Komodo Islands 3 Days 2 Nights Cruise Itinerary and Map, Indonesia
Pink Beach Padar Island
Embark on a 3-day, 2-night Komodo Islands cruise and explore stunning destinations. Start by visiting Kelor Island for a swim and snorkel, then sail to Manjarite Beach for underwater adventures. At sunset, witness the breathtaking Kalong Island bat exodus. The next day, hike Padar Island at dawn for panoramic views, then relax at Pink Beach. Visit Komodo Island to spot the iconic Komodo dragons, and snorkel at Manta Point. Finish the journey at Kanawa Island, soaking in crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life. Ideal for adventure seekers!
General Tips for Cruising in the Komodo Islands
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The best time of the year to visit Komodo is during the dry season between April and November. This is when the water is the calmest with clear sunny days and high visibility.
Note that the easiest way to get around is to book onto a multiple night tour. Alternatively there are day trips departing from Labuan Bajo to a number of the locations, however I wouldn’t recommend this as you would spend the majority of your time travelling.
There are a large number of tour companies operating cruises within this area with all of them offering virtually identical itineraries. Picking the right one for you largely comes down to personal preference for the boat.
Most of the tours commence and end in Labuan Bajo which is located on the island of Flores and only a quick 1 hour flight away from Denpasar Bali. Another option is to do a 4 night boat trip over from Lombok which circles through the islands on its way across.
Booking in advance will assist to guarantee a room on a more desirable boat however it is not 100% necessary with plenty of tour options available.
The itinerary is fairly fast paced so it may not be suitable for everyone.
I wouldn’t suggest spending too much time before or after the tour in Labuan Bajo unless you are planning to relax as it is quite a small town with limited activities to do there.
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There is a large number of options available when it comes to picking the boat you want to travel on. The limit of luxury is only really constrained by the amount of money you would like to spend.
The majority of the boats are a Phinisi, traditional Indonesian sailing ship, typically handcrafted from local wood.
The boats a range of room options expanding from a private room including a balcony and ensuite on the upper deck all the way through to shared lower cabin rooms at a much cheaper price.
The larger boat will typically have a tender boat to allow quick access to snorkelling locations or when travelling onto land.
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Using a backpack rather than a suitcase was a far more efficient options particularly when trying to get on and off the boat
Bring reliable enclosed shoes for the small hikes and a pair of thongs or sandals for on the boat or around Labuan Bajo.
A powerbank can become quite useful when you are travelling around between islands.
Sunscreen is extremely important and actually quite expensive to purchase in Indonesia. I would recommend bringing it with you from overseas.
The temperature in summer can extremely hot around 30 degrees celcius. Ensure that you dress appropriately for the conditions typically with shorts and t shirts or singlets.
With this in mind a refillable water bottle was a great addition especially with a cold water dispenser on the boat.
Its also advisable to bring some electrolyte supplements on the trip to prevent dehydration.
The boat typically will provide all of the food for the entire duration of the trip however there were no alcoholic drinks provided and none available to purchase on the boat. We were told that we could bring our own onto the boat if we purchased some but this would be ideal to know when you are in Labuan Bajo as they are a lot cheaper in a supermarket comparative to the small market stalls on the islands.
Another essential is your bathers and a quick drying towel with many places to swim throughout the itinerary although its likely that this will be supplied on the boat.
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Opportunities to use card throughout the trip are limited. The best option is to travel with cash which is the only thing that will be accepted.
The boats vary substantially in price but expect to pay around 10,000,000 Rupiah or $950 AUD per person for the two night trip.
Despite the steep price for the boat, everything else in Indonesia is extremely cheap with most meals costing a maximum of around 100,000 Rupiah and drinks around 30,000 Rupiah.
Padar Island
Day 1: Kelor Island, Manjarite Beach and Kalong Island Bats
Summary: depart from Labuan Bajo around midday and cruise to Kelor Island for a short but steep hike offering incredible views of the surrounding reefs. Continue cruising to Manjarite Beach a hidden paradise that offers a perfect clear waters ideal for snorkelling. Finish off the afternoon watching thousands of flying foxes emerge from the mangroves of Kalong Island in a spectacular bat exodus, as they take flight against the glowing colours of the sunset.
