How to Visit Komodo Island

A visit to Komodo Island should be on every adventurous travelers bucketlist. For one, it’s your chance to see Komodo dragons in the wild. But Komodo National Park is also home to many other amazing things, from pink beaches, to white-sand sandbars, to manta rays. A trip to Komodo is the trip of a lifetime. Here is a complete guide on how to visit Komodo Island and the surroundings.

Things to Know Before You Go

In the year 2019, the Indonesian government announced a plan to close Komodo Island to visitors by the year 2020. This proposal was meant to be a protective measure, as a reaction to the cases of attempted komodo dragon smuggling.

As of now (November 2020), the government has since retracted the plan to close the island to future visitors. While this is positive news, they will almost inevitably raise the entrance fee.

It is unclear exactly what the price will be moving forward, but there are rumors it will be in the $1000 USD price range to get full access to the island. I will update this article as new information comes in, but even if that isn’t in your budget, don’t worry.

There are other things to see around Komodo Island that are very much worth the trip. Also, since Komodo dragons can swim, they have also come to inhabit some of the smaller islands nearby. So, you could still see them, without paying the enormous fee to enter Komodo Island itself.

How to Get There

By Air

To visit Komodo Island, you’ll have to get to the island of Flores. For most, that means flying into Labuan Bajo International Airport (airport code LBJ), also called Komodo Airport.

The domestic flights are reasonably priced. I paid $80 USD for a roundtrip flight from Lombok (LOP), where I was based at the time. The flight is 1 hour and 15 minutes, and about the same flying from Bali (DPS).

For domestic flights, you can check the following airlines:

Lion Air – I flew this airline, direct from Lombok. They offer the best prices for last minute bookings.

Garuda – The largest domestic airline company in Indonesia. There are plenty of routes offered, and several direct flights, such as from Bali, Lombok and Jakarta.

NAM Air – Supposedly the cheapest of the local carriers, a one way flight from Bali to Labuan Bajo can be just $45.

By Sea

There are boat trips you can book to get to Komodo Island directly, which end in Labuan Bajo. These trips depart from either Bali or Senggigi, Lombok, and have several stops on the way. They generally take 3 – 4 days, with all meals included. The price is something like $115 and up, depending on the package you end up booking.

I did not use this method of transport, but I did hear mixed feedback from other travelers. While a few said it was an exciting journey, others said it was boring, uncomfortable, and some got extremely seasick.

This method is not cheaper than if you were to fly into Labuan Bajo. Since the boat trip is only one way, you will stay pay the cost to fly out of Labuan Bajo onto your next destination. However, the cost of the boat trip covers the cost of getting to Komodo Island itself and the surrounding islands. So you won’t have to pay for a tour separately.

Therefore, this method could save you a little bit of money in the end. However, bear in mind these are not luxury sailing trips. For me personally, I would not survive the 3 days of seasickness.

About Labuan Bajo

Once you arrive at Labuan Bajo, it’s a 20 minute taxi ride to get to town. The internet in this part of Indonesia is extremely unreliable. When I went in 2019, my mobile data and the wifi at the hotel were both not working. Keep this in mind when visiting, and maybe plan ahead so that you won’t have any urgent matters to do online while here.

Plan to spend at least 2 nights here. I don’t think you need to spend a lot of time in Labuan Bajo, but there are plenty of things to do, so a 3 night stay might be optimal. Fly in at least one day before you want to take a tour so you have enough time to organize your trip beforehand.

Where to Stay in Labuan Bajo

Plataran Komodo Beach Resort  – This is a high end luxury resort, in a secluded area 4 kilometers outside the city center. Breakfast is included at $267 a night.

Seaesta Komodo Hostel & Hotel – Located right along the sea, with a pool and offering 180 degree sunset views. It’s a 4 star hotel located right in the city center. And for only $67 a night for a private room ($16 a night for an 8 person dorm room), this is the best value for your money in my opinion.

