FAQ'S                                  KOMODO NATIONAL PARK

  • What is Komodo National Park like?

Komodo National Park is a wonderful area situated between Flores and Sumbawa with the komodo dragon and diving and snorkling as the main attraction. It is one of the most beautiful areas of Indonesia. The biggest islands are Komodo, Rinca and Padar. On Komodo and Rinca you can spot the komododragons and do trekkings. Padar is famous because of the thousands of pictures from where photo's have been taken for an overview. Although it can be quite busy in particular in the months June to September it is worthwhile a visit.

 

  • What  is a reasonable price for a boattrip?

Not so easy to answer as this very much depends on what you want to do. The cheapest tours start with Rp 800.000 per person for a one day trip on an shared open deck slowboat boat. Prices for shared speedboats start wth 1,3 million. 
These prices not yet include the entrancefee for the national park which are Rp 400.000 to Rp 500.00 per person and per day.
Apart from this there are boats in shapes and sizes including very luxury penisis with "French cote d 'azur prices" eg millions of Rupiah. Please be aware: do not book via the internet when payment in advance is asked as you are not protected by law in case there is a problem. Also a few huge scams have been reported and people lost a lot of money (as high as 46 million Rupiah!)

 

  • What  choices for a trip do I have to visit Komodo National Park?

- simple open deck slow boats (recommended) on shared base, up to 14 people

   starting at Rp 800.000 for a trip     

- simple open deck private slow boats for 2 million Rupiah and up for a daytrip  

- multi day trips shared on an open deck boat start around 2,5 million Rupiah.

- multi day trips private on an open deck boat

- speedboats for half a day, shared or private

- speedboats for a whole day, shared or private

- speedboats multi day, shared or private

- big scooners and penisis and anything in between

 

  • Should I book in advance?

There is no need to book in advance unless you have high demands. Labuan Bajo is full of boats, agents and touts. Prices on the internet are (often too) high, a deposit is often asked (but you are not protected by law).

 

  • What about safety?

This is a sensitive issue. The authorities try to control everything but this is not yet of a professional standard. A lot of things you can do yourself.

- check the weather one day before

- when shopping around ask the agent about the permit for the next day

- be keen on a minimum of two engines when hiring a small open deck boat, even
   better three

- (enough) lifevests

- check communication on board (radio, mobile phones and the ability of English)

- check crew, usually a minimum of 2 or 3 people

- be aware when hiring an open deck boat with a storey on top as for the balance
   the base of the boat has to be strong and heavy enough

- Keep the emergency call number with you 115

- also check this part

 

  • What when the weather is not fine?

In case of strong winds and currents most agents cancel your trip and you will get your money back or you get offered an alternative (be keen to discuss that) or they do another route.

 

  • What about trips fro Lombok to Labuan Bajo?

To be honest I do not recommend these 3, 4 or 5 night trips because for some reasons. Unfortunately safety on board is often not of an international standard. Some boats are barely seaworthy and equipment on board is not always sufficient and with sometimes an not adequate crew. Of course there are decent trips but you need to be willing to pay for that. When sailing on a calm sea everything will be fine. But there are many dangerous currents and whirpools in particular near the islands of Komodo and Padar and weather can be unpredictable. There have been a number of incidents and accidents in the past.

Photo's

Anne Mieke  -AM PHOTONESIA©-