Many travellers visiting the islands of Indonesia, actually have no idea that this destination even exists! The Komodo trip is an experience like no other.
If you’re looking for a well-rounded adventure experience of seeing Komodo dragons in their natural habitat, trekking to views of unique tropical landscapes, snorkelling with manta rays and sea turtles, basking on the infamous Komodo island pink beach and sailing the gentle waters with the ocean at your bedroom window – This is a boat trip not to be missed in Indonesia!
Komodo National Park (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is truly an Indonesian treasure! However, being that this is still a growing tourist destination you could definitely do with some tips for planning your Komodo trip!
Komodo tours in Indonesia are quickly becoming a dime a dozen as popularity flourishes here, but the key to visiting Komodo dragon island is in the planning!
This Komodo travel guide will outline the most important info you need to know about a trip to Komodo Islands
Where is Komodo island
Komodo Island (in Indonesian: Pulau Komodo) is one of the 17 000+ islands that comprise the Republic of Indonesia. Its located in the West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara– whoa that is a mouthful, but more easily it’s known to be in Flores Islands and is a short boat ride from the coastal town of Labuan Bajo.
Check out the Komodo Island Map here
How to Get to Komodo Island
The Komodo Islands are most easily accessed from the small city of Labuan Bajo, which is East of Java and Bali. Labuan Bajo’s airport is actually called Komodo airport. Most Komodo Island tours will depart from Labuan Bajo, so it’s best to book a tour leaving from Labuan Bajo.
Try this awesome open trip Komodo Tour: : Private 2-Day Tour with Phinisi Boat Stay
A flight from Jakarta to Labuan Bajo will take about 2.5 hours. Komodo Island from Bali will be 1 hour.
Another alternative route is a multi-day boat trip from Lombok, but it involves leaving from a specific city (which I don’t have much information on). Is there an option to do a Komodo island tour from Bali? Yes, try this option.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: We travelled from Jakarta for our trip to Komodo, so the Bali-Komodo flight is a great option because a stop in Bali on the way back is always a win.
Airline Schedules to and from Labuan Bajo
SIDE NOTE: In light of COVID-19 flight schedules may have changed. Please check flight availability prior to booking any trips to Komodo. Komodo National Park entry may also be affected.
Best Time to Visit Komodo Islands
Is it possible that there could be a bad time to visit this bucket list destination? Frankly, NO!
But it’s important to know if you are visiting for the purposes of sighting the wildlife, certain times of the year are better suited for your Komodo tour package.
The months of April through to June are during Indonesia rainy-wet season, therefore you’re going to experience luscious green and blossoming leafy landscapes, as well as gentle and crystal clear waters lapping at the Komodo beaches.
Whilst the months of September to November are prime time spotting sea creatures– this is definitely a great time for those looking to dive Komodo! Highlights include spotting manta rays, sea turtles fluorescent fish and whale sharks.
Although like any wildlife environment the animals don’t always stick to a prescribed schedule so if you have a sighting its a win!
The high season is known to be from June to August, so if you don’t mind the crowd, be sure to get your bookings in early for Flores Komodo tours and Labuan Bajo accommodation because these will be hard to come by if you’re visiting on a whim!
As previously mentioned, whilst there truly is no bad time to explore a fantastical island inhabited by these prehistoric mythical creatures and other spellbinding wildlife, it’s good to know what you can expect when visiting at any certain time.
Check out my detailed article for your Komodo Boat Trip Planning
How to choose the perfect Komodo Island Boat tour
Where to Stay in Labuan Bajo
The Komodo Island trip allows for two options of travel:
Stay in a hotel in Labuan Bajo and do day trips to the Komodo Islands
Stay on a boat for the Komodo Island hopping trip
TRAVELIST TIP: Whether you are doing day trips from Labuan Bajo or heading out on a Komodo boat trip, you usually will need a place to stay at least the night before you head out on the boat. As you can see above, the flights arrive after your tour departs so you usually have to arrive and stay the night before).
As Labuan Bajo is a seaside town, most of the hotels, resorts and even hostels have sea view accommodation!
If you only have 10 USD or 100 USD you’ll find stunning and scenic sunset views for every budget.
