Things To Do in Komodo
The town of Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park offers so many great things to do. Labuan Bajo, Flores, is a short 1-hour flight from Bali and great to combine with your 3-week Bali Route. From Labuan Bajo, hop on a boat tour around the islands inside the national park.
1. Hike up Padar Island
Padar Island is a must-do when visiting the national park. It is the third-largest island in the national park and, together with Rinca Island, home to the Komodo Dragon.
Also read: 8-day Java Route Guide
Where to book a Komodo National Park Tour?
Booking a Komodo boat tour can be done online or while you are in Labuan Bajo. There are boats available in every level of comfort and size. We’ve created a partnership with a local company in Komodo that offers:
- A Shared Cabin for 2.500.000 IDR (~ 165 USD) per person.
- A Private Cabin from 3.500.000 (~ 235 USD) per person.
The options above are for a 3-day, 2-night tour and include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, coffee/tea/mineral water, snorkeling gear, and more. Contact our friend Yande below for more information or to make a booking.
3. Spot the Komodo Dragon
Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park in Indonesia thank his popularity to the dragon. The world’s largest lizard only lives in Komodo National Park, mainly on Rinca island. Yes, they are as dangerous as they look.
Read more: Komodo Islands and the Komodo Dragons
Padar Island has a handful of spots to hike up to. The highest point gives a 360-degree view over the entire island. We spotted loads of wild deer from one of the viewpoints.
Also read: 3-week Bali Route
4. Snorkel with Manta Rays
At Komodo National Park, it is possible to snorkel or dive with Manta Rays year-round. During the rainy season, you will be guaranteed to snorkel with these impressive animals.
5. Rangko Cave
Rango Cave is a tucked-away gem, relatively close to Labuan Bajo. The pristine blue water inside the cave contains so much salt that it will keep you floating easily.
From Labuan Bajo, it is a 1.5-hour motorbike drive to the pier, followed by a boat that takes you to the cave. Highly worth the visit!
6. Visit Komodo Village
Be welcomed by the super-friendly locals located on Komodo Island. The inhabitants make a living by fishing or selling handicrafts to visitors to the national park.
8. Wander on a pink beach
Another natural wonder in this national park is the pink beaches. White sand mixed with tiny pieces of red coral makes the beach look pink.
9. Take a multi-day boat trip to Komodo National Park
Spending one or more nights on a boat, waking up in the middle of the national park, having local delicious meals, and having fewer tourists around you is the experience of a lifetime.
Loads of companies offer these tours from Labuan Bajo in any kind of comfort. Learn more about a Komodo Islands tour.
10. Swim with sea turtles
Like Mantas, turtles aren’t hard to spot in the national park. Diving or snorkeling doesn’t matter; you should be able to see them pop up their heads everywhere. Please note: It is not allowed to touch any animals.
Must read: 3-week Indonesia Route
11. Sunrise on a boat
Is there a better way to wake up in Komodo than to experience the sunrise from your bed?
12. Snorkel at Batu Bolong
In the middle of the water is a small rock with a hole in it. Batu Bolong is a 60-meter-deep rock offering world-class snorkeling and diving.
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- Find Hotels via Booking.com
- Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
- Find Flights to Komodo via Skyscanner
- Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
- Book Tours & Attractions via Viator
- Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go
Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.
Hi! I’m going to Indonesia in September and considering to go to Komodo and try a liveaboard trip. However, as I wear glasses and can’t really see without them, I cannot dive from the boat. Do you think it’s still worth it going on a trip? I definitely want to see the dragons, the pink beach and so on. Thank you!
Hi Timea, Komodo is beautiful and definitely worth a visit! We’d recommend going on a non-diving boat and checking the company you go with stops at all the best viewpoints instead of focusing heavily on the underwater world. However, the marine life is amazing, so it could be worth getting prescription goggles or trying to find a full face mask that fits your glasses underneath so you can still snorkel with manta rays and turtles.