Komodo Islands Backpacking Guide: Top Things to Do and See

6 Best Things to Do in Komodo National Park

1. See the Komodo Dragons on Rinca Island

Ironically, you are more likely to spot the Komodo dragons on this island than on an island called "Komodo Island". It is also closer to Labuan Bajo than Komodo Island. So, if you have never seen one before and would like to spot one in the wild, Rinca Island is your best bet.

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

The Pink Beach found in the Komodo National Park is among one of the eight pink beaches in the world. The Pink Beach has its colors because of the mixture of white sand and red sand that were formed from pieces of Foraminifera.

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.

Where to Stay in Labuan Bajo?

Budget

Seaesta Komodo Hotel & Hostel

Dorm | $

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👍 Top Pick

Mid-Range

Green Hill Boutique Hotel

Double Room | $$

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High-End

Elang Hillside Bamboo Villas

Villa | $$$

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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 negotiate.

• 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.
• Always negotiate. I have listed the latest price (2018) for the boat tours, so you can use that as a guideline.
• Try to avoid visiting the national park on national holidays or Sundays as the entrance fee will be more expensive.
• 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.
• Most of the inexpensive boat tours do not include the national park entrance fee, which is around 150,000 IDR for one day, and this fee is required when you enter Rinca and Komodo Island. When booking a boat tour, check the itinerary to see if Rinca and Komodo Island are included on the same day. If they are not, you will have to pay the fee twice, which is not ideal. Therefore, choosing a tour that includes both Rinca and Komodo Islands on the same day is recommended.
• 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 safety of the boat you take meets your standards. The cruises around the Komodo National Park don't have a good track record when it comes to safety. In fact, a small boat capsized near our boat due to overcapacity, and apparently, everyone was standing on the roof watching the sunset when it happened. If your boat is small, make sure it is not overcapacity. We had a big boat that was able to handle around 20 people max, so if you are on one of the big ones, be sure it doesn't exceed that.
• 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.

The trip usually begins at around 5-6 AM and returns around 6 PM. It should cost no more than 1,500,000 IDR and include all lunches, snorkeling gear, and flippers.

If you are offered a much lower price, say 400,000 IDR, your boat is probably a slow boat, and your itinerary will reflect that. In my opinion, the speedboat option is the only one worth doing if you have one day. You won't be able to go as far or see as much with a slow boat.

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.

The 2-day, 1-night boat trip starts at 7:30 AM on the first day and ends at 6 PM on the second day. The boat trip should cost no more than 800,000 IDR, excluding the national park entrance fee, so be sure to negotiate.

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.

The price for a 3-day, 2-night boat trip should be no more than 1,200,000 IDR, so make sure to negotiate.

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.

The price should not exceed 1,900,000 IDR. If you are interested in selecting this option, I would recommend obtaining more information from Backpacker: Southeast Asia website.

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, try searching on Skyscanner or Expedia for "Bandara Komodo Airport" or "LBJ", which is the airport code for Labuan Bajo. One of the most convenient and affordable ways to get to Flores is to fly from Denpasar, Bali, to Labuan Bajo via Wings Air, Sriwijaya Air, or NAM Air, which should cost you around 70-80 USD one way.

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.

Looking for a complete itinerary for Indonesia?One Month Itinerary For Indonesia

When to Visit the Komodo Island?

The best time to visit Komodo Island is during the dry season, which is from April to December. During this time, the sea is likely to be calmer, the weather is bearable, and there is little to no rain. The chance of spotting manta rays may not be as great as in the wet season, but you can still spot some at Manta Point all year round. We spotted 3 at Manta Point in early August.

How to Get Around Komodo Island?

Around Labuan Bajo, you can walk to almost all the places worth seeing in town, from the airport to the tourist street and the pier. However, for the Komodo National Park, you must take a boat. There are several options to travel around the Komodo National Park, and you can read more under the "Which 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?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia:

Wi-Fi is widely available in Labuan Bajo, so you won't have problems staying connected in the city. The Cafe In Hit Coffee Shop has the fastest and, to top it off, great locally brewed coffee made with Western equipment. It's a great place to chill, relax, and meet people.

If you are on the cruise, the Wi-Fi won't be available. However, you might be able to go online at certain places if you have a SIM card from Telkomsel. Places like the Komodo National Park, Kanawa Island, and Pink Beach do have some reception, so you won't be totally offline with a SIM card on a cruise. Read more about data and SIM cards in Indonesia 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.

