INDONESIA: 7 Day Komodo Expedition
South East Asia
Indonesia
7 Day Komodo Expedition
Indonesia’s Komodo National Park sits between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province, protecting three major volcanic islands, Komodo, Rinca and Padar, along with dozens of smaller islets across 219,322 hectares of land and sea. Established in 1980 and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, the park is best known as the last wild home of the Komodo dragon, the world’s largest living lizard, with an estimated 5,700 individuals spread across Komodo, Rinca, Gili Motong and parts of Flores. This 7 day, 6 night yacht charter itinerary departs and returns to Labuan Bajo on Flores, the park’s gateway town, tracing a loop through its core islands. The route stays inside the national park throughout, so crossings between anchorages are short and the pace favours time on land and in the water over long open water passages.
- Where | Komodo National Park — Indonesia
- When | April to November
- Duration | 7 Days - 6 Nights
- Departs | Labuan Bajo
- Concludes | Labuan Bajo
Day 1: Labuan Bajo
EMBARKATION | HARBOUR TOWN | BRIEFING
Board the yacht in Labuan Bajo, the small harbour town on the western tip of Flores that serves as the main gateway to Komodo National Park. Settle in over lunch while the crew runs through the week's route and park permit formalities, then cruise a short distance to the first anchorage inside the park boundary for sunset.
Day 2: Tatawa Island
SWIMMING | CORAL GARDEN | SNORKELLING
Spend the morning snorkelling Tatawa Besar, the largest of the Tatawa islands in the park's north central waters. Its northwestern point holds one of Komodo's most colourful coral gardens, a sloping reef in orange and red hues where reef fish, eagle rays and, on good days, manta rays gather close to the surface. Currents here are gentler than at nearby sites, making it a comfortable spot for snorkellers of any level.
Day 3: Pantai Merah
PINK BEACH | REEF SNORKELLING | PHOTOGRAPHY
Anchor off Pantai Merah, known as Pink Beach, on the northeastern shore of Komodo Island, one of only a handful of pink sand beaches in the world. The colour comes from red organ pipe coral fragments and microscopic foraminifera mixed into the white sand, most visible near the waterline in the early morning light. The fringing reef starts just metres from shore and holds healthy coral cover for shallow, easy snorkelling.
Day 4: Komodo Island
RANGER TREKKING | WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS | SAVANNA EXPLORATION
Land at Loh Liang, the main ranger station and entry point on Komodo Island, for a guided trek in search of Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. Rangers lead small groups along designated trails of varying length and difficulty, and sightings of dragons resting near the trail or watering points are common. The island's dry savanna and lontar palms give way to viewpoints over the surrounding bay.
Day 5: Padar Island
SUNRISE HIKE | SCENIC VIEWPOINTS | ISLAND EXPLORATION
Start early for the hike up Padar Island, the park's third largest island, along a one kilometre trail of roughly 800 steps to a ridge around 270 metres above sea level. The climb takes 30 to 60 minutes and rewards guests with a single view over three bays of differently coloured sand: white, black and pink. Descend before the midday heat and spend the afternoon back on board or in the water nearby.
Day 6: Rinca Island
WILDLIFE TREKKING | KOMODO DRAGON SIGHTINGS | NATURE WALKS
Cruise to Loh Buaya on Rinca Island, home to an estimated 2,000 Komodo dragons, more than any other island in the park. Rangers offer short, medium and long trekking options from the station, from a flat 30 minute walk to a two hour route across open savanna to hilltop viewpoints. Along the way, look for Timor deer, wild pigs, water buffalo and the island's resident birdlife.
Day 7: Labuan Bajo
FINAL TREK | RETURN CRUISE | DISEMBARKATION
Take an early, easier walk on Rinca's flat trail for a last chance at dragon sightings and photographs before the crowds arrive. Cruise back to Labuan Bajo through the morning, retracing the route past the islands visited earlier in the week, and disembark in the early afternoon in time to connect with onward flights from Komodo Airport.
Activities+Optional extras
Get off-board and discover even more
Diving
Guided dives across coral gardens at Tatawa, Pink Beach and other reef sites throughout the park.
Snorkelling
In water time over shallow, healthy reef, most of it accessible straight from the yacht's tender.
Ranger Treks
Guided walks with licensed rangers on Komodo and Rinca in search of Komodo dragons and native wildlife.
Island Hiking
A sunrise climb up Padar Island for its three bay viewpoint, roughly 800 steps to the summit.
Indonesia: 7 Day Komodo Expedition Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to charter this route?
+The dry season from April to November brings the calmest seas, firmest hiking trails and clearest visibility for snorkelling and diving. July and August are the most popular months, so April, May, October and November offer similar conditions with fewer other boats around.
Where does this charter start and end?
+The charter departs and returns to Labuan Bajo on Flores, home to Komodo Airport and the main gateway into Komodo National Park. Guests board and disembark at the same harbour, with the seven day route forming a loop through the park's core islands.
What can be experienced on this route?
+This route combines marine and land based wildlife, including snorkelling and diving at coral sites like Tatawa and Pink Beach, ranger led treks in search of Komodo dragons on Komodo and Rinca islands, and a sunrise hike up Padar Island for its three bay viewpoint.
Who is this itinerary suited for?
+This route suits guests who want a mix of activities rather than a single focus, since it combines snorkelling, hiking and wildlife trekking across seven days. The Padar hike involves around 800 steps and some heat, so a reasonable level of fitness is recommended for that day in particular.
What is a typical day like?
+A typical day covers a short cruise between anchorages inside the park, usually under two hours, paired with one land based activity such as a ranger trek or viewpoint hike and one water based activity such as snorkelling, plus free time on board.
What should be considered before booking?
+Komodo dragon sightings on ranger treks are very likely but not guaranteed, since dragons move freely within the park. All treks are led by licensed park rangers for safety, and guests should bring reef safe sunscreen, sturdy footwear for hiking and a reasonable level of fitness for the Padar Island climb.
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