Komodo Island In Flores, Indonesia (2024 Guide)

Komodo Island plays home to the world’s biggest lizards – the Komodo dragons – which are named after the island.

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers breathless landscapes, unique wildlife, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Komodo dragons are without any doubt the main attraction of the island, though there are more features that make this destination so special.

From exclusive native fauna and flora to dazzling pink sand beaches, there are loads of activities for you to enjoy.

With more than a handful of experiences on offer, there is no excuse not to visit!

QUICK ANSWERS: KOMODO ISLAND NATIONAL PARK

Before I dive into more details about the dragons on Komodo, here are some quick answers to the most frequently asked questions from first-time visitors.

WHERE IS KOMODO ISLAND?

Komodo Island is part of Indonesia’s archipelago which lies in the Pacific Ocean between Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores and the island of Lombok.

Click here to see the location on Google maps.

Komodo is only one of Indonesia’s 17,508 islands, however, due to its uniqueness, it has been considered one of the 7 New Wonders of Nature.

Situated in Komodo National Park, the island of Komodo is the third-largest island of the four that constitute the National Park, with a surface area of 390 square kilometers and approximately 2,000 inhabitants living on the island itself.

HOW TO GET TO KOMODO ISLAND INDONESIA?

First, you need to get to the main town of Labuan Bajo, Flores.

There are multiple flights from all the bigger airports around Indonesia including Bali, Lombok, Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, and Kupang airports.

SEARCH ALL → FLIGHTS TO LABUAN BAJO

In Labuan Bajo, you will find loads of accommodation offers that suit everyone’s different tastes and budgets.

Labuan Bajo in itself is one of the best things to do in Flores, and it’s a great place to stay before and after your adventures around the national park.

Once you’ve touched down safely in Labuan Bajo, you’re going to need a boat to get out to the islands, and the trip from Labuan to Komodo takes approximately 2-3 hours.

CAN I TAKE A DAY TRIP FROM LABUAN BAJO?

Yes, absolutely. If your time is limited, you can simply book a day trip to Komodo from Labuan Bajo.

Depending on your preferences and budget, you can opt for a group tour or a private boat tour.

There is one tour that I can highly recommend that covers all the highlights on a full-day trip from Labuan Bajo.

The Komodo Full-Day Boat Tour is the most top-rated tour with great reviews and hundreds of bookings.

This tour covers the top locations in Komodo National Park such as the famous Padar Island, Pink Beach Komodo, seeing the famous Komodo dragons, and snorkeling with manta rays.

It also includes hassle-free pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Labuan Bajo, return boat transfers, and an English-speaking guide.

Book Now: Komodo Island Tour

CAN I BOOK A MULTI-DAY SAILING TRIP TO KOMODO ISLAND?

A special way to get to Komodo Indonesia, and one that I highly recommend, is a multi-day sailing adventure on a live-aboard boat where you’ll get to sail around the enchanting waters of Flores.

It’s the more expensive option but it’s by far the best way to explore all the islands in the region.

Not to mention experiencing the stunning underwater world all around Komodo National Park.

The water is warm and crystal clear and the abundance of different animals you’ll find in between the vibrant coral is breathtaking.

I personally booked my tour with Travass Life which offers amazing tours to Komodo Island.

Their most popular 3-day tour includes visits to Komodo Island Indonesia, Kelor Island, Rinca Island, Kalong Island, Padar Island, Pink Beach, Taka Makassar, Manta Point, Sebayur Island, Kanawa Island, and Labuan Bajo.

This will give you the chance to see this stunning archipelago of islands for a very decent price.

To book a tour with Travass Life, you can check them out here for available dates and more information.

You can also book a Private Charter with their sister company Sail With Papiton.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT KOMODO ISLAND?

If you want to fully experience everything that Komodo has to offer, you should aim to visit during the dry season which is between April and December.

Although Komodo National Park is open 365 days a year, as a consequence of the heavy rain which can fall, especially in January and February, tours may be canceled.

To avoid it, do not book your Komodo trip for those months.

Between April and June, the island of Komodo is covered in a green landscape which makes it the perfect time to take some wonderful pictures.

RELATED ARTICLE → PADAR ISLAND VISITOR’S GUIDE

Between July and August, the weather is still acceptable, but be aware that you might find the island full of tourists, and therefore harder to experience Komodo’s nature and simplicity.

