Guide to Komodo Island & Labuan Bajo in Indonesia
When it comes to tropical islands in Southeast Asia, most of us flock to destinations such as Bali and Thailand. But here’s a lesser-known destination, Komodo Island. It’s part of a bigger area, Komodo National Park, located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores in Indonesia.
The national park is made up of 29 volcanic islands, with the most popular ones being Rinca, Padar, and Komodo. It’s been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986 to protect its most popular inhabitants, the Komodo dragons.
Sure, you can appreciate them from afar at the Singapore Zoo, but we dare you to make a trip to Komodo Island for an IRL encounter with these free-roaming creatures.
The current exchange rate is Rp10,000 = ~S$0.83 as of 22nd July 2024.
Table of Contents
- Guide to Komodo Island & Labuan Bajo in Indonesia
- How to get from Singapore to Komodo National Park
- Things to do in Komodo Island & Labuan Bajo
- 1. Hike with postcard-worthy views of Flores at Padar Island
- 2. Visit a pink beach on Komodo Island
- 3. Snorkel & dive with manta rays at Manta Point
- 4. Take “selfies” with wild Komodo dragons on Rinca Island
- 5. Visit a hidden natural blue pool at Rangko Cave
- 6. Stay in a hotel with Santorini vibes at Loccal Collection Hotel
- 7. Have breakfast at a “hipster” cafe with Arabica beans from Flores
- 8. Visit the seaside Paradise Bar for drinks during sunset
- 9. Stay on a 4D3N Liveaboard with Dive Komodo
- 10. Take a dip in a beach-inspired pool at Molas Cafe
- 11. Have dinner overlooking the harbour at a seafood restaurant
- When is the best time to visit Komodo National Park?
- How much time should I stay in Komodo National Park?
How to get from Singapore to Komodo National Park
Flying into Komodo Airport.
Image credit: @estevaothiesen via Instagram
The gateway to Komodo National Park is Labuan Bajo, a quaint harbour town where tours depart from. As there are no accommodation options in the surrounding islands, most visitors stay in Labuan Bajo town. The other option is to stay on a liveaboard, which, as the name suggests, is a boat that you live aboard as it takes you around the various islands.
There aren’t any direct flights to Komodo Airport from Singapore, but there are connecting flights via AirAsia or Batik Air that usually stop in Surabaya, Jakarta, or Bali. The whole trip should take less than 6 hours, and a round-trip flight typically costs around S$350-S$450.
Image credit: @ivanwilliam_ via Instagram
Upon arrival in Komodo Airport, head to Labuan Bajo Port if you’re getting on a liveaboard or boat to the other islands, or Labuan Bajo town itself. The drive is about 7-15 minutes, depending on where you’re going. Do note that ride-hailing services such as Gojek and Grab are only available in Labuan Bajo town, and not elsewhere on the island.
And if you’re heading to the different islands, you’ll have to pay a one-time Komodo National Park Entrance fee of Rp 150,000 on weekdays and Rp 250,000 on weekends at the National Park office in Labuan Bajo. While this includes access to all the islands, there are additional fees required at certain locations, which we’ll list below.
Things to do in Komodo Island & Labuan Bajo
From activities for adventurous souls such as hiking and diving to just chilling at a seaside resort in Labuan Bajo, we’ve rounded up this list of things to do in Komodo National Park.
1. Hike with postcard-worthy views of Flores at Padar Island
Image credit: @oliviarne via Instagram
The Padar Island hike takes you to an iconic vantage point that offers a stunning view of the surrounding natural landscapes. We’d bet you’ve seen travel accounts on Instagram posting a birds-eye view from the top of the island, located 185m above sea level.
It’s a steep but relatively easy 20- to 40-minute trek, with a cobblestone path leading all the way up. Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with views of surrounding rock formations and islands. But take your time, because there are several viewpoints along the way where you can stop for some photos.
The deer that roam around the island.
Image credit: @takenbyer via Instagram
You can get to Padar Island via a 1.5-hour speed boat from Labuan Bajo – and it’s best to book a full-day tour to visit other islands in the area, too. We hear that the best time to go on the hike is at dawn for the best sunrise views.
Book a full-day speed boat tour from Labuan Bajo to destinations including Padar Island.
Additional fees
Padar Island fee: Rp 150,000 on weekdays, Rp 250,000 on weekends
Padar Island on Google Maps
2. Visit a pink beach on Komodo Island
Image credit: @andrisugara_ via Instagram
The Barbie movie, bandung, Patrick Star – what do these things have in common? They’re all doused in pink.
Joining this gang is Pink Beach on Komodo Island. It’s a gorgeous beach with salmon-coloured sand contrasting bright turquoise waters, making for the perfect drone shot.
Image credit: @wtlaraswaty via Instagram
Fun fact: it’s supposedly 1 of 7 pink beaches in the world. The pink colour comes from foraminifera, microscopic red organisms that live in the coral reefs which get washed up on the beach. The pink tinge is the brightest when the sun is out.
Besides just sunbathing on the beach, you can also snorkel and dive in the sea. The waters of Komodo Island are home to stunning coral reefs and marine life like fish, turtles, and giant manta rays.
