Best Time To Visit Komodo Island + How To Get There From 5 Destinations

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How to Get to Komodo Island from Bali & Other Asian Destinations (PLUS best time to visit Komodo Island)

About Komodo Island

Steeped in myth and legend, as well as rugged scenery, Komodo Island is one of three main islands in Komodo National Park that is home to over 5000 of the great Komodo Dragons (Varanus komodoensis). It is located in the middle of the Indonesian archipelago of islands and is in between Sumbawa and the increasingly-popular Flores.

In 1986 the Park was named as a World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO due to its biological status. The other islands are Rinca and Padar- Rinca also has a dragon population to this day, but Padar’s dragons have long gone. Now is the best time to visit Komodo Island, while the dragon population there is still thriving. You will want to read about about mosquito and Zika prevention while visiting Komodo as diseases like malaria thrive in the Komodo national park.

After reading about Komodo Island, check out our huge collection of Bali travel blog posts including safety tips, recommended accommodation and activities, and where to avoid!

Komodo National Park

What’s on Komodo Island?

Living in Komodo National Park is a stunning array of wildlife such as the Timor deer, more than 1000 species of fish, over 260 species of reef-building coral and 70 species of sea sponges. You will also find manta ray, 14 types of whales and dolphins, sharks and sea turtles in the turquoise waters around the islands. Many people choose to sail Komodo island from Bali or Lombok due to the fantastic snorkelling opportunities.

You may want things to do on your Komodo Island itinerary other than visit the dragons- Pink Beach on Komodo Island is one of only 7 pink beaches in the world and is a popular visitors’ spot thanks to the gorgeous pale pink sand and blue water, and will give you vacation photos that really stand out!

On Komodo Island, Komodo dragons are obviously the main attraction. Usually visitors will walk around the island (always with a guide) to find the best places from which to observe and photograph the animals in their natural habitat. You may have to walk for an hour or two to see dragons, although the other day our friends saw two large male Komodo dragons fighting over a female as soon as they stepped off their boat so it is luck of the draw!

How to get to Komodo Island from Bali

There are several options for how to get to Komodo Island from Bali. They all include getting to Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores, which is where the boat tours to Komodo depart from:

Fly from Bali

From Bali airport fly to Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores (it costs around 200 USD).

Then hop on a Komodo island tour package that will take you to Komodo Island and the rest of the national park if you desire. Check the bottom of this article for the exact tour provider that we always use and always recommend!

Some people ask for Komodo Island day tours from Bali– there are no ‘day tours’ and we would highly recommend staying overnight to get the best possible experience of Komodo, but technically it may be possible to get a super early flight from Bali to Flores, jump on a cheap boat to Komodo Island and then get a flight back at night. For all that effort we think it is much better to stay at least one night and see the stunning array of wildlife that the other islands have to offer.

Ferry from Bali

Oh, I would so not want to do this (it takes over 24 hours!)- however if you have loads of time and patience but little money, this is a great option for getting to Komodo island on a budget (it costs 230,000 IDR which is less than £15)

Call the Indonesia Sea Transportation Company (PELNI) at Jalan Raya Kuta No. 299, Tuban – Bali (Tel: 0361 – 763 963) to reserve a seat on the KM. Tilong Kabila, which departs Benoa Port, Bali bound for Bima and Labuan Bajo. Alternatively message them on Instagram at @pelni162. You will still need to get a Komodo island tour package from Labuan Bajo to Komodo Island and we recommend the best options at the bottom of this article.

How to get to Komodo Island from Lombok

Fly from Lombok

The easiest and quickest way to get to Komodo Island from Lombok is to fly. You will take a plane from Lombok airport to Bali and then from Bali to Labuan Bajo, as there are no direct flights from Lombok to Labuan Bajo. You’ll then need to hop on a Komodo island tour package (see the bottom of this page for the best options!)

Boat from Lombok- for the masochists

This is technically possible but highly inadvisable. We have heard terrible things about the boats from Lombok- unsafe, cramped, nauseating, uncomfortable vessels with plenty of scams and unhelpful crew. If you really don’t want to fly then it will take three days to get from Senggigi on Lombok to Labuan Bajo on Flores, when you will have to hop on- you guessed it- an Komodo island tour package.

Bus from Lombok

Another highly inadvisable option that takes 24 hours – the main provider for this service has been slated all over the internet and when you are travelling such a long distance, there are plenty of opportunities to scam you- and it’s not like you’ll have much choice that to hand over cash to get to your final destination. This is the route- just looking at it gives me travel sickness

Lombok (Mataram) to Flores (Labuan Bajo) by Bus with Dunia Mas

Bus from Mataram (west Lombok) to port at Labuhan (east Lombok) – 2.5 hours;
Ferry from Labuhan to Pototano (west Sumbawa) – 1 hour;
Bus from Portotano to Sape (east Sumbawa) – 7-9 hours;
Ferry from Sape to Labuan Bajo, Flores (6-7 hours).

How to get to Komodo Island from Singapore

Fly from Singapore

Fly to Bali, then get a flight from Bali to Labuan Bajo. Then hop on an organised boat trip to Komodo. Simples! If you’re flying from Singapore we recommend spending a day in the airport- there’s a butterfly garden, rooftop swimming pool and even free city tours from the airport!

Ferry from Singapore

There are no boats from Singapore to Bali- if you want to get to Bali by boat you’ll need to fly to Java and then get a boat from Java to Bali, which would most likely be more expensive (and take a lot longer) than simply flying from Singapore to Bali. Then fly from Bali (or get the 24 ferry) to Labuan Bajo, and get on a Komodo boat tour from there.

