconic reptiles, and bask in the tranquility of the surroundings. This tour provides an unforgettable experience, complete with comfortable accommodations and a chance to fully immerse yourself in the marvels of Komodo Island.

Sources: CleverlySmart , PinterPandai , UNESCO , Wonderful Indonesia , Divezone

Main photo credit: Irdan nofriza nasution ( CC BY-SA 4.0 ) via Wikimedia Commons

Main photo description: Padar, also known as Pada, is a small island located between Komodo and Rinca islands within Komodo archipelago, administrated under the West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. It is the third largest island part of Komodo National Park.

One of the natural charms of Indonesia in the province of East Nusa Tenggara is Padar Island, an exotic island with its natural marine beauty that offers a million natural charms.

How to Plan Your Itinerary for Traveling in Indonesia: Create the Perfect Itinerary for Your Trip (from 1 week to 2 months)

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• Apr 27, 2024

4 Replies to “From Bali to Komodo | Complete guide to visit the Komodo Islands in Flores, Indonesia”

Hi, what are the top three things to do on Komodo Island? And why? Thanks in advance!

Hi Sophie, In Komodo Island, there are several amazing things to do, but if I had to pick the top three, they would be:

1. Komodo National Park tour: see the iconic Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. 2. Snorkeling and diving: explore vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. 3. Hiking and trekking: discover stunning landscapes and scenic viewpoints.

These activities offer unforgettable experiences in Komodo Island’s natural beauty and wildlife.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading the post! Your passion for these topics is evident throughout, providing me with valuable insights that I hadn’t considered before, from Bali to Komodo island!

Thank you for your kind words! We’re thrilled that you enjoyed the post and found it insightful. Bali to Komodo Island is truly a journey worth experiencing. Stay tuned for more exciting content!

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Guide to Taking a 3-Day Komodo Islands Boat Tour from Flores

Taking a Komodo Island-Hopping Boat Tour is the best activity you can do on any trip to Indonesia. Typically visited on multi-day tours through the Komodo Islands Archipelago, Komodo Cruises do not set sail directly from Bali, but from the islands of Flores and Lombok. You need at least 3-days to visit the Komodos, and many travelers (including myself) consider it the highlight of their trip to Bali & Indonesia – Trust me, the Komodos are well worth visiting!

✔️ Essential Information

• 💵 Price: Around $550 per person private room / $250 pp dorm.
• 📍 Location: Boats sail to/from Lombok and Labuan Bajo, Flores
• ⏳ Duration: Most tours are 3 days / 2 nights.
• 👉 Note! Tours don’t run from January-March (Rainy Season)
• 🍺 All-inclusive , except for alcohol
• ✈️ Getting to Flores from Bali: 1-hour flight
• 🏆 Best tour company: I recommend Wanua Adventure
• 🚢 Different types of Komodo Boat Tours for any style of traveler or budget. → Read my guide to the different types of boat tours.

FYI: Some links on my site are affiliate links that help support my site at no additional cost to you. Read more on my privacy policy page.

The Best Komodo Boat Tour

If you’re looking for a tour recommendation, this open tour has both luxury & budget options.

All About Komodo National Park

Komodo National Park is a famous UNESCO world heritage site in Indonesia that became popular around 10 years ago with travelers looking to go beyond Bali to find pristine beaches and adventure. Komodo National Park is composed of almost  thirty separate islands,  some huge and some  super tiny. 

Each island in Komodo is incredibly distinct and worth a visit, and while you could just pick one island and stay as there are a few Resorts in Komodo National Park, most people choose to go “island hopping” and stay overnight on a boat instead. 

✔️ Quick Guide – Different Cruise Types

Is komodo national park closing.

🚨 UPDATE! 🚨 The Indonesian government has decided to scrap the idea to raise prices to Komodo Island! The entrance fee remains 550K ($35) for foreigners and 250K ($16) for Indonesians! 

There have been some issues in the past few years about the future of tourism in Komodo National Park. In 2019 Nine men were arrested for  stealing and trafficking Komodo Dragons  to sell overseas, which is both highly illegal and  terrible  for the natural Komodo Dragon population. The Indonesian government first planned to completely shut down Komodo Island as a response, and the locals who live off of the tourism generated by the park protested. The new plan is to raise the cost of entrance to Komodo National Park from what it is now, around 550K ($35) for foreigners, and 250K ($16) for Indonesians, to around 3.75 million Rupiah ($244). 

Locals from Labuan Bajo and the Komodo Islands who depend on tourism have been actively protesting the price hike, as they see it as a direct attack on their economy – as of right now, we’ll just have to wait and see what happens! What does seem certain at this time is that even if they increase the admission price to Komodo National Park, the Indonesian government seems to have lost interest in closing the islands for tourism completely. 

Where Is Komodo Island Located?

Komodo Island is located in Komodo National Park, which is a cluster of islands off the coast of Flores. Flores is an island in the Indonesian Archipelago that belongs to the East Nusa Tenggara Province. You can see on the map that Komodo & Flores are far east of the island of Bali, where most travelers fly. The islands of Lombok and Sumbawa lie between Bali and Komodo National Park, making overland transport between the two islands difficult.

How To Get To Komodo From Bali

You cannot fly directly from Bali to Komodo, and all travelers need to arrange transportation to Labuan Bajo, Flores, first. Labuan Bajo is also called the “Gateway to the Komodos” because it’s the port city all the cruises embark from. The only way to get from Bali to Labuan Bajo is by taking a short flight from Bali’s Denpasar Airport. These flights run multiple times a day, take around 1-hour, and usually cost $30-50 each way. 👉 Read my more detailed guide on how to get to/from Bali to the Komodos

Best Time To Visit Komodo National Park

Indonesia doesn’t have winter, spring, summer, and fall – instead, they only have two seasons: the dry and the wet. You’ll want to visit Komodo National Park during the dry season which stretches from April – to October. I sailed in Komodo at the beginning of the wet season in November and didn’t have any problems with the weather personally, but the people who sailed the weekend before me in mid-November had it rain the whole weekend!  So it’s better to go in the dry season if you can. 

Do You Need A Tour To Visit Komodo?

YES – You 100% need a tour to enter Komodo National Park. It’s actually  illegal  to visit the Komodo Islands without a guide, plus they can only be accessed via boat. So, it’s not a DIY kind of tourist location and you need a tour. 

Is Komodo worth visiting from Bali?

Komodo National Park is not an  easy  place to visit from Bali, since you need multiple days to explore the Komodo Islands + you have to take a short flight to Flores. But, in my personal opinion, it’s one of the most worthwhile things you can do in Indonesia.

💰Prices & How To Book A Komodo Open Tour

You can book your Komodo boat tour online through  Klook , which is a popular tour provider in Indonesia that accepts foreign credit cards. These tours can be “Open Tours” which means you’re just booking a spot. Usually, the open tours have up to 12 passengers on a boat. Or, you can book a Private Boat  tour where you charter the entire boat and crew for larger groups or families. As a solo traveler, I just booked a spot on an Open Tour. You have the option to get a room with bunk beds, usually a room of four, or a private room for a higher fee.

💰 Price of a Komodo Cruise: Komodo boat tours aren’t fixed rates and vary in price by the type of boat and room you book. My Komodo Cruise was only around $250 per person, but it was for a bed in a bunk-bed room. For a private cabin expect prices to be around $400-500 per person. This is the cheapest tour I’ve found , it’s less than $200 for three days.

💡 Tip: You need to bring cash to pay the entrance fee to Komodo National Park – It’s currently 550K Indonesian Rupiah ($35) per person.

🚨 Note: Most of the tour companies related to Komodo Cruises are just travel agents that work with independent boat owners – So make sure you see photos of the actual boat you’ll be staying on before you book!

Explore The Different Komodo Boat Tours You Can Book Online ⤵ 👉 -> Click Here to Explore Komodo Sailing Trips! <- 👈

12 Things You Can Do on a Komodo Boat Tour

1. get up close with the komodo dragons.

I’m going to be completely honest, seeing the Komodo Dragons on the eponymous Komodo Island was the least impressive part of visiting Komodo National Park . The Komodo Dragons are amazing animals that are deadly hunters with venomous saliva lethal to humans. That being said, the reason the island is open for tourism despite these deadly animals is because the locals feed the Komodos. Since the dragons are reptiles, most of their energy is spent on digesting – If you’re lucky, you’ll see one walking on the beach. But more likely than not, the Komodos will be sleeping off their big meals while tourists get their photos taken by their guides in front of them.

2. Visit the Famous Pink-Sand Beach

Komodo’s Pink Beach gets its candy-hued sand from the ground-up coral. The pink color is made bolder when it’s wet, so you’ll find the most beautiful pink sand at the ocean’s edge. In addition to being pink, I found Pink Beach was all-around one of the nicest beaches I’ve visited in Indonesia. There’s great snorkeling off the coast of the beach, and the white/pink sand coupled with  impossibly blue  water made for the perfect setting. 

3. Go Kayaking At Pink Beach

Kayaking at Pink Beach was just perfect. There was no tide on the crystal-clear blue water, making it super easy for us to explore the whole bay. We kayaked around all the boats docked at Pink Beach and the photographer on our tour took some  gorgeous  drone shots of us while we were out having fun that I’ll treasure for the rest of my life <3. 

4. Swim With The Giant Manta Rays (!!!!) At Manta Point

When we set off to do this excursion on the second day, the guides were trying to prepare us from disappointment in case there weren’t any mantas around. They are wild animals after all, and while the tour operators know their migration patterns it’s not a 100% guarantee you will see them. I’m happy to report that this experience completely surpassed my expectations. I was swimming along with at least 10 giant manta rays in an ocean corridor where they flock. 

Have you ever seen Finding Nemo? That movie was one of my favorites as a kid – there’s one scene where the main character Nemo and his little friends are off to school, and the “school bus” is a giant Manta Ray where all the little fish hop on. One of the coolest things to see was that this scene from the movie was based on real life! There were a ton of tiny little fish swimming under the Giant Manta Rays in Komodo National Park – just like in the movie! (Although it was too far for me to see if any of them were Clown Fish, like Nemo). 

🚩 Ethical Issues  – The Manta Rays at Manta Point in Komodo National Park aren’t fed, and you’re observing them from a good 10-20 foot distance, so   swimming with the Manta Rays was an ethical animal encounter.

5. Climb to the Viewpoint at Padar Island for Sunrise/Sunset 

The viewpoint at Padar Island is quickly becoming one of the most iconic photo spots in Indonesia. You’ll need to complete a 20- to 30-minute staircase hike to reach the viewpoint. Most Komodo boat tour operators schedule a stop at Padar Island either for sunrise or sunset, ensuring you get the best views of the island.

6. Visit Taka Makassar Island 

Taka Makassar is technically a sandbar in the middle of the Komodo Sea, and it would be paradise – IF it weren’t for the 100 other people there when we went 😅. Our boat pulled up at the same time all the other tours did, so it was a bit too crowded to be enjoyable. But I’ve seen some photos from private tours to Taka Makassar that make it look like a deserted island.  

7. Watch The Bats Make Their Sunset Migration At Kalong Island 

Every day at sunset the bats fly out from Kalong Island, where they all nest as a herd, to go hunt for the night. It’s truly an  amazing  experience to watch the hoards of bats fly out into the sunset! 

Around 6 PM you see the cruise ships, tiny fishing boats, and luxury Phinisis all dock to watch the migration. At first, the migration just looks like a flock of birds, then when you look closely you see the distinct outlines of the bat wings. While that sounds kind of intense, our guide told us that there are two types of bats on Kalong Island. There are large bats and teeny tiny ones. The large bats look scarier, but these are just harmless fruit bats.  It’s the tiny breed of bats on Kalong Island that actually drink blood (creepy!), but they never attack people, just animals. 

💡  Note:  If you’re afraid of Bats, don’t worry! The boats are parked at a distance.

8. Spot Sea Turtles While Snorkeling <3 

This isn’t so much an activity as just something you’ll run into if you spend time swimming around the Komodo Islands. The wildlife in Komodo National Park is so vibrant. However, even though on our last day on the Backpackers’ Boat we stopped off at “Turtle Point”, I had way better luck spotting sea turtles at the snorkel spots the second boat tour took us to. Our guide was great about pointing out wild sea turtles to us, I think we saw  three  (!!!) while snorkeling from Manta Ray Point to Taka Makassar Island. 

9. Experience The Glowing Bioluminescence While Night Swimming

Again, this isn’t even a part of a Komodo Tour – it’s just another AMAZING thing you will experience in Komodo National Park! Some people on the tour asked if we could go night swimming since the boat was docked. The guide replied,  “Sure, but just so you know the water might glow”.  

THE WATER MIGHT GLOW?!?!? 

Our guide was  super  nonchalant about it but apparently, there’s a ton of bioluminescent algae in Komodo National Park that is very safe but makes the water and sand glow in the dark. I had experienced the bioluminescent algae in the  Gili Islands  a few years ago and didn’t even know it occurred outside the islands. If you’re lucky, you might be able to see it in Komodo!  

10. Take Photos With Your Private Photographer!

One of the super-cool things about taking a more high-end Komodo cruise was that it included a private photographer who would take pictures of us on the tour.

💡 Tip: If you’re taking a nicer Komodo Boat Tour make sure it includes a photography service! Most of them do.

11. Hike To The View Point At Kelor Island

Kelor Island is home to another iconic viewpoint hike in the Komodos. Shorter than the hike at Padar Island, it should only take you 10 minutes to climb the dirt and rock steps leading to the lookout spot. Also at Kelor Island are some wonderful warungs where you can take a break from the sun and enjoy a Bintang beer or two (or three), and a small coral reef lies off the coast of the island. While we were snorkeling off of Kelor I saw many Parrot Fish, as well as a Barracuda!

12. Eat Really Good Food!

The meals on the luxury Komodo Cruise I took from Labuan Bajo were all next-level. We had fresh fish, fruits, and vegetables, all presented and plated in a very high-end way. I was beyond impressed with the quality of food on the Luxury Komodo Cruise.

Quick Guide to Labuan Bajo 

Labuan Bajo is the gateway to Komodo National Park where you will be starting or finishing your trip before flying back to Bali. Full disclosure, I was supposed to stay in Labuan Bajo for two days after my first Komodo Boat Tour ended, but I wound up staying  a whole month  because I fell in love with the town and the island of Flores! Labuan Bajo is a sleepy port city, but it’s a great break from the hustle of larger cities in Bali – plus there’s a ton to do from sailing Komodo to exploring the island of Flores overland. 

🏨 Where to Stay In Labuan Bajo 

Labuan Bajo has become famous in recent years for having these  gorgeous  all-white Santorini-Inspired hotels. The best hotel in Labuan Bajo is Loccal Collection, but if you’re on a budget Seaesta Hotel & Hostel is also amazing! 

Where To Eat In Labuan Bajo 

After a lot of trial and error, my favorite cafe in Labuan Bajo (where I’m sitting and writing this post right now) is Bacarita Cafe. It’s in the center of town, kind of hidden above the Starbucks. They do great coffee, western, and Indonesian food, there’s wifi, and the prices are really good! I also loved the Labuan Bajo fish market come nightfall. Lots of fish vendors line up their stalls and you order whole fish, which they then grill or fry fresh to order and serve with rice and sambal. My favorite was the grilled squid! 

Other Activities In Labuan Bajo & Flores 

Visit Rangko Cave:  Rangko Cave is a half hour outside of the town of Labuan Bajo and a very memorable experience. It’s a salt-water cave so you can float without effort – Rangko Cave has  crystal-clear  blue water you can swim in, and the only way to get there is by taking a tiny boat from mainland Flores so you do need a tour to visit.

💡Tip:  In the afternoon, the sun aligns with Rangko Cave to light it up naturally from within. Amazing, right? Well , that’s what everyone else thinks too! We got there at 10 AM and even though it was kinda dark we had the cave  all to ourselves  until 11 AM when the other tourists started flooding in and the small cave quickly felt crowded. 

Trek To Wae Rebo Traditional Village:   Wae Rebo is most usually visited on 2-day overnight trips since it’s a difficult location to reach. You need to drive 4 hours outside of Labuan Bajo (over super bumpy roads), and then hike 1.5-3 hours uphill to reach the traditional village. Once you get there, you can experience one of the most picturesque traditional villages in Indonesia. ▶  Click Here to Book a Tour of Wae Rebo!

Visit Cunca Wulang Waterfall:  Full disclosure –  Cunca Wulang  is the most unhinged waterfall I’ve visited in Indonesia. I think Cunca Wulang’s infrastructure suffered during the pandemic, and it wasn’t really kept up with – but if you’re into an  adventure , the reward at the end of the path is a pretty cool waterfall that not many other tourists visit!

Katie Caf, founder of Katie Caf Travel, is a seasoned travel expert who has explored over 30 countries and lived abroad in places like Egypt, Morocco, Mexico, India, Indonesia Thailand, Europe, and the USA. Her goal is to help other traveler see the world by providing first-hand accounts of what to expect on the road.

