Visiting Komodo Islands: Everything You Need To Know

6 Best Things to Do in Komodo National Park

1. See the Komodo Dragons on Rinca Island

Rinca Island is closer to Labuan Bajo than Komodo Island and is home to a large population of Komodo dragons. It remains one of the main places in the national park for guided dragon viewing, although wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

Most boat trips will usually include an hour of hiking around Rinca Island with a guide who explains the nature of the animal, why it is only found on these islands, and how it behaves around humans.

2. Walk around the Komodo Island

This island had the most tourists, but as mentioned before, it is not the easiest place to spot the Komodo dragons, as they mostly live in remote parts of the island, away from the hiking trails. Nevertheless, it was an interesting trail to walk, as you might stumble upon a big one, just like we did on the island. How big? Here is a human for scale.

If you ever wonder how big these Komodo Dragons are in real life, the photo above should give you a hint of their true scale. They are massive and definitely not to be messed with!

3. Snorkel at Pink Beach

Pink Beach is famous for its reddish-pink sand, created as red material from microscopic organisms and coral fragments mixes with the pale sand. Rather than relying on the often-repeated claim that there are only a handful of pink beaches in the world, I would simply say that this is one of the most distinctive beaches in Komodo National Park.

The Pink Beach is also one of the best places to go snorkeling. I have never seen coral reefs this colorful or water this clear before. Just off the beach, even in the shallow area, you will see hundreds of fish swimming around the most colorful coral reefs you will ever see. You will most likely lose track of time when snorkeling at the Pink Beach, so be sure to come out before sunset and watch the pink sand shift colors vividly.

If you decide to choose the 2-day, 1-night boat trip, you are likely to spend your night on the boat near the pink beach, so be sure to come out at night and witness the Milky Way.

4. Hike the Padar Island in the Morning

This was the trip's highlight for me, as it is one of the most beautiful and photogenic islands here. If you choose an overnight boat trip with a visit to Padar Island in the morning, you are in for quite a treat. You will arrive at the beach around 6 AM and can begin the hike immediately.

The hike should take you no more than 30 minutes to climb, but make sure to take a bottle of water with you because it can get hot really fast, even in the morning. Once you are at the top, you will be rewarded with one of the best views of Komodo National Park.

The island is best appreciated in the morning or evening when the lights and shadows are at their best. The depth of the Padar island landscape above cannot be seen during midday, only during sunrise/sunset.

5. Swim with Manta Rays at Manta Point

The next highlight of the trip to the Komodo island is swimming with the curious and intelligent manta rays at Manta Point. Manta Point is a spot in the ocean where manta rays like to hang out. Due to the number of fish circling around that spot, Manta Point acts somewhat like a carwash for the manta rays to come and clean themselves.

The captain will slowly cruise around the area while the crew tries to spot the manta rays from the deck. With their gigantic size, dark-colored skin, and the clear water around the Komodo National Park, it won't take long until the crew spots them and tells you to jump off the boat.

They often stay near the seabed, but sometimes they might come up to the surface and swim with you. There is nothing more satisfying than swimming with these beautiful ocean creatures.

6. Relax at the Kanawa Island

Last but not least, visiting Kanawa Island is a must before heading back to Labuan Bajo, especially after a long day of adventure, from hiking Padar Island to swimming with manta rays.

Kanawa Island is a small island surrounded by white sand beaches where you can relax in the sun, have fruit smoothies at the only restaurant on the island, or go for some more snorkeling action. Either way, this is the perfect place to end an amazing trip like this one.

What are things to know before you book tours to the Komodo Island?

There are many offerings on the island, and you can explore which options fit best for your trip. However, I learned a few techniques that may help you compare them.

2026 Update: Komodo National Park now limits visits to 1,000 people per day, and reservations must be made through the SiOra system before entering the park. Padar Selatan also uses timed-entry sessions. In practice, your tour operator will often handle the reservation, but confirm that your park access is secured before you pay for a boat, especially during busy periods.

