Le Pirate Island, Indonesia. Ultimate paradise getaway and a social media detox.

Have you ever been thinking of taking a social media detox and exploring some of the wildest and most beautiful destinations? Komodo Island will give you perfect opportunities for both. And to top it- staying on Le Pirate Island will be an experience you will never forget.

OVERALL

Approximately one hour boat trip from Labuan Bajo there is a paradise island called Le Pirate. It’s a small gem surrounded by vibrant coral reefs, turquoise waters and white sand beaches. Although many people only spend the nights on the boats while cruising around Komodo, Le Pirate Island is definitely not to be missed if you like a good adventure!

Le Pirate Island is special for many reasons, and one of them is a fact that you cannot find anything like it within Nusa Tenggara.

Le Pirate offers this secluded island getaway to embrace a “disconnect to reconnect” lifestyle. Wi-Fi is not available here, but do not worry. Checking your social media will be the least of your concerns when you find yourself in this incredible place!

HOW TO GET TO LE PIRATE ISLAND?

First of all you need to get to labuan Bajo, which is a base to explore Komodo by boat. You can take a domestic flight from Java, Bali or Lombok. The flights are usually around $100/return per person. There are 9 daily connections between Bali and Labuan Bajo, which makes the location easily accessible. You can book your flight with Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Fly Nam Air as well as Air Asia.

Once you reach Labuan Bajo, you can either take a direct transfer to the island for a day trip or overnight stay or you can plan to visit Le Pirate Island as a part of a 3-5 days cruise.

Considering how much natural wonders there are to explore within Komodo National Park, I would strongly recommend to jump on a boat and experience the entire cruise. However, if your schedule is restricted, you can take a short trip to Le Pirate Island only.

If you’re planning an overnight trip or a cruise, you should book online in advance as Le Pirate is one of the leading cruise organisers in Komodo and they get fully booked real quick!

DAY TRIP TO LE PIRATE ISLAND

The boat shuttle to the island departs from Labuan Bajo at 10am and the meeting is at 9:30am at Le Pirate main office. The shuttle returns back to Labuan Bajo at 5.30pm. The organisers highly recommend to arrive in Labuan Bajo the night before.

The cost of a day trip to Le Pirate Island is: IDR 550,000 ($40) per person.

The price includes:

-BBQ Buffet lunch

- tea, coffee, water

-snorkelling, canoe

-volleyball, board games

- jungle Gym

-transfer from and to Labuan Bajo

-taxes and service charge

OVERNIGHT STAY

When arriving in Le Pirate Island you will be blown away by the beauty of this place and the chances you will regret not staying for at least one night are high. If you’re an adventurous soul and you don’t mind spending a night in an open beach hut, you should definitely book in.

The cost of an overnight stay in the beach cabana starts at IDR1,200,000 ($85) for 2 people.

Considering the very slight difference in price, it is a great deal to stay on the island overnight!

The check in is 1pm and the checkout is 11am.

The price includes:

-boat transfer to and from Labuan Bajo

-all meals and snacks

-tea, coffee, water

-canoe, snorkeling gear and all in-house activities

-beach cabana

-taxes and service charge

The alcohol drinks are not included in the price, but the Happy Hour starts at 3:30 pm. You will be a very happy soul when enjoying their signature cocktails on the beach hammock!

WI-FI, WATER AND ELECTRICITY

The wi-fi connection is very unstable and dictated by the weather conditions. There are chances you will be able to connect with the online world, however, you should log out and simply enjoy!

The island is powered by a solar system which allows you to charge your phone and cameras. There is also light in the beach cabana.

All bathrooms and showers are shared and separated by male & female. There is no hot water and all outlets are installed with push taps to reduce the water consumption. Water is delivered on boats daily from Labuan Bajo which makes it very limited.

There is no air-con within the amenities or beach cabanas. The ocean breeze and cold showers will definitely cool you down!

WHAT TO BRING

Keep it simple! All you need in Le Pirate Island is good energy, swimwear, strong sunscreen, comfy trekking shoes and a camera!

FOOD

There is a restaurant providing some really delish food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are truly exceptional, considering the challenging location. The cruise members may have a chance to experience the cooking class as one of the activities.

There is a vegetarian menu available, however you should communicate your dietary requirements before the trip to make sure the suitable meals will be provided to you.

THE BEACH CABANAS

The beach cabanas are open-air double-storey huts. Their construction is very simple, however perfectly matches the overall chilled island’s vibe. The lower deck is a lounge area and the upper level fits the bed. Considering the tiny space, you will have to leave your big luggage downstairs.

You should feel absolutely safe when it comes to your belongings, however you can keep the valuable items upstairs where your bed is.

There are no toilets in the beach cabanas, however they are located within 50 metres.

Although many people may find sleeping in the open-air cabanas a tad overwhelming- there is nothing to be worried about when staying on the island. The comfy bed and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore will make you fall asleep in a jiffy!

THE GLAMPING EXPERIENCE

The latest addition to the site are the spacious beach huts which remain huge tents. In comparison to the beach cabanas, these huts have much more room, feel more private and have the toilet and an outdoor shower.

The prices for an overnight stay are as below:

-Glamping Sweet Beachfront- IDR 1,600,000 ($100)/ 2 people, full board

-Glamping Sweet Backstage- IDR 1,500,000 ($95)/2 people, full board

WHAT TO DO IN LE PIRATE ISLAND?

Simply chill. Make the most of being in one of the most dreamy and secluded locations in the world and enjoy the moment. Take a barefoot stroll around the beach at sunset. Read that book you haven’t had time for while lounging in a beach hammock. Buy a margarita, sit on the beach and listen to the waves. With the otherworldly views surrounding you, you will find it very easy to unwind.

If you, however, prefer to spend your island getaway in a more active way, there are plenty of activities to participate in. Volleyball, table tennis and board games are just a few to name. Without a doubt you should go snorkeling as there is a vibrant coral reef surrounding the island. The shallow and calm waters makes it a perfect opportunity to go sea-horse spotting! There are canoes and snorkeling equipment available for everyone who fancies water sports.

Considering the size of the island, it is a perfect place for trekking, Take a long stroll around it or hike up the hill for the most exceptional views.

Depending on the weather condition and weekly schedules, the Le Pirate crew may surprise you with some extra activities, especially if you’re staying overnight. Outdoor cinema, bonfire or a cooking class are just a few to name.

PERSONAL INSIGHTS

To sum up, exploring Komodo and staying in Le Pirate Island completely exceeded my expectations and turned out to be one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had. With the location like this, the kindest staff and exceptional food, this boho luxe campsite can easily beat a luxury hotel stay!