Regardless of what’s in your pocket, you’re going to find a magical sunset view before your Komodo island trip! These are some of my top accommodation picks:
Plataran Komodo Beach Resort
Sunset Hill Hotel
Seaesta Komodo Hotel & Hostel
The Seraya
Mohini Resort Labuan Bajo
Selini on the Hill Villas & Spa
Attractions of the Komodo Islands
Rinca and Komodo Islands
Well, would it be a trip to the Island of Komodo if you did not visit the only remaining natural habitat of the Komodo dragon?
What is important to understand here is, we often refer to the Komodo Islands as the culmination of the islands in Komodo National Park, but it actually is an island itself.
Rinca Island (Komodo Dragon Island) is also its own island and its actually easier to spot Komodo dragons on Rinca island as you’re be walking the terrains with a ranger. This is especially lovely because the guide shares so much information about the Komodo dragon’s habitat, diet, behaviour, life cycle etc.
Find me some Komodo Dragon tours
TRAVELIST TIP: If you’re not a fan of the reptilian creatures, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do a Komodo cruise. You can still do Komodo boat trips but opt to stay on the boat for the Komodo dragon portion.
Spotting Komodo dragons on Komodo island is significantly more difficult because they live in remote parts of the island away from the hiking trails. So if you only manage to get to Rinca island it’s definite that you will see one, on Komodo Island, it’s not always guaranteed.
TRAVELIST TIP: You’ll find that most tours will not include the Komodo National Park entrance fee in the Komodo boat tour package price (the fee is per day so its important to visit both these islands on the same day if you’re going to both). There is more info about fees in the sections below.
Padar Island
You can get all this view just a short walk uphill from the shoreline! Padar island is truly one of the most unique looking Jurassic Park-like landscape that you can photograph from every angle.
Whether you’re right on top or only halfway up you still can capture the incredible view as well as the stunning bay-like creations on either side. This was one of the highlights of my trip to Komodo island.
TRAVELIST TIP: A good tip for this Komodo sailing trip is to visit Padar island around or just after sunrise. Visiting during midday will be an extremely hot hike up to the top.
Pink Beach
Is this not just an Instagram influencer’s dream?
A Komodo islands boat trip isn’t complete without a trip to this coveted location. This is one of only 7 natural pink beaches in the entire world. The amazing pink hue is created from the break down of corals and crushed shell of microscopic organisms called Foraminifera
Kelor Island
This view is to die for! Another view that rewards so much after a 10-minute walk up a sand-like hill. The blues and greens truly are mesmerizing.
Snorkelling: Manta Point and Siaba Bay
Let this be mentioned, divers from around the world come to Flores to see the magnificence that is the marine life in this region. Apart from the stunning vibrant corals and sensational fishes, there also the opportunity to see and swim with gentle manta rays and sea turtles.
TRAVELIST TIP: If you’re looking for the experience of swimming with manta’s plan to visit around September to October
Kalong Island
Although you might not physically set foot on this island, what you will experience is the flight of 1000’s of flying fox bat-like creatures that leave the island each dusk in search of food. The pinks and purples of the sunset coupled with this sunset migration are truly spellbinding. It is something worth seeing!
TRAVELIST TIP: Make sure you’re on a boat that has a comfy lounge deck and some bean bags, to lay back and take in the full experience.
Types of Komodo Trips
This is a just explanation of the terminology you’ll find on the tour operators websites or adverts
Liveaboard: Staying on the boat overnight
Open trip: A trip in a group
Private trip: Only you or your guests on the trip
Day trip: A one day Komodo trip that leaves and returns the same day from Labuan Bajo
Chartered trip: This is also a private trip whereby you hire a boat specifically for the purpose of touring the islands. You would have to check what this includes as this sometimes only means the boat (I.e.: no meals etc.)
Komodo Liveaboard Boat Trips
Visiting the Komodo Island tour hopping whilst staying on a boat is extremely popular! There are now hundreds of tour companies and providers that offer this service.
With that being said, because there are now so many tour operators, with the many good operators that there are, there will be a handful of bad ones.
Read more about How to Choose the Perfect Komodo Island Boat Tour article for more details on the boat tour
Types of Boats
Standard Boat: No-AC
Standard Boat: with AC
Traditional Pinisi
Luxury Fast Boat or Yacht
TRAVELIST TIP: Only the Luxury Sailing vessels and Pinisi boats have the options for private cabins. Picking your boat to Komodo will definitely depend on your comfort level and budget. As I’m no longer in the backpacking stage and not a fan of confined non-ventilated places, the cabin and amenities inside were important to me.