Book a full-day speed boat tour from Labuan Bajo to destinations including Komodo Island.
Additional fees
Diving: Rp 100,000
Snorkelling: Rp 50,000
Hiking: Rp 5,000
Pink Beach on Google Maps
3. Snorkel & dive with manta rays at Manta Point
Image credit: @hellohendry
Speaking of which, one of Komodo Island’s most popular snorkelling spots is located about 25 minutes by boat from Pink Beach. Manta Point, or Makassar Reef, is home to schools of giant manta rays – you know, the ones you often see at S.E.A. Aquarium.
If you’re lucky and the water is clear, you’ll be able to see these graceful sea creatures from the boat. But of course, seeing them from above can’t compare to literally swimming with them – so grab your snorkelling or diving gear and dive right in. Besides manta rays, you may also see marina animals such as turtles, sharks, eagle rays, and cuttlefish.
For the highest chance of seeing manta rays, we recommend visiting from December to February as the diving visibility is great. However, do be careful as it’s rainy season – and the currents are stronger too. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with the dry season from April to September.
The best way to visit Manta Point is by going on a full-day speed boat tour, or booking a dedicated snorkelling and diving package.
Book a 1-day diving and snorkelling tour in Komodo National Park.
Additional fees
Diving: Rp 100,000
Snorkelling: Rp 50,000
Manta Point on Google Maps
4. Take “selfies” with wild Komodo dragons on Rinca Island
Image credit: @zfs.z via Instagram
With all this talk about Komodo dragons, where do you actually find them? Well, Komodo National Park is home to around 5,700 of these giant reptiles, but tourists mostly head to Rinca Island to see them up close. There are about 2,000 wild Komodo dragons roaming the island.
Image credit: @limena09 via Instagram
You can go on guided treks led by rangers, ranging from 1-3 hours long. And while these massive lizards are known to be high-key dangerous, you don’t have to worry – the rangers are skilled and carry around forked wooden sticks in case one of the animals goes rogue. Hey, they’re even trained to help you take a Komodo dragon selfie.
Besides Komodo dragons, Rinca is also home to wild pigs, water buffalos, sumba deers, monkeys, and even saltwater crocodiles that are hiding in the mangrove forests.
Additional fees
Ranger fee: Rp 120,000 per group of up to 5 people
Hiking fee: Rp 5,000 per group of up to 5 people
Rinca Island on Google Maps
Image credit: @anniemedwin via Instagram
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to get on a boat from Labuan Bajo Port for chio natural landscapes. Rangko Cave is a beautiful limestone cave with a natural blue pool, located about a 45 minute-drive from the main town in Labuan Bajo.
To get there, book a Grab or Gojek that takes you to Rangko Village. We’d recommend arranging for the driver to wait for you, as it’s a very ulu village and you’d likely have trouble getting transportation back from here.
Image adapted from: @uteeebk via Instagram
From the village, there are 2 ways to get to the cave: crossing by boat or walking on a wooden bridge before going down a few steps that lead you to a blue pool that you can swim or float around in.
According to locals, the best time to visit Rangko Cave is at noon, where there’s natural illumination because of the sun rays streaming into the cave.
Book a guided tour to Rangko Cave.
Rangko Cave on Google Maps
6. Stay in a hotel with Santorini vibes at Loccal Collection Hotel
Image credit: @angieskydefari via Instagram
Are you in Greece or Indonesia? Who knows at Loccal Collection Hotel, a hotel that has major Santorini vibes with its clean all-white architecture and use of natural materials. Its guest rooms are also inspired by caves – so if you haven’t had enough from visiting Rangko Cave, you can now sleep in one.
There are different room types based on your group size and budget starting from Rp 140,000. If you’re on a romantic vacay, splurge a little bit more on the Hempa Rae Suite, which comes with its own private pool on the terrace. Pour yourselves a glass of champagne and take a dip while gazing at the sun setting over the ocean.
Image credit: @virgo_babe168 via Instagram
Alternatively, the swimming pool area overlooks the surrounding islands – and you get gorgeous sunset views from here.
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7. Have breakfast at a “hipster” cafe with Arabica beans from Flores
Image adapted from: @carpentercafeandroastery & @sammastudio via Instagram
While we love traditional Indonesian kopi, it can be more difficult to get cafe-style coffee in a place like Labuan Bajo. Enter: Carpenter Cafe And Roastery. You can find beans from around the region here, including Arabica beans from Flores, from around Rp 85,000 for a packet of beans.
Pair your latte (Rp 38,500) with one of the bakes and desserts – the cafe is especially known for its choco brownie, choco banana, and banana bread.
Address: Jalan Soekarno Hatta, Labuan Bajo, Kecamatan Komodo, Kabupaten Manggarai Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur 86754, Indonesia
Opening hours: 6.30am-10pm, Daily
Contact: +62 812-3642-4411 | Carpenter Cafe & Roastery Instagram
8. Visit the seaside Paradise Bar for drinks during sunset
Image credit: @paradise_bar_bajo via Instagram
It’s not every day that you get to knock down some beers while looking at views of the ocean. For some drinks with live entertainment, Paradise Bar is where it’s at. This bar is located on a hill in Labuan Bajo, and is one of the more popular sunset spots in this sleepy town.