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Komodo Island Tour Endless Adventure

Komodo tour package from bali, hello, we are jemari bali 🙂 we provide komodo tours from labuan bajo or bali, liveaboard komodo, rent boat komodo, komodo speed boat charter, komodo speed boat tour, and open trip komodo. continue your adventure from bali to komodo with us and feel the wild experience of exploring a new world and finding your paradise in eastern indonesia. there are many kinds of komodo trip packages from us, ranging from private, sharing trip, full day, 2d1n, 3d2n, 4d3n, overland flores, rent car labuan bajo and many more. this komodo tour will visit various beautiful destinations, namely komodo island, padar island, pink beach, manta points, kanawa, kalong island, and other islands. komodo tour starts with only rp. 550.000/pax amazing, isn't it.

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Komodo Island is part of the Komodo National Park in Flores, east Indonesia. It comprises three main islands: Komodo, Rinca and Padar - making this an ideal spot for island hopping! For easy access, the closest city is Labuan Bajo on Flores which boasts its own airport as well as numerous hotels and restaurants that make for comfortable visits to Komodo National Park.

To reach Komodo Island, the fastest and easiest way is by air. Komodo Airport, which is also known as Labuan Bajo Airport and has the code (LBJ). This airport is your only access to Komodo Island. Here is an overview to Labuan Bajo:

1. From Your Country Look for Flights to Indonesia, specifically Jakarta (CGK) or Bali (DPS). Whatever the airline, adjust it to your vacation budget.

2. From Jakarta (CGK) If you choose to fly into Jakarta from your home country then book a direct flight from Jakarta to Labuan Bajo (LBJ). So far there are 2 flights serving the CGK - LBJ route with a flight duration of 2 hours 35 minutes, namely Batik Air and Garuda Indonesia.

3. From Bali (DPS) If you are thinking of starting your Komodo Tour from Bali, then upon arrival in Bali you can book a direct flight to Komodo Airport (LBJ) with a duration of 1 hour and 1 hour 30 minutes. The airlines that serve these flights are : Wings Air, Batik air and Air Asia.

Due to high demand, it's highly advised to book flight tickets well in advance.

Foreigners can apply for a tourist visa when entering Indonesia at either Jakarta or Bali Airport, or while still in the country you can visit the Indonesian embassy or consulate directly.

Our advice is to look for direct flights from Jakarta or Bali to Labuan Bajo, do not choose transit flights as it will take a long time. Upon arrival in Labuan Bajo, you can take a wooden boat or speedboat for 1- 4 hours from Labuan Bajo to Komodo Island depending on the type of boat you take.

Tips : Buy flight tickets to Labuan Bajo after you arrive in Jakarta or Bali, avoid buying tickets from your country directly to Labuan Bajo because the price will be much more expensive. 

After arriving in Labuan Bajo, you can make an adventure to Komodo Island in the following ways:

1. Private Komodo Tour  Jemari Bali sells travel packages to Komodo Island on a private basis. You just have to choose the best way for you:

- Take the komodo tour package - Boat rental and komodo liveaboard - Rent a Speedboat and go around all the destinations

2. Open Trip Komodo Tour This is a cheap way to go on an adventure and enjoy the Komodo dragons. Jemari Bali provides a wide range of open trip or shared komodo tour packages.

- Full Day Open Trip with Wooden Boat - Full Day Open Trip with Speed Boat - 3 Day Open Trip Liveaboard Komodo with Boat - Private Komodo Tour Package combined with Open Trip

Tips: Avoid buying Komodo Island Tour Package from your home country, as the price will be 3 times more expensive than buying in Indonesia or with us.

The recommended duration for a visit to Komodo Island varies, but a 3-day, 2-night trip is often considered ideal for experiencing the main attractions.

This timeframe allows you to explore key sites such as Rinca Island, Komodo Island, Padar Island and Kalong Island, as well as the opportunity to witness stunning scenery and wildlife.

Moreover, spending 2 and a half days in Komodo is highly recommended, especially if you book a full Komodo tour package that includes the best spots in the National Park.

However, for those who want to fully immerse themselves in all that Komodo National Park and Labuan Bajo have to offer, a 7-day trip is recommended, which allows for a boat trip of 3 days and 2 nights, a day for a road trip around Labuan Bajo, and 2 days for the Waerebo Tour.

If diving is also on the agenda, a minimum of 9 days, including travel time, is recommended.

The best time to visit Komodo Island and its surroundings is during the dry season, which usually runs from March to November.

This period offers pleasant weather conditions, with minimal rainfall and the possibility to enjoy a komodo tour will be maximized.

In addition, the dry season provides optimal opportunities for the activities in the komodo tour package such as trekking, diving and snorkeling, as it will provide a balanced experience, with comfortable weather and a more relaxed atmosphere and calm ocean waves.

However, it is important to note that July and August are considered peak months, characterized by hotter weather and increased visitor numbers. For those looking for a quieter visit with a balanced number of visitors and pleasant weather, the low season of September to November is highly recommended.

Tips : If you want to see the islands and hills around Labuan Bajo and Komodo Island in green colour so that it makes your photos look good, it is better to come from March to May.

If you want to choose to take a komodo dragon tour package from bali or labuan bajo at Jemari Bali, then here's how.

1. Make sure you have carefully planned the departure time to Labuan Bajo and the duration of your vacation.

2. Choose our Komodo Tour package that suits your preferences, comfort, and most importantly your budget.

3. If you have your own itinerary and it is not included in our Komodo Island tour package list, please contact us to discuss your wishes.

4. If your Komodo Island tour itinerary is suitable, contact us and place your order. We will receive your order and ensure the availability of the tour on the date you want.

5. We will confirm to you via chat or email if your Komodo dragons tour package is available and then send you an invoice and the down payment you need to pay as a deposit.

6. After making the payment, we will inform you about the pick-up details and what we need from you (Example: Photo of your passport or identity card as a requirement that must be informed to the port / syahbandar)

7. If you are taking the Komodo Island Tour Package from Bali then we will ask for your pick-up details, such as your hotel and room number in Bali. Likewise, if you take the Komodo Island Tour Package from Labuan Bajo, we require the same details.

8. On the day you will be picked up by our team and then do activities according to your itenerary.

9. You don't need to worry, our Customer Service is open 24 hours a day. So anytime you can contact us if you find problems.

10. If you take the Komodo Tour from Bali, and return to Bali, then our package usually includes airport pickup and drop to your hotel in Bali. So make sure you inform us your return time and the name of your hotel in Bali.

We are very grateful that you are interested in visiting Komodo Island. You do not have to use our services for Komodo tour packages, we are sure that all Komodo tour service providers are good, whether in Bali or Labuan Bajo.

Jemari Bali has started selling Komodo tour packages since the end of 2012 and our first guest was a 10 pax family group from the Netherlands named Mr. Ferry Kam ( I hope he and his family are still healthy and always under God's protection ). They not only went to Komodo but also explored Riung Island and Kelimutu.

The first channel we used to sell Komodo tours was Kaskus Forum, at that time our name was not jemari bali but Baliburan Tour. We targeted the domestic or local market who wanted to take a vacation to Komodo Island.

In the following year we finally built 2 personal websites named www.komodotour.co.id and www.wisatakomodotours.com as our channel to develop sales.

Until finally in 2017 we were able to build our own wooden tour boat named Mata Komodo 🙂 until now the boat is still there and still exists in the sea of Labuan Bajo.

There have been more than 2000+ guests and 400+ tour packages we have sold for approximately 12 years. And all of that is God's blessing for us.

Jemari Bali is a new website that we built, because the two previous websites have been neglected due to the busyness of taking care of the Mata Komodo Boat and the Corona Pandemic that came to the world.

Hopefully, Jemari Bali can help you plan your vacation and adventure to Komodo Island.

Wherever you take Komodo Island Tour package, we say Welcome To Labuan Bajo. Feel the natural beauty and our hospitality.

Imagine swimming with manta rays and giant sea turtles, diving at one of the world’s most famous dive sites, hiking to the top of the island to see a breathtaking sunrise, exploring the savannah and searching for the world’s largest lizard, relaxing on pink sandy beaches and lounging in crystal clear waters, or whale watching offshore. Get ready and plan for a never-ending adventure by taking your Komodo Tour Package with us.

“You deserve to be here, get ready to take off.”

1. According to local beliefs, Komodo dragons are a folk legend that still lives on today.

2. Komodo dragons are believed to be the twins of a human couple, Princess Naga and Majo. The Komodo dragon was named Ora and left to live in the forest while its twin, named Gerong, was raised by its parents. They were separated at birth and did not know each other

3. According to legend, the Komodo dragon was once about to be killed by its twin brother Gerong but was stopped by their mother.

4. Up to 5,965 Komodo dragons can be found in Komodo National Park.

5. In addition to tourists, the park is also a popular destination for scientists and naturalists who want to study the animal's evolution, as Komodo dragons only exist in Indonesia.

6. Park rangers don’t feed the dragons; they let them hunt animals such as goats and birds, just like in the wild.

7. Komodos live a solitary life. They don’t gather in groups and they prefer to hunt alone.

8. Being a cold-blooded animal, the dragons climb hills at the park to sunbathe in the morning, and then go back to shady areas to cool down.

9. Komodos can get stressed when there are too many people around. Rangers will immediately warn visitors to stay away when this happens.

10. The animals usually mate between June and July when females have reached the age of eight and males are seven. In September, females can lay up to 15-30 eggs after taking over nests made by brush turkeys and deepening the holes by two meters. Around 70-80 nests can be found on Rinca Island.

11. To reduce the risk of predators such as snakes or boars preying on the eggs, female Komodo dragons dig several additional holes near their real nest in an attempt to camouflage it. These holes are so similar that even the mother Komodo can get confused in recognizing the real one.

12. The mothers incubate their eggs for three months and then leave the nest, only to return nine months later when the eggs are about to hatch. Interestingly, it is said that female Komodos only care about their eggs, not the juveniles.

13.Once hatched, newborn Komodos climb trees to avoid predators and survive by eating lizards, small snakes and staying in the trees until they reach 3 to 5 years of age.

14.Komodo dragons are cannibals.

15.When feeling threatened, Komodos can make sudden attacks. It is advised to stay quiet if you are approached by an angry Komodo. Don’t panic and don’t move. Stay still, as Komodos can run very vast and you will not be able to get away from. Follow every step your ranger tells you in this kind of situation.

16.A famous pink beach can be found on Komodo Island, where the animals live in the wild. It is suggested not to trek too far from the beach as you’ll most likely meet dragons in the surrounding hills.

17.Avoid being bitten by a Komodo as they have poisonous saliva that contains deadly bacteria. They usually bite their prey and then follow it until the bacteria takes effect.

18.Visitors are strictly advised to obey all rules at the national park and stay in groups for their own safety. Women who are menstruating should tell the ranger as the dragons are very sensitive to the smell of blood.

If you have free time in Labuan Bajo, here we summarize what you can do while in Labuan Bajo. Many interesting things can be done and maybe one of them you can try.

1. Visit Batu Cermin Cave

2. Relax, take pictures and enjoy the afternoon view at Bukit Cinta or Bukit Silvya

3. Visit and swim in Labuan Bajo's famous saltwater cave, Rangko Cave.

4.  Enjoy and swim in the beautiful waterfall of Cunca Wulang

5. Try the yellow fish soup at "Budi Luhur" restaurant.

6. Dinner at the delicious Italian restaurant in Labuan Bajo, Made In Italy.

7. Experience Flores' signature liquor called "Moke" made traditionally and tastes great

8. Swimming to Bidadari Island, rent a fishing boat for approximately Rp. 300,000 to Rp. 500,000 and sailing to Bidadari Island only takes 10 minutes from Labuan Bajo. Snorkeling and Swimming on Bidadari Island

9. Discover Labuan Bajo Town. Labuan bajo is a small town, walking around and interacting with the locals is one way to understand the local culture.

10. Take a 1-day sunset tour to 4 cool destinations, Kelor Island, Manjarite Island, Padar Island, Rinca Island and beautiful sunset on Kalong Island for only Rp. 1,050,000 /Pax includes lunch, mineral water, fruit and snorkeling equipment. (Book this Package at Jemari)

11. Experience the most popular seafood spot in Labuan Bajo called Kampung Ujung. Enjoy a wide variety of dishes ranging from grilled fish, shrimp squid and more.

12. Enjoy the sunset at Paradise Bar, one of the longest-running bars and offering a beautiful view overlooking the ocean. 

13. Try to enjoy coffee at starbucks labuan bajo and buy a Labuan Bajo edition Tumbler. 

14. Experience the thrill of shopping for fish or vegetables at the Labuan Bajo market. Discover a different atmosphere to the busy markets in your country. 

15. Relaxing while enjoying the sunset on the rooftop of the Local Collection hotel is one of the perfect ways to fully enjoy Labuan Bajo.

16. Ayana hotel has Boat sunset party in labuan bajo. The boat is called Lako Sae. Cobalah untuk ikut serta berkeliling dilaut sekitaran labuan bajo sembari menikmati mocktail dan sajian makan malam yang mewah. 

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Jemari Bali Komodo

I’m latto, the owner and builder of this website, have been selling Komodo Tours since 2012 and started with a company called Baliburan Tour. Building this website aims to be your travel guide on vacation to Bali, Komodo, & Flores.

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Komodo Tour From Bali

Embark on an unforgettable journey from the picturesque shores of Bali to the intriguing natural landscapes of Komodo National Park.

Our Komodo tour from Bali offers a unique opportunity to explore Indonesia’s diverse wildlife, stunning marine life, and breathtaking views, all wrapped up in a well-planned itinerary designed with your comfort and enjoyment in mind.

Start from Neptune Scuba Diving in Bali all the way to Komodo Resort , your ideal location for a Komodo island tour from Bali.

Table of Contents

Komodo national park: a unique destination, your journey from bali to komodo, accommodation and dining, encounter the majestic komodo dragons, hike the picturesque padar island, explore the vibrant marine life, what’s included in the komodo tour, prepare for your adventure.

Komodo National Park, located within the Lesser Sunda Islands, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve. The park is home to the world’s largest living lizard species, the Komodo Dragon, and offers a rich biodiversity both on land and underwater.

The park encompasses the larger islands of Komodo, Rinca, and Padar, as well as numerous smaller islands, creating a total area of 1,733 km2. It’s a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Your adventure begins in Bali, where you’ll depart on an early morning flight to Labuan Bajo, the gateway to Komodo National Park. Upon arrival, you’ll be whisked away to your first day of exploration.

The flight from Bali to Labuan Bajo is a short ride of approximately 45 minutes, just enough to enjoy a coffee while being in the air. The Indonesian airlines run flights to Labuan Bajo and back to Bali on a daily basis and often they are sold out which is why we recommend you to plan ahead to ensure you get your spot.

Inside the town of Labuan Bajo you will find a few, not many, dining options but quite a lot of accommodation choices such as hotels, hostels, homestays and resorts. One of the most popular accommodation options are:

• Sudamala Resort
• Lokal Collection

But there are others as well for which we recommend to read online reviews before booking.

Komodo Resort is of course on top of our list because of its service, overall quality and location inside the Komodo National Park . The location alone is such a huge advantage because it will allow you plan your Komodo tour from Bali in the best possible way.

What’s one of the main reasons to go on a Komodo tour from Bali? Of course, a one on one meeting with the majestic Komodo Dragons. If you are staying with us at Komodo Resort, you will be able to book a Komodo Island Tour , or if you are focused on diving you should read more about our Komodo Diving .

On the Komodo tour from Bali to see the dragons, you will embark on a one day trip inside the National Park and on to Komodo Island. This is where you will see the dragons in their natural habitat under the direct supervision and guidance of the local rangers.

The Komodo Dragons are one of the highlight but for any Komodo tour from Bali, everyone must stop and hike Padar Island. This place has become the iconic image of Komodo and in truth, of any Komodo tour from Bali.

The hike itself is relatively easy but not recommended for people who have active asthma or knee problems. At the top of the island the view is simply majestic but if you are planning to use a drone here, make sure to purchase a permit first before your start your Komodo tour from Bali.

Komodo National Park is considered one of the world’s top diving and snorkeling destinations. Crystal clear waters, colorful coral reefs, and a plethora of marine life including manta rays, turtles, and countless species of fish await you. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a beginner snorkeler, the underwater world of Komodo will not disappoint.

Most of the Komodo tour from Bali will take you on several stops throughout the day and almost always one of them is to snorkel with the Manta Rays.

If you join the Komodo tour from Bali together with us at Komodo Resort, you will undoubtably see at least a couple of these majestic Mantas. Learn more about our Komodo snorkeling packages.

