By boat from Lombok to Komodo

Komodo National Park

Published on June 15, 2024

Lombok - Komodo by boat: tips and information

I leaned on one wall and then the other, trying to reach the bathroom without falling. I kept my gaze on the horizon to avoid seasickness, which was waiting for a chance to strike.

My companion and I were sailing near the island of Sumbawa.

It seemed like a faraway place with empty white beaches and green hills that turn suddenly into mountains like on one of its peninsula where the Tambora volcano, famous for its massive eruption in 1815, is located.

The volcano erupted with such force that its ash covered the whole northern hemisphere. The year that followed, 1816, became known as the year without a summer.

The adventure started the day before, on Saturday morning, when the tour company brought together the 20 travelers at their main office in Sengiggi on Lombok Island.

They then took us by minibus to the west coast of the island to board in the afternoon the "Sehat Elona," a boat made of Borneo wood, that would take us to Komodo National Park in 4 days/3 nights of navigation.

The boat was cozy and was painted in a lovely white and blue colours. It had roomy glass cabins, and some, like ours, had a private bathroom and a balcony.

A much cozier option than the other boats that sailed along with us, which had shared bathrooms and dormitories on deck.

We got there just in time to see the sunset from the hill that appeared out of nowhere on Kenawa Island.

We went up to the peak to see the sun go down and disappear behind the horizon, painting golden patterns on the nearby islands of Indonesia.

We snap some pictures before heading back to the boat with our adventure buddies, who we find out are from all over the world:

a boy from China who is a digital nomad, a group of young people from the Netherlands enjoying a two-month holiday in Indonesia, and a couple from France who have been traveling in Southeast Asia for a year...

all make me think about how great it is to pursue our dreams and passions without being afraid to leave the usual ways.

Swimming with Whale Sharks

We dived into the water with masks and snorkels, ready for their arrival in the deep, dark sea.

We didn't have to wait for a long time.

All of a sudden, a long, graceful, and fragile form glided just a few meters away from us while we observed it through the lenses of our masks on the water's surface.

One, two, and three whale sharks gracefully swam, completely indifferent to us, moving in a mesmerizing way that brought to mind Balinese dancers, despite their massive size and 10-meter length.

While we watched, they swam with their gray skin speckled with white, along with other fish living in symbiosis beneath them, benefiting both animals.

We were in a big bay on Sumbawa Island, Teluh Saleh, and every morning the fishing boats stop to attract these calm creatures with shrimps and other food, giving visitors from around the world the chance to have this amazing experience.

Let's think about how these amazing creatures depend on the food given by people instead of living on their own in the wild.

It also reminds us of the benefit that the tourism industry brings to local communities who, instead of hunting animals, utilize them to draw in tourists and profit without harming marine life.

It was the moment I had been eagerly waiting for since the start of the holiday, and the reason I chose this route from the choices given.

Before heading back to Italy, I wanted to capture this special moment.

Now it's permanently inked on my arm, and the magnificent creature will always stay with me along with the wonderful memory I hold in my heart.

Exploring Komodo National Park - meeting the Komodo Dragons

It's a wild place. A view that is hard to forget.

Islands that make you feel like you've landed in a pristine and unwelcoming group of islands where no one else has been before you.

Many more people have come and will come to visit it.

But it's okay: this is my version of the story and I prefer to stick with my belief.

It feels like we're in the time of continent creation. And in this environment, a relative of the extinct dinosaurs rules the land from ancient times to today without significant changes.

The Komodo Dragon, an endangered species, has only 3000 individuals left on the islands of Komodo and Rinca in the Komodo National Park and on the island of Flores.

It is a lizard of exceptional size, reaching up to 3 meters in length and weighing 90 kg. Surprisingly, it can run up to 20km/h and swim effortlessly.

It's a fierce hunter that hunts its prey and poisons them with its bite's venom and the bacteria it spreads. It tracks its prey, weakened and in pain, for about a week until they perish so it can eat them.

We hadn't reached the island yet when we spotted a few tiny Komodo dragons strolling on the beach.