Accomodation: stay on the boat near Padar Island
Highlights: spend the day exploring Komodo National Park by visiting the small but idealic Kelor Island, snorkelling at Manjarite Beach, and viewing the exodus of flying foxes at Kalong Island.
Day 1 Overview:
Kelor Island
Depart: Labuan Bajo
Arrive: Kelor Island I Google Maps
Cruise Duration: 1 hour
Activity Duration: 1 hour
Kelor Island is a small, picturesque island in Indonesia’s Komodo National Park, known for its beautiful white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and scenic viewpoints.
The hike to the viewpoint only takes about 10-15 minutes, but the view from the top is spectacular, especially at sunset.
The island is also a popular spot for snorkeling and swimming, with its shallow, calm waters revealing vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life.
If you plan on completing the hike make sure to wear some sturdy enclosed shoes as the track is extremely unstable.
This is also a good opportunity to purchase some additional snacks, drinks or souvenirs in the small market on the islands beach.
Kelor Island
Manjarite Beach
Depart: Kelor Island
Arrive: Manjarite Beach I Google Maps
Cruise Duration: 20 minutes
Activity Duration: 1 hour
Manjarite beach is a serene less travelled beach by Komodo standards offering a peaceful escape.
The beach features a long but extremely weathered jetty making for a great photo. Just be careful walking on it that you don’t fall through.
Manjarite beach is surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life making it a snorkelling hotspot. This included a load of starfish scattered around.
Manjarite Beach Flores
Kalong Island
Depart: Manjarite Beach
Arrive: Kalong Island I Google Maps
Cruise Duration: 1 hour
Activity Duration: 1.5 hours
Kalong island is famous for its spectacular natural display of thousands of flying foxes (fruit bats) which take off in unison at sunset in search of food.
This is a truly unique experience being able to lie back on the top deck of the boat and watch bats fly over head across a purple and red sky.
The island itself consists of dense mangroves and its forbidden for the boats to make land here.
In the late afternoon a large number of boats surround the island waiting for the spectacle to commence. Luckily it doesn’t take away from the atmosphere with the twinkling lights from the boats only adding to the already incredible sunset.
After watching the sunset the boat cruised for around 2 hours in the dark to reach Padar Island where it anchored for the night.
Kalong Island Flying Fox Exodus
Day 2: Padar Island Sunrise Hike, Pink Beach, Komodo Island and Manta Point
Summary: wake up before dawn to catch a small boat onto the shores of Padar Island. Complete a short but relatively challenging hike up to the top viewpoint to witness the convergence of the island's rugged, hilly terrain and the three distinct beaches. After the hike back down cruise around to Pink Beach for a snorkel in its crystal clear waters. In the early afternoon arrive at Komodo Island and complete a short walk attempting to spot the famous regions namesake. Lastly snorkel around Manta Point and the Taka Makassar Sand Bank hopefully spotting some manta rays and sea turtles.
Accomodation: Stay on the boat near Kanawa Island
Highlights: complete a hike on Padar Island, visit the famous Pink Beach, go on a Komodo Dragon safari on Komodo Island, snorkel at Manta Point and Taka Makassar Sand Bank.
Day 2 Overview
Padar Island Sunrise Hike
Depart: Padar Bay
Arrive: Padar Island I Google Maps
Cruise Duration: 15 minutes
Activity Duration: 2 hours
Trailhead: depart from the main jetty directly up the stairs
Total Hiking Distance: 1.5 km one-way
Total Hiking Duration: 45 minute hike | one-way
Difficulty: Moderate
Altitude: 250 meters above sea level
The hike is short but very steep in sections, with the trail consisting of a mix of dirt paths and stone steps. As such be sure to wear sturdy enclosed shoes.
The main challenge is navigating the trail amongst a huge number of people. The trail gets extremely busy especially at dawn just prior to the sunrise.
A close second to the crowds is the intense humidity which makes the hike a solid effort even before the sun comes up. There are no facilities on the island so ensure that you bring ample water with you.
Once you reach the summit you are rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree view of Padar Island’s rugged hills, curved bays, and three distinct beaches—pink, black, and white sand beaches. This makes the island a hotspot for viewing either the sunrise or sunset.
