Flores, Indonesia- How to plan your perfect cruise.

There are over 17,000 islands in Indonesia, but which ones are worth exploring?

Komodo Islands are considered to be the natural wonder of Indonesia. Not only are they a dream destination for backpackers, but also all travellers seeking the most spectacular views and unforgettable adventures. 

Komodo Islands, which are part of Flores, consist of 29 volcanic islands with Komodo, Rinca and Padar leading by size. Komodo Islands are home to the world's largest lizard, beautiful white and pink sand beaches, coral reefs, incredible landscapes as well as diverse marine life. Divers from all around the world come here to encounter manta rays, dolphins, sea horses and swim amongst the most beautiful and colorful reefs.  

Interesting facts about Komodo Islands:

-Komodo is home to the world's largest lizard- the Komodo Dragon, known also as varanus komodoensis. The lizards, which can be found on the islands of Rinca, Flores and Gili Motang, can be even 3 metres long and weigh up to 70 kilos! 

-Komodo Islands are part of the Coral Triangle, which means that the islands have some of the world’s most diverse coral reefs. 

-Komodo National Park is listed as UNESCO World’s Heritage Site, as of 1991. 

-Some of the beaches in Komodo National Park are pink. This rare phenomenon is caused by Foraminifera- the microorganisms producing red and pink colour pigments on the coral reefs. When the fragments are washed to the beach they blend with the sand which then illuminates all shades of pink. 

Climate of Komodo Islands

The climate in the Komodo National Park is one of the driest in the whole of Indonesia. The Komodo National Park sees little to no rainfall for approximately 8 months of the year and is heavily impacted by monsoonal rains. Daily temperatures during the dry season between late April to October average around 37-40 degrees. Due to the very dry climate, the land is rough with stony hills and plant species are limited to grass, shrubs and trees, but the marine biodiversity is full of colours all through the year. 

How to get to Komodo National Park? 

The base to explore Komodo Islands is Labuan Bajo- a fishing town in Flores. You can reach Labuan Bajo by domestic flight from Bali, Surabaya, Jakarta and a few more Indonesian Islands. Labuan Bajo, or ‘LBJ’, is the closest airport to Komodo National Park. 

In order to go on a trip around Komodo Islands, you need a tour operator which can be booked online in advance, or after your arrival in Labuan Bajo. The amount of tour operators is overwhelming and the choice depends on your budget, the privacy, the type of boat and the length of your trip. 

Your adventure can be anything between 1-10 days, private or shared with other travellers. There are usually different group size options, however the more private the trip, the higher the price. 

What are the best spots in Komodo National Park? 

Although Labuan Bajo is not a typical paradise destination- many Komodo islands are. Only 30 minutes after departing the port you will see the incredible lagoons, secluded beaches and sun-drenched hills surrounding the horizon. 

When planning your Komodo adventure, you should not miss:

• Rinca Island: the home to Komodo Dragons. This island is perfect for hiking and wildlife spotting. Within a short walking distance you will be able to see the large and small dragons in their natural habitat. 
• Padar Island: this island is known for landscapes similar to these in Jurassic Park. Padar Island is one of the best spots for hiking and sunset watching. The island is also surrounded by a beautiful lagoon and calm turquoise waters, which makes Padar a perfect place to swim and snorkel. 

• Pink Beach: as the name indicates, the sand on this beach is pink. There are only a few other pink sand beaches around the world, so make sure you add this one to your must-visit list! Pink beach is also a great snorkeling spot. The shallow and calm waters make the snorkelling and diving conditions perfect for beginners as well as advanced divers. 
• Taka Makassar: also known as Banana Island. This island is an ultimate paradise escape. The sandbank is surrounded by the clearest turquoise waters and incredible coral reefs. Not to be missed!
• Kelor Island: stop here for the hike with the views or unforgettable snorkelling experiences. 
• Manta Point: Komodo Islands are some of the world’s best spots to experience the swim with manta rays and Manta Point is where you will most possibly see them. 
• Le Pirate Island: an ultimate chill destination. Le Pirate Island is a perfect stop for lunch, snorkelling, canoeing or hiking. Although it’s a private property of Le Pirate tour operator, travellers stop here to hang out for a few hours. If you’re travelling with Le Pirate Explorer group, you will get to experience a night on this island. Sleeping in an open beach hut is an incredible adventure!

How to choose the tour operator?

There are several factors to think of before departing on a boat adventure around Komodo. Besides the budget and privacy, you should also consider how many days you are capable of spending on the sea. Some of the operators offer the land accommodation, which is a nice break for people struggling with seasickness. Majority of the tours, however, include onboard accommodation only which means that you will spend your nights on the open water. 

Another thing which you should think of when it comes to the length of your trip is the fact that the majority of affordable cruises are shared. Although meeting new people and making friends while traveling is great fun, introverts may find it very overwhelming to share a small space with a large group of strangers for a longer while. 

The schedule and locations are important when picking your tour. Make sure that the route includes all the spots you would like to see within Komodo. Remember that private tours give more flexibility with planning the perfect adventure so if your budget allows a private tour- research the best spots and to include them in your wishlist. 

What is the perfect length of the cruise?

The perfect length of the cruise around Komodo Islands is 3-5 days. If your timetable allows, you should reserve at least 3 days and 2 nights on the boat. This tour would allow you to visit the best islands, have plenty of time to snorkel and relax in-between. 

How much are tours around Komodo National Park?

The prices for the tours hugely depend on the size of the group as well as the number of days on the sea. They can cost anything between $250-$1000s, with the average of $500 for 2 people sharing the boat with 6-10 others. 

How much does it cost to visit Komodo National Park?

There are several fees you need to settle during your cruise around Komodo.

-The entrance fee to Komodo National Park is IDR 150,000 on the weekday and IDR 220,000 on a weekend per person per day. 

-Some snorkeling points around Komodo Islands, such as Pink beach, Long beach, Manta Point, Siaba, Taka Makassar, Gili Lawa, require the fee of IDR 15,000 per person 

-Wildlife observation fee applies on the islands of Komodo and Rinca. To see the dragons you need to settle the payment of IDR 10,000 per person. 

-Trekking fees apply on the islands such as Padar, Siaba or Gili Lawa. The fee for entering the hiking trails is IDR 5,000 per person.

-Ranger fee is a payment of IDR 80,000 made to a person supervising a group of travellers around Komodo and Rinca when spotting the dragons. 

In summary, the total daily cost is around IDR 300,000 per person. The total expected amount is usually calculated by the operator, based on the adventures planned. Make sure you have enough cash when arriving in Labuan Bajo, as the currency cards are hardly ever accepted here and the cash machines do not always cooperate. 

What is usually included in the cruise price?

The standard tour includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and soft drinks. Often you have a chance to pre-book your menu in advance, which means that you have an option to notify the crew of your dietary requirements. If your diet is plant-based, most of the operators provide the vegetarian or vegan options. Make sure to double check it before your trip. 

The tour operators usually provide the snorkeling equipment, as well as towels, loungers and basic toiletries. 

The price of the tours also covers your accommodation- whether that’s on the boat or land. 

What is not included in the cruise price?

-The Komodo National park entrance fees as well as other fees (snorkeling, wildlife observation, hiking, canoeing etc)

-Flights to Labuan Bajo and airport transfers

-The accommodation in Labuan Bajo before and after the cruise 

-The travel insurance

-Alcoholic drinks 

The use of drones in Komodo Islands

Although there are no photography regulations when exploring Komodo, the drone operators may be disappointed to find out the flying fee is 1 million rupiah ($75). The permission is granted for two weeks.