Have you ever wanted to visit a place where you can see giant dragons? No, not the kind that breathes fire – Komodo dragons! These wild creatures are the largest and heaviest lizards on earth and can be found only on a few small islands in Indonesia. If you’re looking for an adventure, traveling to the Komodo Islands (or in Indonesian language: “Pulau Komodo”) this is definitely for you! You can explore the beautiful landscape, go swimming or snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, and of course, check out these amazing animals up close. Just be careful – they may look friendly, but Komodo dragons can definitely pack a punch! The best time to visit Labuan Bajo is between April and November when the weather is dry and sunny.
1. How to get to the Komodo Islands?
The Komodo Islands and the surrounding Komodo National Park are beautiful places to visit, and what’s more, they’re easy to get to from Bali! Daily flights connecting travelers from Denpasar Airport to Labuan Bajo, located West of Flores Island. The costs for a one-way ticket are around 1 – 1.2 Million IDR which is around 66€- 80€. The airport of Labuan Bajo is very small with only dozens of daily departures. It was recently re-designed and is a pretty and convenient airport, connecting the main city Labuan Bajo and the airport in just 10 minutes.
Grab a Taxi
Prior to arrival, we already booked an airport transfer to our hotel for 70.000 IDR or a little less than 5€. Ride sharing applications like grab exist in Labuan Bajo, but we heard that only scooter rides are available, not cars. So better organize a transport prior to your flight or find one of the many drivers waiting at the airport.
Pro Tip:
On the flight to Labuan Bajo, make sure you are sitting on the right side of the plane. The flight itself is absolutely scenic but if you are sitting correctly, you can see beautfiful views such as the Komodo National Park and Padar island from above. You wont’ be disappointed ;) Right before landing, you will see beautiful islands and crystal clear water as well. Absolutely fantastic!
Where to stay in Labuan Bajo?
Labuan Bajo has seen a lot of change recently. Since my last visit in 2018, a new mall plus a big hotel joined the skyline at the harbor. The main area is the street following the harbor, which can get quite busy (marked in yellow). You will find many restaurants and tour guides offering their services. We arrived at the middle of the day and for us it felt very hot and warmer than in Bali. Our hotel was located 5 minutes up the hill in a more quieter environment with great views. We booked a hotel room for one night with the Golo Hilltop Hotel & Restaurant for 550.000 IDR or around 33€
Enjoy the view and service from Golo Hilltop Hotel & Restaurant.
They have a great service and booked the airport pickup and the scooter rental for us. What we enjoyed most was the view from the hotel overlooking the ocean and the harbor area. Plus they have a great swimming pool with an even better view. The room itself was nothing special but ok for staying the night before your boat trip. They can also rent a scooter for 75.000 IDR per day for you so you can explore the city and the surrounding area. Driving is easy but be aware that some streets are one-way only ;) You could also walk to the city in 15 minutes, but given the heat, a scooter is more comfortable.
Booking.comOur first evening.
On our first evening, we went to the Paradise Bar and enjoyed an amazing sunset. The bar, which is also a club offers great views over the ocean later. . At first we were a bit skeptical because we did not see any others guests. We highly recommend going up to the rooftop, which is still partially under construction. I don’t think this would be allowed in Germany but hey, we luckily we are in Indonesia :) We sat there for around 30 minutes enjoying the amazing view and cold beers. Don’t miss out on that, it definitely has a unique charm.
Dinner time.
If you are getting hungry afterward, we recommend visiting the local fish market just a few hundred meters down the hill from the bar. It is a local hotspot with several stores offering all kinds of seafood. Don’t wait too long though, as many tourist groups will join later at around 07. – 07.30 pm. We both ordered a fish, some rice and vegetables for around 200.000 IDR or 13.50€. It was tasty and we didn’t have to wait that long.
