Komodo by boat: routes, safety and honest pricing
Liveaboard and day-boat options from Labuan Bajo, how the national park fees work and what a fair price includes.
Labuan Bajo is the gateway to Komodo National Park in Flores. Most trips are multi-day boat journeys that visit Komodo, Rinca, Padar and the pink-sand beaches of the area. Routes change with the season and the weather, so treat any fixed itinerary as a plan rather than a promise.
A fair price is one that lists the boat, the crew, meals, fuel, snorkelling gear and the national park entry fees in plain terms. We avoid trips that add hidden surcharges at the pier. Ask for the crew's safety briefing and life jackets, and check how many guests share each boat.
Bring cash for small purchases, a rash guard for snorkelling and seasickness tablets for open-water sections. Keep your valuables in a waterproof bag, and book at least a few weeks before peak holiday periods.