Your Komodo tour from Bali includes round-trip flights between Bali and Labuan Bajo, boat trips to Komodo National Park, park entrance fees, guided tours, accommodation, and meals.

Our Komodo island tour package is designed for either divers, snorkelers or simply travelers who want to see the iconic spots inside Komodo National Park.

The climate in Komodo National Park is tropical, hot, and humid, so light, breathable clothing is advisable. Don’t forget your swimsuit, sunblock, hat, and comfortable shoes for trekking. Remember to pack your camera to capture the incredible experiences that await you.

Embark on the adventure of a lifetime and discover the natural wonders of Komodo National Park with our Komodo tour from Bali. Contact us today to book your trip!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Komodo Tour from Bali?

A Komodo Tour from Bali refers to a guided excursion that takes you from Bali, Indonesia, to the Komodo National Park, located in the East Nusa Tenggara province. This tour allows you to explore the unique wildlife, stunning landscapes, and breathtaking beaches, while witnessing the legendary Komodo dragons in their natural habitat.

How can I reach Komodo National Park from Bali?

To reach Komodo National Park from Bali, you have several options. The most common method is to take a flight from Bali to Labuan Bajo, a town in Flores Island near the national park. Alternatively, you can also opt for a ferry ride from Bali to Labuan Bajo, which is a longer but more budget-friendly option.

How long does a Komodo Tour from Bali typically last?

The duration of a Komodo Tour from Bali can vary depending on the package and your preferences. Generally, tours range from 2 to 4 days, allowing you to explore the main highlights of the Komodo National Park, including Rinca Island and Komodo Island, where you can see the Komodo dragons up close.

What activities can I expect during a Komodo Tour?

During a Komodo Tour from Bali, you can engage in various activities. Some common activities include trekking on Rinca Island or Komodo Island to see the Komodo dragons, snorkeling or diving in the pristine waters around the national park to discover vibrant coral reefs and marine life, visiting Pink Beach with its unique pink-hued sand, and enjoying panoramic views from Padar Island.

Do I need a guide for a Komodo Tour from Bali?

Yes, it is highly recommended to have a guide for a Komodo Tour from Bali. The national park is vast, and having a knowledgeable guide ensures your safety, provides valuable information about the area, and maximizes your chances of encountering the Komodo dragons. Local guides are well-versed in the park's regulations and can make your experience more enjoyable and informative.

What should I pack for a Komodo Tour from Bali?

For a Komodo Tour, it is advisable to pack lightweight and breathable clothing suitable for tropical climates, including swimwear, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. It is also essential to bring sturdy footwear for trekking, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle, and a camera to capture the stunning landscapes and wildlife. Don't forget to bring any necessary medications and personal items.

Is it safe to visit Komodo National Park?

Komodo National Park is generally safe for visitors. However, it is crucial to follow the instructions of your guide and adhere to the park's rules and regulations. While the Komodo dragons are usually docile, it is important to maintain a safe distance and not disturb or provoke them. Additionally, taking precautions against sunburn, staying hydrated, and being aware of your surroundings will ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

What is the best time to visit Komodo National Park?

The best time to visit Komodo National Park is during the dry season, which typically runs from April to December. During this period, the weather is generally sunny and dry, allowing for better visibility underwater and easier trekking. The peak tourist season is from July to August, so consider visiting during shoulder seasons like April-May or September-November for a less crowded experience.

Are there accommodation options in Komodo National Park?

Yes, there are accommodation options in and around Komodo National Park. Labuan Bajo, the gateway town to the park, offers a range of hotels, guesthouses, and resorts to suit various budgets. There are also liveaboard boats available for multi-day trips, allowing you to stay on the water while exploring the park's attractions.

Can I combine a Komodo Tour with other destinations in Bali or Indonesia?

Absolutely! Many travelers choose to combine a Komodo Tour from Bali with other destinations in Indonesia. Bali itself offers numerous attractions, such as stunning beaches, cultural landmarks, and vibrant nightlife. You can also explore other islands in the Nusa Tenggara region, such as Flores, Lombok, or the Gili Islands, to enhance your Indonesian adventure.

Bali to Komodo Island

Looking to travel from Bali to Komodo Island ? I’ve made that amazing journey to Komodo so I’m super-excited to share all the details with you.

Hey fellow travelers! If you’re like me and love a good adventure, then this guide on getting from Bali to Komodo Island is perfect for you. Both destinations offer unique experiences: Bali with its vibrant culture and idyllic beaches, and Komodo Island with its fascinating wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. I’ve been lucky enough to make this trip, and I can’t wait to share my experiences and tips with you to make your journey just as amazing!

Travel Options for Bali to Komodo Island

Direct flights.

In my experience, the most convenient way to get to Komodo Island was to fly from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar to Labuan Bajo Airport (LBJ) on Flores Island. I flew with Indonesia’s national carrier, Garuda, but other airlines like Citilink, Lion Air, Batik Air, AirAsia, and Wings Air also offer this route. The direct flight took about 1 hour and 15 minutes. I booked tickets directly from Garuda Indonesia’s website and it was super-easy, but you could also use sites like Skyscanner and Google Flights. The cost of the return flight for one adult is about US$120. Please note that there are currently no international flights that land in Labuan Bajo; the airport cannot accommodate large aircraft.

Connecting flights with layovers

In my opinion, there is no advantage to having a layover or stopover when flying from Bali to Komodo Island. The direct flight is just over an hour in an easterly direction. If you really want to stop somewhere, you could layover on the island of Lombok, which is also east of Bali. However, any other layover (eg, Surabaya or Jakarta) would be taking you in the opposite direction! Additionally, it’s now very reasonably priced to fly directly to Labuan Bajo. Years ago when I first made the trek, you could save a little bit of cash by taking a circuitous route and traveling through Surabaya, but that certainly is not the case anymore.

Public transport: bus and ferry

The public transport route from Bali to Labuan Bajo and Komodo Island is VERY long – and not for the faint hearted! The journey takes somewhere between 24 and 36 hours depending on where you have to stop along the way and whether your connections line up nicely. (Hint: they probably won’t!) It’s a looong trip that is divided up into sections, but I don’t know if that makes it better or worse! On the plus side, you will meet lots of local people and you will have the opportunity to practice your Indonesian language skills. (Or else you will become very good at playing charades!) And the scenery you will see along the way is stunning. Are you ready?

• Catch the ferry from Padang Bai, Bali, to Lembar, Lombok. The ferry crossing takes about 4.5 hours and costs approximately US$4. Ferries run every hour through the day and night, on the hour.
• Take the public bus from Lembar to Mataram – to the Mandalika bus terminal. The bus rides takes about 1 hour and costs approximately US$1. (Note: Depending on the time of day you leave Padang Bai, you might need to overnight in Mataram.)
• Take a public bus from the Mandalika bus terminal to the Kayangang Harbor on the east coast. The bus takes about 3 hours and costs approximately US$2.
• Catch the ferry from Kayangang Harbor to Poto Tano Harbour (that is, from the island of Lombok to the island of Sumbawa). The ferry crossing takes about 1.5 hours and costs approximately US$1.50. Ferries run 24 hours a day.
• Take a public bus from Poto Tano to the small city of Bima, Sumbawa. The bus takes about 8 hours and costs approximately US$4. (Note: Depending on the time of day you leave Bima, you might need to overnight in Sape.)
• Take a public bus from Bima to Sape (on the Sumbawa eastern coast). The bus takes about 1 hour and costs approximately US$1.
• Catch the ferry from Sape to Labuan Bajo (that is, from the island of Sumbawa to the island of Flores). The ferry crossing takes anywhere from 5 – 8 hours and costs approximately US$9. The ferries only run twice a day, the first one departing Sape at 8am. Interestingly, the ferry passes right by Komodo Island on its journey east to Labuan Bajo, Flores!

Private boat charter

If you’re up for a more luxurious experience, private boat charters are available from Bali to Komodo. Prices vary depending on the size and amenities of the boat. I have not done this route myself, but I have met some lucky travelers who speak very highly of the comfort and flexibility of their private charter. I’d love to do the route one day, but right now it’s way over my budget!

Planning Your Komodo Island Tour

I recommend that you decide what type of Komodo National Park visit or tour you want to do – and lock it in with the tour company – *before* you book travel to Labuan Bajo. Book your travel around your tour!

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Komodo Island is definitely in the dry season (April to November) when the weather is more predictable and the seas are calmer. However, please bear in mind that it’s Komodo dragon mating season between June and September. During mating season, the giant lizards spend less time lazing out in the open so they’re harder to spot. So if you can manage a trip in April, May, October or November, then lucky you!

Note: Although January typically provides the best opportunities to see the dragons, it is also the middle of the wet season which means seas are rough and transport to the Komodos is not guaranteed.

Must-see destinations

Wow – where to start?! I think we need a list:

• Komodo dragons – The main reason we all want to go! The dragons are HUGE and AMAZING and you will never forget seeing these amazing beasts!
• Pink Beach – Don’t don’t miss the famous and Insta-worthy Pink Beach (or Pantai Merah in Indonesian) – it’s absolutely spectacular. The pink color comes from both microscopic organisms called Foraminifera whose shell is a pink or red, and from crushed pieces of pipe coral which are also a reddish-pink color. Visit in the late afternoon – when the sun is low in the sky – for the pink hues to appear at their best.
• Rinca Island – Pronounced “Rin-cha”, Komodo dragons, pink beaches, and a local fishing village are all features of both Rinca Island and Komodo Island.
• Padar Island – A short-ish but steep hike up to some spectacular views over the islands that make up Komodo National Park.
• Manta rays – It’s possible to see and snorkel with these graceful and gorgeous creatures all year round, but the closer it is to rainy season, the better your chances will be.
• Komodo Village – Home to most of the people who are lucky enough to call Komodo National Park their home. The vast majority of the villagers are fishermen, although some are very skilled carvers, creating wooden Komodo dragon artefacts you can buy to take home as souvenirs.
• Taka Makassar – A small, arc-shaped sand bank that pops out of the water. The natural shape of the island often offers a protective home to the magnificent manta rays. Dive with them for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
• Kalong Island – Thousands of flying foxes swarm off the island at sunset each evening in search of food. It’s an incredible sight to witness from the deck of your live-aboard boat.
• Kanawa Island – Beautiful bougainvillea-covered island that makes the perfect stop for snorkelling. Bring cash (Indonesian Rupiah only).
• Batu Bolong – Awesome spot for snorkelling where you can spot turtles, octopus, and pretty colored coral.
• Wae Rebo – If you’ve got a few extra days available, consider making a side trip to trek to the traditional village of Wae Rebo.

Length of visit

When considering how long you want to spend cruising around the islands of Komodo National Park, there really is something for everyone and every budget.

• One day trip. There are day trips that depart from and return to the harbour in Labuan Bajo with prices starting from US$125 per person. These quick tours will take you to see the Komodo dragons on Komodo Island or Rinca Island, you can hike up Padar Island to catch the views, visit Pink Beach, and snorkel at Manta Point or Turtle Point. Included in the price is lunch on board the boat, drinking water, a local guide, and snorkelling gear. Some boats are air conditioned but expect to pay a little more for such luxury. Please note that National Park entrance fees, personal expenses, and gratuities are not included in the price.
• Two-day-one-night trip. There are many local charter boats complete with expert local guide and crew that will suggest a route that suits your group and the season. You can be sure to see all the sights of the one day trip (above), but you will have the added benefit of not being rushed, and the experience of sleeping overnight on the boat. The boat crew will include a chef who will prepare all your meals on board – usually freshly caught! Food, drinking water, and snorkelling gear will be included in the cost, but not National Park entrance fees, personal expenses, or gratuities.
• Three-day-two night trip. This is my preferred option because you really have the chance to relax into your surroundings and experience the delights of the area. Your day will start early with breakfast on board the boat, and the experienced crew will take you around to all the sights you and your guide have decided to see. You will have plenty of opportunities to snorkel, hike, and visit some of the lesser-visited islands – and all at your own pace. If the manta rays or turtles aren’t visible the first time you try to see them, you will have plenty of opportunities to double-back and try to see them again. These cost of these trips starts at around US$325 for shared accommodation on an un-airconditioned boat and go up from there.
• Multi-day trip. You can craft your own adventure for as many days as you have available. Prices start at around US$525 per person but will depend on the number of people in your group, whether you want to share the boat with other guests, if the boat is air conditioned, and how long you want to cruise for. The sky is the limit!

In my experience, most of the Komodo National Park boat tours follow a very similar route, almost regardless of the length of the tour. However, The length of the boat tour seems to determine how long you get to stay in each location, and whether you have time to visit some of the lesser-visited islands.

Permits and fees

Remember to budget for the Komodo National Park entrance fee and additional costs for trekking or ranger-guided tours. The Komodo National Park entrance fee is currently around US$35 per person* which goes towards upkeep of the park and paying rangers to look out for the dragons.

*There has been talk about raising the Komodo National Park entrance fee to approximately US$175 per person. The plan has stalled for now, but please do keep an eye on local information so that you don’t get an expensive surprise.

Ethical and sustainable travel

Komodo National Park is a phenomenally beautiful natural environment that deserves to be respected. Please follow local guidelines to protect the Komodo dragons and their habitat.

Packing Tips and Essentials

Clothing and gear.

My strongest suggestion is to pack light – just hand luggage, if possible. You’ll only need lightweight clothing (tee-shirts and shorts), swimsuit (or two!), sneakers for hiking, sandals or flip flops, a waterproof bag for electronics including chargers, a hat, sunscreen, a sarong (the most useful item when traveling in Asia), and personal toiletries including seasickness tablets and anti-diarrhoea tablets. I also take a summer dress that rolls up neatly that I can pull out if I go out for a nice dinner.

Important documents

Bring your passport, necessary visas, travel insurance documents, plus any required proof of vaccination requirements.

Don’t forget to leave a photocopy of each of these documents with a trusted friend or relative at home – every time you travel.

Health precautions

Check with your doctor for any required vaccinations and pack a small first-aid kit.

Additionally, the protocols and restrictions around COVID-19 are subject to change at short notice, so please keep an eye on official travel sites for the latest requirements.

Getting from Bali to Komodo Island, an area known for its breathtaking nature and the unique Komodo dragons, involves a couple of steps, but rest assured, the journey is part of the adventure and well worth the effort! Your first step is to get to Labuan Bajo, a small town on the westernmost tip of Flores Island, which serves as the main gateway to Komodo National Park. There are daily flights from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (also known as Denpasar International Airport) to Labuan Bajo’s Komodo Airport. These flights usually take around 1 to 1.5 hours, with several airlines like Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, and AirAsia offering this route. Make sure to book your tickets in advance, especially during the high season. Upon reaching Labuan Bajo, the next part of your journey is by boat. There are several tour operators in Labuan Bajo that offer day trips or multi-day tours to Komodo Island. Depending on your preferences and budget, you can choose from a variety of options, including speed boats, sailboats, or even luxury liveaboards. The boat trip generally takes about 2-4 hours, depending on the type of boat and the weather conditions. Please note, the travel plans can vary significantly depending on the season and weather conditions, so always allow for possible delays or changes in your itinerary. Also, it’s advisable to have travel insurance that covers this kind of travel. And don’t forget your camera – the journey offers some truly stunning views! Keep in mind that Komodo Island is a protected area and there are certain rules for visitors to follow. Make sure to respect the natural environment and the unique wildlife that resides there. Safe travels, and enjoy your adventure to Komodo Island!

While it’s theoretically possible to do a day trip from Bali to Komodo Island, it’s not generally recommended due to the considerable distance and travel time involved. To give you some perspective, here’s a rough breakdown of the travel times: First, you’d need to catch a flight from Bali to Labuan Bajo, the closest town to Komodo Island. This usually takes about 1-1.5 hours. Add in the time for check-in, security, and potential delays, you’re probably looking at around 3-4 hours in total for the flight portion of the trip. From Labuan Bajo, you then need to take a boat to Komodo Island. The boat trip can take anywhere from 2-4 hours one way, depending on the type of boat and the weather conditions. As you can see, just getting there and back could potentially take up most of your day, leaving very little time to actually enjoy and explore Komodo Island and the surrounding National Park. Additionally, the last flights back to Bali typically leave in the afternoon, which further limits your time on the island. Instead, most travelers choose to stay at least one night in Labuan Bajo and take a full-day or even multi-day boat tour to Komodo Island. This not only allows more time to experience the island and its famous dragons but also offers opportunities for other activities like snorkeling, hiking, and visiting other nearby islands. Remember, travel isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about experiencing and enjoying each destination. Rushing a day trip to Komodo Island might end up being more stressful than enjoyable. So, if you can, consider allocating more time for this once-in-a-lifetime trip!