How to go to Komodo Island from Jakarta

Fly from Jakarta

Hop on a flight from Jakarta to Bali, then fly from Bali to Labuan Bajo and then get on a Komodo boat tour.

Bus from Jakarta

Direct bus service (with a ferry transfer) between Jakarta to Bali is served by the Safari Dharmaraya bus company (as well as some others but this is the best reviewed). Most of them depart from Rawamangun Bus Terminal, south Jakarta but contact the company for details. It is a 24 journey and I would definitely fly if you can.

How to get from Gili Trawangan to Komodo Island

Boat from Gili Trawangan

`There are no direct boats from Gili Trawangan to Komodo national park. The quickest way to get from Gili T to Komodo island is to get a boat back to Bali and fly to Labuan Bajo from there. Alternatively if you want an ‘adventure’ (read- a long, long journey) you can get a boat to Lombok with Direct Ferries and then follow the steps above from Lombok to Komodo.

The best time to visit Komodo Island

The best time to visit Komodo island depends on your budget, what weather you’re willing to put up with, and if you want to see the incredible creatures mating (it can be quite a spectacle, with much fighting among the males).

The overall best time to go to Komodo island if you have complete choice is between June and August. It is an ideal time to visit the dragons as it is mating season, temperatures are the coolest they will get all year (minimums of 22C/ 75F and maximums of 33C/ 90F and it is dry season. Visiting around this time will ensure that you also get 8-9 hours of sunshine a day and it rains on average one day per month during their time period.

September is another dry month to visit Komodo, before the rain increases, but it does get very hot and visitors often trek to see the Komodo dragons so this might not be as comfortable as other months.

If you are on a budget, you may wish to visit Komodo Island December-February during the rainy season. Despite the name ‘rainy season’ showers are often only short and there is still plenty of sunshine, around 6 hours a day.

No matter when you go, the ocean around Komodo island is ideal for bathing, hovering around 28C (82F)

A Komodo Dragon

When to avoid going to Komodo Island

From November to May, tropical cyclones are possible on Komodo Island, and are most likely to occur from January to April, so I would avoid visiting then if possible. However if you are only in Indonesia in those months I would advise to grab the chance to see Komodo dragons with both hands and do it whatever the weather!

What to pack for a trip to Komodo Island

Indonesia is a conservative country so it is a good idea to refrain from very skimpy clothing. It’s also in your best interests; a light, long sleeved shirt and loose trousers or skirt provide more protection from mosquitos and sunburn. The island can be breezy so if you are on boats during your trip a sweatshirt is advisable.

How to book a trip to Komodo Island (get from Labuan Bajo to Komodo Island)

Beware of scams and poorly-run boat trips when booking your Komodo island tour package- everywhere you go in Bali you will be offered expensive trips to Komodo island with no way of ascertaining credibility (just because a stallholder has a sign saying they are with a certain company doesn’t mean it’s true!!!).

We always travel with Get Your Guide around Indonesia, especially if the experience we are after is of high value; visiting Komodo is a once in a lifetime experience and we have heard many stories from disappointed travellers about careless guides or dirty and uncomfortable boats.

It’s just not worth the risk. Get Your Guide offers exceptional value all-inclusive tours that offer wraparound care, from a pickup service from your hotel to paying donations and conservation fees for you at Komodo National Park, as well as all meals and fun extra activities such as snorkelling and fruit-bat watching.

There are three fantastic options for visiting Komodo Island (and the surrounding islands of Komodo National Park) once you get to Labuan Bajo- these Komodo island tour packages are:

A two-day liveaboard tour where you stay overnight on a boat, taking you on a cruise around Komodo national park including (of course) Komodo Island. Get Your Guide describes the highlights of this trip as:

Experiencing the wildlife on Rinca Island
See thousands of fruit-eating Kalongs and watch as they fly out of the mangrove forest after sunset
Discover the famous komodo dragons in their natural habitat
Spend an amazing time snorkeling on the Pink Beach

Included in the tour is all of this:

Accommodation on the boat
Conservation fee at Komodo National Park & Komodo Island Trekking
Private Boat charter
Snorkeling equipment
Meals
Professional guide
Transport in an air-conditioning car
Petrol
Mineral water
Donations
Parking

>> Click here to discover more about this tour! <<

2. A three-day tour including one night on a boat and one night in a luxury hotel- this option includes more snorkelling, a trip to a tiny secret island, a visit to the phenomenal Mirror Cave and a trip to Pink beach and coral gardens. Get Your Guide describes the highlights of this tour as:

Explore Rinca Island with a local ranger and see the famous Komodo dragon
Enjoy swimming and snorkeling and marvel at the colorful underwater life
Visit the beautiful Pink Beach and snorkel around the coral gardens

Included in this tour is all of this:

Accommodation on boat and at a 4-star hotel
Conservation fee at Komodo National Park & Komodo Island Trekking
Private boat charter
Snorkeling equipment
Meals
Professional guide
Driver
Transportation by private air-conditioned car
Fuel
Mineral water
Donations
Parking

3. A four-day tour that includes two nights’ hotel accommodation and a night on board your boat, this trip includes everything of the three-day tour but with added wildlife experiences such as spotting flying foxes, swimming with Manta rays and seeking out cockatoos and kingfishers. Get Your Guide describes the highlights of this tour as: