The island of Komodo, is located in a protected waterway expanse that covers a group of islands and reefs to the east of the island of Flores, in Indonesia. It is renowned for housing the mighty Komodo dragons, the world's largest lizards. Additionally, it is a breathtaking destination offering a plethora of "bucket list" travel opportunities. If you would like to see our adventures in Komodo National Park hit the play button ▶️ https://tinyurl.com/DreamtimeSailEp96 but please read on where we give you all of the details including fees to enter the park.
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Komodo National Park boasts numerous picturesque islands, stunning white, black and pink sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs for diving, the chance to swim alongside manta rays, and the unique opportunity to observe Komodo dragons in their natural habitat up close – even taking selfie’s with them!
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| A bit of cleaver positioning has Karen looking like she is up close and personal with our Dragon |
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| Great shot has everyone thinking we are a little bit crazier than normal |
Indonesia has become like a second home to us over the past year of cruising and as we have ventured to the Komodo islands on three separate occasions, initially in 2010 we thought we would give you a rundown on how we have experienced it. What we can say about each visit is it has been an exhilarating experience.
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| Filming back in 2010 |
Komodo island forms part of the Komodo National Park, a cluster of tropical islands situated near Flores, in eastern Indonesia. The park comprises of three primary islands: Komodo, Rinca, and Padar, along with numerous smaller stunning ones, making it an ideal destination for island-hopping adventures.
These islands offer secluded tranquil anchorages just perfect for a couple of weeks exploring. The more popular islands get hordes of tour boats each and everyday so don’t expect tranquility at those, but there are plenty of beautiful smaller islands that you can sometimes be the only boat anchored to watch the magnificent sunset. But if you want to see the main attractions you will be seeing the sunrise to get there ahead of the crowds.
The nearest town is the once quaint fishing village of Labuan Bajo in Flores, now the mega tourist launchpad for Komodo, it is now equipped with its own airport, a variety of major high rise hotels, and international restaurants to savor during breaks from park visits. Great provisioning can be sourced here with Western Supermarket, Bakeries and Deli. We accessed fuel, laundry services and car hire and driver to find all sorts of items we required. You really feel you are in a cosmopolitan town.
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| The waterfront of this once frontier town is now very upmarket |
To explore Komodo island and the park, access is exclusively by boat. If you don't have your own vessel like "Our Dreamtime," boat tours can be arranged from Labuan Bajo.
Approximately 40 kilometers from Labuan Bajo, the Komodo islands are a 3-hour journey by slow boat or less than half that duration by a speedboat. Boat options for exploring the islands include slow boats, speedboats, liveaboards, or of course your own private vessel.
You can cover all key attractions of Komodo National Park, including the famous dragons, in a day trip or opt for a multi-day liveaboard boat adventure. The park is large so taking your own boat in will mean many anchorages and sailing days to do the park justice.
While having your boat is the most advantageous choice, it doesn't exempt you from the National Park fees. We will look into these fees later in the blog. But for those who read our blogs and don’t have your own boat, you certainly won’t miss out on seeing the sights. Here are your options -
Slow boats are budget-friendly but time-consuming, but suitable for day tours for all ages.
Speedboats offer efficiency at a higher cost, advantageous for smaller groups seeking swift travel.
Liveaboard tours, though pricier, offer a unique experience with cabin accommodations for extended sightseeing.
There are many Things To Do In Komodo
Kalong Island: Also known as bat island, if you go here at sunset you can see thousands of fruit bats flying through the sky.
Manta Point: Amazing spot where you can swim with giant manta rays in the ocean. They’re a little shy but not dangerous at all.
Taka Makassar: This is a small crescent-shaped sandbar near Manta Point. It has perfect white sand and crystal clear water.
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| Photo sourced from internet |
Gili Lawa Darat: One of the most remote spots in Komodo since it’s located on the northwest boundary of the park, just off the coast of Komodo island. It has a hill that’s great for sunrise.
Kelor Island: A lot of Komodo tours stop at this island since it’s close to Labuan Bajo. It has a hill you can climb for a nice view of Flores island.
Private Island Resorts: For private island resorts near Komodo, you have your choice of Le Pirate Island, Sebayur Island Resort, Or Kanawa Island Resort.