As a travel enthusiast, I’d be inclined to say that yes, the Komodo Islands are definitely worth a visit! There’s so much more to these islands than just their famous inhabitants, the Komodo dragons. The Komodo National Park, spanning across several islands including Komodo, Rinca, and Padar, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers an incredible variety of experiences. From hiking up the scenic hills of Padar Island for a breathtaking panoramic view of the turquoise sea intermingling with the rugged landscape, to snorkeling or diving in the clear waters bustling with a rich diversity of marine life, including manta rays and vibrant coral reefs – it’s an adventurer’s paradise! And, of course, there’s the unique opportunity to witness Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. These fascinating creatures are found nowhere else in the world. The park rangers provide guided tours, ensuring you can observe these incredible animals safely. The islands also offer pristine pink sand beaches, one of only seven in the world! The pink hue of the sand, a result of red coral fragments mixed with white sand, set against the backdrop of clear blue waters, makes for an enchanting sight. So, if you love nature, wildlife, and adventure, the Komodo Islands offer an experience that’s hard to match. As always with travel, it’s essential to respect local rules, the environment, and the unique ecosystems you’re privileged to witness. As the saying goes, “take only pictures, leave only footprints.” It’s also worth noting that getting there requires a bit of time and effort, including a flight from Bali and then a boat trip. This might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for many, the journey is part of the adventure and well worth it in the end. Remember to plan well, take your time, and soak in every moment of this extraordinary adventure!

No, you cannot find Komodo dragons in Bali. These unique creatures are native to the Komodo National Park area, which includes the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Gili Motang, and a few others in the Lesser Sunda region of Indonesia. These islands are a significant distance east of Bali. It’s quite a journey to get from Bali to where the Komodo dragons live, but it’s a fascinating one, encompassing a flight and a boat trip. The journey allows you to experience other elements of Indonesian culture, landscape, and wildlife along the way, making it not just a trip to see the Komodo dragons, but a broader adventure. Komodo dragons are a protected species and efforts are made to keep them in their natural habitat, limiting human interaction to ensure their survival. It’s essential that we respect these efforts and visit them responsibly under the guidance of park rangers, rather than expecting them to be brought to more touristy areas for convenience. So, while you can’t see Komodo dragons in Bali, a trip to the Komodo Islands provides not just an opportunity to see these unique creatures in their natural habitat but also an enriching travel experience that goes beyond the typical tourist paths.

Summary of traveling From Bali to Komodo Island

In conclusion, traveling from Bali to Komodo Island can be an unforgettable experience, whether you choose to fly, take a ferry, or embark on a multi-day boat tour. My personal journey was filled with incredible memories, and I hope my tips and experiences help you plan your own adventure. Trust me, the trip is well worth it, and you’ll come home with stories to share for a lifetime!

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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

Bayview Gardens

Komodo Suites

Seaesta Komodo Hotel

Plataran Beach Resort

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 , Sudamala Resort Seraya , 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): 225k IDR ($14)
• Komodo/Rinca Island Fee: 100k IDR ($6)
• Ranger Fee Padar: 400k IDR ($25)
• Ranger Fee Loh Liang: 400k – 450k IDR ($25 – $28)
• Retribution Fee: 50k IDR ($3)

When you total everything up, you can expect to pay around 1.2 million Rupiah ($75 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 pass costs roughly the same as 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 thinking about raising 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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5 Best Komodo Island Tours: My 2024 Picks with details

• 1 Komodo Island Tours Catagories
• 2.1 Komodo 3D2N Sailing Tour – PRIVATE BOAT
• 2.2 3D2N Standard Phinisi Komodo Sailing Tour – PRIVATE CABIN OPTIONS
• 2.3 4 Day Private Komodo Islands Tour – OVERNIGHT BOAT & HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
• 3.1 One Day Shared Komodo Tour – SHARING TOUR
• 3.2 One Day Private Komodo Boat Tour – PRIVATE TOUR
• 4 Komodo National Park Fees 2024
• 5 Drone Usage at Komodo National Park
• 6 Best Time to do Komodo Island Tours
• 7 Travel Tips for Visiting the Komodo Islands & Komodo Island Tours
• 8 What to Pack for a Komodo Islands Tour
• 9 Komodo Islands Tour FAQ

LOOKING FOR THE BEST KOMODO ISLAND TOURS? – You’re in the right place!

Visiting the Komodo Islands is an exciting adventure-filled trip that includes, vibrant culture, inspiring scenery and an untouched natural environment.

Padar Island, Pink Beach , stunning sunsets watching the flying foxes at Kalong and seeing the infamous Komodo dragons at Rinca and Komodo Islands, not forgetting the opportunity to swim with manta rays and turtles – These are just a few of the highlights of this epic trip!

KOMODO 3D2N SAILING TOUR – PRIVATE BOAT

⛵Completely Private Boat

⛵All Inclusive Private 3 Day 2 Night liveaboard trip

⛵Rinca Island, Padar Island, Pink Beach, Komodo Island, Kelor Island

⛵Snorkelling at Manta Point, Siaba Point, Makassar and Kanawa

3D2N STANDARD PHINISI KOMODO SAILING TOUR – PRIVATE CABIN OPTIONS

⛵Boat shared with others

⛵Private and sharing cabins available

⛵Visit Rinca Island, Padar Island, Pink Beach, Komodo Island, Kelor Island

1 DAY SPEEDBOAT TOUR TO KOMODO NATIONAL PARK

⛵SpeedBoat tour shared with others

⛵Fast-paced, action-packed day

⛵Visit 6 Destinations: Padar Island, Pink Beach, Komodo Island, Snorkelling at Makassar, Kanawa and Manta Point

⛵Includes hotel transfers, lunch and snorkelling gear

Komodo Island Tours Catagories

OPEN/ PUBLIC (joining/sharing with others on a trip)

PRIVATE (only yourself and your group)

DAY TRIPS (Komodo Island tours from Labuan Bajo for the day)

MULTIDAY LIVEABOARD TRIP ( sleeping aboard the ship)

Best Komodo Island Tours: Multiday Liveaboard Tours

Komodo 3d2n sailing tour – private boat.

Escape on this 3-day excursion to the Komodo Islands and explore a world of stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and exciting activities.

⌚3 Days | ⭐4.5 Stars | ⛵Private Boat | 😎Private Tour | BOOK IT ➡️

Board your private vessel for an adventure around Kelor, Rinca, Kalong Padar Punya and Kanawa islands where you’ll have plenty of time to snorkelling with manta rays or swim alongside sea turtles! The real highlight will be seeing Komodo dragons up close and many other species including flying foxes in their natural habitat.

✅Minimum 2 People; Maximum 10 People

✅Trip runs any day of the week

✅2 nights in an Air-conditioned Cabin

✅Includes 3 lunches, 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners

✅ Day 1: 3 stops Kelor, Rinca and Kalong Island

✅ Day 2: 3 Stops – Padar, Komodo Island and Pink Beach

✅ Day 3: Get your snorkel on at Kanawa, Makassar, Siaba and Manta Point

CHECK PRICING AND AVAILABILITY ➡️

PRO’S:

• 4.5 Star Rating
• Clean and comfortable private boat
• Private trip = personalized experience
• Meals and snorkelling equipment included
• Certified English-speaking guide
• AC vehicle hotel/airport transfer included

CON’S

• Requires a minimum of 2 people
• Excludes entry fees for foreign tourists
• Excludes entry fees for a weekend surcharge
• Tour requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”Wonderful adventure trip with a dedicated team led by Robert. The boat travelled through beautiful areas, made a bunch of stops, and we relaxed completely. We had a great time seeing Komodo dragons, giant manta rays, deer, buffalo, reef sharks, turtles, splendid corals, and a plethora of fish. The trip is best enjoyed in if one is in good physical condition.” Austin C – (see more reviews)

BOOK THIS TOUR✅

3D2N Standard Phinisi Komodo Sailing Tour – PRIVATE CABIN OPTIONS

⌚3 Days 2 Nights | ⭐3.5 Stars | ⛵Sharing Boat | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Sharing Tour | BOOK IT ➡️

Discover the incredible sights and scenery of Komodo National Park on this 3-day 2-night sharing tour . Go swimming and snorkelling in Kanawa Island, Manta Point, Taka Makassar, Pink Beach and Visit Komodo Island, Kelor Island, Kalong Island to see flying foxes at sunset.

✅Minimum 2 People; Maximum 12-14 People

✅4 room types: shared room (bunk beds for 4-5 pax), private sea view room (max 2 pax), private balcony room (max 2 pax), private master room (largest size, max 2 pax)

✅Facilities: Air conditioned room, towel, toiletries, ensuite bathroom

✅Trip runs Friday to Sunday Only

✅ Day 1: Kelor Island, Manjarite Island, Kalong Island

✅ Day 2: Padar Island, Pink Beach, Komodo National Park/Rinca Island and snorkelling at Taka Makasar and Manta Point

✅ Day 3: Snorkelling at Kanawa Island and then back to Labuan Bajo

• 3.5 Star Rating
• 13 Verified Reviews
• Comfortable Phinisi boat
• Only runs from Friday to Sundays

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”We absolutely loved this trip! The crew was all amazing and made us feel welcomed and were very helpful. We saw same amazing and beautiful spots on this tour. The boat itself was very nice. We spent a lot of time in the living room area enjoying the sail and meeting the other passengers. The food prepared was very good and fresh” Klook User – (see more reviews)

4 Day Private Komodo Islands Tour – OVERNIGHT BOAT & HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

This is a unique 4-day excursion on a private boat . Enjoy thrilling snorkelling experiences around Bidadari Island. Head to Rinca Island, home of the captivating dragons. Go explore Pink Beach’s shimmering sands, enjoy more trekking with Komodo Dragons, watch a sunset of flying foxes and snorkelling with Manta rays. Lastly, enjoy more sights of Labuan Bajo including local markets and Batu Cermin mirror cave.

⌚4 Days 3 Nights | ⭐4.6 Stars | ⛵Private Boat | 😎Private Tour | BOOK IT ➡️

✅No Minimum; Maximum 5 People

✅2 nights in beachfront accommodation (with breakfast)

✅Private overnight stay on a wooden boat

✅Includes meals and non-alcoholic drinks on the boat

✅All National Park entrance/guide fees

✅ Day 1: Arrival and Bidadari Island Exploration

✅ Day 2: Komodo Dragons and Kalong Island Adventure and snorkelling

✅ Day 3: Rinca Island Forest Trek, Pink Beach, and snorkelling at Manta Point

✅ Day 4: Batu Cermin Cave adventure, Local Market, and Departure

• 4.6 Star Rating
• 22 Verified Reviews
• Includes hotel accommodation
• Includes all fees
• Private boat
• No Padar Island or Kelor Island visit
• Only allows for a maximum of 5 people per booking
• The hotel cannot be selected

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”We loved spending this cruise with our Guide, Anceni (sorry to miss her first name) aboard the New Komodo and her captain Amin. The boat is no longer new but very comfortable and the crew is adorable. We really recommend this crew and their cook. Fantastic snorkeling spots, impressive encounters with Komodo dragons. The hotel for the 2 nights top. We really recommend this activity, and especially ask the crew of the New Komodo.” Marie-Hélène – (see more reviews)

Best Komodo Island Tours: Day Tours

One day shared komodo tour – sharing tour.

Embark on an unforgettable journey with Bintang Komodo , Visit three islands, Walk with Komodo Dragons, take an incredible hike across Padar Island’s volcanic landscape, swim and snorkel at Manta Point and bask on the sands of Pink Beach.

This is definitely one of the Best day trip Komodo Tours.

🥇Viator Badge of Excellence |⌚11 Hours | ⭐5 Stars | ⛵Shared Boat | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Sharing Tour | BOOK IT ➡️

✅Shared/Join In Tour (Not Private)

✅Visit Komodo Island, Padar Island & Pink Beach

✅Snorkelling at Makassar, Manta Point & Kanawa Island

✅Inclusions: Lunch, English Speaking Guide, Bottled Water & Snorkelling Equipment

✅Air-conditioned vehicle for hotel pick up and drop off

PRO’S :

• 5-star rated tour
• 635 Reviews
• Open trip – opportunity to meet new people/ share costs
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund

CON’S:

• 5:30 AM start time – you might not be an early riser 😉
• Single Komodo Island day trips can feel very rushed and cramped
• Group trips have less individualised attention
• Must adhere to the group schedule

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”Incredible tour! First boat to be at every stop and avoid the crowds. Highlights were swimming with manta rays, seeing Komodo dragons, pink sand beaches and epic views.” Carley Rosenberg – (see more reviews)

One Day Private Komodo Boat Tour – PRIVATE TOUR

🥇Viator Badge of Excellence |⌚10 Hours | ⭐4.5 Stars | ⛵Private Boat | 😎Private Tour | BOOK IT ➡️

Booking a private Komodo Islands boat tour is the perfect way to make the most out of your day and see the most incredible sights of this beautiful corner of Indonesia. This tour includes the major highlights of Komodo National Park and includes snorkelling at some epic locations.

✅Private Trip

✅No minimum persons, but 5 persons maximum

✅Professional Tour Guide (Multiple languages available)

✅Rub shoulders with Komodo Dragons at Komodo Island, Get the ultimate Instagram shots at Pink Beach, summit the most beautiful landscape and enjoy panoramic views at Padar island

✅Snorkel at Manta point, Taka Makassar and Kanawa Island

✅Inclusions: Speedboat, Packed Lunch, bottled water and snorkelling gear

• Private tours allow for customization of the trip
• Private Airconditioned car for Hotel Pick up and Drop off
• English Speaking Guide (German, Spanish, Japanese and French Speaking Guides also available)
• Snorkelling equipment included (mask and snorkel, fins & life jacket)
• 5:00 AM start time
• A single-day trip can feel rushed
• Komodo National Park fees are not included (for local or foreign tourists)
• Ranger fees are not included for KNP and Padar island
• Not wheelchair accessible

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”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!” Graham H – (see more reviews)

Looking for more Komodo Islands info:

📖 READ: How to Choose the Best Komodo Island Boat Tour: Everything to Consider + My Recommendations

📖READ: Planning a Perfect Komodo Trip: Your Guide to the Komodo Islands

📖READ: Where to Stay in Labuan Bajo: 20+ Seaview Hotels with the best views

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

Komodo National Park Fees 2024

There have been a lot of discrepancies when it comes to the additional fees needed to visit Komodo National Park on Komodo Island tours. Even when doing my own research, I’ve come across various figures and I am honestly not 100% sure whether all are necessary, but regardless I’ll list them below:

⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTE: ALL KOMODO NATIONAL PARK FEES MUST BE PAID IN CASH TO THE KOMODO NATIONAL PARK TICKET OFFICE

What I can say from all my research and discussion with tour providers is that the fees will be between IDR 450 000 IDR to 600 000 IDR per person per day (depending on the number of people on the boat) , This is in addition to your Komodo Tour package. There still is currently no fixed information on the Komodo National Park Website, but you can refer to https://www.floreskomodoexpedition.com/ for more information on the transparency of the fees

Drone Usage at Komodo National Park

I recently found information from a tour agent that there is a drone use fee for Komodo National Park :

“Drone usage in KNP is Required to purchase a ticket at the National Park Office in Labuan Bajo. You have to buy a drone ticket 3 days before the trip. The cost of the ticket is IDR 1 000 000″

So this amount will be in addition to your Komodo island Tours package. I highly recommend mentioning when booking your tour if you are bringing a tour and checking the fees and payment situation with your tour company.

Best Time to do Komodo Island Tours

The best time to visit Komodo National Park in Indonesia depends on your preferences. If you’re looking for warm temperatures, sunny skies, and less rain then the dry season (May-October) is ideal.

However, if you prefer cooler temperatures and are willing to brave some showers then the wet season/rainy season (November-April) may be more suitable.

The water is usually calmer and clearer during the dry season, making it ideal for swimming and snorkelling.

But if you’re more interested in wildlife spotting then the wet season may be better as many species are more active during this time.

TRAVELIST TIP: We visited in October which was the best of both worlds for snorkelling and wildlife spotting. I would likely suggest visiting Komodo Island before October though for the most ideal experience.

Travel Tips for Visiting the Komodo Islands & Komodo Island Tours

1. When booking a tour, be extremely thorough in knowing what your itinerary is and what is included/ excluded. Whether you are on an open or private trip it’s essential to ensure you bring along the relevant cash, and items needed for your trip and aren’t surprised by any hidden costs or lack of equipment

2. Insect Repellent is a must! In Labuan Bajo I was extremely surprised at the number of mosquitos, this isn’t so much on the open waters, but if you head on land, be sure to coat yourself to prevent mosquito bites etc.

3. If you’re pressed for time Komodo Island day tours are a great way to see the popular spots of the Komodo Islands, however, it can feel incredibly rushed and super tiring . I highly recommend the multiday liveaboard Komodo islands tour to really see the unique destination at an easy pace and the experience of cruising and island hopping on a boat is pretty epic too.