2. How to book the boat trip?
There are many different boat trips you can take to the Komodo Islands, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. You can book tours online but we recommend buying them when you are in Labuan Bajo. For us, we booked a 2 days/ 1 night trip which we believe is absolutely sufficient. You can find several vendors at the main road at the harbor offering boat trips. Make sure you do your research before booking a trip, so you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. We compared around 5 different offers, all offering the same boat trip and boat type. For a private cabin we paid 1.8 Million IDR (~120€) each. Food, water and snorkel gear included. On top you foreigners have to pay 400.000 IDR for entering the Komodo National Park. Locals pay only 200.000 IDR.
What to pack?
Once you’ve made your decision, it’s time to start packing! One of the most important items to bring is plenty of sunscreens (the sun is incredibly strong in Indonesia), as well as an insect repellent – there are mosquitoes aplenty on the islands. We also recommend bringing a hat to protect your face against the sun. You don’t need many clothes. Just bring your swimsuit, short pants and a couple of shirts. That’s it! Have fun on your trip and enjoy the amazing scenery!
3. Starting our 2 days 1 night boat trip.
Let’s get started.
We set sail from Labuan Bajo on our boat, which would take us on an amazing journey to the Komodo Islands. For two days, we sailed along the coast, admiring the views and wildlife. We started our boat trip around 10 am and met the crew and other travelers that joined our trip. We stayed in a wooden boat having a private cabin for ourselves. There are also shared options with 4 beds in one cabin. The boat was big enough but probably has seen better days in the past (more to that later). However, we were happy with it and eager to start the journey.
Day 1: Kelor Island
Kelor Island was our first stop on our adventure through the Komodo National Park and it did not disappoint. The small island is only a 15-minute hike to a stunning viewpoint that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding crystal clear waters.
While the snorkeling wasn’t the best we’ve experienced, it was still a fun and quick activity. We even had a bit of excitement when one of us got bitten by a small fish, but it was all part of the fun! Overall, Kelor Island was a great way to kick off our trip and we would definitely recommend adding it to your itinerary if you’re planning a visit to the Komodo National Park.
Day 1: Manjarite Beach
Our second stop on our journey through the Komodo National Park was Manjarite Beach, and it was an absolute delight. As soon as we arrived, we couldn’t wait to jump off the boat and into the crystal clear waters. The snorkeling wasn’t the best due to lower visibility, but it was still a fun and enjoyable activity.
After our time in the water, we joined some of the other travelers for a refreshing beer on the beach. It was the perfect way to relax and take in the stunning surroundings. All in all, Manjarite Beach was a great stop on our adventure and we would definitely recommend it to others visiting the Komodo National Park.
Day 1: Kalong Island – Flying bats.
After a day of jumping off the boat and snorkeling at Manjarite Beach, we set sail towards Padar Island. But before we arrived at our destination, we made a stop at Kalong Island to witness the incredible sight of the flying bats.
As the sun began to set, we watched in amazement as hundreds of bats took flight from their roosts and soared through the air. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one that we won’t soon forget. After a few moments of observing these fascinating creatures, we continued on our journey toward Padar Island.
Day 2: Padar Island
The next morning, we woke early at 5 am to hike to an amazing viewpoint on Padar Island. After only 3 hours of sleep (thanks to loud engine noises and a hot room despite AC) we were put right into the action. The climb was tough, but it was worth it when we reached the top and saw the stunning view before us. The viewpoint is around 500m high and you need to master around 800 stairs. It takes around 30 minutes to reach the top. On the way up we also witnessed some eagles and little bambies on the way, which made it special. We then hiked back down and continued our journey to Pink Beach and later the Komodo Islands.
Day 2: Pink Beach
The name suggests why this beach is special. The beach is covered in a pink and red color combination making a very unique. The beach got its colors from the red corals that were around in the past. Sadly we did not see any red corals ourselves. Once we arrived, we went snorkeling in crystal-clear waters. We saw so many colorful fish and coral reefs, it was truly a sight to behold.
Overall, it was an incredible experience and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in travel and adventure. The visibility was good and better than the day before. But, we also saw some dead corals with no color. We also saw some boats directly stopping at the beach instead of taking a smaller boat for the last meters. Please when snorkeling be mindful of the environment and don’t step on them. This is the only way to ensure a sustainable travel experience where tourists and locals mutually benefit.
