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If you have been to Komodo Island before, please share your experiences, ideas and feedback (Hotel, Excursions, General Feeling,…) in the comments section below, by doing so you will help fellow travellers to plan their next trip
The Komodo National Park is one of the pure jewels of Indonesia. Its specific landscape and fauna makes it a unique destination for adventurous travellers and nature lovers.
It is a marine reserve with dozens of wild islands inhabited by the world famous Komodo Dragon!
Komodo Dragon on Rinca Island (Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachdian/5418187901/)
Liveaboard Diving in Komodo National Park is considered by some as the best diving location in Indonesia and even one of the best spots in the world by many people for big fishes and amazing underwater life.
Crystal clear water, a lack of pollution, huge schools of fishes, pelagic fishes everywhere, sharks galore and the wonderful manta ray all year round make it a dream diving destination!
Also this part of Indonesia is a bit off the touristic track (the banana pancake trail!) but is still easily accessible from Bali.
To plan my trip I usually use this guide book as they have great maps and give a good overview of the Komodo, Labuan Bajo and Flores island.
In this page you will find practical information to plan a scuba diving trip to Komodo Island:
Table of contents
Where to stay?
I usually use this website to book in advance my hotels in Komodo Island as they usually have the lowest rates I find. I like it because it's free to cancel and change the dates.
I have been staying in the Gardena Hotel. It is a simple and basic hotel but very cheap. You have also nice villas to rent in Labuan Bajo or a beautiful resort.
Activities and excursions in Komodo Island
Komodo National Park is mostly a diving destination with not a lot of tourist infrastructure. The attraction here is the incredible nature, so it is possible to do other things during your stay or for the non divers such as:
- Go trekking the Islands hills and the Kelimutu Volcano
- Go to see the world famous Komodo dragons
- Explore the typical flores Island (eg Python cave)
- Go Snorkelling on a day trip cruise
There are a few travel agencies in Labuan Bajo which can organize all your excursions.
Kelimutu’s blue and dark lakes (© Amre Ghiba)
Best time to visit Komodo Island
It is possible to enjoy the Komodo marine reserve all year round.
- Dry season from April to December, average temperature of 26°C.
- Rainy season from January to March, average temperature of 28°C.
The best time to visit Komodo National Park is between April and December during the dry season. The weather is very nice, not too hot with very little to no rain. The rainy season sometimes starts early in December, so if you don’t like getting wet plan your trip before.
You can spot the Komodo dragon all year round. However, the mating season runs from July to August and the nesting season from September to November and spotting the dragons is not as easy during these periods.
Health and Safety
If you are planning an upcoming dive trip or travelling to Komodo Island, it is a really good idea to invest in travel insurance for scuba diving, because you never know what could happen and when you might need it (because accidents do happen!). I recommend this diving insurance as they offer worldwide coverage and focus on providing scuba divers a quality insurance and medical assistance service.
Where is Komodo Island located in the world?
Komodo Islands are located in Indonesia between the islands of Lombok on the West and the Flores (Labuan Bajo) on the East.
Have a look to the Komodo Island map.
Komodo Island map
How to get to Komodo Island?
Exploring the Komodo National Park is very easy but you need to go to Bali first to get a plane or a boat.
There are 4 ways to discover the park:
- Fly from Bali airport to Labuan Bajo located on Flores Island. Labuan Bajo is the best base to explore the Komodo National Park. From there you can go diving with one of the local dive centre during daytrips in the marine reserve.
- From Labuan Bajo you can get a diving Liveaboard to take a tour of the Komodo islands and the best diving sites.
- You can charter a boat in Labuan Bajo and make your own private cruise around the Komodo Islands, perfect for discovering the archipelago and for snorkelling.
- From Bali, you can take a Liveaboard which will take you to a splendid diving cruise around Lombok Island and the Komodo marine reserve.
Hot Tips
- Flights from Bali to Labuan Bajo are operated by small companies with small planes. The flight is very scenic so be sure to get a window seat to get a glimpse of the spectacular views!
- Small planes are often full so it is better to book your seat in advance. Otherwise, for the more adventurous and the ones who are travelling on a tight budget you can take the public ferry from Bali to Labuan Bajo. It will take about 3 days and the journey is an adventure in itself.
Getting Around
Once you are in Labuan Bajo, you can discover the wild Flores Island by local bus but the journey can be rough and it is better if you can speak some Indonesian language. The best way is to hire a car with a driver for a very fair price in one of the local travel agencies.
If you want to discover the Komodo marine reserve, you can:
- Go scuba diving and snorkelling with local dive centers. The boat ride to the diving sites can be quite long, up to 3 hours but very scenic.
- Get a liveboard for a few days to cruise around the Komodo Islands and dive the best spots.
- Arrange your own cruise in Labuan Bajo. Everything can be easily arranged by local travel agencies. You will have your own boat and your own crew for a very fair price! Enjoy
Going to check out the huge Komodo dragons is a must do for anybody travelling in the area. The best places to spot them are on Rinca and Komodo Islands. It is easily possible to go there during a day trip from Labuan Bajo or during a diving trip between two dives. Great surface time!
Komodo Island during dry season(© Amre Ghiba)
Komodo Island Photos
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Beautiful & Colorful Mandarin FishPhoto by Rich Guest -
Thousands Fish Swimming By Huge SchoolPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Crocodile Fish Komodo IslandPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Crocodile FishPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Bubbles DivingPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Clownfish Anemone NemoPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Fishes EverywherePhoto by Jihye Lee -
Napoleon Wrasse FishPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Nudibranch Pink CoralPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Porcupine Fish WaitingPhoto by Jihye Lee
Scuba diving
You will find all information about sea life, best time to visit, top dive spots, etc. in our review: Komodo Island Diving
Diving Reviews for this region
destination of the monthKomodo Island
Diving in Komodo Islands is all about action! It is BIG fishes land! With wonderful coral, it is just incredible diving all year round.