4. If you’re on a day trip, bring along a towel and change of clothes, it gets hot and you’ll defs be up to jump into the waters to cool down and see some amazing creatures in the ocean

5. Bring along Cash (in local currency Indonesian Rupiah) – for your Komodo National Park entrance fees and if you’re looking to buy additional snacks/drinks on some of the beaches/ snorkelling islands you’ll need to pay in cash as there aren’t any ATMs in Komodo National Park

6. Dietary requirements: in a number of tours I’ve seen they don’t cater for vegetarian or vegan options. In this regard, you may want to stock up on your own food/snacks to ensure you don’t go hungry. On our tour, however, there were a number of vegetable dishes, so even if you just ate rice and a vegetable dish you wouldn’t go hungry.

7. Sailing and Boat trips require good weather . You’ll see on a number of tour provider websites that tours can be amended or cancelled due to poor weather conditions. Please check with your tour provider what their refund/rescheduling policies are to avoid any nasty surprises.

8. Day trips to Komodo Island also usually involve getting a packed lunch – I’ve seen on a number of reviews that many people have not been impressed with their packed lunch. On the liveaboard trips – all food was actually made fresh on the boat or caught (seafood) whilst we were on our excursion). Again I strongly suggest when in Labuan Bajo make sure to visit the mini marts/ supermarket to bring along your own food/snacks if you are a picky eater or want your own bits to snack on – we did

9. Certain tours may involve a one-night stay at a hotel either during or prior or after your trip. Check with your tour provider whether this is included.

TRAVELIST TIP: Our trip began at 8 am on a Friday – unfortunately there were no flights early enough to reach Labuan Bajo before the tour so we had to fly in on Thursday and stay one night before the multiday liveaboard tour. There are plenty of hotels in Labuan Bajo and they also have incredibly gorgeous sea views. >> Check out my post on the Best Seview Hotels in Labuan Bajo if you need a hotel stay during your trip

10. Please be aware that wooden boats offer a traditional sea-faring experience , prioritizing authenticity over modern amenities (all boats have a toilet, shower and rooms with aircon/fans). While comfort levels may vary, passengers can expect a rustic ambience as they explore Komodo National Park. This is obviously not the case for luxury yachts. None of the tours listed above are luxury yachts.

What to Pack for a Komodo Islands Tour

Swimwear for swimming, beach lounging and snorkelling. This is definitely to be packed whether you’re on a Komodo day trip or a multi-day liveaboard trip

Snorkelling Gear Depending on whether your tour provides this or not, you might want to bring along your own if you have a preference or check that your tour provider has the relevant life jackets, snorkel, mask and fins if you need them. I also tend to use aqua boots when snorkelling in coral areas where I don’t need fins, so bring those along if you’re the same 🙂

Closed shoes for the Padar Island hike. If you’re someone who feels they can manage the trek up the Padar Island rocky terrain in sandals – then good on you. Although all the trails in Komodo National Park aren’t technical I definitely had a preference for closed shoes on the Padar island trek as well as up the short steep trek on the Kelor Island summit.

Sunscreen and Mosquito repellent – for pretty obvious reasons. For the mosquito repellent, I just bought the Soffell (Indonesian brand) one I found in a mini-mart in Labuan Bajo but I strongly suggest bringing your own (sunscreen and mosquito repellent if you have a preference and what works for you.

Light quick dry clothing . Indonesia is a hot place. I found that light airy clothing worked best for me and I did not ever really get cold whilst on the boat (for the liveaboard trip) in the evenings I felt a shawl, swimsuit cover-up, and pashmina were sufficient. If you get very cold easily maybe bring a jersey.

Bring a waterproof bag for any electronic devices and camera equipment you might have with you or for your trips off the boat to hold your towel, change of clothes etc.

Komodo Islands Tour FAQ

Yes, there are Komodo Island tours from Bali. u003cstrongu003eCheck out this Bali Komodo tour: u003ca href=u0022https://www.viator.com/tours/Labuan-Bajo/3-Day-Komodo-island-and-RincaTrails-Tour-with-or-without-Roundtrip-Flight-From-Bali/d50484-66630P23?pid=P00074232u0026amp;mcid=42383u0026amp;medium=linku0026amp;medium_version=selectoru0026amp;campaign=KI-toursu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsoredu0022u003e3-Day Komodo island Tour with or without Roundtrip Flight From Baliu003c/au003eu003c/strongu003e. Should you plan Komodo tours from Bali? Yes, sometimes there might not be a direct flight from your destination to Labuan Bajo. So you’re likely to fly from Bali to Labuan Bajo and begin your tour from LB.

The u003cstrongu003eKomodo island tour price in Indonesia will depend on the length and type of trip you book. u003c/strongu003eGenerally, Komodo island tour packages for day tours cost around $50 to 150 USD per person, while multi-day expeditions can range from $200 to $1000 USD per person. Prices may also vary depending on the season, the number of activities included, and other additional amenities or how luxurious the experience or boat is. For more detailed pricing information, it’s best to contact the tour operator directly. It is also important to note that Komodo Island tours may require special permissions and fees for certain activities, so be sure to inquire about them beforehand.

I’ve compiled an entire post about u003ca href=u0022https://www.thecuratedtravelist.com/komodo-islands-boat-tour/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eu003cstrongu003eHow to Choose the best Komodo Island boat tripu003c/strongu003eu003c/au003e including, what facilities the boat should have, pricing etc. It can feel pretty overwhelming at first glance to visit Komodo island National Park so Check out the post u003ca href=u0022https://www.thecuratedtravelist.com/komodo-islands-boat-tour/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003ehereu003c/au003e

The u003cstrongu003eclosest airport to the Komodo Islands is Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo, Flores Islandu003c/strongu003e. The most common way to get there is to take a flight from Bali directly to this destination. There are also ferries available from Bali and other nearby islands, however, they tend to be more time-consuming and unreliable. If you’re coming from another part of Indonesia, then you may need to take a connecting flight or ferry to reach Labuan Bajo. Once you arrive in Labuan Bajo, you can arrange a boat tour to the Komodo Islands.

Although visiting the Komodo islands from Labuan Bajo is the main attraction, there are a number of things to do in Labuan Bajo. I’ve written a full detailed post on the u003cstrongu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.thecuratedtravelist.com/things-to-do-in-labuan-bajo/#rangko-caveu0022 data-type=u0022linku0022 data-id=u0022https://www.thecuratedtravelist.com/things-to-do-in-labuan-bajo/#rangko-caveu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e20 Best Things to do in Labuan Bajou003c/au003e u003c/strongu003ewhich includes:u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003e- u003ca href=u0022https://www.viator.com/tours/Labuan-Bajo/1D-Tour-Exploring-Cunca-Wulang-Rangko-Cave-Sylvia-Hill-Labuan-Bajo-For-2-Pax/d50484-294405P2?pid=P00074232u0026amp;mcid=42383u0026amp;medium=linku0026amp;medium_version=selectoru0026amp;campaign=KI-toursu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 data-type=u0022linku0022 data-id=u0022https://www.viator.com/tours/Labuan-Bajo/1D-Tour-Exploring-Cunca-Wulang-Rangko-Cave-Sylvia-Hill-Labuan-Bajo-For-2-Pax/d50484-294405P2?pid=P00074232u0026amp;mcid=42383u0026amp;medium=linku0026amp;medium_version=selectoru0026amp;campaign=KI-toursu0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsoredu0022u003eCunca Wulang Waterfall and Cunca Rami Waterfallu003c/au003eu003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003e- u003ca href=u0022https://www.viator.com/tours/Labuan-Bajo/1D-Tour-Exploring-Cunca-Wulang-Rangko-Cave-Sylvia-Hill-Labuan-Bajo-For-2-Pax/d50484-294405P2?pid=P00074232u0026amp;mcid=42383u0026amp;medium=linku0026amp;medium_version=selectoru0026amp;campaign=KI-toursu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 data-type=u0022linku0022 data-id=u0022https://www.viator.com/tours/Labuan-Bajo/1D-Tour-Exploring-Cunca-Wulang-Rangko-Cave-Sylvia-Hill-Labuan-Bajo-For-2-Pax/d50484-294405P2?pid=P00074232u0026amp;mcid=42383u0026amp;medium=linku0026amp;medium_version=selectoru0026amp;campaign=KI-toursu0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsoredu0022u003eRanco Caveu003c/au003eu003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003e- Snorkelling and Diving in Labuan Bajou003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003e- u003ca href=u0022https://www.viator.com/tours/Labuan-Bajo/Traditional-village-and-Turtle-conservation/d50484-263296P1?pid=P00074232u0026amp;mcid=42383u0026amp;medium=linku0026amp;medium_version=selectoru0026amp;campaign=KI-toursu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 data-type=u0022linku0022 data-id=u0022https://www.viator.com/tours/Labuan-Bajo/Traditional-village-and-Turtle-conservation/d50484-263296P1?pid=P00074232u0026amp;mcid=42383u0026amp;medium=linku0026amp;medium_version=selectoru0026amp;campaign=KI-toursu0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsoredu0022u003eTraditional Indonesian Village Culture: Wae Rebou003c/au003e, Kampung Melo and Todo villageu003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003e- City and Seaviews at Bukit Cinta Viewpointu003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003e- Sunset Cocktails in the cityu003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003e- Labuan Bajo Fishmarketu003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003e- Mesa Fishing Villageu003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003e- u003ca href=u0022https://www.viator.com/tours/Labuan-Bajo/1D-Tour-Exploring-Cunca-Wulang-Rangko-Cave-Sylvia-Hill-Labuan-Bajo-For-2-Pax/d50484-294405P2?pid=P00074232u0026amp;mcid=42383u0026amp;medium=linku0026amp;medium_version=selectoru0026amp;campaign=KI-toursu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 data-type=u0022linku0022 data-id=u0022https://www.viator.com/tours/Labuan-Bajo/1D-Tour-Exploring-Cunca-Wulang-Rangko-Cave-Sylvia-Hill-Labuan-Bajo-For-2-Pax/d50484-294405P2?pid=P00074232u0026amp;mcid=42383u0026amp;medium=linku0026amp;medium_version=selectoru0026amp;campaign=KI-toursu0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsoredu0022u003eBatu Cermin Caveu003c/au003eu003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003e- Sembilan Islandu003c/strongu003e

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

If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, a Komodo Island boat tour is definitely worth considering. From vibrant coral reefs to rare wildlife encounters, these tours provide the perfect opportunity to explore this unique part of Indonesia.

So book your tour today and get ready to discover the wonders of Komodo! And once you do, don’t forget to share your experience and photos with us! I’d love to hear all about your adventure.

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

Tips on what to see & do, how to choose a komodo boat, and what the mysterious park fees are.

Jul 24 Update: There are now direct flights to Komodo from Kuala Lumpur via AirAsia, starting 3 Sep 2024!

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).

Jul 24 Update: AirAsia has just announced direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Komodo starting 3 Sep 2024! Flights depart from KL three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. If you're planning to do a one day boat, you can choose to fly out on any of those days. If you're planning for a 3D2N boat, flying out on a Thursday is the best because the 3D2N boat trips only depart on Fridays.

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.

There's also a boat trip that goes from Lombok to Komodo, but we wouldn't recommend it (see below!).

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 1-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.

When booking a place to stay be careful not to book a resort that is NOT in Labuan Bajo town as this will limit your ability to book join-in Komodo Island hopping boat trips. The join-in boat trips do not offer pick up from these resorts, so it'll be more logistically painful to plan a 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 one day before your trip, otherwise you'll be denied entry to the park. Several travellers have missed their once-in-a-lifetime 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 as well as sightsee, you'll need to do 2 separate trips - a dive trip and a sightseeing trip. We'd recommend a 3D2N sightseeing trip, and a couple of day dives!

Budget Boat vs Phinisi Boat

For overnight trips, you can choose between basic boats or deluxe Phinisi boats . As we've had safety concerns with several basic boats, Seek Sophie has stopped offering trips on basic boats - but you can easily book them at the last minute on the high street of Labuan Bajo.

A basic boat usually has on-deck sleeping and you can choose from either a 2D1N trip or a 3D2N trip. Do check their safety credentials carefully as several basic boats do sink each year.

A Phinisi boat will have private rooms (some will have both private rooms and dorms), and generally have better food, and amenities.

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). If you're a light sleeper you may find the boat generator noisy so pack ear plugs!

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.

Can I go from Lombok to Komodo?

There are a couple of companies that offer boat trips from Lombok-Komodo (and vice versa).

The Lombok to Komodo boat trip is known for whale shark sightings, but Seek Sophie doesn't offer it due to unethical and unsustainable practices. Local operators feed the sharks, which disrupts their natural migration and feeding patterns, making them dependent on humans. Tourists also get close for selfies, which is harmful as it disrupts the sharks' natural behaviour and increases the risk of poaching. We strongly advise against supporting these activities.

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

The best Komodo Boat Tour 3 Days

Published by adminsuper on, komodo boat tour 3 days 2 nights | explore indonesia’s iconic paradise.

Embark on an unforgettable journey with our highly sought-after Komodo Boat Tour 3 Days 2 Nights. Offering an exceptional opportunity to explore the mesmerizing beauty of Komodo National Park , this tour promises an adventure of a lifetime. Whether you’re departing from Bali, your Labuan Bajo hotel, or extending from a land tour on Flores Island, we’ve got you covered.

Komodo Boat Tour 3 Days Options:

From bali or labuan bajo:.

Choose between starting your adventure from Bali or Labuan Bajo. If departing from Bali, our team will greet you at Komodo Airport upon your flight’s arrival. Opting for Labuan Bajo means enjoying a relaxing day in the town before your tour begins.

Flexible Pickup Options:

Depending on your preferences, our tour allows flexibility in pickup arrangements. You can either be picked up from designated locations or head directly to the port with your guide from your land tour. This is how you begin your Komodo Boat Tour 3 Days.

Upon concluding the tour, if you have an imminent flight, we’ll arrange for your drop-off at the airport. However, if you opt to extend your stay in Labuan Bajo for an additional night, your booked hotel will serve as your drop-off location, marking the end of your Komodo Boat Tour 3 Days.

Boat Options:

Tailored to Your Budget: Our boat tours range from standard to luxury options, ensuring there’s something for every traveler. Equipped with air-conditioned cabins for comfort, the boat’s facilities vary based on your chosen type.

Detailed Itinerary:

Experience the best of Komodo Boat Tour 3 Days with our meticulously planned itinerary. From breathtaking trekking adventures to exhilarating snorkeling escapades, each day is filled with unforgettable experiences.

Before finalizing your plans for the Komodo Boat Tour 3 Days, it’s advisable to consider several crucial factors to ensure a seamless experience. These include assessing the condition of the boat for overnight stays, coordinating with your flight schedules regarding arrival and departure times, and taking into account essential aspects such as meal arrangements.

Option A: Airport Pickup and Drop-off after the Tour

On day 1: kelor island – manjarite bay – kalong island..

Morning Arrival and Pickup: Upon your arrival at Komodo Airport in the morning or on picking up time at your hotel in Labuan Bajo, our professional team will be there to welcome you. We will assist you with your luggage and ensure a smooth transfer to the harbor where your boat awaits.

Kelor Island: Begin your adventure with a visit to Kelor Island, a gem known for its beautiful, clear waters and rich marine life. Here, you can engage in snorkeling activities, exploring the vibrant underwater world teeming with colorful fish and coral reefs. If you prefer, you can simply relax on the pristine sandy beaches, enjoying the serene environment and picturesque views.

Manjarite Bay: Next, we head to Manjarite Bay, another snorkeling paradise. The bay’s calm and clear waters make it an ideal spot for snorkeling, where you can swim among various marine species and admire the coral gardens. This location is perfect for underwater photography due to its excellent visibility.

Kalong Island: As the day winds down, we sail to Kalong Island. Here, you will witness a spectacular natural phenomenon – at sunset, thousands of fruit bats (flying foxes) emerge from the mangroves and soar into the sky. This is a mesmerizing sight, providing a unique end to your first day. Enjoy the beautiful sunset as it paints the sky in hues of orange and pink, creating a stunning backdrop for the bat flight.

Overnight Stay: Spend the night aboard our comfortable boat, anchored in a tranquil location. Enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by our onboard chef, and relax under the starlit sky, listening to the gentle sounds of the sea.

On Day 2: Padar Island – Pink Beach – Komodo island – Taka Makassar – Manta Point

Padar Island: Early in the morning, we arrive at Padar Island, known for its rugged hills and stunning viewpoints. Embark on a trekking adventure to the island’s highest point, where you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding islands and turquoise waters. The trek is moderately challenging, but the breathtaking scenery is well worth the effort.

Pink Beach: After your trek, we sail to the famous Pink Beach, named for its uniquely colored sand, which gets its hue from tiny fragments of red coral mixed with white sand. Here, you can snorkel in the clear waters, discovering a vibrant underwater ecosystem, or relax on the soft sand, enjoying the natural beauty of this rare beach.

