National park · Indonesia
Komodo National ParkTaman Nasional Komodo
Fly to Labuan Bajo, spend two or three days on the water between April and November (a one-day speedboat trip is the minimum), see the dragons on Rinca or Komodo with the park ranger who meets every group, climb Padar at sunrise, and dive or snorkel only with an operator that briefs you on the currents; carry cash for the fees, which change often.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,733 km²
approximate
Established
1980
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
At a glance
- Country
- Indonesia
- Area
- 1,733 km²
- About 1,733 km², of which roughly a third is land and the rest sea (check).
- Established
- 1980
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Komodo National Park covers the islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar and the sea between Sumbawa and Flores in eastern Indonesia. It was created to protect the Komodo dragon, the largest living lizard, and its waters turned out to be some of the richest reef in the world, with strong currents that bring manta rays and sharks. The gateway is Labuan Bajo on Flores, an hour's flight from Bali.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1991
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1977
Size and age
1,733 km² · national park since 1980
About 1,733 km², of which roughly a third is land and the rest sea (check).
Why go
- Komodo dragons in the wild, on foot with a ranger, on Rinca and Komodo.
- Padar's three-bay viewpoint, one of the most photographed views in Indonesia.
- World-class diving: mantas, reef sharks and dense coral in current-swept channels.
- Pink-sand beaches and easy snorkelling from boats between islands.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanWet season; rough seas can cancel boats; mantas in the south
- FebRough seas and rain; fewer boats
- MarRain easing; green hills
- AprDry season starts; calm seas; hills still green
- MayCalm, clear; dragons active
- JunDry; dragon mating season, some trails may close
- JulPeak season; cooler water in the south
- AugPeak season; busy at Padar
- SepCalm, good visibility; nesting season
- OctWarm water, fewer boats
- NovRains begin late in the month
- DecRain and swell; holiday crowds
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Komodo dragon matingJun–Aug · Some trails close; dragons are more active. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Dragon nestingSep–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Mantas in the southDec–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Mantas in the centre and northApr–Nov | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Flying foxes at dusk (Kalong island)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Bali
Fly Denpasar to Labuan Bajo (Komodo airport), then day boats or liveaboards from the harbour.
1 h 15 flight
Open the page →
From Lombok
Multi-day boat trips across Sumbawa, stopping at islands on the way.
3–4 days
From Jakarta
Direct flights to Labuan Bajo.
2 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Rinca | Closest dragon island to Labuan Bajo; boardwalk and short trails at Loh Buaya. | With a ranger; daily. |
| Komodo island | Loh Liang ranger station, longer walks, Pink Beach nearby. | With a ranger; some routes close in mating season (check). |
| Padar | Viewpoint hike; no dragons. | Stairs and path; timed entry at peak season (check). |
| Marine core | Channels and reefs: Batu Bolong, Castle Rock, Manta Point, Siaba. | Licensed boats; some sites are dive-only. |
Sketch map
- 1Labuan Bajo · Town≈-8.496, 119.888Map ↗
- 2Kanawa island · Beach≈-8.495, 119.760Map ↗
- 3Rinca – Loh Buaya · Ranger station≈-8.650, 119.720Map ↗
- 4Padar viewpoint · Viewpoint≈-8.657, 119.587Map ↗
- 5Pink Beach · Beach≈-8.600, 119.520Map ↗
- 6Komodo – Loh Liang · Ranger station≈-8.568, 119.500Map ↗
- 7Batu Bolong · Dive site≈-8.542, 119.600Map ↗
- 8Manta Point (Makassar Reef) · Dive site≈-8.530, 119.580Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (foreign visitor) | IDR 150,000–250,000 (≈ US$10–16) | person per day | Weekend rates are higher; paid in cash or via the park's online system (check). |
| Regional tourism levy | IDR 50,000–150,000 (≈ US$4–10) | person | Collected by the district; separate from the park fee (check). |
| Ranger guide for dragon walks | IDR 80,000–150,000 (≈ US$5–10) | group | — |
| Activity fee (snorkelling, diving, trekking) | IDR 15,000–50,000 (≈ US$1–4) | person per activity | Proposals to raise fees sharply have come and gone since 2022; check before you go. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Dragon walks on Rinca and Komodo permit or guide
Diving permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Need a park permit; flying over dragons or the Padar crowds is not allowed (check).check
- Guides
- A ranger must accompany every group on dragon islands; stay behind the ranger and keep 5 m or more from any dragon.
- Camping
- Not allowed on the islands; you sleep on liveaboards or in Labuan Bajo.
- Blood and food
- Tell the ranger if you have an open wound or are menstruating; do not carry food on dragon walks.
- Reefs
- No touching, standing on coral or feeding fish; boats must use moorings where they exist.
Where to stay
Near the park
Labuan Bajo
Hotels, hostels and dive shops on Flores; the gateway town.
In the park
Liveaboard boats
Two to five nights on board; the best way to reach distant sites early.
Near the park
Island resorts outside the core zone
A handful of resorts on islands near Labuan Bajo.
Safety
Dragon bites medium
Strong currents and down-currents high
Sun and dehydration medium
Boat safety medium
Accessibility
- Rinca's boardwalk section is level, but boat transfers involve steps and small tenders.
- Padar and Komodo walks are on uneven ground with no rails.
Visiting lightly
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and a rash vest to cut sunscreen in the water.
- Pick boats that follow mooring rules and take rubbish back to Labuan Bajo.
- Fees fund the rangers; get itemised receipts so they reach the park.
Questions people ask
Is a day trip from Labuan Bajo enough?
A long speedboat day covers Padar, Pink Beach, a dragon island and Manta Point, but it is rushed. Two or three days on a boat let you reach sites at quiet hours.
Are the dragons dangerous?
Yes. They are wild predators with a toxic bite. With a ranger and a sensible distance, visits are safe; incidents usually involve people who wandered off.
How much are the fees now?
The fee system has been reviewed several times since 2022 and the numbers above are ranges. Check the park's current rates before you go and ask your operator to itemise them.
Can beginners dive here?
Yes, at sheltered sites around Labuan Bajo and the northern islands. Many of the famous current sites are for Advanced divers.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go