• Do not book the trip abroad. Come to Labuan Bajo and book them here, as they tend to overcharge you three times the price than booking from an agency in Labuan Bajo.
• Do not book the trip from the Labuan Bajo airport. There are many better and cheaper options on the tourist street, so don't feel pressured by the salespeople waiting for you at the airport exit.
• Compare what is included, not just the headline price. The prices I paid and originally listed here were from 2018 and are now useful only as a historical reference. Current rates vary widely by boat class, cabin type, group size, itinerary, and whether park fees are included.
• Reserve the national park in advance. Since April 1, 2026, Komodo National Park has limited visits to 1,000 people per day. Reservations are handled through the SiOra system (account creation required), and Padar Selatan uses timed-entry sessions, so do not rely on simply turning up and buying access on the day. Your boat operator will often arrange this, but confirm it before paying.
• Bring sturdy shoes and lots of sunscreen for the hikes you will be doing on Padar Island. You don't need hiking shoes; anything better than flip-flops will do.
• Arrive a day before you plan to go on the boat and spend at least 4 days in Labuan Bajo if possible. Allow one day to look around for tours to compare prices and 2 - 3 days to choose the cruises you wish to go on.
• Check carefully whether your tour includes Komodo National Park admission and other park-related charges. The official foreign-visitor admission is currently 250,000 IDR per person, while ranger, activity, or operator-collected charges may be additional. Ask the operator for an itemized list so you know what is included before booking.
• Make sure the price includes snorkeling gear and flippers. Also, make sure you receive one before you get on the boat because a friend of mine was promised that there would be one available, but there was none on the boat. So, make sure they have one for you in the morning when you depart.
• Padar Island is best seen in the early morning at sunrise as the sun is not too hot to hike up, and the shadows give more depth to one of the most beautiful sceneries in the world. So, be sure your tour has Padar Island as the first destination of the day.
• Make sure the boat is properly licensed and equipped for the number of passengers. When I visited, a small boat capsized near ours after becoming dangerously overloaded, so this is something I take seriously. Before departure, look for accessible life jackets, emergency equipment, a clear passenger limit, and a professional crew. Indonesian maritime authorities continue to carry out seaworthiness and safety inspections in Labuan Bajo, and bad weather can cause routes to be suspended at short notice.
• Do not take all your belongings with you on the boat. Leave them at the hostel/hotel you stay in Labuan Bajo. In an emergency, you won't lose everything like some people on that boat that capsized near mine. They had all their backpacks with them on the boat and lost everything.

Which Tour/Cruise to Choose for Komodo Island?

One Day Speedboat

This is an excellent option if you have limited time. With a speedboat, you should be able to see a few of the main attractions in the national park in one day, such as Komodo Island, Padar Island, Pink Beach, and Manta Point. Some tours might offer more, but you will be rushing through each attraction, so look at the provided itinerary carefully.

Most one-day speedboat trips still leave very early and return in the late afternoon or early evening. Prices vary considerably by operator and itinerary, so be sure to compare tours and check whether lunch, snorkeling gear, transfers, guide services, and park fees are included.

When I visited, much cheaper offers were generally slower boats with shorter itineraries. That distinction still matters: if you only have one day, check the vessel type and exact stops rather than choosing solely by price. In my opinion, a speedboat remains the more practical option if you want to cover several of the park's main sights in a single day.

2 Days, 1 Night Shared Slow Boat (Recommended)

This is the best option in my opinion and the one I have experienced. With 2 days and 1 night, you will be able to see all the attractions listed here, such as Rinca Island, Komodo National Park, Pink Beach, Padar Island, Manta Point, and Kanawa Island.

The pace of the tour may feel rushed on the first day as you have to travel quite far from Labuan Bajo, but the second day will be a very relaxed day with plenty of time to hike, snorkel, and swim with manta rays.

You can also see Padar Island at the best time of the day: during sunrise. Padar Island is nothing short of breathtaking, and you would want to see it at the best time when it is not too hot, with shadows giving depth to one of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

You also have the option to sleep on the deck of the boat, under millions of stars and away from the crowdedness of Labuan Bajo, which is something you can't do every day.

When I did this trip, we left at around 7:30 AM on the first day and returned around 6 PM on the second, and I paid a fraction of what similar trips cost today. In 2026, basic shared 2-day, 1-night trips commonly start at around 2,000,000 IDR per person, while better cabins and boats can cost considerably more. Park-related charges may be separate, so compare the inclusions carefully.

3 Days, 2 Nights Shared Slow Boat

For 3 days and 2 nights, you will be able to see more than if you choose the other tours, as you will be visiting more islands while having one extra day to relax on the beach.