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| Photo courtesy of Sebayur Island Resort |
Scuba Diving: Komodo is famous for its world class snorkeling and scuba diving. You can see bright coral reefs and lots of underwater wildlife here.
Labuan Bajo: Don’t forget to spend some time exploring the town of Labuan Bajo and its surroundings. There are a bunch of good things to do near Labuan Bajo. We’ll be covering those separately in our Follow in Our Wake EBook for Cruisers requiring more information about, anchorages, waypoints, tracks where to buy provisions, fuel etc. Watch out for it on our book shelf at PayHip Dreamtimesail.
Padar island, a highlight of the region, boasts a picturesque landscape with a short hike, 800 steps, leading to panoramic views, including three distinct beaches: white, black, and pink. Each of those sand colors is pretty special in itself, but to see all of them in one place is crazy. This is probably the only place in the world where you can witness that! This unique island, resembling a scene from Jurassic Park, has gained global recognition and even features on the 50,000 Rupiah banknote.
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Doesn’t matter how early you are the crowds are non stop. They clamber for the best Instagram shot, meanwhile missing the beauty of the place in their haste for the perfect shot. |
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| Even early morning the heat is extreme especially after 800 steps and counting. |
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| We took the option of a quieter location to have our photo taken by our guide. Who by the way climbs this trek each and everyday and still smokes 50 cigarettes a day. |
The Komodo islands boast several pink sand beaches, with the unique colour attributed to red coral being broken down over time.
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| Our lunch stop was this beautiful Pink Beach |
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| We loved that this company did not use disposal lunch boxes or cutlery. BIG TICK FROM US |
Pink beaches are exceptionally rare globally, and one of the most vivid ones is tucked away in a bay on the northwest side of Padar island. These distinct beaches are a must-see when exploring Komodo National Park.
While the primary draw of Komodo is encountering the wild dragons, Komodo National Park stands out as the sole location worldwide where this can be experienced.
For sighting dragons, they say there is little disparity between Rinca island and Komodo island, often used interchangeably in tours. However we can say we saw more Dragons on Rinca than we did on Komodo. Both islands host numerous Komodo dragons, but we feel with the number of visitors who choose Komodo Island over Rinca, all traipsing around disturbs the rather shy dragons. However whichever Island you do venture to you will see them …… Encountering these creatures up close in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience, with opportunities to capture photos with the guidance of the National Park ranger.
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| Rinca Island certainly had Dragons everywhere |
Komodo Dragon FAQ
- this list has been derived from questions we have been asked. Do you have a question leave it in comments below 👇
**Size:** Adult Komodo dragons can reach lengths of 3 meters and weigh over 140 kilograms, with males being larger than females. Their tails are the same length as their body.
**Venom:** They are known for their notorious, venomous hunting strikes. It used to be believed that these lizards had various strains of bacteria in their saliva that killed prey, but this theory was discredited by the University of Queensland and it is now believed that they secrete venom proteins similar to that of venomous snakes.
**Hunting:** Komodo dragons have an impressive sense of smell, detecting blood from nearly 10 kilometers away. They can sprint at speeds of up to 20 kilometers per hour, showcasing their dinosaur-like abilities.
**Diet:** Their diet includes deer, boars, monkeys, birds, goats, wild horses, and water buffaloes. They favour deer, particularly Javan Rusa, and on occasion, they may display cannibalistic behavior by consuming other dragons. Young dragons live in trees until the age of 3 years so they are safer from cannibalism.
**Human Attacks:** While rare, Komodo dragons have been known to attack humans. Less than a dozen fatalities have been recorded in the last 50 years, all of which involved locals living near the animals on Komodo island.
**Fire Breathing:** Contrary to popular belief, Komodo dragons cannot breathe fire, despite the initial misconception by the first Dutch explorers in the Komodo islands.
**Komodo Dragons in Bali:** Wild Komodo dragons are not found in Bali. While captive dragons can be observed at the Bali Bird Park or Bali Safari Marine Park, witnessing them in their natural habitat on Komodo or Rinca islands provides a more authentic experience. Bali is home to monitor lizards that resemble Komodo dragons but are smaller in size.
