Taka Makassar Island In Flores – A Complete Guide

Taka Makassar Island is a tiny treasure that lies within Komodo National Park in Flores, Indonesia.

Also known as the ‘Maldives of Indonesia’ or the ‘emerged land’, this island is smaller than a football field. The crescent-shaped pinkish sandbar is surrounded by shallow turquoise waters that look too good to be true!

It’s an absolute diving haven especially because it’s the longest reef in the national park and the location attracts large numbers of manta rays.

Below, I’ve put together the most important information so you’ll get the most out of your visit to this enchanting island.

QUICK ANSWERS: TAKA MAKASSAR

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

WHERE IS TAKAMAKASSAR?

Taka Makassar lies in the middle of the sea near Labuan Bajo in Flores, Indonesia.

You’ll find the location northeast of Komodo Island and close to Manta Point.

Due to its unusual crescent shape and size, you’re guaranteed to be blown away by its sheer beauty upon arrival.

HOW TO GET TO TAKA MAKASSAR?

To get to Taka Makassar, you’ll first need to get to Labuan Bajo as your point of departure. Labuan Bajo is a small tourist town on Flores Island, south of Sulawesi.

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

This town is the starting point for all the liveaboards and day trips to and from the island.

As a tiny island just above the surface, the shallow waters don’t allow big boats to get near. If you want to get close, you’re able to take a smaller boat to the sandbar.

Please keep in mind that, as of 2020, some new rules apply when visiting Komodo National Park.

Every tourist and boat is obliged to register and obtain an entry slot before visiting Taka Makassar Island. Only a maximum of 30 boats per day is permitted.

If you plan to experience this unique place, I’d advise you to book in advance as it’s quite a popular location.

CAN I TAKE A DAY TRIP FROM LABUAN BAJO?

Yes, absolutely. If your time is limited, you can simply book a day trip 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, seeing the famous Komodo dragons, and swimming at Kelor Island.

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 Full-Day Boat Tour

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

Another option to see all the sights in Komodo National Park is a multi-day sailing adventure.

I personally booked my tour with Travass Life which offers amazing tours around Komodo Island, and I can’t recommend them enough!

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

The tour also includes pick-up and drop-offs in Labuan Bajo, a private or shared room with a bathroom onboard the boat, all meals and drinking water, snorkeling equipment, towels, and a tour guide.

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.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT TAKAMAKASSAR

Takamakassar boasts the longest reef in the Komodo National Park and is a true gem when it comes to relaxing and diving.

The shallow, crystal clear water is perfect for a dive and similar to swimming in a pool – except you have such an insane and majestic view!

The crescent-shaped island with a pristine beach makes it an incredibly unique spot to visit.

RELATED ARTICLE → PADAR ISLAND VISITOR’S GUIDE

MANTA POINT

If you are thrilled about the location and want to extend your explorations, the island is one of the best places in Indonesia to spot manta rays in great quantities year-round.

Your trip will not be complete without encountering these phenomenal creatures.

The Reef Manta is the most common one to discover. For true adventurers, I’d suggest diving around ten meters to reach the sandy bottom.

You’ll probably find many manta rays hovering over the ground, feeding themselves with plankton.

Give the creatures some time to adjust to your presence and they’ll soon swim closer. Besides, you’ll not be disappointed in the hope to spot other cool sea creatures.

You might encounter eagle rays, sharks, cuttlefish, big clams, various sponges, and some cute turtles.

The shallow water area has a strong current so be cautious while diving or snorkeling.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT

The best time to visit the island is anywhere between April and September. These months definitely show the best weather conditions.

The months of July and August are the hottest and most crowded months so if you want to have a peaceful time without lots of tourists, try to avoid these months.

Furthermore, you’ll get the best experience when you visit the island during low tides. It submerges underwater during high tides, so the sandbar is only accessible when the seawater is receding.

Excellent for snorkeling and enjoying the natural beauty!

It’s no wonder Taka Makassar Island is the most sought-after destination for diving and snorkeling.

If you’re a real manta enthusiast or seeking a diving paradise, this place will definitely be the highlight of your travels.

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 – TAKA MAKASSAR ISLAND

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions, please leave me a comment below this post 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!

THANKS FOR READING

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