Komodo Islands
WHAT TO EXPECT
Meet the 'Komodo dragon'
Swim with manta rays
Discover one of the world's few pink beaches
Snorkel or dive some of Coral Triangle’s best spots
Mingle with the friendly locals and get to know their way of life
See the awe-inspiring view from the top of Padar Island
OVERVIEW
Sustainable Komodo Boat Charters & Eco Cruises
The Komodo national park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located east of Bali, an hour+ flight away, right close to the island of Flores.
It includes 2 main islands – Komodo proper and Rinca – and 27 smaller islands, spread over a marine area of some 1,750 square kilometers.
No trip to Komodo would be worth without a hike to see one or more of the famous “Komodo dragons”, the largest lizard of the animal kingdom. Their habitat is a mix of monsoon forest and open savannah, a habitat they share with buffalos, deers and a wide variety of birds.
The underwater world is at least as spectacular as the sceneries above water: this is one of the richest ecosystem on earth, being part of the coral triangle. Whether a diver or a snorkeler, no one can remain immune to the kaleidoscopic beauty of these tropical coral reefs.
Throw in a few stops on idyllic beach and a visit to a welcoming village and you have a cruise you won’t be close to forget.
VISITING KOMODO WITH A PURPOSE
By joining one of our cruises, you will also be contributing to funding our NGO Nomad Plastic's.
Our foundation strive to combat plastic pollution; we are involved with nine coastal or insular villages, all close to the Komodo national park, to facilitate the clean-up and the evacuation of all plastics collected.
So instead of just passing by, you may be interested to check what we are doing in these villages, an opportunity to interact with villagers.
HIGHLIGHTS
Beyond Komodo
MEET THE KOMODO DRAGONS
No trip to Komodo will be complete without seeing the world's biggest lizards, the 'Komodo dragons'
Endemic to this part of the country, it is estimated that there are currently 2,500 - 3,000 of them left in the wild, spread across various islands throughout Komodo National Park.
Weighing on average 70kg (154 lbs), with the biggest found so far 135 kg (297 lbs), these apex predators have toxic saliva that quickly kill their prey.
During our hike, usually carried on the island of Rinca, you will be accompanied by rangers who all have sharp eyes to spot other wildlife such as monkeys, wild boar, buffaloes, and deer.
SNORKEL IN PRISTINE WATERS AND SWIM WITH MANTA RAYS
Manta rays, turtles, pristine coral reefs, and warm water temperatures
Amazing water gardens awaits the avid snorkeler wherever you jump into the water.
Apart from the myriads of tropical fish that you will encounter, you are bound to see turtles, some of them of impressive size; the top snorkeling experience though, is to swim with the giant manta rays that moves gracefully, sometimes very close to the snorkeler.
WORLD-CLASS SCUBA DIVE IN KOMODO
Even experienced divers would agree, that Komodo’s diving scene is second to none.
Located in the Coral Triangle, Komodo boast a spectacular underwater biodiversity with over 1,000 species of tropical fish and 260 species of coral.
For the divers, the depths will add many exciting experiences compared to surface snorkeling: schooling fusiliers, bumphead parrotfish, eagle rays, reef sharks or even mantas seen from below.
Dive sites will be chosen according to divers experience.
Scuba diving in Komodo is optional and available at an extra cost.
DISCOVER THE RARE PINK BEACH
Discover one of the world’s very few pink sand beaches during your Komodo cruise with us.
In case you’re wondering, the sand appears pink due to the microscopic organisms called Foraminifera which produce red pigments on the nearby corals.
As it is eroded by the ocean currents and swept to the beach, these red coral fragments then blend into the white sand of the beach, forming a formidable pink hue. Awesome isn’t it?
BREATHTAKING VIEWS FROM PADAR AND OTHER ISLANDS
This view is taken from the top of Padar Island, one of Komodo visitors’ favorite viewpoints, and undoubtedly a must-see.
There are other hidden trails however, less travelled, that we can take you too. In Komodo, as soon as one climbs a small hill, stunning panoramas are revealed.
DINE, DRINK & RELAX AT THE BEACH
Pink Beach aside, you can find a myriad of idyllic white sand beaches within and outside Komodo National Park.
Whenever possible, we will take you to secluded beaches. Often, we’ll be alone to enjoy the view and the sea. Barbecue is not allowed within Komodo National Park, but whenever possible, we’ll find a beach outside the park, and feast on freshly caught fish.
VISIT LOCAL VILLAGES & GET TO KNOW THE LOCALS
Only four villages are located within the bounderies of the national park.
All of them are populated by the Bajau people who resides in wooden houses on stilts by the sea, their only source of income.
Our scheduled visit to Komodo village will allow you to immerse in their particular way of life. No road here, no motorbike, just a much slower pace of life: meet the village folks in their daily activities, have a look at the school or have a selfie with some locals.
We strongly encourage you to visit one of the nine pilot villages we are working with through our foundation Nomad Plastics.It is a project we hope to replicate in other areas of Indonesia. Enquire with us if you are interested in such visit, we’ll be glad to include it in the itinerary.
OTHER KOMODO LIVEABOARD ACTIVITIES
We offer a myriad of amenities aboard the Bugis and tons of eco-friendly activity options
From kayaking and paddleboarding, to yoga, sunset drinks, and BBQ at the beach...the possibility during your boat charter or cruise trip aboard the Bugis is endless.
Visit our Experience page to learn more
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Komodo Travel Information
HOW TO GET TO KOMODO ISLANDS
We recommend flying internationally into Bali (DPS) airport or Jakarta (CGK) airport. You can then take a short direct flight to Labuan Bajo (LBJ) where our team will pick you up.
A flight from Bali to Labuan Bajo takes roughly an hour while a flight from Jakarta will take 2.5 hours. Contact us for flight recommendations.
BEST TIME TO VISIT KOMODO ISLANDS
The best time to visit Komodo National Park is from May to October for the most optimal weather with little rain.
Keep in mind that July and August are the busiest months, so if you would like to avoid the crowds, traveling during the shoulder seasons in May to June and September to October is highly recommended.
KOMODO NATIONAL PARK WEATHER
Komodo National Park, like the rest of Indonesia, has only two seasons: rainy season and dry season. Topside and water temperatures remain warm year-round.
Climate: Tropical
Seasons: December to March (rainy and humid) and June to September (dry)
Topside Temperatures: Lowest 18/19 °C (night) and highest 35/37 °C (95/99 °F).
Water Temperatures: Avg, 27 °C (81 °F) from July to September and 29 °C (84 °F) from November to May.
GOOD TO KNOW
Local Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
Language: Bahasa Indonesia. English is usually spoken at most establishments that cater to tourists.
Credit Card & ATMs: Most establishments that cater to international tourists do accept credit and debit card payments, although bringing a good amount of cash just in case is always recommended. There are a number of ATMs available in Labuan Bajo and the airport.
Electricity: The onboard electricity system is 220V, with standard European plugs and 2 round pins Please bring your own universal plug adaptor.
Bring a copy of your travel documents such as your passport, air ticket, and travel insurance.
COVID-19: proof of complete vaccination is required to enter Indonesia. For the latest information please visit the official Indonesian Immigration Website or consult the Indonesian embassy in your home country.