Komodo Island: Our next destination is Komodo Island, the home of the world-renowned Komodo dragons. Accompanied by a knowledgeable park ranger, you will embark on a guided trek to observe these incredible creatures in their natural habitat. Learn about the biology and behavior of the Komodo dragon, as well as the island’s diverse flora and fauna.

Taka Makassar: A visit to Taka Makassar, a small sandbar surrounded by clear, shallow waters. This idyllic spot is perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and leisurely strolls along the sandbar. The shallow waters make it a great place for children and less experienced swimmers to enjoy the sea safely.

Manta Point: The day’s final adventure takes you to Manta Point, a renowned snorkeling and diving site where you can encounter manta rays. These graceful giants often glide through the water in large numbers, and snorkeling alongside them is an unforgettable experience. The rich marine life and clear waters make this a highlight of your trip.

Overnight Stay: Spend another peaceful night on the boat. Enjoy a freshly prepared meal, share your day’s adventures with fellow travelers, and fall asleep to the gentle rocking of the boat.

On Day 3: Taka Makassar – Siaba Island – Sebayur Island

Siaba Island: Start your final day by sailing to Siaba Island, known for its excellent snorkeling conditions. The island’s coral reefs are home to a variety of marine species, making it a haven for snorkeling enthusiasts. Explore the underwater world, spotting colorful fish, sea turtles, and vibrant coral formations.

Sebayur Island: The final stop of your journey is Sebayur Island. Here, you can enjoy more snorkeling or simply relax on the beach. The island offers a serene and picturesque setting, perfect for unwinding and reflecting on your adventure.

Return to Labuan Bajo: In the afternoon, we begin our journey back to Labuan Bajo. As we sail back, take in the beautiful sea views one last time. Upon arrival in Labuan Bajo, we will assist with your transfer to the airport. To ensure a smooth departure, please schedule your flight for after 5 PM. This allows ample time for the return journey and ensures you do not feel rushed.

Throughout the trip, our experienced crew will be on hand to ensure your comfort and safety, providing insights into the local culture, wildlife, and marine environments. We aim to make your journey not only enjoyable but also educational and memorable.

Option B: Airport Pickup and Drop-off at Hotel after the Tour

Similar to Option A, but on Day 3, after your exploration at Sebayur Island, we’ll drop you off at your hotel in Labuan Bajo.

Option C: Hotel Pickup and Drop-off

On Day 1 and 2, the itinerary mirrors Option A. On Day 3, after your excursion at Sebayur Island, we’ll drop you off at your hotel, marking the end of the tour.

Important Message:

The duration at each spot typically ranges from 45 minutes to 1 hour. We’ll provide detailed explanations regarding visits to Rinca Island or Komodo Island. Our itinerary remains flexible and may be subject to change. For inquiries about spots beyond our planned itinerary, feel free to reach out, and we’ll address them accordingly.

Inclusions:

• Private Boat with Cabin
• Transfers by Private AC Car
• Meals on the Boat (B/L/D)
• Mineral Water
• Experienced English Speaking Guide
• Snorkeling Gears
• Blanket and Towel
• Service Charge

Exclusions:

• Hotel in Labuan Bajo
• Entrance Fees in Komodo National Park
• Soft and Alcoholic Drinks
• Travel Insurance
• Personal Expenses and Tips

What to Bring on Komodo Boat Tour 3 Days

For a 3-day Komodo Boat Tour, it’s important to pack wisely to ensure comfort and convenience. Here’s a detailed list of what to bring:

Clothing and Personal Items:

• Swimwear: Essential for snorkeling, swimming, and other water activities.
• Lightweight Clothing: Breathable clothes such as T-shirts, shorts, and lightweight dresses are ideal for the warm weather.
• Sun Protection: A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and a long-sleeve shirt for extra sun protection.
• Footwear: Comfortable sandals for the boat and sturdy shoes or hiking sandals for trekking.
• Towel: A quick-dry travel towel for drying off after swimming.
• Sleepwear: Comfortable clothing for sleeping on the boat.

Toiletries and Health:

• Sunscreen: High SPF sunscreen to protect against strong sun exposure.
• Insect Repellent: To guard against mosquito bites and other insects.
• Personal Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, etc.
• Medications: Any prescription medications you need, plus seasickness tablets if you are prone to motion sickness.
• First Aid Kit: Basic supplies like band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and pain relievers.

Equipment and Accessories:

• Cash: For entrance fees to Komodo National Park and personal expenses, as ATMs are not readily available.
• Waterproof Bag: To keep valuables dry during boat trips and snorkeling.
• Snorkeling Gear: While some tours provide gear, you may prefer to bring your own mask, snorkel, and fins.
• Camera/GoPro: To capture the stunning scenery and underwater life, preferably waterproof or with a waterproof case.
• Chargers and Power Bank: For electronic devices, as boat tours might have limited charging facilities.
• Reusable Water Bottle: To stay hydrated and reduce plastic waste.

Miscellaneous:

• Snacks: While meals are usually provided, having extra snacks can be convenient.
• Guidebook/Journal: To read about the places you visit or document your trip.
• ID and Travel Documents: Passport, travel insurance details, and any necessary permits.

Packing the right essentials ensures you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience on your 3-day Komodo Boat Tour. Emphasize sun protection, swimwear, and cash for fees and expenses, while also being prepared with appropriate clothing, toiletries, and personal items.

Embark on a thrilling Komodo Boat Tour 3 Days 2 Nights and create lasting memories in Indonesia’s enchanting paradise. Book your tour now to secure your spot!

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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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Explore the Waters of Komodo National Park aboard the Aqua Blu

Bali to komodo expedition cruise.

Indonesia, Bali

From $9,415

Call 1-800-368-2794 or contact us for any questions

• 20% off on a limited number of cabins for 2024, 2025 & 2026 departures confirmed by Sep 30, 2024
• Waived single supplement on select departures

Located in the Coral Triangle between the major landmasses of Sumbawa to the west and Flores to the east, the waters of Komodo National Park are embraced by fast flowing currents from the Indian Ocean and warm tropical Indonesia seas enriched with volcanic nutrients. The result is a vibrant marine environment that's home to more than 1,000 species of marine life, including the manta ray, sea turtles, and mola mola (ocean sunfish), as well as over 260 species of coral. From shore to shore, the sheer number of marine life and a variety of different underwater environments make this region endlessly rewarding for both divers and non-divers alike. Cruising is an ideal way to discover the region. Built to world-class luxury cruising specifications, the speed, stability and long-range capabilities of the Aqua Blu cruise ship guarantees five-star comfort, utmost exclusivity, and an unrivalled immersiveness in the Park's natural wonders. You'll be able to access otherwise hard-to-reach marine sites and hiking trails where nature and wildlife flourish, often without another boat or human in sight.

Arrive: Benoa, Bali (or reverse)

Depart: Labuan Bajo, Indonesia (or reverse)

• Discover the marine extravaganza of Komodo National Park, with some of the best snorkeling and diving sites in the world
• Island hikes to waterfalls, local villages, along a ridgeline, and to see Komodo dragons in the wild
• Visit iconic Pink Beach, with its coral-tinged sands

Note: This trip is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as an agent in booking your reservation with the operator. Please download the Rate Sheet in the Dates & Pricing section to see the full pricing details and contact our Cruise Collection Specialists to check availability.

Dates & Pricing

Payment & cancel schedule.

At time of reservation: $1,000 105 days prior to departure: Balance

Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

Cancellation & Transfer Schedule

Minimum fee: $500 per person 91-120 days prior to departure: $1,000 per person 90 days or less: 100% of trip cost

• All meals onboard
• Non-alcoholic drinks
• Selected wines and beer with dinner
• Accomodations on board
• All excursions with guides
• Entrance fees
• Onboard lectures
• Use of watersports equipment
• Entertainment
• Boat/airport transfer in Komodo

Not Included

• Boutique purchases
• Massage services
• Optional gratuities

Accommodations

Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.

Days 1-7 (7 nights)

What the Trip is Like

The trip is rated Level 1+, Easy , and is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active. Launch boats are used to explore the coastline and transport passengers ashore for walks to view wildlife. Options for swimming, snorkeling, diving, sea kayaking, and paddle boarding are available.

Client Testimonials

"Our family thoroughly enjoyed this special trip. The staff were all very friendly and kind. The activity filled days were well planned out and explained by the cruise director. The food onboard was the best we have ever had on a trip and featured a range of cuisines. We appreciate the opportunity to explore nature at its best in secluded and remote locations. The whole experienced was phenomenal and memorable!"

Repulse Bay, Hong Kong

Other Trips You Might Like

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The Kimberley Expedition Cruise

From $11,850

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Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!

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Trip Levels

With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.

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Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.

• Royal Rajasthan and Villages of India
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Level 2 – Easy to Moderate

Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.

• Our African safaris
• Costa Rica Wildlife

Level 3 – Moderate

Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.

• Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
• Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
• Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
• Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as  Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin,  are Trip Level 3.

Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.

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Level 5 – Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.

• Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
• Everest Lodge to Lodge

Level 6 – Very Strenuous

Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.

• Everest Base Camp
• Climb Kilimanjaro!

• Komodo Day Tour

Check Availability

Komodo Day Tour is a perfect tour to discover Komodo Dragon and surroundings in limited time. This Komodo Day Tour mostly starts from Labuan Bajo and end in Labuan Bajo or Komodo Day Tour from Bali . There an opportunity to see as much as you can but it depends on the Boat you choose. We can use Local wooden Boat which is slower in comparing with fast Boat , but all depend on the Budget you want to spend or how much things you want to see.

If you want to see Komodo Island , Pink Beach , Padar Island , snorkel in pristine beach with crystal clear water, we recommend you to use speedboat to get to all the places. but if you focus only to see Komodo dragon , Rinca island is a good choice and it is only 2 hours away from Labuan Bajo with Local wooden Boat.

Highlights of Komodo Day Tour

• Meet the biggest lizards on Earth
• Guided trek on Komodo and Rinca Islands
• Enjoy the amazing waters of Pink Beach
• Snorkel in some of the clearest water on Earth

Itinerary of Komodo Day Tour

A very early departure from your hotel will ensure arrival in Komodo during the time the dragons are most active! Meet your assigned guide in the hotel and transfer to Labuan Bajo Harbour to embark on a local wooden boat. Arrive at Loh Liang, your trekking starting point just before 9 AM and enjoy a pleasant walk deep into dragon territory. Continue your journey with a short boat ride to Pink Beach , where you will have time for snorkeling and enjoy the amazing sight of this unique beach.

After having lunch on board, the exploration continues to Rinca Island , one of the best locations to see the dragons in their natural habitat. Enjoy an approximate 2-hour soft trek on the island in search of the dragons, guided by a local ranger and witness again the majesty of these unique prehistoric monsters.

Our ‘Komod Day Tour’  includes:

• Return airport transfer based on private basis in a chauffeured, fully air-conditioned vehicle
• Boat trips based on private basis with activities as indicated in the itinerary
• Professional and licensed English-speaking guide
• Complete snorkeling gear
• Meals mentioned in the itinerary as specified (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• Applicable entrance fee and ranger fee at Komodo National Park
• Public Liability Insurance

Our ‘Komodo Day Tour’ does NOT include:

• Visa fee / arrangements if applicable
• Any domestic or international flights
• Any beverages (juice, soft drinks or any alcoholic beverages)
• Personal expenses such as travel insurance, laundry, telephone call, room service, mini bar, etc
• Gratuities/ tipping for driver, guide, ranger, boat crew
• Any additional excursion/optional tours/activities that are not mentioned in the itinerary (e.g. extension stay, diving certification and/or diving trips, rental diving gear)
• Additional Rp 75,000 per person per day for conservation fund on Sundays/public holiday

Good to know

• Suitable for FITs with minimum of 2 persons (price will be adjusted for small group or a group of 10 persons)
• Private basis only (no seat in coach available)
• Operated daily, with 36 hours advanced reservation required (subject to boat availability) – EXCEPT DURING BLACKOUT PERIOD
• High potential of strong current and waves during the peak of wet season (between December to February) might affect your program. Please consult with your travel consultant closer to your date of travel (1 week prior to your visit)
• It is harder to spot the komodo dragons during the mating season (July to August). Best time to visit is between April until June (dry season, manta season – best time for snorkeling, diving on the north side of the Komodo National Park, and for overland journeys). September to October is whale season, manta season, and komodo season

$0.00 per adult

Exceed persons, discover the dragon, komodo island tours.

• Komodo Island Tour
• Komodo Highlights Tour
• Komodo Liveaboard
• Rinca Island Tour
• Komodo Package Tour
• Komodo dragon tour
• Trekking Komodo Rinca

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

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

How to get to Komodo from Bali – Labuan Bajo International Airport Guide

Victoria Heinz

• September 9, 2022

If you’re planning a trip from Bali to Komodo and are wondering if Labuan Bajo international airport is the right place to start, this article will include everything you need to know . You may be torn between taking a boat from Lombok to see Komodo or starting off closer to the park in Labuan Bajo. Luckily, there are several ways you can get to Komodo National Park depending on your budget, how much time you have and what you want to see along the way.

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Where are Komodo Island and the national park (map)

Komodo Island is only one of many islands located in Komodo National Park. Some of the most well-known include Padar Island, Rinca Island and Kalong Island. The national park is located between the islands of East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara, also called Flores. It sits east of both Bali and Lombok and north of Sumba.

Why you should visit Komodo National Park

Komodo National Park is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Indonesia, crystal clear waters and large areas of untouched nature. There are plenty of things to do and see in Komodo and the nearby town of Labuan Bajo. You absolutely need to visit highlights like Padar Island, Rinca Island, Kanawa Island and, of course, Pink Beach. Some of the main reasons to visit Komodo include:

• Seeing endangered Komodo dragons – the largest lizard in the world – in the wild
• Snorkelling at some of Indonesia’s healthiest reefs
• Living on a luxury boat on a budget as you sail through the national park
• Swimming with swarms of manta rays and dolphins
• Taking photos on pink beaches – no filter needed!

When is the best time to go to Komodo?

The best time to go to Komodo National Park is in the dry season which lasts approximately from June to September. July and August are definitely the most popular tourist months and Komodo will be very crowded , much like other popular areas of Indonesia such as Bali. This is largely because the weather will be hot and sunny with very little rain. If you prefer a quieter experience it might be advisable to visit the national park during the shoulder season, which lasts from April to May and October to November. During this time, you might encounter the occasional storm but the weather will still be mostly sunny. Between the months of December and March, the weather in this part of Indonesia is very stormy with rough seas and frequent rain. While some visitors go scuba diving during this time, the majority of boat tours cease operations because of the weather conditions.

How much time do you need to see Komodo?

Komodo National Park is large and it takes some time to get from one attraction to the other. If you’re short on time, you could plan a day trip boat tour from Labuan Bajo to the park but it’s highly recommended to choose a multi-day liveaboard trip instead. Plan to spend around two to three nights on a boat to make sure you have enough time to see the main sights. You’ll also most likely need at least one day in Labuan Bajo before you depart on the boat trip and another one once you get back. This means you should plan to spend at least three to four days on your Komodo trip in total. If you’re not short on time , five to six nights will be even better to make sure you’re not rushing too much. This will allow for plenty of time to get to know Labuan Bajo and the fun things you can do there .

Where is the best place to stay to see Komodo National Park?

Most people who are visiting Komodo choose to stay in the small town of Labuan Bajo which is located close by on East Nusa Tenggara or Flores Island. While Labuan Bajo is small, it’s very tourism-oriented with a growing selection of hotels and hostels available for all budgets. There are also a handful of resorts located on islands closer to the national park. These are mostly luxury properties with elevated prices. More budget-friendly options will be available in Labuan Bajo. Some of the best hotels include:

Budget – La Boheme Bajo

Popular hostel in the heart of Labuan Bajo known for its social atmosphere and budget-friendly dorms. Stay here to meet other travellers and plan fun boat trips to Komodo together. Price range: 7€ – 30€ per night

➼ Agoda ➼ Hostelworld

Mid-price – Le Pirate Island

Island glamping resort with beachfront accommodation just a short boat ride from the national park. Enjoy a few quiet days and get back in touch with nature at Le Pirate Island. Price range: 40€ – 80€ per night

➼ Agoda ➼ Booking

Luxury – AYANA Komodo

Beautiful luxury resort located north of Labuan Bajo. Come here for a romantic getaway or a special occasion and enjoy breathtaking views of the local islands. Price range: 230€ – 300€ per night

How to get to Komodo Island

Komodo Island is just a small part of the national park which includes other hotspots like Padar Island, Rinca Island and Kalong Island. There are several ways you can get to Komodo Island and the national park and all include getting on a boat. The national park is largely uninhabited so it’s not possible to fly there directly. The islands are separate from the mainland and can only be accessed from the water.