One day Komodo island tours will be on a different boat as there’s no need for staying on board.
Komodo speed boat tours are a great option for those who prefer the comforts of a hotel and who experience severe motion sickness on boats.
Staying on a boat is VERY DIFFERENT from staying at a hotel.
There’s a lot to consider before deciding which Komodo boat tour to choose! So much so I’ve compiled a whole article detailing exactly what factors you need to consider when choosing a boat and tour!
Read more about How to Choose the Perfect Komodo Island Boat Tour article for more details on the boat tour
Some of the factors will include:
Cabins (private or shared)
Bathroom
Hot water
Max capacity of the boat
AC or ventilation
Some of the above points may seem like a necessity but on the boat trip to Komodo island, but you really do get what you pay for so, be sure of exactly everything you want on a boat before booking.
For a detailed guide, check out my article on How to Choose the Perfect Komodo Island Boat Tour: Factors to consider when picking your boat tour
If you are happier to stay in Labuan Bajo and do day trips to Komodo Island, that is equally as easy. There are a number of tour providers that offer Komodo day tours.
Komodo Island Tour Packages
If you’re doing a sleep on board boat to Komodo tour, Common Inclusions:
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Bottled water
Snorkelling gear
Tour guide (speaking your language)
Pick up and drop off from hotel/airport in Labuan Bajo
These are just some of the main things that all boat tours will have included on most Komodo boat liveaboards.
Common Exclusions:
Komodo National Park Entrance Fees
Flights to and from Labuan Bajo
Travel and luggage insurance
Personal drinks and snacks
I can’t stress enough if you are booking a tour ahead of time to make sure you know what is included and excluded, ESPECIALLY the Komodo National Park entrance fees.
Komodo Islands Boat Tour Price
The price range for these trips can range from anything from IDR 1 million rupiahs for day trips to IDR 40 million rupiahs for liveaboards depending on the type of tour, boat, number of days, inclusions and exclusions you choose.
So there really are options for budget and luxury travellers.
The average Komodo Island tour price for 3 days 2 night open trip on a standard air-conditioned Pinisi boat (with basic inclusions) is IDR 4 to 5 million rupiahs.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: We did a Komodo Liveaboard 3-day-2-night tour which included all meals, bottled water, tour guide, pick up and drop from the hotel, private cabin and private bathroom on a Pinisi boat which cost IDR 4.5 million per person. This excluded flights to and from Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park entrance fees. This appears to be on par with many local tour providers which we checked and verified in compiling this article.
Check out these vetted tours from reputable providers using local guides and operators
TRAVELIST TIP: Make sure you have in writing exactly how much you should be paying for the Komodo National Park entrance fees. Unfortunately, there have been stories of foreigners being charged incorrect prices or tour providers going back on their initial word of what the pricing was. The price is significantly higher for foreigners than it is for locals, however, these prices appear fair as this is for conservation purposes and the environment is extremely well maintained.
Komodo Itinerary
How many days do you need to visit the Komodo Islands? I feel that a 3 day 2-night trip is the perfect length, you will, however, find that day trips from Labuan Bajo are ever-popular but those who are on the sailing or liveaboard tours will have Carte Blanche and be first on the scene.
Typical 3 Day 2 Night Komodo Island Boat Itinerary
DAY 0 Stay the night before in Labuan Bajo
DAY 1
- Sail out from Labuan Bajo
- Rinca Island
- Komodo Island
- Kalong Island
DAY 2
- Padar Island
- Snorkelling at Manta Point
- Snorkelling at Siaba Bay
DAY 3
- Kananwa Island and Snorkelling
- Kelor Island
- Sail back to Labuan Bajo
- Flight back to Jakarta or Bali
TRAVELIST TIP: If you’re doing Komodo Island boat trips, arrive the day before in Labuan Bajo. The flights arrive in Labuan Bajo after 9:00 and most tours will leave at 9:00 or before. It also gives you a chance to stay in a gorgeous hotel and sample some of their incredible restaurants
What to Pack to Visit Komodo Islands
Luggage
Well, let’s just start by saying pack light! There is really no need for tons of clothing for this trip. A medium-sized backpack or carry-on luggage size back and day bag is literally all you need.