What to Pack for Labuan Bajo, Indonesia?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Labuan Bajo, Indonesia:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Labuan Bajo, Indonesia in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: 12go is a great place to look for bus and train schedule and buy tickets online in Southeast Asia that would otherwise not have been available in English online.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

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

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Indonesia

I hope this travel guide will help you plan your trip to Indonesia. I have visited Indonesia more times than I can count, and I have written a ton of articles about the country.

If you are looking for more articles about Indonesia, here is a selection of articles that might help you plan your trip to Indonesia even more thoroughly:

• Looking for a complete itinerary and travel guide for Indonesia? One Month Itinerary for Indonesia.
• Watch a travel video I made about Bali, Lombok, and Flores here: Nusantara, a journey through Bali, Lombok, and Flores, Indonesia.
• Are you planning to travel to Indonesia as part of a big Southeast Asia trip? Check out our 3-month backpacking itinerary for Southeast Asia.
• If you are visiting Bali for the first time, here is a travel guide to get you started: 10 BEST Places To Visit In Bali.
• Jakarta is a massive city unlike any other, and there is quite a lot to do here if you know where to look. Here are the 8 Best Things To Do in Jakarta.
• Yogyakarta is a great cultural and historical place to visit in Indonesia, and there are plenty of things to see and do there. Here are the 9 Best Things To Do in Yogyakarta.
• Did you know that there is an island in Indonesia that is free of tourists? One of those is Karimunjawa, a true hidden gem island of Java. Here’s a complete guide on how to travel to Karimunjawa island.
• Looking for an article that summarizes a trip through the Java island? Check out my photo essay of Java, Indonesia.
• Lombok is now gaining in popularity, but one of the best things you can do on the island is to trek Mount Rinjani, a volcano on a lake in another volcano on an island. Here's a complete guide on how to trek Mount Rinjani.
• Gili Trawangan is one of the most popular Gili islands in Lombok, and even though it's crowded, you can often find solitude if you know where to look. Plus, it's cheap. Here's an article about exploring Gili Trawangan.
• Flores is another great island that deserves way more credit than it receives. There are the Komodo islands, Kelimutu tri-colored lakes, and so much more. Here is a 10-day travel guide for Flores and Komodo Island.
• Talking about Kelimutu, here's a complete travel guide on how to get to Kelimutu lakes in Flores.
• For a complete itinerary to Sumatra, check out: One Month Backpacking Sumatra Itinerary.
• Being the largest volcanic lake in the world, you can't visit Sumatra without visiting Lake Toba. Here are the 10 Awesome Things to do in Lake Toba, Sumatra.
• Want to travel to Lake Toba from Medan, but not sure how? Here's a guide for you: How To Get From Medan To Lake Toba.
• Berastagi is home to some of the most accessible volcanoes in Sumatra. It's definitely worth a stop if hiking a volcano is on your bucket list. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Berastagi.
• Want to see orangutans in the wild in Indonesia? The best place is Bukit Lawang and here's A Complete Guide to Orangutan Trekking in Bukit Lawang.
• For West Sumatra, your journey will likely begin in Padang, the capital city of the province, with a ton of things to do. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Padang.
• Get off the beaten path in Sumatra and visit Bukittinggi, the old capital of the Pagaruyung Kingdom, and explore the highlands with this guide: 12 Best Things to Do in Bukittinggi.
• Want to visit Bukittinggi? Here are all the best ways you can travel there: How to Get to Bukittinggi: A Complete Guide
• One of the best islands to visit in Sumatra is Mentawai. It's not just a place for surfers. You can enjoy the beach, snorkeling, and even spend days living with the Mentaway tribe. Here is A Complete Travel Guide to Mentawai.
• If you want to visit and live with the Mentawai Tribe in the jungle for a few days, this guide is for you: Visiting the Mentawai Tribe: A Complete Guide.
• Not sure how to get to the Mentawai Islands? Here is all the information you need from ferry schedules, costs, and more: How to Get to Mentawai: A Complete Guide
• Not convinced by my words about Indonesia and Southeast Asia? Check out my photographic journey through the subcontinent: 64 photos that will inspire you to visit Southeast Asia.
• Wondering where you want to go next? How about Timor Leste? Visit Timor Leste Travel Guide page for more information about Timor Leste.
• To see all articles about Indonesia, visit Indonesia Travel Guide page.
• Looking for more travel guides for Southeast Asia? You can find more on my Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.