Image credit: @paradise_bar_bajo via Instagram
Besides affordably priced drinks and bites, most visitors come here for the music. The bar has themed live music nights such as reggae, rock, and oldies – and there’s even a dance floor in front of the stage. You know what the kids say, it’s lit.
Address: GV8H+2M4, Jalan Binongko, Labuan Bajo, Kecamatan. Komodo, Kabupaten Manggarai Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timor, Indonesia
Opening hours: 5pm-1am, Daily
Contact: +62 823-3935-4854 | Paradise Bar Instagram
9. Stay on a 4D3N Liveaboard with Dive Komodo
Image credit: @divekomodo via Instagram
A quintessential Komodo Island experience is staying on a liveaboard, where you sleep on a boat for a few nights instead of a hotel. During the day, you snorkel, dive, and explore the different islands. While some of the atas ones may be slightly more expensive, Dive Komodo offers affordable packages starting from Rp 9,000,000 for a 3D2N trip.
But we think the best deal is the 4D3N liveaboard package (Rp 12,000,000) to get the most out of your trip to Komodo National Park. If you do the maths, that’s essentially S$266/night per person, and it comes with 13 dives, all meals, your own cabin, and dive equipment rental.
Image credit: @dive_with_rian
The only things that aren’t included are your own Komodo National Park entrance fees to the different attractions, tips for the crew members, and your own diving insurance. You’ll also need a PADI licence – a scuba diving certification – to be able to go on open water dives.
Address: Jalan Soekarno Hatta Labuan Bajo
Contact: +62 81237634606 | Dive Komodo website
10. Take a dip in a beach-inspired pool at Molas Cafe
Image credit: @wae_molas via Instagram
We know what you might be thinking, “Why go to a beach-inspired pool when you can go to the beach?” Well, Molas Cafe also has a pool table, bean bags to chill in, and massage facilities. And if it does get too hot, you can seek shelter under the shaded areas in the cafe.
You just have to buy a drink and you’re free to use the swimming pool. If you’re feeling peckish, the food menu has bites such as chicken bites (Rp 65,000), a seafood basket (Rp 120,000) filled with beer-battered white fish fillet, calamari, prawns, and french fries, and fish and chips (Rp 110,000).
Address: Jalan Soekarno Hatta, Goron Talo, Komodo, Kabupaten Manggarai Barat, Nusa, Tenggara, Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara 86554, Indonesia
Opening hours: 11am-10pm, Daily
Contact: Molas Cafe Facebook
11. Have dinner overlooking the harbour at a seafood restaurant
Image credit: @tamanlauthandayani_labuanbajo via Instagram
Seafood lovers should check out Taman Laut Handayani Seafood, a popular dinner spot perched above the harbour. You can expect to pay around Rp 150,000-Rp 175,000 per person, but it’s all worth it because of the views that you get.
You can’t go wrong with grilled fish served with sambal.
Image credit: Mulyalim Koswara via Google Maps
Look through the Google reviews, and you’ll find their grilled fish mentioned over and over again. Other recommendations are the nasi goreng, shrimp tempura, spicy crab, fish with sour soup, and BBQ squid with honey.
Address: Jalan Soekarno Hatta No.9, Labuan Bajo, Kecamatan Komodo, Kabupaten Manggarai Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timor, Indonesia
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: +62 853-3388-8827
When is the best time to visit Komodo National Park?
Ideally, you should visit Komodo National Park between April to June or September to December; both are drier seasons when weather conditions are more pleasant. September to November, in particular, is the best time to spot manta rays, whale sharks and Komodo dragons.
Conversely, January to March makes for unpredictable boat trip schedules due to it being the rainy season, whereas July to August is mating season for the Komodo dragons, which is when it’s hardest to spot them.
In general, it’s also always wise to avoid local holidays so you can shun crowds. In this case, it should be noted that Hari Raya Puasa and Haji – known as Idul Fitri and Idul Adha in Indonesia – are among the biggest holidays in the country.
How much time should I stay in Komodo National Park?
Komodo National Park covers an expansive area, but if you’re short on time, you could come here for a weekend trip, with Saturday being an ideal day for a day trip to one of the Islands.
If you have time for an extended trip, you could stay here for up to 7 days, reserving about 3-4 days for trips around Rinca, Padar, and Komodo Islands. The remaining time can be spent exploring Labuan Bajo, and travelling to and from Singapore.
Make Komodo Island & Labuan Bajo your next getaway
With almost otherworldly natural landscapes and some of the best diving spots in the world, Komodo Island is one destination we’d recommend to nature and adventure lovers. It’s accessible from Singapore too, and you can get there within 6 hours from Changi Airport.
More travel destinations in Indonesia:
Cover image adapted from: @angieskydefari, @anniemedwin & @oliviarne via Instagram. Last updated by Shannon Lee on 22nd July 2024.