How To Plan A Trip To Komodo Island: Things To Do, Accommodation And Meals

Komodo National Park is home to the Komodo dragon dinosaurs on land and some of the best underwater diving on the planet, and has been delighting visitors for decades. It currently occupies a place in the list of 7 new wonders of nature and is one of the pride of the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism. Ideal for adventurous travelers: Komodo National Park consists of three main islands: Komodo, Rinca and Padar. (plus many smaller surrounding islands); Komodo and Rinca It is the collective home of more than 5,000 Komodo dragons.

The flora and fauna here are some of the best in Indonesia (which is why it is listed as one of the best places to visit in Indonesia!) As its popularity increases, the need for more information about planning a Komodo trip is the most Important-this is the purpose of this guide! So scroll down to see all the information you need to visit Komodo, including how to get to Komodo Island, where to stay, where to eat, and the best things to do in Komodo National Park.

How to get to Komodo Island and Komodo National Park

Komodo Island (UNESCO World Heritage) is part of the Little Sunda Island chain in the eastern part of Nusa Tenggara (Republic of Indonesia), the nearest is Flores Labuan Bajo on the island. Due to its proximity to Komodo, it is a natural choice for tourists in the area.

You can take Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Batik and Nam Air (check SkyScanner for the latest offers) and many other routes, from Bali and Jakarta to Labuan Bajo Airport (aka Komodo Airport). The cost is between 120-180 US dollars to provide connecting flights. It takes less than 10 minutes to take a taxi from the airport to the city, and the cost does not exceed IDR 50-60,000, negotiated before boarding; or the journey can be walked (downhill) within 20-30 minutes.

If you want to turn a trip into an adventure, check out this 9-day trip to the Indies. You will start from Lombok to Labuan Bajo. The tour includes visiting all the highlights of the area, including Komodo National Park, Moyo Island, Pink Beach, Padar Observation Deck, Manta Point and more.

In the case of a tight budget, there is a ferry + minibus + night bus + ferry service, and it only takes more than 24 hours from Labuan Bajo to Lombok. Another paradise in the Indonesian archipelago, if you go to the Gili Islands, this is the ideal place to go.

Where to Stay on Komodo Island

Once you reach Labuan Bajo (which can be considered Labuan Bajo on some booking platforms), you will notice that it is indeed one of the smallest towns you will visit. Composed of a harbour, a main street full of dive shops and tour operators, several restaurants, and about 50 hotels and hotels throughout the city, this is an impact fishing village. Interesting fact: All water in the city is transported by trucks, which is why water must be protected and saved here! 
 
We recommend the following hotels and hostels based on your budget: Dragon Dive Komodo Hostel Dorms (starting at $18 per night) and private rooms (starting at $90 per night) relaxing atmosphere, dive shop, swimming pool, bar and on-site restaurant - without hot water. 
 
Green Hill Boutique Hotel or Komodo Lodge (starting at $30 per night) are good choices when looking for Labuan Bajo hotels, and offer a small number of double rooms, a terrace for relaxing, as well as organizing excursions and activities ability. Book early to avoid disappointment, because rooms will soon be sold out.
 
Bintang Flores Island Hotel (from 75 USD per night) 4 * Accommodation, free Wi-Fi, gym, swimming pool, but 2.5 kilometers from the main street, if you are It’s the perfect feeling to find more resorts.

Where to eat in Labuan Bajo

Although it is undeniable that the variety of restaurants in Labuan Bajo is a bit small, you can still enjoy delicious food in this small town, although unsurprisingly, the prices are a bit high. What do you expect from Bali. We recommend:
 
Le Pirate: This restaurant is an official part of the hotel of the same name, offering a variety of Western and Indonesian cuisines that can satisfy even the most discerning diners. Coupled with a rooftop terrace with swimming pool, you have a good place to enjoy the sunset, dinner and drinks. 
 
Mediterraneo: Seriously, this is one of the best restaurants I have ever visited in Indonesia. Stunning pizzas, pastas, salads, etc. come directly from the 5* Mediterranean restaurant. Beautifully presented and reasonably priced, be sure to eat here at least once during your stay. 
 
Warung Mama: Growing up above the main resistance of Labuan Bajo, the bamboo-roof space serves authentic Indonesian breakfast, lunch and dinner at a relatively cheap price. : Japanese fusion restaurant famous for sashimi and sushi. Slightly more expensive, but worth a visit.

Happy Banana: A Japanese fusion restaurant famous for sashimi and sushi. Slightly more expensive, but worth a visit.

Activities in and around Komodo Island

Komodo Island National Park

Visiting the Komodo dragon will be your top priority! The Komodo dragon is the largest and heaviest lizard in the world. They grow to 8.5 feet in length, weigh up to 200 pounds, and can run at an astonishing 12 mph. (Human speeds can reach 15 mph), so unless you are Usain Bolt, you definitely don't want to be chased by anyone! (Although we saw 5 dragons during our visit, they barely moved their heads and looked from left to right...)