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How to get from Bali to Komodo

Bali is the first point of contact and base for many travellers visiting Indonesia. Since the country is spread out across thousands of islands, it can be a challenge to get from one place to another. The easiest way to get from Bali to Komodo National Park will definitely be to catch a flight to Labuan Bajo airport (also called Komodo airport). A variety of different airlines operate on this route and you’ll have a great choice of options. Garuda Indonesia is Indonesia’s national airline and the most luxurious carrier connecting Bali to Komodo. More budget-friendly options include Air Asia Indonesia, Citilink, Batik Air and Wings Air.

Taking a boat from Bali to Komodo

There are also options to take a boat from Bali to Komodo, although the options are limited. This is not a very common route since most people choose to go on a boat trip departing from Labuan Bajo instead. The distance from Bali to Komodo is very far and large parts of your boat trip will be spent on the water. This means long travel times and not that much time spent in the actual park. These boat tours can be compared to small cruises which means their prices are high but so is the level of service. Unless there is a specific reason why you want to take a boat from Bali to Komodo, it’s the better choice to depart from Labuan Bajo, or at least Lombok, instead where the variety of boats will be much larger.

Can you do a day trip from Bali to Komodo?

It’s not possible or realistic to do a day trip from Bali to Komodo National Park since the islands are just too far apart. Better day trip destinations from Bali include Nusa Penida or destinations within the island such as Uluwatu or Ubud . You will need at least three days for a trip from Bali to Komodo, ideally more.

How long is a flight from Bali to Komodo?

The flight from Bali to Komodo takes approximately one hour, depending on the weather conditions and wind . Sometimes the journey will take an additional 15 minutes so factor in plenty of time to get from Bali to Komodo. Remember that flights depart from the Bali domestic terminal and not the international part of the airport. Since there is no need for immigration the process is much faster and you do not need to arrive at the airport as early as you might be used to.

How to get from Lombok to Komodo

There are currently no direct flight connections from Lombok to Komodo. If you are in Lombok and would like to get to Komodo National Park you’ll have to either:

• Take a boat or quick flight from Lombok to Bali international airport from where you can catch a flight to Komodo.
• Get a ferry to West Nusa Tenggara, travel overland and then get on a boat to Labuan Bajo. This will take very long and isn’t convenient.
• Go on a multi-day boat trip which departs in Lombok and will take you to Komodo National Park before dropping you off in Labuan Bajo.

Considering going to Labuan Bajo or Komodo National Park? Save this image to have all the important info!

Boat trips from Lombok to Komodo

Boat trips from Lombok to Komodo aren’t as popular as those that depart from Labuan Bajo but they’re a great option if you want to see some of Indonesia’s most beautiful landscapes on your way to Komodo. Most of these trips last somewhere between four and five days and are one-way, meaning they will drop you off in Labuan Bajo and not return to Lombok. There are also tours that do the reverse and depart from Labuan Bajo, headed to Lombok. Keep in mind that these tours need to cover considerable ground in a limited amount of time so you’ll spend at least one full day on the boat sailing. There will also be stops between Lombok and Komodo so your time in the actual national park might be limited to one or one and a half days. If Komodo National Park is what you’re trying to see you might be better off choosing a boat tour that departs from Labuan Bajo, instead of one from Lombok. Flights are generally affordable and this way you’ll get to spend more time in the park and less time travelling.

How much is a boat trip from Lombok to Komodo?

You can expect to pay between IDR 3 million (~ €200) and 8 million (~ €535) for a four-day-three-night boat trip from Lombok to Komodo. How much you actually pay will depend a lot on the type of accommodation you choose. Many companies offer on-deck beds or hammocks for as low as IDR 2.5 million (~ €170). You’ll be sharing a space with up to twelve other people though, with very little privacy. Private cabins are considerably more expensive .

While the ocean in Komodo National Park is generally calm, it’s much rougher on the way from Lombok to Komodo. If you’re prone to seasickness it’s best to skip this trip and go on a boat in Labuan Bajo instead.

How to get from Jakarta to Komodo

You can easily fly from Jakarta international airport to Labuan Bajo/Komodo. Available airlines for this route usually include Garuda Indonesia, Citilink and Batik Air. Garuda Indonesia will be the most expensive option , while Citilink and Batik Air are more budget-friendly airlines.

How long is a flight from Jakarta to Komodo?

The flight from Jakarta international airport to Labuan Bajo/Komodo takes approximately 2.5 hours depending on the weather conditions . Since this area of Indonesia experiences a lot of storms there may be frequent flight delays . Be patient and book an extra night in a hotel in Labuan Bajo so you’re not in a rush.

The best way to get to Komodo Island

The majority of international visitors will choose to fly to Labuan Bajo/Komodo international airport to get to the national park. This is by far the easiest and most convenient way to reach the park and will save you time and money. From here, you can then join a multi-day liveaboard boat tour around the islands.

Labuan Bajo/Komodo airport

Labuan Bajo airport (officially called Komodo airport) is the closest airport to the national park. It’s very small and despite sometimes being referred to as Komodo international airport, so far only offers domestic flights. The airport mainly consists of a modern terminal that was inaugurated by Indonesian president Joko Widodo in 2015, taking the annual capacity of the airport from 150,000 passengers to 1.5 million. The airport’s only runway has also been extended to accommodate larger aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737-800.

Labuan Bajo/Komodo airport flight connections, airlines and routes

The selection of available routes from Labuan Bajo/Komodo airport is limited to a handful of destinations. Post-covid some of these connections may be changing so make sure to double-check whether a route is still available. Commonly, the cities of Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar (Bali), Kupang and Ende are catered to by Labuan Bajo/Komodo airport. Bajawa, Maumere, Makassar and Mataram may also be available but are far less common. Airlines that fly to Labuan Bajo/Komodo airport include Garuda Indonesia, Air Asia Indonesia, Citilink, Batik Air, Lion Air, Wings Air and Nam Air. Air Asia Indonesia, Wings Air and Batik Air tend to operate most frequently.

Are there restaurants at Labuan Bajo/Komodo airport?

Labuan Bajo airport has a very small selection of restaurants, limited to two or three options. Most serve a combination of Western and Indonesian food options. Prices will be slightly elevated but still reasonable . Keep in mind that this is a very small airport though so it might be advisable to eat at a restaurant in Labuan Bajo before you head to the airport.

Are there shops at Labuan Bajo/Komodo airport?

You’ll find a small book and souvenir shop at Labuan Bajo/Komodo airport as well as a minimart. The bookshop has a surprisingly good selection of reads if you need to grab a book before you depart. Other than that it’s best to get any shopping you need to do done in Labuan Bajo.

When do you need to be at Labuan Bajo/Komodo airport?

This is a very small domestic airport with a limited selection of daily flights. For this reason, there is no need to be at the airport earlier than 1.5 hours before departure. One hour is most likely also more than sufficient . Make sure to check until when you can drop your baggage off though as there may be a line of people waiting. Generally, you’ll have a good chance of catching your flight even if you arrive at the airport late.

Even though security is small at Labuan Bajo airport, they’re very good at finding things like pink sand, corals or shells in your luggage. They’ve got a whole display of confiscated items so make sure to leave any illegal souvenirs at the beach. It’s better for the environment anyway!

Is there a lounge at Labuan Bajo/Komodo airport?

Labuan Bajo/Komodo international airport used to have the Drikari Lounge, a very basic lounge offering food and views of the runway. However, it is currently closed and is not expected to reopen in the near future. The lounge can be compared to a restaurant and was far from luxurious . They offered access to an all-you-can-eat buffet for IDR 110,000 (~ €7.40) per person.

Even if this lounge reopens, it’s not really worth it unless you are extremely hungry.

How to get from Labuan Bajo/Komodo airport to your hotel

Labuan Bajo airport is located very close to the centre of town and it won’t take long to get to your hotel from there. The actual distance is less than 2 kilometres, meaning you can choose to walk. While this is definitely the most budget-friendly option to get from Labuan Bajo airport to your hotel, it will be exhausting to walk in the hot weather.

There is no sidewalk in some places so it’s also not extremely safe. If you have a lot of luggage it will be much easier to simply get a taxi, however, it may be a good option for budget travellers. The walk will take around 35 minutes since parts of it go uphill. Apps like gojek and grab are relatively unreliable in Labuan Bajo and local taxis are much more common. You shouldn’t pay more than IDR 50,000 (~ €3.40) for the 8-minute taxi ride into town.

This is an absolute maximum and you can most likely get an even cheaper price if you’re good at haggling. If you’re happy with your driver you should take his number and call him again when you’re headed back to the airport so you don’t have to renegotiate a new price.

Views from Meruorah Hotel in Labuan Bajo

Does Komodo have an international airport?

While the airport in Labuan Bajo is sometimes called Komodo international airport, it currently only has domestic flight routes available. While this might change in the future, you’ll have to be in Indonesia already to get to Labuan Bajo at the moment.

How to get from Labuan Bajo to Komodo

Labuan Bajo is considered the gateway to Komodo National Park and the best place to start if you’re planning your trip. From there you can reach the national park by boat which takes a few hours. There are also smaller islands that are not part of the national park located closer to Labuan Bajo. You need to book some sort of boat tour to get to Komodo National Park from Labuan Bajo. There are plenty to choose from such as day trip excursions , sailboats , multi-day liveaboard trips and scuba diving tours . All of them depart from Labuan Bajo harbour which is located in the centre of town. You can either book your tour in advance online or find one on arrival.

Travelist.Id has a great selection of boat trips for all budget ranges available on their website.

Do you have to take a boat to see Komodo National Park?

The park is largely uninhabited with only around 3,000 people living there permanently. This means that there are only a few local villages and no road connection . There is also no airport within the national park and the only way to reach it is by boat. This means you’ll absolutely have to get on a boat to see Komodo National Park.

Day trip boats are usually not that much cheaper than a one or two-day liveaboard. If you’re not short on time, consider spending multiple days in the park instead.

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Book your flights Skyscanner is the best website for finding cheap flights since it works like a search engine, so you can find the best deals across all airlines. Book hotels and hostels • Booking.com : Best worldwide • Agoda : Best in South East Asia • Hostelworld : Best for hostels Book tours, transport and rental cars • Viator : The best place to book tours, day trips and excursions for all budgets • 12Go : Great for ferries, trains, transfers and buses in South East Asia • Discover Cars : Best deals for rental cars around the word Get travel insurance Every traveller needs travel insurance, and I mean every single one. SafetyWing covers you in case of injury, illness or worse, and they’ve got your back if your bag is stolen, flights are cancelled or in case of a natural disaster. Pay abroad Ask any traveller, Wise is the best choice when it comes to sending money abroad. They’ve always got the best exchange rates, lowest fees, and their visa card is great for getting cash out or paying abroad. Things every traveller needs: ➼ Osprey Farpoint 70 Backpack Detachable daypack, ultra-light, durable and free repairs for life. There’s a reason why so many backpackers have this bag. ➼ Packing Cubes Packing cubes are a gamer changer, keeping your luggage organised and providing tons of extra space. ➼ Power bank There is nothing worse than running out of battery on an overnight bus journey or a long flight. With a power bank, you can charge your electronics on the go and make sure you’re always connected. ➼ Micro-fibre towel These lightweight towels are foldable, fast-drying, and, so useful when you’re travelling. ➼ You can find 15 more things every traveller needs here . Some might be a bit controversial, but I warned you!

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Hi, I'm Victoria

Welcome to Guide your Travel – a blog about South East Asia and how to travel on a budget.

I’m a blogger, writer and photographer and love to introduce my favourite destinations to others and encourage them to see the world.

I’m originally from Germany but spent four years living in the UK, quite a bit of time in Spain and Malaysia, and am now travelling full time with a home base in Bali, Indonesia.

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How to reach the Komodo Island

Komodo National Park has widely known with the home of the giant lizard Komodo Dragon – which has just declare to be one of the latest heritage of the world. This is the home of the giants lizard known as the Komodo Dragon it was thought to be a myth until the turn of the century, when fishermen who were forced by a storm to take shelter on Komodo sight the monsters.

Komodo National Park lies in the Wallacea Region of Indonesia. The Park is located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores at the border of the Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) and Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) provinces.

There are several ways how to get to Komodo National Park :

Flight from Denpasar – Bali The fastest way to get Komodo Island is by airline. The flights leave from Ngurah Rai Airport, Denpasar, Bali to Komodo Airport in Labuhan Bajo, West Flores. It takes about 1.5 hours fly. Garuda Airways, Lion Air, Transnusa Air Services, Sky Air leave every day while other airlines only fly on certain days a week.  The flights also fly to Ende or Bima. There are flights also depart from other cities  : Surabaya, Jakarta, etc Then from Labuan Bajo port we can find the options how to get to the island, either  by joining the sharing boat trip or take a private boat trip . The boats mostly depart on weekend period from Friday to Sunday for 3 days 2 nights package .

Komodo Phinisi Sailing Vessel For those who prefer a little more comfort, we could offer you with the Exclusive Phinisi Sailing Vessel which operate on a 5 and 7days cruises that include a stop at Komodo Island and other island surround the Lesser Sunda. Diving package are also offer to depart from Denpasar – Bali either by boat or by flight.

By Over Land The buses leave from Denpasar Bali to Labuan Bajo and Bima

By Sea – Ferry

• It takes approximately  36 hours
• The gateway cities of Labuhan Bajo are Bima are connected to Bali by inter island ferry
• This transportation is arranged by Indonesia Sea Transportation Company (PELNI)
• Benoa – Bima – Labuhan Bajo every two weeks on Saturdays: 09.00-20.00 (next day).
• Labuhan Bajo – Bima – Benoa, every two weeks on Thursdays: 08.00-11.00 (next day).

Note: The ferry schedules and/or prices may change with or without prior notice

By Sea – Live-aboard

• Komodo National Park is serviced by a wide range of live-aboard boats, with return packages to Komodo National Park from a variety of departure points, including Bali, Lombok, Bima and Labuan Bajo
• From Gateway Cities to Komodo National Park (KNP)
• You can easily organize a shared boat charter by local boat from either ports at Labuan Bajo or Bima (Sape) to the two major points of access in the Park: Loh Liang (on Komodo Island) or Loh Buaya (on Rinca Island) . The charter prices may change with or without prior notice
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From Beaches To The Komodo Dragon, These Are 10 Indonesian Islands Worth Visiting

• Komodo Island is home to the largest living lizard on Earth, the Komodo dragon. It is a popular destination for scuba diving and has a population of approximately 1,800.
• Java is the most populous island in Indonesia, housing over half of the country's population. It is known for its ancient temples, including the largest Buddhist temple in the world.
• Borneo is the third-largest island globally and is shared by Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia. It is renowned for its lush rainforests and diverse wildlife, making it a top destination for eco-tours.

Indonesia is one of the countries with the most islands in the world ; it is a massive island nation (with the fourth-largest population after the United States). The country has some of the largest islands on earth (although some of them are shared with other countries).

Only a few of its islands (such as Bali, which is famous for its beaches ) are popular tourist destinations leaving most of the country rarely visited by tourists. Here are some of the best Indonesian islands to visit across the vast archipelago.

Komodo Island

Komodo Island is a small island famous for being the home of the Komodo dragon - the largest living lizard on Earth. It is an example of evolutionary island gigantism (where isolated species can get very large).

Komodo Island is also one of the best islands in Indonesia to visit as a diver; it is a very popular destination for scuba - but the Komodo dragon is easily the top attraction.

• Population: Approx. 1,800
• Size: 150 sq miles or 291 sq km

Java is home to over half (around 56%) of the population of Indonesia and its main city, Jakarta, is one of the largest in the world. It was the center of powerful Hindu and Buddhist Empires, and there are many ancient temples to discover.

Take the time to see the largest Buddhist temple in the world in Java .

• Population: Over 150 million
• Size: 53,000 sq miles or 139,000 sq km

Sumatra is the massive long island of Indonesia stretching close to Singapore. It is the largest fully Indonesian island and is famous for its wildlife (some of which is endangered).

The island was once covered by lush tropical rainforests, although much of the island is now deforested. Notable wildlife include the Sumatran tiger, the Sumatran elephant, the Sumatran orangutan, and the Sumatran rhino.

• Population: 60 million
• Size: 182,000 sq miles or 475,000 sq km

Borneo is the third-largest island in the world and is home to three countries - Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia (around 73% of the island belongs to Indonesia).

Much of the island remains covered in lush tropical rainforests, and it is a top destination for eco-tours to see the orangutans, Borneo elephants, and other tropical rainforest wildlife.

• Population: 22 million (total population)
• Size: 289,000 sq miles or 748,000 sq km

Related: Why This Borneo River Lodge Is The Best Place To Explore The Jungle & Its Wildlife

Bali is by far the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia - so much so that most people say they are going to 'Bali' and not say they are going to 'Indonesia'.

It is a Hindu-majority island (most of Indonesia is Muslim-majority). It is famous for its pristine beaches and enjoys a very developed tourism industry.