Usually, the itinerary is the same as the 2-day, 1-night tour, but with Kelor, Kalong, and Sebayur Island added to the mix. The pace will be much more relaxed, and you will get to have more time in each place than if you choose the other ones. If you can spare the time, this is a good option for you.

Prices have risen substantially since I first wrote this guide. In 2026, a basic shared 3-day, 2-night liveaboard commonly starts at around 3,000,000-3,750,000 IDR per person, with private cabins and higher-end phinisi boats costing considerably more. Park-related charges may be extra.

4 Days, 3 Nights Shared Slow Boat from Lombok

If you are already on Lombok and do not want to go back to Bali to fly into Flores, you can take a 4-day, 3-night "Liveaboard" boat from Senggigi, Lombok to Labuan Bajo through the Komodo National Park.

The boat trip will likely stop at the main attractions, such as Komodo Island, Rinca Island, Padar Island, and Pink Beach, with additional attractions closer to Lombok, such as Gili Bola, Moyo Island, Santonda Island, and Gili Laba.

As of 2026, basic deck-style trips can be around 2,800,000-4,500,000 IDR per person, while more comfortable phinisi trips commonly start higher. These crossings are also seasonal, so confirm the route, departure point, safety equipment, and current sailing dates directly with the operator.

How to Get to Komodo Island?

Traveling to Komodo Island can be a little confusing at first. So, to make things clear, you will not be flying directly to Komodo Island because the island is in the national park. The island you can fly into is called Flores, and the nearest city on Flores with an airport is Labuan Bajo. Therefore, that is where you will have to fly.

If you want to book a flight, search on Skyscanner or Expedia for Komodo Airport (LBJ) in Labuan Bajo. Bali remains one of the easiest gateways, and Labuan Bajo also has direct domestic connections with major Indonesian cities. Airlines and fares change frequently, so I would compare current flights rather than relying on the old 70-80 USD fare or the airline list from my original trip.

To get to Bali from your home country, you can try browsing for deals on Skyscanner or Expedia, or try AirAsia if you are already traveling in Southeast Asia.

If you are in Lombok, you can also take a Komodo cruise from there, which should take around 4 days and cover all the places I mentioned here. The price varies depending on the boat, the duration, and the route they will take, but it will be more expensive than getting a cruise from Labuan Bajo.

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Where to Stay in Labuan Bajo?

Budget

Seaesta Komodo Hotel & Hostel

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Mid-Range

Green Hill Boutique Hotel

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High-End

Elang Hillside Bamboo Villas

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When to Visit the Komodo Island?

For a good balance of weather and wildlife, the official Indonesia tourism guidance recommends April to June or September to December, with September to November highlighted as a particularly good period for wildlife sightings. The drier season in western Flores is roughly mid-April to mid-October, but sea conditions can still change quickly and bad weather can temporarily stop boats from reaching parts of the national park. Manta rays can be seen outside the peak months as well; when I visited in early August, we spotted three at Manta Point.

How to Get Around Komodo Island?

Central Labuan Bajo is compact enough to explore largely on foot, although you may want a taxi or ride-hailing service for the airport or places farther from the waterfront. To explore Komodo National Park, you will need a licensed boat tour. There are several options, from one-day speedboats to multi-day liveaboards, which I cover in the "Which Tour/Cruise to Choose" section.

Daily Budget

This place is quite affordable compared to all the other countries in the world. If you are planning a trip here, you can expect to spend around $25 - $45 USD per day per person, which should include accommodation and three meals.

Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.

Which tourist SIM card is best for Komodo Island?

Wi-Fi is widely available at hotels, hostels, cafes, and restaurants around Labuan Bajo, although speeds and reliability vary. I would not plan around one specific cafe connection, especially since businesses and internet quality can change over time.

Once you are out in the national park, do not rely on having Wi-Fi or consistent mobile reception. Telkomsel generally offers the broadest practical option for travelers in Indonesia, but coverage between islands can be intermittent. For international visitors, Telkomsel currently offers a Tourist Prepaid Card with 25 GB of data for 150,000 IDR; the package and price can change, so check the latest offer before buying.

Alternatively, if your phone supports eSIMs, you can set one up before arriving and have mobile data as soon as you land. You can browse through available eSIMs here.

Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.