Day 2: Komodo Island
It was just around 9 or 10am and we already saw a lot. We felt lucky and happy to visit this beautiful part of Indonesia. Next stop: Komodo Island. We were welcomed by our tour guide. The island itself is huge and you can walk on different tracks. We heard that the 10km track was closed though. So we started our walk on the medium track which covers 2,5 km and takes between 45 and 60 minutes depending on your speed. Several thousand of Komodo Dragons are living in the Komodo National Park among the many islands.
The Komodo Dragon’s saliva can be deadly, due to the bacteria on their tongue. Our guide had a stick which hopefully would prevent any major incident. Luckily, there was no need for an intervention by the guide to safe us from the Komodo Dragons. Komodo Dragons are not aggressive per se, just don’t provoke them giving them a reason to attack ;) The wild Male Komodo Dragon can get up to 3.5 meters in length and is slightly bigger than females. The weight of a male Komodo Dragon ranges from 79 to 91 kg. The female komodo dragon is around 2.5 meters in length. Komodo Dragons are able to live up to 60 years.
4. Are Komodo Dragons dangerous?
We were told that many years ago there were deadly accidents because tourists were getting too close to the dragons. Based on our guide, several thousand of Komodo Dragons live on the island, but most of them are hiding in the wild. We were lucky enough to see a Komodo Dragon sunning itself on the beach. It was great too see these animals so close. But we were not the only tourists and for us it felt a bit too much also having other groups close by to the first Komodo Dragon.
Some interesting facts.
Later that day we spotted a few more of them in the distance which was great to see. An interesting fact about the dragon: When the baby dragons are hedging from the egg, the mother kills some of their own babies in order not to overpopulate. She knows which babies will be strong enough in the future and which not. Another interesting fact about this species is, that the baby dragons live and climb on trees after they are born. They spend the next two to three in the trees until they are strong enough to live on the ground.
Engine Problems…
Now, the fun part begins. After seeing the Komodo Dragons in action, we headed back to the boat and were ready for lunch. One more spot, the Manta Point was left on our itinerary. Unfortunately for us, our boat engine had severe problems and our crew tried hard to fix the issue. After more than 3 hours of waiting it was clear, that we had to go to another boat which takes us back to Labuan Bajo. Luckily, the different boat teams are helping each other out in times of problems and we joined another crew and boat.
Going back to Labuan Bajo.
The journey back from the Komodo Islands to Labuan Bajo was quite long. It took us around 4 hours to reach the harbor with a stop in the middle at the Manta Point. However, the current was very strong as the stop was in the middle of the ocean. It was not guaranteed to see Mantas and that day we were not lucky. So we made our way back to Labuan Bajo. On the way back we saw a really small island or sandbank surrounded by blue waters. We would have loved to make a quick stop over there, but unfortunately, we lost already too much time. At around 7 pm with a delay of 2 hours, we arrived back at Labuan Bajo. Exhausted but happy with what we experienced.
5. Important Note:
If you are planning a trip to the islands of Komodo National Park to see the wild Komodo Dragon make sure to visit soon. The Indonesian government has already announced to raise the fee for visiting the Komodo National Park and the islands from 400.000 IDR (~27€) to 3.700.000 IDR (~250€) starting in January 2023. This decision came along with many protests from locals who see their businesses in severe danger as they fear losing tourists who want to see the komodo dragon and the Komodo National Park. As we heard from our taxi driver, the vast majority of the money would go to the government. The locals who are dependent on tourists visiting the Komodo islands will almost see nothing from the raise in fees.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for an amazing boat trip to see some of the best islands that nature has to offer, look no further than Komodo National Park. With clear water, stunning landscapes, and plenty of komodo dragons (not to mention the occasional jump from the boat), this national park is a must-see for any traveler in Indonesia. We simply loved to see the komodo dragon walking just basically next to us. The Komodo Dragons are magical and truly a must-see when visiting Indonesia.
Just be prepared for some engine problems in the end – nothing that can’t be overcome with a little bit of tired but happy travelers’ spirit!
Have you been on a boat trip to the Komodo National Park? Let us know in the comments.