**Komodo Dragons in the Galapagos Islands:** Komodo dragons are exclusive to Indonesia, with the exception of those in zoos. The Galapagos islands in Ecuador are home to marine iguanas, a distinct species from Komodos, being smaller and more docile.
Komodo Trekking FAQ
Is it safe?
Absolutely, stick close to your guide, and you'll be fine. The only instances of dragon attacks involved tourists trekking alone without a guide.
How long is the trek?
You can choose from a short, medium, long, or adventure trek. If you're on a day tour (island hopping), you'll likely have time for a short or medium trek (both under 1 hour) before heading off to see the manta rays or pink beach.
How easy is it to see dragons?
Seeing dragons is almost guaranteed, even on the short trek, as there are thousands of them on Komodo and Rinca. We have trekked there multiple times and always spotted plenty of dragons, sometimes even on the beach. It is best to see them in the morning early. Great photo opportunities!
How many eggs does a dragon lay?
Typically, female Komodo dragons lay about 20 to 30 and the eggs incubate for about nine months. They lay only one clutch a year.
Can I touch them?
Absolutely not! Photos where we appear close to the Komodo dragons in this travel blog are misleading. We maintained a safe distance and refrained from touching them. The photos you see of us are trick photography where we have used distance, elevation and perspective to create the photo.
What else can I see?
Besides dragons, you may also spot Komodo nests, baby dragons, rare birds, snakes, spiders, and more. Keep an eye out for the spitting cobra and island pit viper snake species. The first time we saw these we were amazed at how beautiful they were.
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| A young dragon camouflaged in the undergrowth and leaves |
Do I need to tip?
Tipping isn't expected in Indonesia. Guides in the Komodo islands don't earn much. While tipping is optional, we've tipped before. However, when guides insist on extra money, it can be off-putting and may result in no tip from us.
Komodo Island Information and Entrance Fees
**Komodo Island Map:**
Explore the map of the Komodo islands to discover dive sites and key points of interest. Click on the image to view it in a larger size. Komodo dragons can be spotted on Rinca or Komodo island. The town of Labuan Bajo, located at the top right, is the hub for restaurants and hotels.
**Komodo Entrance Fee:**
The Komodo National Park implements a varied ticket system with different entrance fees payable at a booth on Padar Island or in Labuan Bajo. Here are some of the main fees: https://www.barefoot-cruising-indonesia.com/komodo-yacht-charter-boat-cruising/komodo-national-park-fees/
National Park Entrance Ticket (Mon-Sat): 150k IDR ($15 AUS)
National Park Entrance Ticket (Sundays & National Holidays): 250k IDR ($25 AUS)
Komodo/Rinca Island Fee: 100k IDR ($10 AUS)
Ranger Fee Padar: 120k IDR ($12 AUS per group of 5 people)
Pedar Island Fee: $100k IDR ($10 AUS)
If you snorkel, dive or do other activities you also pay separately for these activities. These were included in our tour cost,
Bringing your boat into the Park also incurs fees it is difficult to determine the exact fee for a yacht as it is on size, tonnage and number of people onboard. Private yachts pay a smaller fee compared to commercial live aboard operations. We have asked those we know who have taken their boats into the park and the average was $40 - $50 per day. We would love to know if you have paid the fees to enter with your own boat, please leave a comment below 👇 This will help others planning their trip.
**Total Cost:**
Expect to pay around 1.2 million Rupiah ($120 AUS) per person for a 1-day park pass to enjoy the highlights of Komodo National Park. Prices are accurate for 2024 but typically increase annually.
**Travel Tips:**
Komodo dragons are visible year-round, with the prime diving season from March to October. High tourist season is July to August. Avoid visiting in December to February due to the rainy season.
Our experience and why we choose a tour over taking our own boat into Komodo. The tour we organised was a speedboat that was fully inclusive of all fees, lunch, snacks, water and snorkelling equipment (we took our own snorkelling equipment).
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| With just the two of us onboard we wouldn’t of been able to enjoy areas like Manta Point and Coral Gardens together. There is no anchorage so it would mean one in the water at a time. Or a long dinghy ride from a safe anchorage. |
We can understandably lot of people saying why not take your own boat into the park. The simple answer to this is, time. We were on a schedule to get to Bali as there was a crew change happening and we had friends flying in. As the Rally added extra stops and pushed out dates we were unable to stay as long in Komodo as we had wished. It was unfortunate but we were able to see and enjoy all the park highlights, just not the sunsets and sunrises.