With the rangers guiding us and protecting us from potential attacks using long sticks with forked tips, we walked along a trail through the greenery where some monitor lizards were resting or moving slowly.

We understand that these islands, which appear to embody the toughness of Mother Nature, are actually teeming with life.

Deer, wild pigs, snakes, mice, and birds inhabit this island, all potential targets of the Komodo dragons.

While exploring further, we spot a few deer gazing at us with a bored expression from the shore in a setting that has likely played out across different historical periods, from ancient times to now.

Padar Island - The Pink Beach

The pink beach... it's truly pink

Once we were back on the boat, we sailed from Komodo to Padar in the Natural Park for about an hour. Padar is a beautiful island with beaches made of white and pink coral pieces washed ashore by the sea, creating a unique color.

"I've never been in a place like this," I thought the moment I stepped on land, still feeling the motion I got used to during the 3 days on the boat.

A truly enchanting spot, a pure beauty where nature took center stage, and I believe it's the loveliest place I've ever seen.

We split from our group that stayed close to the boat that had dropped us off.

We strolled on the pink sand without getting to the edge of the shore that kept going with its curved shape for hundreds of meters, and a pair of deer came near the water as if they were creatures of my imagination.

At that time, it was just us, the untouched environment, and the calm sea, which, with its gentle and constant motion, appeared to have tales to share with us.

We sadly depart from this island that perfectly embodies the dream getaway.

The evening light started to dim before supper time in this area.

The sun was hurrying towards the horizon to make room for a moon that would be mirrored in the dark sea.

Before this happened, we stood at the top of the promontory overlooking the bays and bid a final goodbye to this place.

We waited for the sun to set into the sea, for the red-golden lights to fade, and for the darkness to close the curtain on an stand-up show.

Exploring Meniarite Island and arriving at Labuan Bajo

Meniarite Island is a tiny raft drifting in the ocean near the shore of Flores, where we would arrive in the afternoon of that day.

We laid our towel on one of the two little white beaches on the island separated by a line of souvenir and drink stands.

We just had to jump into that crystal clear water, and it instantly felt so refreshing!

More than twelve baby sharks, each about 80 cm in size, swam close by together, following their natural instincts, paying no attention to us as they peacefully glided through the tranquil shallow waters encircling the island.

Sadly, we were getting close to the harbor of Labuan Bajo, the docking area and the conclusion of our boat trip.

I don’t like goodbyes, and once again, I felt a bit sad and realized I hadn't thanked or shown enough appreciation to the team who helped, supported, and kept us entertained throughout the trip and more.

Harry, who ensured we had eaten and kept us informed about the program;

the Captain who welcomed with wide smiles;

his assistant who always took the chance to grab his guitar and play happy songs;

the crew is coming up with beach volleyball challenges between crew members and guests on the pink beach using two poles and a rope as a net...

Because, at the end, it's the people who make this corner of the world a delightful place to visit.

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Traveling to Komodo by boat: tips and information

Safety: feeling of being safe all the time. We always had rangers with us on Komodo Island

Cash: you need cash to buy things from stalls on some islands or in Komodo

Currency: Indonesian Rupiah

Best time to visit: from April to November when the weather is dry and the sea is calmer. In this part of the sea there are strong currents, that make the waters teem with life. In the wrong season the waves are higher.

What to dress: wear light clothes, a sweatshirt for the evening, and comfortable shoes for trekking on rough terrain.

On the boat, stay in your bathing suit and barefoot.

Remember to bring medicines for the sea (if you need them), sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.

The boat typically provides the mask and snorkel, but not the fins. A dry bag comes in handy when heading ashore with the tender.

If you plan to take underwater photos, consider using a cell phone case.

Food: Remember to pack extra snacks or drinks for the boat trip that are not typically available onboard.

Power sockets: european plug ins

Internet: WiFi is commonly available in the lounge area of the boat

Souvenirs: Look out for shell bracelets and necklaces, wooden figurines, and coconut decorations Spending for 4 days (4 days - 3 nights): €500 per person, with all meals and park admission.

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