The best time to visit Komodo Island Indonesia is between September and November due to a few reasons such as good weather and a peaceful atmosphere.

WHAT IS THE KOMODO NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE FEE?

The entrance fees to Komodo’s National Park vary between $10 USD and $18 USD, depending on if you are visiting during weekdays, Sundays, or local holidays.

Tickets are only valid for one day, so if you want to spend more days in Komodo you’ll need to buy new tickets every day.

If you decided to visit the island using a private boat, there are fees applicable depending on the size and type of boat.

There are also many activities that you can choose to do, and which also come at an additional cost. These activities include canoeing, diving, snorkeling, and hiking.

KOMODO ISLAND INDONESIA

Now that we’ve covered the frequently asked questions, here are some facts about the dragons, what to expect on the island, and other nearby attractions.

KOMODO DRAGON FACTS

One of the main facts about the Komodo dragons, which some people still do not know, is that they are not actually dragons but giant lizards that can grow up to three meters. 

As the name suggests, the Komodo dragon in Indonesia is endemic to the Komodo National Park.

It means they do not exist anywhere else in the world, so if you fancy seeing these amazing massive creatures, this is the only place on earth to do it.

Another interesting fact is that the Komodo dragon’s tails are the same size as their bodies, and they use their tales to attack other animals.

This giant lizard can also swim! They are not only kings on land, but they are also kings in water.

Believe it or not, the Komodo dragon can swim between the five islands where they live, which are situated miles away from each other.

A bizarre fact about the dragons is that fossil evidence has been found in Australia which indicates that the Komodo Dragon originated in Australia, four million years ago.

Komodo Dragons are not only strong and able to kill a human with their tail or bite, but they are venomous as well.

Some scientists defend that Komodo Dragons have bacteria on their tongues that can kill a human in hours, however, others believe that its venom is made of proteins that are similar to a snake’s venom.

Although a Komodo’s Dragon bite is venomous to other animals and humans, they are not dangerous to other individuals of the same species.

The Komodo dragons are carnivore animals and they are able to eat up to 80 percent of their body weight in one single meal! Do not mess with these guys!

WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE ISLAND

If you are aiming to spend a day, or even only a few hours on the island of Komodo, there are different guided tours that can take one hour up to eight hours.

The starting point of the routes is located near the ticket office when you arrive.

There is a short trail that is suitable for all visitors, a medium trail where you may be able to spot not only some Komodo dragons but other endemic animals such as the Timor deer.

If you are fancying a longer hiking trail which can take up to three hours, you will pass some scenic spots and encounter different areas where Komodo dragons spend their time. 

Those are the most popular hiking tours, however, there are other longer options for those who are keen to experience a big and exciting adventure.

During these Komodo tours, the English-speaking guide will tell you all about the dragons and other wildlife on the island, and you will be able to see how the dragons live in their natural habitat and even be able to spot some of their nests.

At the exit point, you will find souvenir stores where you can buy some exclusive gifts which you can take home with you or send as gifts.

There are also food and drink vendors at the exit if you’re feeling a bit thirsty and peckish.

PINK BEACH KOMODO

Most Komodo tours have the same schedule and after you’ve spent some time with the dragons, your boat will take you around to the famous Pink Beach Komodo for a swim and snorkel.

The unique color of the sand on Pink Beach is created from red corals in the ocean which make this beach one of a kind.

It’s a great spot for swimming in turquoise waters, snorkeling, and beach bumming.

If you choose to visit the famous Komodo Island (which I highly recommend you do) you can be sure that you will find lots of interesting things to see and do.

From observing the world’s largest lizards, and swimming at Pink Beach Komodo, to diving in the full-of-life waters along the coast, you will be more than pleased with your visit to this remarkable vista!

Book Now: Komodo Island Tour

WHAT TO PACK FOR FLORES

When visiting Flores, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you.

MORE INDONESIA TRAVEL GUIDES

Looking for more awesome things to do in Indonesia?!

I have traveled around Indonesia extensively over the years and have put together a tonne of useful travel guides to help you plan the perfect trip!

EXPLORE MORE: INDONESIA TRAVEL GUIDES

FINAL THOUGHTS – KOMODO ISLAND NATIONAL PARK

I hope you enjoyed reading this guide and if you have any questions about tours to Komodo Island, please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

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