Komodo National Park Itinerary
Tucked away in Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands, you’ll find one of UNESCO’s best and brightest World Heritage Sites: Komodo National Park. Most know these beautiful volcanic islands for their native Komodo dragons, nearly 6,000 in total. Yet, what many don’t know is that Komodo is also home to incredible diving and snorkeling, pristine beaches, and breathtaking scenery. Explore Komodo National Park on a 7-day luxury yacht charter.
Day 1 – Labuan Bajo
Arrive in Labuan Bajo, a bustling fishing village on Flores Island, the gateway to Komodo. You’ll be met at the airport by a yacht representative and transferred to the harbor. After a tour of the yacht over champagne and cocktails, set sail for the outer reaches of Komodo while enjoying a lunch on-deck prepared by your onboard chef. During the afternoon, snorkel in the waters or take a check dive, to prep for additional diving on your Komodo yacht charter.
Day 2 – Rinca Island & Komodo Strait
Rinca Island may be one of the most beautiful islands in the park. The island is rich in biodiversity – which includes its native dragons – as well as monkey, wild pig, hundreds of species of bird and buffalo. Explore Rinca on Day 2 of your charter. Join a ranger on a tour of the island’s preserve. Then, in the afternoon, enjoy the beautiful waters on Rinca’s northern coast: soak up the sun at a windswept beach, explore a dive or snorkel site, or discover the region’s coves by tender. The area between Rinca and Komodo islands – the Komodo Strait – is home to some of amazing undiscovered dive sites including Tarawa Besar and Kecil.
Day 3 – Pulau Padar & Central Komodo
Nestled in the Komodo Strait, Pulau Padar is a lush island oasis with several postcard-worthy deep-water bays. Padar is an adventurer’s paradise. Hike up the island’s volcanic crags for incredible views, paddle or kayak in one of the bays, or enjoy some R&R at one of Padar’s pink-, black- or white-sand beaches. The island is centrally located in the park, a diving and snorkeling mecca. Popular sites like Batu Bolong offer fun, yet challenging dives in the midst of the region’s stunning wildlife.
Day 4 – South Rinca
Your adventure in Komodo continues on to South Rinca. The southern shores of Rinca offer a wide variety of experiences. Start with a trip to Horse Shoe Bay, an absolutely stunning landscape. See a pack of beach-dwelling Komodo dragons here, where they tend to laze in the sun – a perfect photo opportunity. The area is also home to some of diving’s most sought-after sites. Cannibal Rock is located here, a revered macro diving site, where visitors can get up close to pigmy seahorses and a wide variety of corals.
Day 5 – South West Komodo
One of the most speculator dive sites in all of Komodo is located in the park’s southwest corner. Manta Point should be on every diver’s bucket list. The site is a Manta cleaning station – an area where rays glide through the water to bathe. Dives at Manta Point put you right in the middle of the action; rays will fly past you putting on a spectacular show. The South West is also home to some abundant reefs, thanks to its location. Snorkel or dive the coral gardens and catch glimpses of tuna, barracuda and more. In the afternoon, hit the beach, explore a tucked-away cove, or take a cruise on the tender in the surrounding waters.
Day 6 – Gili Lawa Islands
Today, explore the Gili Lawa Islands in Komodo’s northwestern corner. In addition to being supremely scenic, the islands are the best place in the park to snorkel amongst massive schools of fish. Popular snorkel and dive sites like The Passage (located between Gili Lawa and Gili Lawa Darat) and Lighthouse are here, and they’re known for their resident rainbow-colored fish. The Passage is a drift dive, taking you through the narrow channel, and it’s a great place for spotting several species of shark, as well. You’ll also find amazing beaches that you’ll have all to yourself. At sunset, hike to the top of Gili Lawa Darat; at the summit, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning panorama of the park.
Day 7 – Return to Labuan Bajo
In early morning, embark on your return voyage to Labuan Bajo. You’ll enjoy a chef-prepared breakfast onboard, before transferred from the harbor to the airport.
