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5D 4N Sailing Komodo National Park, Flores, Indonesia

Updated: Jul 18, 2020


After one of the best yet busiest weeks of our lives entertaining 67 of our nearest and dearest for our Bali wedding, we were in need of a stress free getaway. With magnificent landscapes, vibrant reefs and fierce Komodo dragons, we decided to explore the untouched Jurassic paradise of Komodo National Park. 

A travel guide for sailing the Komodo Islands Flores Indonesia 5 days 4 nights
The ultimate travel guide for sailing the Komodo Islands, Flores, Indonesia

Our travel itinerary to Komodo National Park Indonesia:


  • Day One: Fly into Labuan Bajo Airport Flores. Enjoy a day in a beachside resort.

  • Day two: Sail to Tebolon for snorkeling, hike and swim at Pimpe, witness the flying fox migration at sunset from Flying Fox Island.

  • Day 3: Sail to Rinca to trek for komodo dragons, snorkel manta point, enjoy a private island stop at Bugis, watch the sunset from the Cauldron, anchor at Golden Passage.

  • Day 4: Early morning start to see the pink beach, search for more Komodo dragons at Komodo island, anchor at the Mini Wall for sunset.

  • Day 5: Full day at Nine Island (Palau Mangiatan) before returning to Labuan Bajo.



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The full itinerary: Komodo National Park Indonesia


Getting to Komodo Islands - Labuan Bajo:

A 1.5hr flight via Garuda Indonesia from Bali is Labuan Bajo, Flores airport in Indonesia. Flying often, I am typically an aisle seat preference, however this is one fight where a window seat is as must. We enjoyed a small propeller flight (heaven for an aviation lover like myself) and were treated to some of the most spectacular views upon landing.


Day One: Labuan Bajo, Flores

Where to stay : Bintang Flores Hotel

Our adventure began on Flores, spending the day in a beachside hotel 10 minutes from the airport. A full day parked on deck chairs enjoying seaside views and soaking up the sun was exactly what we needed.


View from Bintang Flores Hotel Labuan Bajo Indonesia
View from Bintang Flores Hotel - Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia

Other Best Hotel deals on Labuan Bajo, Flores:



Day Two Komodo National Park Sailing: Tebolon, Pimpe Flying Fox Island

The real adventure began when boarding our privately charted home for the next 3 nights, the Alam Kaya. This charming, traditional wooden boat, with painted white exterior was built by local boat builders. For us it was a perfect and stress free way to island hop around the archipelago. It would also be possible however to take day trips to the islands from Labuan Bajo. Our boat slept up to four guests, with a nice rooftop deck, large bedroom windows and a comfortable dining table space. We were treated to three very large and tasty meals per day all included and fresh water showers at the end of each night.


Our first day included two island stops, Tebolon and Pimpe. Both with clear blue waters for swimming and snorkeling plus a little hiking trail to the top of Pimpe. As dusk approached we ventured toward flying fox island to witness thousands of bats make their daily migration between nearby islands. Watching these large creatures engulf the orange and red sun setting sky is a sight not to be missed. 

The clear waters of Tebolon island Komodo islands flores indonesia
The clear waters of Tebolon island Komodo islands flores indonesia

View and snorkelling in Pimpe, Flying Fox Island, Komodo National Park, Flores, Indonesia


Day three Komodo National Park sailing: Rinca Island Komodo Dragon trek, Manta point, Golden Passage

From Flying Fox island we set sail for Rinca to trek for Komodo dragons. We visited at the best time of year; early June, just before the crowds of peak season arrive and before the Komodo’s disappear for mating season. We witnessed a frenzy of dragons feasting on a deer caught earlier that morning. This was a heart racing experience to be standing in their territory within just a meter of their feast. Thankfully we had a local walking guide to calm our nerves and capture some great moments on camera for us. The trek included some scenic vantage points over the islands and surrounding bays. The remainder of the day was spent snorkelling around colourful reefs at Manta Point and Bugis island before witnessing sunset around the Golden Passage.

Rinca Island trek for Komodo Dragons, Komodo National Park, Flores, Indonesia

Sand bar stop at Manta Point, Komodo National Park, Flores, Indondesia

Sunset at Golden Passage and Cauldron, Komodo National Park, Flores, Indonesia


Day four Komodo National Park Sailing: Pink beach, Komodo Island, Komodo Dragon Trek

We next set sail for the famous Pink sand beach. Arriving early in the morning we had the entire beach to ourselves. This was my favorite of all our snorkelling spots as we were lucky enough to see a Cuttlefish, a first sighting for us both. We next headed onto Komodo island for another dragon trek. This was quite disappointing compared to Rinca, as we only spotted two very inactive dragons. In the afternoon we sailed north toward the Mini Wall where we treated again to clear waters and private beaches to relax and enjoy the evening. 

Pink Beach, Komodo Island, Flores Indonesia

Cuttlefish, snorkelling at the Pink Beach Komodo Islands
Cuttlefish, snorkelling at the Pink Beach, Komodo National Park

Private Island at Sunset Mini Wall Komodo National Park travel guide blog
Private Island at Sunset - Mini Wall, Komodo National Park

Day five Komodo National Park Sailing: Nine Island and back to Labuan Bajo Flores

Our final day at sea ended with a stop at the most secluded, and clearest waters of all of the trip, Nine Island. it’s hard to believe waters could get any clearer after what we’d already seen, but they did. We opted to spend the entire day here, snorkelling for hours, even spotting a turtle. 

Coral Reef surrounding Nine Island, Komodo National Park, Flores, Indonesia

Nine Island Komodo National Park Flores Indonesia
Nine Island, Komodo National Park, Flores, Indonesia

Other tips and links:

Average trip cost for Komodo National Park flights, sailing food and accomodation : $3K SGD for two persons

Our boat: Alam Kaya

Bring cash: it's needed for the daily Komodo national park fees 

For full details on what to pack, see our essential packing guide

Plan for the season: Trips can be weather and wind dependent, itineraries can change due to this.


Your


LITTLE SHERPAS

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Little Sherpa Travels Komodo Islands sailing travel guide


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OUR AIM: is to help more people experience the world in just a weekend. We hope through sharing our easy-to-follow short break and weekend travel guides we can inspire others to make the most of their weekends and precious annual leave.

 

WE ARE: An Australian and British married couple living in Australia, which we recently moved back to after 7 years exploring Asia. By week we manage data forecasting and engineering projects. By the weekend we wander. This is the story of our weekend travels. We are passionate travellers who love taking photos, eating and going on adventures.  We hope you enjoy our travel blog.

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