Komodo Island For First Time Visitors
Among some of the most beautiful places in Indonesia, Komodo Island is hands down one of the best to visit. I was fortunate to visit Komodo Island several times over the last few years for multiple reasons.
Therefore, these beautiful islands are highly recommended for visiting if you want something other than Bali or Lombok. Komodo Island and its surroundings are not your regular developed tourist islands.
Komodo Island For First Time Visitors
Anyone who has never been here is in luck, and this article highlights all the critical factors for first-time visitors to the Komodo Islands, what to expect, and what you can do there.
First of all, Komodo Island is different from the island where you will be staying. It is a national park comprising multiple islands, making up the Komodo National Park. And no one is allowed to stay on Komodo Island.
The only places possible are some of the smaller islands near Komodo National Park, or you can stay on one of the small liveaboard boats that park outside Komodo Island.
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| Map showing where Bali, Lombok, Labuan Bajo and Komodo Islands are located. |
Your port of entry will be Labuan Bajo, located on the west end of Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara. Please see the map above to find out where this is located.
Everyone who visits Komodo will be staying here, and there are numerous choices of accommodations available, which I have also listed below.
Please also note that numerous kinds of tours are available to Komodo National Park, and due to safety, you should only take the ones offered by legal and registered tour companies.
The cheaper tour packages are usually run by unlicensed tour operators and can be dangerous. If anything happens, you will not be covered by insurance. Remember this carefully.
Komodo National Park Island
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| The main Komodo National Park sign is at the entrance. |
For the first-time visitor, Rinca (Pronounced Ring Car) Island will be the first place that tours will bring you to visit. After Rinca Island, your next destination on the tour boat will be Komodo Island, which is also part of the Komodo National Park.
You will have your lunch here, in a raised eating area. You may encounter some Komodo Dragons and other wildlife along the walk, but fear not, as the park rangers will be with you to ensure nothing happens.
While having lunch, take note of your surroundings. These mighty dragons will most definitely be seen around the lower floor trying to get up, but the good old park rangers will be there to fend them off.
In any case, your lunch will be disrupted because you want to get a closer look at the dragons or even attempt a distant selfie with them. After lunch, a beach trip to Pink Beach is planned.
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| The unique Pink Beach at Komodo Island – Photo by TripTribe. |
Pink Beach at Komodo Island
One of the unique experiences is visiting Pink Beach or Pantai Merah, which is on the other side of the main Komodo Island. A short boat ride will bring you here, and it is here where you can sunbathe, swim or snorkel at one of seven pink beaches in the world.
Those who prefer to hike can do so by heading up the prominent hill here, and you will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the overall beach from above.
The beach gets its name from the red coral that washes ashore for the curious about why it is pink. You will be amazed at the beautiful marine life here, rich with soft corals and abundant colourful coral fishes for snorkelers.
Usually, the tour operator will ask if you are snorkelling, as the gear will be prepared. When the boat lands on the beach, you may get your feet wet, so slippers are in order. You can also remove your shoes and hand-carry them for your hike.
If you are heading here, read my article about scuba diving at Komodo Island. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world for diving, and most divers want to have at least two or three dives there.
I also have a Komodo Island dive trip review from my two visits here, where I scuba-dived at various dive sites.
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| Check out this fantastic photo on top of Padar Island by Faelasufa (www.faelasufa.wordpress.com). |
Visiting Padar Island
Most tour packages already include Padar as one of the islands to visit, and this island is perfect if you love photography or landscapes.
The catch is – that you need to trek up a hill. It sounds easy, but it was one of my most strenuous treks uphill, so I only managed halfway on my first try.
Update: I understand that, because of its popularity, they installed stairs and railings at some hiking points in 2018/19. This makes climbing up more manageable.
But those in my group reached the peak, and the photos are astounding. The second time around, I managed to get to the top. See my video on Padar Island.
For our trip, we arrived at about 4.00 pm for sunset. But judging from the other photos, it is recommended that you come here in the morning to get that fantastic photo of Padar Island.
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| The mini infinity pool at Slyvia Hotel and Resort in Labuan Bajo. |
Where to stay in Komodo Island?
You cannot stay on Komodo Island as it is a national park, so everyone stays at Labuan Bajo town on Flores Island. There are many hotels in Labuan Bajo, usually simple ones ranging from guesthouses to one—or two-star hotels and several three —to four-star ones.
