Beyond the allure of its namesake dragons, Komodo National Park and its surroundings boast opportunities to snorkel above vibrant coral reefs, trek through savannah landscapes and experience cultural traditions.
With daily direct flights from Bali, accessing this region is easier than ever. And with a growing number of hotels being developed and a wide range of boat trips on offer, this region is poised to become a popular add-on to any Indonesian holiday.
A three day trip, using Labuan Bajo as a base, is enough to include a boat trip to Komodo, Rinca and other neighbouring islands for trekking, wildlife spotting, snorkelling and more. Or stay longer on Labuan Bajo to dive deepr into Flores’ culture through the food, art and diverse landscapes.
Fresh off an inspection in the region, EXO Indonesia is excited about the range of options available. Camille, EXO French Regional Production Manager, suggests, ‘Everyone should include Komodo in their trip to Indonesia. It’s an absolute must-see and so different from what Bali has to offer! With direct, daily and short flights from Bali, it’s an easy combination to explore more of the country and its natural wonders’.
Read on to discover more about the islands and the experiences that await!
Komodo National Park comprises three uninhabited island: Komodo, Rinca and Padar.
Destination overview: Key locations
Komodo National Park is located in the geographic centre of Indonesia. It is nested between the larger islands of Flores to the east and Sumbawa to the west. The park comprises three uninhabited islands: Komodo, Rinca and Padar.
All three islands are home to Komodo Dragons, massive lizards that exist nowhere else in the world. Komodo is the largest and most popular island, with its famous pink beach and namesake dragons. Rinca is home to a new dragon-focused museum and boasts a unique savannah-like terrain making it easier to spot the dragons and other wildlife. Padar is renowned for the spectacular views from the island’s peak.
With no hotels or development in the Komodo National Park, guests must travel by boat to reach the islands and it is possible to visit all three in a day. Labuan Bajo, on the northwest tip of Flores, is the main jumping off point thanks to its location, harbour and domestic airport. Once a sleepy fishing village, it is slowly developing as more tourists come to explore the neighbouring islands.
‘The beauty of island and to see the dragons in their natural habitat makes Rinca more unique and raw in my opinion‘
Dragons and trekking
Komodo dragons have lured scientists and curious travellers alike to the region for decades. The massive lizards roam freely in the National Park, providing a unique opportunity to see them in the wild.
Local park rangers accompany visitors to share information and ensure the lizards are not disturbed. Rinca’s new Niang Museum provides additional insight into the origins and evolution of these beasts.
One of the best ways to encounter the Komodo Dragons is with a ranger-led, 1.5-hour trek through Rinca’s savannah-like landscapes. Camille cites the trek as a highlight of her recent inspection, stating ‘The guides and rangers are knowledgeable and resourceful. The beauty of island and to see the dragons in their natural habitat makes Rinca more unique and raw in my opinion’.
Dani, English Inbound Supervisor, agrees, adding ‘Trekking on Rinca Island to see the stunning landscape from the top was amazing’.
‘Manjarite is one of the best sports for snorkelling, and in Kelor we can enjoy swimming, relaxing on the beach and trekking to the top of the island‘
Boats, snorkelling and beaches
Getting from island to island, guests have a variety of boat options from which to choose, from group tours on local-style wooden vessels to private luxury speedboats. For charters, a custom route can be arranged to fit guests’ personal interests.
In addition to visiting the dragons and trekking options, most boat trips include snorkelling and stops at some of the smaller islands to swim and explore.
Alitca, Product Development Assistant, shares her insight on the options, ‘Manjarite is one of the best sports for snorkelling, and in Kelor we can enjoy swimming, relaxing on the beach and trekking to the top of the island. It takes about 30 minutes up and down and we can to see the stunning landscapes of Kelor from the viewpoint’.
Labuan Bajo has a small airport serviced by daily flights from Bali’s Denpasar airport and a harbour, used as a jumping off point for boat trips.
Where to stay: Labuan Bajo
Labuan Bajo is located on the northwest tip of Flores’ largest island. Once a sleepy fishing village, it is slowly developing as more tourists come to explore neighbouring Rinca and Komodo island.
It has a small airport serviced by daiily flights from Bali’s Denpasar airport and a harbour, used as a jumping off point for boat trips. Although there are only a few hotels catering to the budget and mid-range market, several resorts are in development.
Here are two of EXO’s preferred properties
Plataran Komodo Resort & Spa
The boutique Plataran Komodo Resort & Spa is a quiet sanctuary tucked away on Waecicu Beach, a ten minute boat ride from Labuan Bajo.
The 4-star property features eighteen rooms, called ‘residences’, each providing ample space and private outdoor spaces so that guests can relax and enjoy the natural surroundings.
Puri Sari Beach Hotel
Located on Pede Beach on the outskirts of Labuan Bajo, Puri Sari Beach Hotel offers a comfortable base for exploring the region.
The property blends modern design with elements of traditional Flores architecture and boats a swimming pool, open-air restaurant and lush gardens to create an atmosphere of relaxation.
A two-night stay ensures guests have time for a full day boat trip to explore Komodo National Park and its surroundings.
Planning a visit
Getting there: At present, there are two daily return flights between Bali’s Denpasar airport and Labuan Bajo.
When to go: Komdoo National Park is located in one of Indonesia’s driest regions, so it is accessible year-round. However from mid-December through mid-March, heavy winds and rain may cause boat tours to be cancelled. April-June offer the most vibrant landscapes, July-August is peak heat and peak tourist season and by September the crowds taper off but the landscapes are dry and dusty.
How long to stay? A two-night stay ensures guests have time for a full day boat trip to explore Komodo National Park and its surroundings. If time allows, EXO recommends adding a day or two to explore Flores will give further insight into the island’s local culture, traditional weaving and culinary heritage.
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