Le Pirate Island – Something a bit different to make your trip to Flores extra special. Located on an island 12 kilometers off the coast of Labuan Bajo. Here you can stay in luxury outdoor bungalows right on the beach. This island is privately owned by the hotel so you’ll only share it with other guests! Open air bathrooms and bedrooms, with buffet and snorkeling gear included. Prices start from $106 a night.

La Boheme Hostel – For those on a budget, you won’t find anything cheaper than this, at $9 a night. The accommodation is super basic, and don’t expect the wifi to work. But for backpackers, its a good place to socialize and meet other travelers.

Things to Do in Labuan Bajo

Watch the Sunset

This tops my list for things to do in Labuan Bajo, and once you get here you will understand why. After years of traveling the world, I have never seen sunsets like these. I’m talking bright shades of pink, purple and orange cotton candy across the entire sky.

You couldn’t possibly edit it to look any better, and each sunset brings different shapes and colors.

Visit the So Bajo Night Market

Plan to visit the night market everyday you are in Labuan Bajo. Here is where both locals and visitors come to eat great streetside eats and drink Bintangs.

You’ll find a huge selection of Indonesian dishes to choose from, all at fair prices, and made fresh when ordered.

Eat Seafood

It’s proximity to the sea makes it no surprise that this is a great place to get some fresh seafood. Try some squid or fish, freshly caught from the day. You’ll find it all at the night market.

Party at Paradise Bar

If you are looking for a party and a spot to meet other travelers, this is your place. I’ve been told that the parties are wild, and the nights are long. It’s by no means a cultural experience, but hey, go ahead and have some fun.

Go Scuba Diving

If you have extra time here, be sure to check out the scuba diving trips on offer. There are truly amazing, once in a lifetime diving opportunities in this area. Komodo National Park is home to manta rays, dolphins and even whales. The biodiversity in marine life here is exceptional, and any diver simply shouldn’t leave here without discovering it.

Booking your Trip

Once you’ve arrived in Labuan Bajo, you’ll need to book your trip to visit Komodo Island. The most straightforward way to do this is through your accommodation. They will certainly be able to secure you a spot on a tour the following day, or whenever you choose.

If you are budget conscious, and want the absolute best price, you can try to compare prices by asking your hotel/hostel, then asking the tourist center, and checking other hotels nearby.

Make sure to book a tour that takes you everywhere you want to go. The usual route includes at least Padar Island, Pink Beach, Komodo Island, and Rinca Island. I don’t suggest booking with any company that excludes any of these, because they are all amazing and shouldn’t be missed.

Also, be sure to ask whether the price includes the fee for entering Komodo Island (it probably doesn’t) and ask exactly how much in extra fees you’ll be expected to pay while on the tour. This will help you plan how much cash to bring, as well as know if you will end up overpaying.

Price

When I booked the tour in 2019, it was about $43 USD (600,000 Rupiah), which included all the additional stops and meals. The park fee was an additional 250,000 IDR ($18 USD) paid on the day of the tour. I paid more because I went on a holiday, usually the fee is 150,000 IDR ($11 USD).

What to Bring

It is likely that your tour will last the whole day. Be sure to pack your bag with items to prepare you to be out on the water and in the sun all day. The items I highly suggest not forgetting are:

Sunblock – The sun here is strong, and even with my Southeast Asian skin and ample sunblock, I got a bit burnt by the end of the day. Bring strong sunblock, and re-apply frequently.

A hat – Refer to the point above

Towel – For drying off and laying down in the sand

Swimwear (duh) – Even if you don’t know how to swim, and don’t plan to, you will get wet on this trip. Just wear swimwear and you won’t regret it.

Go-Pro / underwater camera – No matter which tour you book, you will have opportunities to snorkel and dive. The marine life here is extremely rich, and you will see many things underwater that you’ll want to document.

Sunglasses – Besides Komodo Island where there’s a lot of trees, there isn’t much shade on this trip. So bring your sunglasses.