• Population: 4.4 million
• Size: 2,200 sq miles or 5,800 sq km

Lombok is another island popular for tourism. It is separated from Bali by the Lombok Strait and shares a number of similarities with Bali (such as cultural heritage).

But its wildlife is also different as the Lombok Strait is part of the Wallace Line that has proved a barrier to the migration of species from Asia.

• Population: 3.9 million
• Size: 1,800 sq miles or 4,700 sq km

Related: Heaven Besides Bali: 11 Islands In Lombok For An Amazing Scenic Vacation

Sulawesi is one of the most distinctively shaped islands in the world. It is the eleventh-largest island in the world and has four massive peninsulas.

Sulawesi is easily one of the most beautiful islands in Indonesia to visit, and it offers the chance to get away from the large tourist crowds of Bali (and, to a lesser degree, Lombok) and explore a destination not spoiled by tourists.

• Population: 20 million
• Size: 72,000 sq miles or 186,000 sq km

Flores is best known for the 'Hobbit' scientifically Homo floresiensis - a diminutive species of archaic human. When the species was first discovered, it was a matter of contention whether the bones represented a strange new species or were an example of a diseased human.

New discoveries have shown it to be a new species of human 1.1 meters tall (3.7 feet). Flores is not popular for tourism but is a great place to visit to discover a different side of Indonesia.

• Population: 1.9 million
• Size: 6,000 sq mile or 15,500 sq km

Related: Indonesia's 10 Most Charming Cities That Every Tourist Must Visit In 2022

The island of Timor is best known for the independent country of East Timor on the eastern side of the island .

West Timor (the Indonesian part of the island) is another destination that very few international travelers bother to see. Explore both the East Timor and Indonesian side of the island while there.

• Population: 3.3 million (total)
• Size: 12,000 sq miles or 31,000 sq km

New Guinea is one of the most challenging places to visit (and one of the most unique destinations). It is the second-largest island in the world and one of divided into the independent country of Papua New Guinea in the west and the Indonesian west.

It has extremely poor infrastructure but is incredibly diverse - Papua New Guinea has the most languages of any nation on earth.

• Population: 15 million
• Size: 303,000 sq miles or 785,000 sq km

More From Forbes

How and where to see komodo dragons in the wild.

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Captivated by the new season of HBO’s House of the Dragon and want to see some actual dragons for yourself? Indonesia is the only place to see the real-life versions—Komodo dragons—in the wild. Here’s how, including the ideal hotel to stay at: AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach.

Komodo dragon, Rinca Island, Indonesia.

Komodo Dragons: Varanus komodoensis

Dragons dance and duel on HBO’s House of the Dragon and while real-life Komodo dragons can’t fly, they are formidable. Only about 3,000 of the endangered animals remain in the wild, all in Indonesia. Tourists can see them within Komodo National Park , usually on a day trip to either Komodo or Rinca island. When visiting Komodo dragons, you’ll want to follow park rangers’ instructions precisely and avoid any chance of being near the world’s largest lizards when they duel with each other (especially in mating season).

Komodo dragons in battle, Komodo National Park, Indonesia.

Visiting Komodo dragons means walking amongst a dozen or so of the largest lizards on earth. The Latin name of this monitor lizard, Varanus komodoensis , sounds as if they’re part of the Targaryen family’s brood. Though not as large as the Westerosi version, Komodo dragons can grow to 10 feet long and even reach 300 pounds. Their serrated teeth are right at the level of a human’s calf and their venom causes massive bleeding.

Komodo dragons are usually fairly lethargic—they tend to lie in a bit of a stupor while digesting—but they can easily beat you in a sprint if they choose. During mating season—primarily June and July—males wrestle for dominance and perform mating dances featuring vomiting, defecating, licking, biting and scratching. It might please the Komodo dragon ladies, but is best avoided by tourists.

Tip: In the unlikely event of a Komodo dragon chasing you, climb—high—in a tree or run in a zigzag pattern (though, just as with Rickon in the original Game of Thrones , it might not work against a skilled predator).

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The largest population of Komodo dragons lives on Rinca Island. It’s faster and easier to reach Rinca than Komodo Island from the the main island of Flores and ocean conditions are less affected by weather. A visit to Rinca provides an excellent chance of seeing several large males and many smaller but more active adolescent and female dragons.

Komodo dragons look slow and lazy, until they decide not to be.

The best way to see the prehistoric-looking carnivore-cannibals (yes, they’re both, just like some of the fictional flying ones) is via a day trip aboard one of the boats at AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach Resort . You’ll also likely stop for a snorkel at a starfish-strewn reef and at Pulau Kelor for a swim from the white sand beach or a hike. There’s a chance of seeing dolphins and other marine life on the way too.

When you first arrive on Rinca Island, you’ll dock beneath a massive sculpture of two Komodo dragons up on their hind legs in battle. After paying your national park entrance fee, you’ll walk on a curving boardwalk above the mangroves and sand to get to a treed area that’s popular with the dragons. On the way, you may see a dragon or two basking in the sun or seeking some shade. From up on the boardwalk, Komodo dragons don’t seem too intimidating (though Timor deer, monkeys, and other resident animals all keep a watchful eye out for them so they don’t become lunch).

Komodo dragon claws, Rinca Island, Indonesia.

You’ll next visit a small museum to learn more about the dragons and get up close to a few large skeletons with their massive claws and teeth. After a safety briefing, a national park ranger opens a gate to a partially-fenced enclosure and ushers you into an area with perhaps a dozen Komodo dragons hanging out.

Follow Guides’ Dragon Instructions Closely

Now, these dragons are used to tourists coming into their enclosure and the larger, male dragons are more likely to sit still than the smaller females and adolescents. However, you will want to follow park rangers’ instructions to the letter, including ensuring your group stays together.

The teeth of a resting Komodo dragon are at calf height

During our visit, our group of six inadvertently split into two clusters of three just as one of the smaller but quick dragons decided to cross the main path. Humans and dragon alike—perhaps most of all our park ranger—each had many seconds of alarm as the perturbed Komodo debated charging through each group. Trying to predict where she wanted to go by her movements, we humans did a little dance of stepping forward and backward in hopes of getting out of her way. The park ranger that escorts each group through the dragons carries a Y-shaped wooden stick that can be used to stop or pin down a dragon—but you need to be close enough for him to save you.

After you’re done admiring the dragons near the museum, you can hike up a hilltop for spectacular views over Rinca’s national park harbor. Still, don’t wander far from the park ranger. His eyes are much better than yours at spotting any dragons along the way—and be forewarned that there’s often a big one enjoying the shade under the pergoda on the hilltop.

Dragons are Dangerous

The only thing Komodo dragons can't digest are large skulls and horns. Rinca Island, Indonesia.

Human deaths and injuries by Komodo dragons are very rare, but not unknown. A dragon attacked and killed a boy on Komodo Island in 2007 and The Smithsonian reports the 2009 death of a man who supposedly fell from a sugar apple tree under which two Komodo dragons were waiting. In 2008, SCUBA divers were swept onto Rinca Island and faced two days of attacks by dragons while waiting for rescue. Also on Rinca in 2009, a Komodo dragon sneaked into the national park staff office and a park ranger received severe injuries to his arm and leg. In 2017, a tourist watching Komodo dragons without a park ranger got too close while they were eating and was severely bitten. In March 2024, two dueling dragons at a zoo in Ohio injured a worker.

Komodo dragons’ usual prey is deer, wild pigs, goats, and water buffalo, in addition to the occasional fellow Komodo dragon. Hungry Komodo dragons can eat 80 percent of their body weight in one sitting and they eat almost the entire animal—in the national park, you’ll see the evidence of dusty white piles of dragon poo bleached by the calcium of their prey’s bones. The skulls and horns of deer and water buffalo are the only things they can’t digest. Several of these bleached-white skulls decorate the dragon area behind the Rinca museum.

Where to Stay to See Komodo Dragons

AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach from the water.

AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach is the ideal—and dragony—resort for seeing Komodo dragons. The five-star beachfront hotel is on the coast of Labuan Bajo on Flores Island, just a 10-minute drive from the airport (which is also decked out in dragon decor). Get there via a 90-minute flight from Bali.

AYANA Komodo has odes to the nearby Komodo dragons throughout the property. You’ll find artwork depicting the giant lizards throughout the resort, including in the open-air lobby lounge that welcomes with its bright white furniture and views out to the islands below. The hotel’s swooping wooden jetty—with its over-water Naga bar and plenty of places for lounging and jumping into the sea—even resembles the body and tail of a Komodo dragon from above.

AYANA Komodo's lobby.

All of AYANA Komodo’s 205 spacious rooms are oceanfront. The decor is in serene whites, creams and grays, with beachy artwork reminding you of your surroundings. The soothing rooms contrast with the vivid greens of the garden landscaping and the private island below your balcony and with the blues of the beachfront swimming pool and the sea beyond. Choose from seven dining locations, including HonZEN for Japanese, RINCA for international selections, and KISIK for beachfront seafood. The sunset views from UNIQUE Bar on the rooftop can’t be beat. The AYANA Lako Sae boat can take you out for a sunset dinner cruise.

AYANA Komodo guestroom.

Visit Komodo National Park and see the dragons via one of AYANA Komodo’s boats on a day trip. Or, for more extensive explorations of the Komodo archipelago, choose the seven-cabin luxury Phinisi yacht AYANA Lako di’a , a traditional two-masted, seven-sail yacht that’s significant to the Bugi and Makassar peoples.

Pink Beach, Komodo Island, Indonesia.

With a stay at AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach, there’s plenty to see and do beyond Komodo dragons. If the seas are calm enough, you can visit Pink Beach—one of only a handful of true pink beaches on the planet—or take a dip in turquoise Rangko Cave. An evening boat trip provides the opportunity to see thousands of fruit bats in flight from a nearby island. Or ask AYANA’s concierge to arrange a trip into town and learn about traditional tenun weaving from the Sumba community at the Rumah Tenun Baku Peduli weaving center.

Lounge on AYANA Komodo's jetty.

At the hotel, go for a snorkel off the jetty or help the in-house marine biologist with coral restoration. Kayak or stand-up paddleboard over the calm water. Take a quick cruise to the offshore private island. Practice yoga on the beach or the waterfront yoga deck. Admire the ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows from the gym, then take a steam sauna. Play in the kids’ pool and kids’ club. Wade into the sea from the beach. Watch the birds and boats during the day and gaze at the stars at night. Visit the spa for superb Balinese massages and other relaxing treatments. Or, be like a resting Komodo dragon and just hang out in the sun or in the shade under one of the umbrellas near the jetty bar or around AYANA Komodo Resort’s tiered swimming pool.

AYANA Komodo's pool.

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7 of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia

Jul 10, 2024 • 6 min read

Start planning your route through Southeast Asia with our guide to the best places to visit Pakin Songmor / Getty Images

Traveling through Southeast Asia is a rite of passage for many backpackers on a budget, but this stunning region also appeals to adventurers and nature lovers too, with people coming back year on year. Whether you are learning how to drive a motorbike or heading out in scuba gear to dive with reef sharks, Southeast Asia offers fantastic experiences at a fraction of the price found elsewhere.

Leading with curiosity and patience will serve travelers well as they navigate their way through the region. There are many highlights, but the spots that you stumble upon are likely to be the ones you remember most fondly. To help you plan your route, and find your own favorite places, here are our picks of where to visit in Southeast Asia and what makes them so special.

1. Siargao, Philippines

Best for surfing 

Siargao is a tropical paradise known for its quality surfing, which includes the Cloud 9 break, regarded as one of the best waves in the world. Surfers can take a boat out to Rock Island or Daku, or ride the left reef break at Stimpy’s. Not quite ready for that yet? Surf lessons are available for all levels, then make time to see the island beyond the waves. 

Enjoy live music performances at local bars and cafes, such as the Extension or Strum , ride a motorbike out to the North to visit caves, or go to a yoga class and take an ice bath. Whatever you decide, expect to be welcomed warmly into the local community.

Planning tip: Base yourself in General Luna. By staying at least a week on Siargao, you'll be able to experience the best of the island and explore beyond the main town. 

2. Amed, Bali

Best for diving and snorkeling sites

Amed — a coastal area located in northeast — has maintained the local charm and warm welcome that initially made the island of Bali so popular. Snorkelers and divers in particular love it here because it's home to iconic dive sites like the Japanese Shipwreck – shallow enough to snorkel – and Jemeluk Bay, packed with colorful coral. From here, take a trip to Bali’s famous Gates of Heaven, Pura Lempuyan , to see one of the holiest temple complexes on the island. Sunsets here are stunning: go to Lahangan Sweet viewpoint or Sunset Point for views over Mt Agung , Bali’s highest peak. 

Planning tip: From Canggu , it takes about four hours to get to Amed by taxi. However, if you come from Lombok or the Gili Islands, the ferry is less than two hours depending on the season.

3. Cao Bang, Vietnam

Best for getting off the beaten track 

Cao Bang, in the north of  Vietnam , has some of the most impressive natural sites in the country, but without the crowds. Start at Phat Tich Truc Lam , a temple near the Chinese border, that offers wonderful views over the region’s rolling hills.  Ban Gioc Waterfall  – one of the most magical waterfalls in Southeast Asia and the largest in Vietnam – cascades over multiple tiers and can be visited on a boat trip or bamboo raft. The nearby Nguom Ngao Cave  system extends for several kilometers underground, and is home to many breathtaking stalactites and stalagmites. 

Planning tip: This is a place to get a glimpse of true rural Vietnamese culture, so be prepared to taste dishes you've never heard of and expect to rely on Google Translate to help you with communicating. Even though it is far off the typical backpacker route (for now), Cao Bang is very safe and has great infrastructure for visitors. It takes about six hours from Hanoi by car.

4. Khao Sok National Park, Thailand 

Best for animal lovers 

Khao Sok is a stunning national park that is home to hundreds of animal species including bears, monkeys, leopards and wild elephants. If you're lucky, you can see them wandering around on a safari or boat trip. Located just a few hours north of Krabi , Khao Sok National Park also boasts ATV tours, cave trekking, and Elephant Hills , a sanctuary where rescued elephants are allowed to roam freely in the nature park. 

Chiaw Lan Lake ’s limestone cliffs and dense rainforest will make you feel like you've been transported to another planet. For the ultimate experience, book a night on the lake in a floating bungalow where you can soak in the park's natural beauty from late-night stargazing to a sunrise safari.

5. Luang Prabang, Laos

Best for Buddhist culture

The former royal capital of Laos , Luang Prabang , is nestled in a valley in the north. It remains an important site for Buddhist culture with its wonderfully preserved temples (wats) and other spiritual sites.

Those who visit are encouraged to participate in almsgiving, a centuries-old daily ceremony where monks collect alms from locals and visitors. Wat Xieng Thong is one of the most spiritually significant temples in Laos. It was built in 1560 for coronations, and is home to large mosaics and an elaborate library. Another important site is Phu Si , which translates to “sacred mountain” and is dotted with temples and shrines. 

Luang Prabang is also close to one of Southeast Asia’s dreamiest waterfalls,  Tat Kuang Si , made up of three tiers that cascade into natural pools of mineral-rich water colored milky white by limestone. 

Planning tip:  For those looking to delve even deeper into Laos’s natural beauty, Luang Prabang is a great jumping point to Nong Khiaw , a village known for its limestone cliffs and outdoor activities.

6. Penang, Malaysia

Best for history and culture 

Penang , Malaysia is a vibrant mosaic of Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures, all of which are reflected in its food, architecture and traditions. 

The capital of this tropical island, George Town , manages to transform its heritage into something that can accommodate tourists all while tastefully maintaining its authenticity. In just one city, you can tour through Chinese clan houses, mosques, Hindu temples, and British Colonial buildings. 

Outside of George Town, Penang National Park is home to beautiful beaches and hiking trails through the jungle. Learn more about local fauna at the Tropical Spice Garden  packed with spices, medicinal plants and deadly natural poisons – guided tours are available.

Planning tip: As a general rule, it's wise for female travelers to cover their shoulders, chest and knees. While most sites do not require you to cover your head, you may want to bring a head scarf or sarong to enter certain religious or government buildings.

7. Gili Air, Indonesia

Best for relaxation

The Gili Islands — located between Bali and Lombok — consists of three small islets : Gili Trawangan , Gili Meno , and Gili Air . Each island offers its own, unique atmosphere, but for someone looking for peace, relaxation and serenity, they will want to linger on Gili Air with its strong focus on wellness. Motorbikes and cars are not allowed on the island, so visitors can lay back and truly relax on the white sandy beaches, with yoga classes and affordable spa treatments and massages.

One of the top attractions among the Gili Islands are the underwater sculptures, Nest , by artist Jason deCaires Taylor. This site is best enjoyed in the early morning before the crowds arrive, so be sure to book the earliest boat trip possible. There are also opportunities to scuba dive with the area’s many turtles.

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