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| Our boat was comfortable, the guides excellent and we saw all the highlights without being rushed. |
We can highly recommend the tour we took. We shared the experience with another boat that was on the Rally. The six of us paid $165 each + fees on Pedar Island and Komodo Island Tour (per person $25 AUS). They also provided free pick up near where we had anchored the boats, We could of chosen the slow boat, but that meant being in a larger group and being on a time limit at each destination.
On our private tour. If we wanted to spend longer with the dragons or more time in the water with the Manta Rays we could. There was no set time frames as there is on the large tours. We also loved that when we were on Komodo we only had the six of us with the guide not a whole bunch of noisy people. We saw many more dragon due to this.
So who was our tour with?
We have no affiliation with this tour group. We are recommending them due to the excellent service they provided us. We now wouldn’t choose any other option unless we took our own boat in.
https://www.klook.com/id/activity/89225-komodo-full-day-speedboat-tour-labuan-bajo-rri-bahari/
Coral Gardens stop of for a snorkel
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| Rob back in 2010 with female dragons in the background |
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| Pink beach on Pedar |
Through our social media, YouTube, blog and books, our goal is to provide valuable insights to help future sailors prepare effectively. If you are heading into Indonesia you maybe further interested in 2 of our interactive Ebooks we have written.
Indonesia Awaits - This is an interactive EBook and it is full of the information you need for visas to enter Indonesia, for yourself and crew. What boat paperwork you need and additional paperwork you will need to supply. There are links to the Government Websites for downloading or completing online documentation. We take you through what you need to complete on these form and contacts for visa agents.
the other book
It’s Time to Set Sail - This is an interactive EBook and it is full of the information you need to know so that you can leave Australia via boat. The interactive links take you to the relevant government department pages to either download or complete online documents. We take you through what you need to complete on these form and contacts for export agents.
You can find both books on PAYHIP DREAMTIMESAIL ▶️https://payhip.com/Dreamtimesail
Additionally, we are sharing bi-weekly episodes of our "Dreamtime in Indonesia" Series 4, detailing our journey from Thursday Island to various Indonesian destinations. Each episode offers practical advice and showcases the remarkable people and places we encountered in Indonesia. We hope you find our content informative and enjoyable.
- We talk about essential items such as spare parts, tools, safety equipment, and navigation aids.
- Provide tips on where to source supplies and provisions before setting sail in Indonesia.
- Share personal anecdotes or stories about unique experiences while sailing in Indonesia.
- Highlight the importance of preparation and planning for a successful sailing adventure.
- Offer insights on cultural aspects, local customs, and navigating Indonesian waters.
- We invite audience engagement by encouraging questions or comments about sailing in Indonesia.
DREAMTIME SAIL YOUTUBE ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/c/Dreamtimesail
If you would like more from us consider becoming a Patreon where you have personal contact with us through email, live FaceTime and a private group where you can ask just about anything 😜. This group gets up to date information as it’s happening, with live interactive tracks and waypoints.
Patreon’s receive many other benefits including the books we have just mentioned for free. So if you think this might be for you come on over and have a look at our Patreon Page.
DREAMTIMESAIL PATREON ▶️ https://www.patreon.com/DreamtimeSail
Thank you for reading our latest blog update Cheers R&K
You maybe also be interested in the following 🔽
We found paradise but we may never leave as our anchor is stuck solid. You can watch it here.
▶️ http://tinyurl.com/DreamtimeSailEp87
This interactive Ebook takes from Brisbane to Horn Island without a night passage, discovering beautiful parts of the Queensland coast rarely visited. The EBook supplies all of our tracks and anchorage waypoints, with what anchoring conditions we were in. But it also gives you full details of what to see and do at each remarkable destination.
You can find out more about this EBook here ▶️ https://payhip.com/b/pxLMX
If you would like to buy all 4 of the above EBooks to help your sailing journey you can at a discount. Because you have read to this far on our blog, as a thank you we say here’s 20% off the bundle price!
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