Komodo cruise boats leaving Labuan Bajo stop at Padar Island, Komodo Island (Loh Liang) or Rinca (Loh Buaya), Pink Beach and Manta Point on nearly every sailing. According to Komodo Luxury, its 3D2N open trip follows a fixed route of Padar, Pink Beach, Komodo Island and Manta Point, while longer or private cruises add Taka Makassar, Kanawa, Kalong and Siaba.
Every boat leaves from the harbour at Labuan Bajo, on the western tip of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara. Each stop does a different job. One is a hike, two are wildlife walks, and the rest are mostly water time. Once you know which is which, you can judge how hard the trip will feel and which boat format fits your group.
Which stops are on the standard Komodo cruise route?
As of 2026, Komodo Luxury publishes one fixed route for its 3D2N shared open trip. It covers four stops:
- Padar Island: the viewpoint hike.
- Pink Beach: snorkelling and swimming off a pink-tinted shore.
- Komodo Island: a ranger-led walk to look for wild Komodo dragons.
- Manta Point: a drift snorkel where mantas often gather.
The same four show up on most phinisi and yacht itineraries. Some boats swap Komodo Island for Rinca, which also has a ranger post and dragons. Open trips on this route typically leave Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Sunday. Shared cabins start from USD 300 per person, and weekday departures from USD 220 per person, subject to change.
The order of the stops matters as much as the list. The full cruise itinerary shows how the desk sequences them day by day around tides, light and park entry times.
How long does each stop take, and how fit do you need to be?
These are typical timings on the ground. Your captain adjusts them for sea state, crowds and the group’s pace.
| Stop | Main activity | Time needed | Fitness level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Padar Island | Stair hike to the ridge viewpoint | 1.5–2 hours with photos | Moderate to demanding: steep steps, heat |
| Komodo Island (Loh Liang) | Ranger-guided dragon walk | 1–2 hours | Easy to moderate |
| Rinca Island (Loh Buaya) | Ranger-guided dragon walk | About 1–1.5 hours | Easy to moderate |
| Pink Beach | Snorkel, swim, beach time | 1–2 hours | Easy; basic swimming |
| Manta Point | Drift snorkel from the tender | 45–60 minutes | Moderate; currents can be strong |
| Taka Makassar | Sandbar walk and shallow swim | About 1 hour | Easy |
| Kanawa Island | Beach and reef snorkel | 1–2 hours | Easy |
| Kalong Island | Sunset and flying-fox flight, watched from deck | 30–45 minutes | None |
| Siaba | Sheltered-reef snorkel | About 1 hour | Easy to moderate |
What actually happens at each stop?
Padar Island
Most boats land at first light. The trail climbs a long run of steps up a dry ridge to a view over Padar’s curved bays. By mid-morning the slope has almost no shade, so go early and wear shoes with grip, not sandals.
Komodo Island (Loh Liang)
Loh Liang is the ranger station on Komodo Island. You walk as a group behind a park ranger who picks the trail and keeps a safe distance from the animals. The dragons are wild, so a sighting is never guaranteed.
Rinca Island (Loh Buaya)
Rinca’s Loh Buaya post runs a similar ranger-led walk, usually a little shorter. A short cruise normally visits one of the two dragon islands, chosen by route, timing and park conditions on the day.
Pink Beach
The colour comes from red coral fragments mixed into the sand, and it shows best in soft morning or late-afternoon light. The reef starts close to shore, so less confident swimmers can snorkel near the beach.
Manta Point
The crew drops snorkellers up-current and the tender picks them up further along. This is the most physical water stop on the route. Life jackets help, and no operator can promise a manta on a given day.
Taka Makassar
A crescent sandbar that shows most clearly at lower tide, ringed by shallow turquoise water. It is a short, easy stop that usually appears on longer trips rather than the fixed 3D2N route.
Kanawa Island
A small island with a shallow reef off its beach and jetty. It suits families and anyone who prefers gentle snorkelling to current-driven sites.
Kalong Island
“Kalong” means flying fox. At dusk, large numbers of fruit bats leave the mangroves and fly toward Flores to feed. There is no landing. You watch from the deck, often close to where the boat anchors for the night.
Siaba
A sheltered reef that crews use as a calmer snorkel option, with turtles often reported. Treat it as a weather-dependent add-on, not a fixed stop.
Are Padar, Pink Beach and Kanawa included?
Padar and Pink Beach are both included on Komodo Luxury’s 3D2N open trip. Kanawa is not on that fixed route; it belongs to longer or private sailings.
| Stop | Fixed 3D2N open trip (Komodo Luxury, 2026) | Longer or private cruises |
|---|---|---|
| Padar Island | Included | Standard |
| Pink Beach | Included | Standard |
| Komodo Island | Included | Standard (or Rinca) |
| Rinca Island | Not on fixed route | Common alternative to Komodo |
| Manta Point | Included | Standard |
| Taka Makassar | Not on fixed route | Often added |
| Kanawa Island | Not on fixed route | Added on longer trips |
| Kalong Island | Not a listed fixed stop | Common sunset stop |
| Siaba | Not on fixed route | Possible add-on |
Private charters are priced per vessel, never per person. According to Komodo Luxury, Malca Voyages costs USD 5,300 for 2D1N or USD 6,000 for 3D2N for 1–12 guests. The extra time on a 3D2N or 4D3N charter is what creates room for stops like Kanawa and Taka Makassar, though weather and park slots still decide the day.
How do 2026 park rules change where boats stop?
Three reported changes shape the route this year. Confirm the current status with the desk before you travel.
- Daily visitor cap. A park-wide limit of about 1,000 visitors per day was reportedly trialled January–March 2026 and enforced from 1 April 2026.
- Timed entry sessions. Reported slots run roughly 05:00–08:00, 08:00–11:00 and 15:00–18:00, so land visits are planned around those windows.
- No sailing after dark in high-risk zones. The Labuan Bajo harbourmaster (KSOP) reportedly restricted tourist-vessel movement at night in those zones from 10 January 2026, so boats reach their anchorage before nightfall.
Entry also relies on digital pre-registration with passport details through the operator’s manifest, so walking up to a ranger post is not something to count on. Budget the Komodo National Park fee separately. Komodo Luxury tells guests to expect USD 40–50 per person, paid once per trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Komodo cruise stop at both Komodo Island and Rinca?
Usually not on a short trip. Most 2D1N and 3D2N cruises visit one dragon island, and Komodo Luxury’s fixed 3D2N open trip uses Komodo Island (Loh Liang). Longer cruises or private charters can sometimes include both, depending on park entry slots, the reported daily visitor cap and the route the captain sets that day.
Can I stay on the boat if I skip the Padar hike?
Yes, the Padar climb is optional, and guests who skip it can usually stay aboard while the others hike. It is a sensible choice for anyone with knee trouble or low heat tolerance, since the trail is steep with little shade. You still see the island from the water, and the next stops are mostly easy snorkelling and beach time.
Can a private charter add Kanawa or Siaba to the route?
Often, yes. Private charters are priced per vessel and give your group more say over the day, so extra snorkel stops such as Kanawa, Siaba or Taka Makassar can be requested. The captain still makes the final call based on weather, tides, park time slots and the reported 2026 restriction on sailing after dark in high-risk zones.