Over the years, more resorts and higher-end hotels have opened here in Labuan Bajo, a top-rated tourist destination. On my most recent trip, I stayed at the Sylvia Hotel and Resort, away from the main town area and secluded by its private beach.
During one of my other trips here in October, I stayed at one of the best hotels on the island, La Prima Hotel. It is a 4-star property with a seafront and sunset view. It has a swimming pool, spa, and proper restaurants; the rooms are very nice. You can book a room directly at LaPrima Hotel in Flores.
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| The main facade of La Pirate Hotel in Labuan Bajo. |
You can also check out Bintang Flores Hotel, another 4-star hotel, or see my hotels in the Labuan Bajo article. On another trip, I stayed at Le Pirate Hotel, a unique and hipster-style hotel in the main town area of Labuan Bajo.
Alternatively, some tours let you live on board a boat when visiting Komodo Island, and you can check with the relevant tour companies offering this service. This is for those wanting something different, as it is pretty interesting, especially if you are a diver or a fishing enthusiast.
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| Beautiful weather for trekking at Komodo Island. |
When is the Best time to visit Komodo Island?
Edit November 26: Someone recently asked me this question on Social Media, and I thought it would be helpful to have this information here. So, the best time to visit Komodo Island is from April to November, and the ultimate time is June and July, as the waters are much calmer overall.
The rainy season starts around December and ends in early April. The high season here is during the summer months of July and August, while for me, October and November are ideal with the huge crowds gone.
If you plan to visit in December, I recommend going early for the month, as the weather may be a little better, but then again, it is mother nature.
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| A Komodo Dragon relaxes off the main walking path. |
The average temperature at Komodo is 20 to 40 Degrees Celsius (68 to 104 Degrees Fahrenheit), and in the rainy season, it lingers around 20C to 25C.
Humidity is around 68% to 86%. It is always recommended to bring along a poncho or raincoat when you visit the islands, as being in a tropical zone, you never know when it will rain suddenly.
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| A park ranger leads the way along the main walking path. |
Is Komodo Island Child-Friendly?
I often get asked this question from family travellers, and the answer is yes, Komodo Island is child-friendly. But it would be best if you were always with your child and never let them stray from your view while trekking here.
Komodo is not pram-friendly, so please do not lug your prams with your infants. I would not recommend coming here with infants or babies. The best age for children to visit is around eight years and above. If your child is the crying type, please do not bring him or her, as it will be a huge distraction.
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| The trails are uneven and not disabled-friendly or for older adults. |
Can Elderly People Visit Komodo Island?
Yes, it is possible. The journey here is via boat, followed by some trekking. If you are travelling with older adults, it is best to arrange a special tour just for your family.
It is best not to join a group to save money, as older people walk slower and need time, and you want to keep others from slowing down.
Please do not bring walkers or wheelchairs. You will need to board boats and do some mild trekking at Rinca or Komodo Island. Elderly people must be in walking or trekking conditions before coming here, so please take note.
Is Komodo Island Disabled Friendly?
No, because of the walking and trekking done on Rinca and Komodo. This rules out wheelchairs, crutches or walkers.
Unless there are exceptional arrangements, you can only visit the main ranger’s office to see the Komodo Dragons lying around.
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| One of the stunning islands near Komodo is called Gili Lawa Darat. |
What else to do Around Komodo Island?
Since you have already planned to visit this amazing destination in Indonesia, you will want to know what else to do here. I have also compiled a list of things to do in Labuan Bajo, as you will stay there when you visit.
Anyone planning a more extended trip here should also know what to do in Flores, as the island is huge.
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| That’s me with one of the must-take signature photos at Komodo Island National Park. |
Conclusion
Edit July 2024: Here is some good news: AirAsia will begin direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Labuan Bajo this September 2024 and create a direct route from Malaysia instead of transiting through Jakarta, Makassar or Bali.
First-time visitors to Komodo Island should be prepared to visit a place that is still original and needs to be modernised, like Bali. Please read my other article on how to go to Komodo Island, as I have done a detailed review.
You can also travel here solo, as a couple, as a family member, or with friends, and you will find that this place accepts all travel styles. At the end of the day, the mission is to see the unique Komodo Dragon on two islands at the national park.
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