Liveaboard Reviews in Komodo Island
Cruise ship Reviews in Komodo Island
Dear sir
I would like to know if there is boat that going from benoa ,Bali to komodo island in aug or from any other port in Bali .do I need a driver there to visit the national park and the pink beach or there are buses or any other public transfer
Hello Barkay! Yes there is a ferry going from Bali to Labuan Bajo in Flores. From there you can visit the Komodo National Park. The ferry takes 2 or 3 days, it is best to take a plane from Bali. There is no road, you can to rent a boat to go around the islands. Enjoy your trip!
My travel date was : 30 Aug, 2012
It was a excellent trip. I was alone and rent a boat from Flores…My suggestion please don’t miss Komodo Island because most of the travel agent suggest Rinca is good enough to see Komodo Dragon. I think scenic beauty Komodo Island is better than Rinca and Dragon size also BIG. Though I was alone but enjoyed too much. Love Komodo Island……
Rajib can tell you tell me more about you trip. What guide did you use? Did you do any of the available hikes? How much was it for one person?
Hi,
I am giving your message reply…sorry for too late.
1. About Rinca Island : Please try to visit in early morning:: Because Komodo dragon, Wild Bear, Wild Dear, Jangle Chicken, Special big size Pigeon and many other birds are available in the early morning but there is no doubt about Wild Buffalo is there but very few person can see them and Wild Horse is a rare case. Some places are very attraction “Panoramic view” I think most of the tourist will be happy. The route of Rinca and Komodo both is fantastic and safe.
Komodo Island :
– I stayed at night near by Komodo Island and it was in the boat my boat was not too small but it was very nice accommodation and tier system per cabin 2 persons accommodated and there was 3 cabins but I was alone. All boat man (5 persons) was very nice. In the boat food arrangement was good but my suggestion before living Flores informed first to boat man what you want to eat preferred fish/ meat/ egg etc.
One thing I brought a mosquito net and medicine (Aerosol) but I didn’t saw any mosquito in Rinca and Komodo. Local people are very nice and co-operative.
If you need any more thing please fell free to mail me.
Thanks
Rajib Choudhury
What guide did you use? : I hired a local guide from Rinca and Komodo. Evey places I have to pay Rs.50,000/= for ranger/ guide. This price is fixed and I was alone.
Not a problem. Sounds great. I assumed boat came with a guide. How much was the boat ride? Where did you go to book the boat?
Wow This is my kind of adventure! he Komodos are exciting to watch live!
Rose
We visited Komodo National Park early May this year. It is one of our favorite places in the world! Between the wildlife, the diving/ snorkeling, and just overall beauty, it’s a must visit. And a really not hard to get to from DPS to LBJ flights. Best of all, it was almost empty when we were there!
With more time, we’d agree to also explore Flores, Kelimutu is amazing, and there are plenty of picture perfect beach and snorkel options near Maumere and 17 Islands park.
I’m convinced in ten years Komodo and Flores in general will be well on the tourist trail.
Here is some more info on our experience in case you haven’t already decided to go there (how could you not?): http://beachesandbackpacks.com/2014/05/27/komodo-national-park-5-reasons-a-trip-to-indonesia-is-not-complete-without-it/
We are going to Labuan Bajo in April. Is it easy to find a company once we get there to take our family to Komodo for an overnight? Or should we book ahead of time? Prices once we are there?
Yes, I have seen available boat and helping hand over there. Everything ready within few hours by local people (related people). If you shared others then you may stay or book before.
Komodo National Park
When you book diving in LBJ it’s essential to check that ALL dives will be inside the Komodo NP (small fee applies). Some operators will take you to a small mound just north of the harbour to save fuel (especially in low season). The best diving is inside the NP. I dived two day trips at CNY with Uber Diving and they were good.
Ole
May I know when the best time go to Labuan Bajo ?
Hello Sir,
Awesome write up!, Thank you so much.
Do you know if there is anyway one could travel from Komodo Island to Raja Ampat (much further East), without going back to a hub point such as Bali?
Best regards,
Y
Big, yes Big but the best is an ethereal area where you would think that what is time has come to a still for awhile. When you can, go.
how much do you tip guides and rangers
DIVING WITH “LAGONA DIVERS – Komodo”
I was Diving at Komodo National Park in Oktober 2017 with Lagona Divers, located at Bintang Flores Hotel – Labuan Bajo on Flores Island.
Lagona Divers is operating a daytrip Diving boat from Labuan Bajo daily to the best dive sports of the Komodo National Park. They are about to build a brand new boat which will be finished beginning of 2018 Season. The guides are well trained, looking after your safety and very friendly. Dive Center is managed by a german couple (Irina & Georg) who helped us a lot with renting out Equipment (well maintained) and gave us a lot of Information about Diving at Komodo. We can recommend Lagona Divers to all divers who look for safety and fun!
Hi we are going in December can you please let me know do I need to book before arrival bout tour to Komodo or can it be done when we land? If possible before does there is website? What prices for trip with bout and overnight stay? Thank you
Hi Ginta!
If you are talking about a liveaboard to dive Komodo in December, my feeling would definitely be to book in advance… meaning soon. It depends on you dates but you might be okay to get on a cruise. As for the website where to book, if you follow the links on this page it will lead you to Liveaboard.com – which is a great booking platform. Prices & details will be on this site!
Thank you for reading Divezone!
Happy booking & safe bubbbles in Komodo, we hope to read you as you return!
Thank you so much for writing about my home island. i have a local tour company and covid has hurt my local island so much. Any help is thankful and grateful. If you come back please come see us, thank you! We are LINK REMOVED – Jejey!