Cash – you will need a minimum of 250,000 IDR to pay the park fee. Plus extra cash for tips and any souvenirs or drinks on the way (your meals should be provided by the tour)

Waterproof Bag – You could leave all your belongings on the boat, but they will be unattended for long periods of time. It would be convenient to have a waterproof bag to store at the very least, your phone and cash, while you are off the boat and in the water.

Seasick Pills – I am prone to seasickness, but I was fine for most of this trip. However, in worse weather conditions I may have needed these.

Getting There

You’ll probably have an early start to the day, in order to get to all the places on the tour itinerary. Once you leave the shores of Labuan Bajo, prepare to spend a lot of time on the boat between the islands.

Visit Komodo Island

Depending on which tour you book, it is likely that you’ll have several stops before and after your visit to Komodo Island. But it will be highly anticipated the whole trip, I’m sure!

When you do arrive on Komodo Island, you will be greeted by your park ranger. This is who will guide you through the island, and share information about the Komodo dragons and the island itself.

Visit Komodo Island Safely

You’ll want to stick closely by your guide, as he is the one who will ensure your safety, because, uh.. Komodo dragons are totally dangerous.

I saw a guy on my boat walk off the boat, straight towards a Komodo dragon that was sleeping under a tree. Luckily, about 3 rangers saw him and saved him from what could have been a really bad situation.

The last time a tourist was attacked by a Komodo Dragon was in 2017, not long ago. The last time someone was killed by one was in 2009. So, please do not forget that this is a wild animal, and a poisonous one at that. You do not want to get attacked by one of these, you have been warned.

Finding Komodo Dragons

Okay! So when you’ve arrive at Komodo Island, you will be super excited to finally see a Komodo dragon. It won’t be long before you do, and you’ll be amazed. They are beautiful, fascinating creatures.

10 Facts About Komodo Dragons

1. They can grow up to 3 meters long (10 feet)
2. Some weigh as much as a panda bear, at 135 kg (about 300 pounds!)
3. Komodo dragons are the largest reptiles on earth today
4. They are cannibals, and mothers are known to sometimes eat their own babies
5. They can swim, even to the other islands
6. There are roughly only 6,000 Komodo dragons left in the world
7. The last time they attacked a human was in 2017
8. They are venomous, and release toxins into their prey with each bite
9. Female dragons can reproduce asexually
10. A Komodo dragon can eat 80% of its body weight in one meal

Other Places to Visit

Padar Island

This was the first stop on my tour, and one of the highlights of not just my time in Komodo National Park, but in Indonesia.

This view is unforgettable, and just a short, but steep climb up. It probably took me 15 minutes to reach the top, but I spent way longer up their soaking in the scenery.

From the top, you will see 3 turquoise bays, separated by lush, green mountains. Seriously, I felt like I was in a Jurassic Park movie. It truly felt surreal.

Pink Beach

This was the second stop on my tour. You may have seen pictures of this beach on instagram, and are excited to see the super pink sand on this beach.

While the sand is definitely pink, its more of a light pink. I went close to midday, and the reflection of the sun made it look even less pigmented.

Nonetheless, it’s a beautiful beach, with soft sand and crystal clear water.

Take Massakar Sandbar

This was an unexpected highlight of the trip. I didn’t think I’d be this impressed by a sandbar, but wow.

The sand is super soft, like walking on a cloud, while the water was the most beautiful shade of blue.

Manta Point

I believe some tours skip this, and depending on the season it may not be part of the itinerary. This is due to the fact that the manta rays are more likely to be found in certain seasons only.

On my tour, we gave it a shot. We swam for an hour in choppy open water, and didn’t see a single one. However, if you are lucky, I’ve heard you can find hoards of manta rays in this very spot.

Rinca Island

This island is a fantastic place for snorkeling, and definitely in my top 10 snorkeling experiences. Here you’ll find clownfish, sea turtles, and my new favorite, the chocolate chip starfish.

That wraps up my guide on how to visit Komodo Island, and its surroundings. A trip here, is the trip of a lifetime. Have you been to Indonesia? Whats your favorite spot? Let me know below!

8