Padar Island Hike
Pink Beach
Depart: Padar Bay
Arrive: Pink Beach I Google Maps
Cruise Duration: 1 hour
Activity Duration: 1.5 hours
The sand’s pink colour comes from microscopic red coral fragments mixing with the white sand, giving it a blush hue.
The beach is famous for its clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and diverse marine life, making it a popular snorkeling and diving destination. I have honestly never seen water this blue and clear.
The reefs are home to a wide variety of colourful fish, sea turtles, and corals, offering excellent visibility for underwater exploration.
The beach’s sheltered location makes for gentle waves, ideal for swimming.
There are a few small market stalls on the island if you were after some additional supplies however these are limited in what they offer.
Pink Beach Padar Island
Komodo Island Dragon Walk
Depart: Pink Beach
Arrive: Komodo Island I Google Maps
Cruise Duration: 1 hour
Activity Duration: 1.5 hours
The island is home to the Komodo dragon, the world’s largest living lizard, which can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) in length.
A UNESCO world heritage site the island is part of a protected area recognized for its unique biodiversity and rich marine ecosystems.
Komodo Island features rugged hills, savannah-like landscapes, and forests, offering diverse habitats for wildlife.
The Dragon Walk is a guided trek with a park ranger through the natural habitat of the Komodo dragons, ensuring visitor safety.
The walk typically lasts 1 hour, with trails ranging from short (1-2 km) to longer hikes, depending on your tour.
Always follow the ranger's instructions, as Komodo dragons can be dangerous if provoked. They are known for their strong bite and venomous saliva.
At the end of the walk there are a number of market stalls if you would like to purchase some additional snacks, drinks or souvenirs.
Komodo Dragon
Manta Point Snorkelling
Depart: Komodo Island
Arrive: Manta Point I Google Maps
Cruise Duration: 2 hours
Activity Duration: 1 hour
Manta Point is regarded as one of the best dive and snorkel spots in the entirety of the Komodo Islands National Park.
Unfortunately like any attempt to spot wildlife, sightings are never a guarantee and we did not happen to see manta rays on the day we were there.
However, in addition to manta rays, the site is home to a variety of marine species, including reef sharks, turtles, colorful fish, and vibrant coral reefs.
Manta Point is located entirely underwater, so visitors reach it by boat and snorkel or dive directly from there.
Closely located to he snorkel point is the Taka Makassar Sand Bank a small crescent-shaped sandbank in the middle of the ocean.
The sandbank only appears during low tide, creating a temporary island that is completely submerged during high tide.
After snorkelling the boat then cruises for around 3 hours into the sunset until it reaches Kanawa Island where it will anchor for the night.
Sea Turtle at Manta Point
Day 3: Kanawa Island Snorkelling and Labuan Bajo
Summary: wake up to the serene beauty of Kanawa Island on your final day aboard the boat. Begin the morning with a short, leisurely cruise to an idyllic snorkeling spot along the island's vibrant reef. Dive into crystal-clear waters and make the most of your last chance to encounter Komodo’s remarkable marine wildlife. After a morning of exploration, savor your final lunch on the boat as it gently cruises back to Labuan Bajo, bringing your unforgettable adventure to a close.
Accomodation: spend the night in Labuan Bajo or head straight to the airport.
Highlights: snorkel the incredible reef surrounding Kanawa Island.
Day 3 Overview:
Kanawa Island Snorkelling
Depart: Kanawa Bay
Arrive: Kanawa Island Snorkelling Location I Google Maps
Cruise Duration: 10 minutes
Activity Duration: 1 hour
The island is surrounded by healthy coral reefs teeming with life, making it one of the best snorkeling spots in Komodo National Park.
Snorkelers can spot a variety of marine species, including colourful tropical fish, sea turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, and even the occasional manta ray.
While gaining in popularity, Kanawa Island still sees fewer visitors compared to more famous sites, offering a peaceful snorkeling experience
Depart Kanawa Island and cruise back to Labuan Bajo arriving around midday.
Kanawa Island Starfish
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Pink Beach on Padar Island in Komodo National Park is a must-visit destination for beach lovers and adventure seekers alike. The unique pink-hued sand, created by a blend of white sand and crushed red coral, offers a striking contrast to the turquoise waters. Visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling among vibrant coral reefs, or simply relaxing on the shore.