Everything you need to know about Komodo National Park

Sailing the Komodo Islands

Walker and I embarked on a four- day sailing journey through the Komodo Islands with 8 friends. We showed up not really knowing what to anticipate, but because we've heard so much about the beauty of this national park our expectations were pretty high. This is usually the wrong mindset to have and can sometimes lead to disappointment, but fortunately, Komodo National Park far exceeded our already lofty expectations! We've compiled all the necessary information, including how to secure a boat, expected expenses, and a comprehensive list of the amazing places we visited.

Note that most tours have a prearranged itinerary.

Where to stay in Labuan Bajo

First things first, we flew with Air Asia from Bali to Labuan Bajo for about $30 USD each way. Another option is to fly from Lombok or even sail directly from there, although, we suggest just flying from Bali. Arrive one day early and stay at La Boheme for the night, because the boat leaves quite early. La Boheme has private rooms or shared rooms, a nice restaurant and bar and even games like pool and ping pong upstairs. Walker and I stayed in a private room that was $20 a night.

If you're looking for a good restaurant in town, check out La Cucina for some delicious Italian food.

How to Find a Boat

Our boat of choice was the Andalucia II, a stunning wooden sailing boat capable of accommodating up to 12 people. The more people onboard, the more affordable the cost! The boat consists of one VIP bedroom with a king-size bed, four private bedrooms with full-size beds, and one bedroom with bunk beds. Each room comes with a private bathroom, and all food and drinks are included in the cost. If you're looking for a cheaper option or want to switch things up from the Andalucia II, Le Pirate Explore Cruise is a good choice for something less expensive and Le pirate Island is another great option for accommodation if you wanted to skip the boat or do a few days of both. I honestly think Le Pirate island is so fun and has the cutest beach front huts. We saw some other boats that were even less expensive, but they looked pretty rough with about 50 people crammed onboard sleeping wherever they could find a spot. Your best bet for finding a boat is to check online, but if you want the best deal, hit up the harbor and haggle with the boat managers directly. Remember, you get what you pay for.

Cost

It's essential to keep in mind that the total cost of your trip can fluctuate depending on the number of individuals on board and the time of year you decide to visit. We went on our excursion in January, which coincides with the rainy season. Knowing there was a possibility of inclement weather, we decided to take our chances and ended up getting lucky the the best few days of very welcomed sunshine. Conversely, traveling during the high season (March-September) may lead to higher prices, but it guarantees less rainfall. Our party of ten paid approximately $450 USD per person, inclusive of all expenses, which in our opinion was very worth it. For only $113 a day, you can't beat this!

It's worth mentioning that tipping the crew at the end of your voyage is customary and very appreciated. A gratuity of 10-15% of the total cost is typically expected, but you may adjust the amount on what works best for you and your group. The crew is absolutely amazing and they work tirelessly to ensure that you have an enjoyable and memorable experience. Acknowledging their hard work with a tip is a wonderful way to express your gratitude.

Must See Locations

Day 1

The first day is very chill! After arriving at the harbor, you will be lead to your boat and they will have cold towels, fruit and a welcome drink waiting for you. Pick your bedroom and relax until you get to your first destination, Kelor Island, photographed above. The water is insanely beautiful here! There is an option to do the hike, but we all opted for chilling on the beach and jumping off the dock.

The best part of the first day is at Sunset! Have you ever seen thousands of flying foxes in the sky? I heard this was amazing, but wow was it even better to see in person! I can't wait for you to experience it for yourself!

Day 2

Day 2 is the most jam packed day. The way I look at it is, even if your tired, enjoy the journey and do it all because this is a once in a lifetime experience and you have time to relax later. Today, were waking up very early so we can make it to the top of Padar island by sunrise. The views are incredible! I won't go into too much detail about all of these places, but just know they are all very unique and so amazing. You just have to experience it all for yourself! Next, we'll be going to pink beach, which is actually pink, and has the most beautiful turquoise water. After that, you'll get to relax for a bit while we make our way to Komodo Island. I could not believe how big the dragons actually are! Next were hitting Takka Makasar which is a tiny little sand bar. This was one of my favorite places and made for amazing drone footage. Last, but certainly not least, you'll be swimming with the biggest Manta Rays I have ever seen! WOW that is a lot for one day, you will have the best sleep of your life tonight.

This day you will also need to have cash on hand to pay for National Park fees. Each park has its own fee and some charge for the guides, which is non-negotiable. Payment also varies depending on how many people you have in your group. We spent around IDR 400K each for the day.

Day 3

Day 3 is all about relaxing, sending gainers off the boat, snorkeling and free diving. We saw turtles, sharks, rays, crazy looking jelly fish, the most beautiful corals and of course, tons of fish! The water was crystal clear and the sun was shining bright for us this day. Remember to bring reef safe sunscreen, because you will need it! We all got a bit crispy!

Day 4

The final activity of the sailing trip is a visit Goa Cave. Tbh, I wasn't really expecting much, but it was so fun and we had it all to ourselves! The water inside is crytal clear and so blue. We spent about an hour jumping, swimming and enjoying our last few moments together with our friends. After this, we headed back to Labuan Bajo where stayed for 1 more night at La Boheme.

All in all, this was an amazing experience that Walker and I feel so lucky to have done. We highly recommend visiting the Komodo's and picking a tour that suits your needs. If you want to see more, consider subscribing to our YT channel. We have a full guide coming soon!