Komodo Island is included in most of the day trips to Komodo Island from Labuan Bajo /During the short trip, it is home to more than 3000 dragons and provides 4 different trekking routes for dragons. The shortest (short, medium, long and adventurous) is less than one hour, and the longest (adventurous hiking) is up to 4 hours. You must always follow and follow the guide, and remember to bring a bottle of water, because walking on the trails can get very hot.
 
Just go to the bathroom, don’t look directly into the dragon’s eyes, lower your head, menstruating girls need to be especially careful, because dragons have a very sensitive sense of smell, and they will attack if they smell blood. But as long as you follow the rules, I hope you can have an unforgettable experience of seeing Komodo dragons, but like wild animals, there is no guarantee! 
 
You can book your Komodo boat tour in Labuan Bajo; just walk along the main street and ask each tour company about their planned trip to Komodo Island (and any other places you want to go!), and then Be prepared to bargain. price! But if you are short on time or need to travel on a specific date, it is recommended to book in advance.

Komodo National Park tickets are almost included in all tour prices, but as a reference, the price for foreigners is currently around 250,000 IDR + guide, tax, protection, etc, are different costs. (And may change at any time).

TREK PADAR

Padar Island is the third most important island that makes up the Komodo National Park, and walking to the top of it will give you a chance to see one of the most beautiful sights in Indonesia. The hike itself is very difficult. The terrain is sandy with lots of loose rocks. Although they are currently developing the site and have steps at the bottom, to reach the top, you need a pair of decent shoes, balance, dedication and a full bottle of water. 

You will sweat, you may curse (I know I did), if you are like us, you need to take regular breaks on your way to the top. But once you get the top, it will be worth it. Padar Lookout is easily one of the most epic sights I have ever seen. 

Pink Beach

To be honest, many coasts of the islands in Komodo National Park have a faint pink color, but the pink beaches on Maman Island, this is the place to go to see the best shades. Formed by the white sand beach and small pieces of red coral washed away by the waves, the pink sand beach where the water meets the sand is simply amazing.

Pink beach is included in most day trips and is also a great place for snorkeling. Various tropical fish and beautiful well-preserved corals are just offshore. Don't forget your GoPro-coral is close to the water surface, making it one of the best light underwater photos in the world.

Snorkeling at Manta Point

Manta Point in Komodo National Park is one of the best places in the world to get into the water with these spectacular creatures. The active water here attracts stingrays, and it is possible to drift with these creatures swimming gracefully around you. You can also see beautiful corals, tons of colorful fish, if you are lucky, one or two turtles will slide over to say hello. 

So, grab your snorkel and GoPro for an epic Manta selfie, dive into the water, and see this incredible underwater paradise. It is an ideal place for snorkeling and diving.

Hiking At GILI LAWA

Gili Lawa is one of the smaller islands in the Komodo National Park. Although it is not as well-known as Padar, hiking to the top is becoming more and more popular. This is also a harder climb than Padar-the trail is small and has fewer markings. When you climb to the top and return again, the sweat will never cover it, and you are ready to take a dip. In those blue waters. But as you can see from the picture above, the view from the top is worth it! 

We visit as part of Indo Island Hopping Adventure, but if you want to visit independently, please contact the tour group in Labuan Bajo Town to see who will stay on this beautiful uninhabited island.

Visiting RINCA 

If you don't have enough Komodo monitors and want to have the opportunity to see these incredible prehistoric monitors, then RINCA Island is the place to go. Rinca Island is the second largest island in the Komodo National Park and home to the second largest population of Komodo dragons. 

In just 2 hours by speedboat from Labuan Bajo, you will find yourself immersed in the Jurassic Park-style landscape, where park rangers can escort you on the trail. Likewise, as with Komodo Island, you must always follow the guide and can only hike on designated trails.

Diving in this underwater paradise

Komodo Island is a paradise for divers. The ocean currents in the area attract some of the most incredible marine species, including sharks, manta rays, octopuses and turtles. Komodo National Park is an ideal place for underwater photography, rafting diving and coral reef creatures. Although there are many diving sites in the area, most of them are more suitable for intermediate and advanced divers, but if you are a novice, don't hesitate to ask! Diving Center will be happy to explain the various options for even relatively new divers to spend quality time underwater and experience the most incredible diving in Komodo National Park. 

You can book for 1 day Komodo diving package (2 dives for PADI Open Water and 3 dives for PADI Advanced Open Water), or if you want to extend your diving itinerary, please sign up for your liveaboard diving package. Some dive center offer 4 dives, 4 meals and all his equipment on the boat every day. You can also choose how many nights you will spend on the boat, which is perfect for customizing your own trip. 

Pssst. Don't forget to buy a high-quality drying bag to protect your belongings on board!

Last changed: Jun 20 2021 at 9:31 AM

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