The Komodo Islands in Indonesia are so incredibly beautiful that we almost don’t want to write about them. This is the kind of place you’d prefer to keep a secret and definitely not share with the rest of the world. But it’s also such a massive recommendation that we feel obligated to share this tip with you. Komodo National Park is a group of islands you may recognize from nature documentaries like Planet Earth II featuring the Komodo dragons. These giants can reach lengths of up to 3 meters (10 ft) and are found only in this region. What most people don’t know is that the Komodo Islands have much more to offer. You’ll find tropical white and pink beaches, a rich underwater world, and bizarre landscapes. We took a four-day boat trip to explore the most beautiful spots and can confidently say this was our best boat trip ever.
Island Hopping with Le Pirate Explorer
There are countless operators offering tours around the Komodo Islands. From budget boats that provide less comfort to luxury sailing yachts and everything from day tours to five-day excursions. If you’ve been following us for a while, you know we love adventure and unique experiences but also appreciate a bit of comfort. Le Pirate Explorer is, in our opinion, the best option to get the most bang for your buck. With the four-day tour, you’ll see all the highlights of the Komodo Islands while sleeping on a beautifully crafted boat. You’ll sleep on top of the boat in a simple cabin that offers breathtaking views. You can see the Milky Way from your bed at night and enjoy the sunrise in the morning.
On the sides of the boat, there are large hammocks, and a few chill beanbags are scattered around. Of course, there’s also a seating area for playing games or eating. There’s always a nice playlist playing, but you can also connect your own phone. The coolest part is that in the evening they roll out a white screen and transform the boat into a floating cinema with a projector. The largest boat has 5 cabins, meaning there are never more than 10 people on board. With Le Pirate Explorer, it’s not just about seeing the Komodo Islands; the journey itself is incredibly relaxing.
The Most Beautiful Spots in the Komodo Islands
During a trip through the Komodo Islands, you’ll be amazed at every turn. If you choose the 4 or 5-day tour, you’ll visit all the highlights. The route always depends on weather conditions, so don’t be disappointed if you miss something; you’ll likely see something equally beautiful instead. Here are some unique experiences and places you can expect. 
Flying Foxes at Kalong Island
This was by far the most magical moment of our trip. Just after sunset, tens of thousands of flying foxes leave a mangrove island to search for food on the mainland. These large bats sleep during the day and primarily eat fruits hanging from trees at night. About ten minutes after sunset, you’ll see the first bats flying above the mangroves. More and more quickly follow until the sky is eventually filled with bats. This, combined with the sky still glowing red from the sunset, is breathtakingly beautiful. 
Night Snorkeling with Bioluminescent Plankton
In the waters around the Komodo Islands lives a special type of plankton that lights up with movement. This phenomenon can be found in other places, but the waters around the Komodo Islands have a particularly high concentration of this type of plankton. When you move your hands or feet through the water at night, you’ll see hundreds of tiny lights appear. Grab your snorkel and jump in the water to see this incredible natural phenomenon even better. During one of our nights on the water, we also spotted streaks of green light in the water. They were small jellyfish-like creatures that left a bright trail of light behind. To this day, we haven’t figured out exactly what they were or if this happens often here. In the night photos below, you can see both the plankton and the streaks of light. You can see the plankton year-round, but its visibility varies, and it’s best seen when there’s little moonlight.
Viewpoints on the Islands of Gili Lawa and Padar
During the trip, you will also visit two amazing viewpoints: Gili Lawa and Padar. The landscape of Padar is incredibly beautiful with its strange rock formations and large bays. You might know this place from pictures, but when you’re standing here, it’s surprisingly much larger than expected, making it even more impressive. Gili Lawa is also a fantastic spot to watch the sunset and enjoy a great hike. At both viewpoints, it’s a short half-hour hike up for a brilliant view.
Snorkeling at Batu Bolong
The Komodo Islands rank #2 on CNN Travel’s list of the world’s best snorkeling spots. The underwater world is amazing. If you’re a diver, you’ll definitely want to stay longer to get in some dives here. Batu Bolong is the best snorkeling spot among the Komodo Islands. It’s a tiny island with extremely strong currents on the sides. The current brings in plenty of food for the fish, ensuring you’ll see hundreds of colorful fish and corals. Behind the island, you can snorkel peacefully without being affected by the current. We could write a lot about it, but the photo really says it all. 
Pink Beach
When we heard we were going to “Pink Beach,” we had our doubts. We’ve been to a “Pink Beach” on Lombok before, and it was a huge disappointment because it wasn’t pink at all. From the boat, it indeed looked far from pink, but once we reached the beach, the waves were truly pink. The sand contains tiny pieces of red coral, which gives it its color. Sometimes this is more visible than at other times, so it’s a matter of luck, but it’s always pink. 
Spotting Komodo Dragons on Rinca
Of course, you’ll also visit the Komodo dragons. This happens on Rinca Island, where you can choose from different walking routes with a guide. For us, this was the only letdown of the whole Komodo adventure. The chance of spotting Komodo dragons while walking here is minuscule. It is nice to learn from the guide about these dangerous animals, though. You’ll definitely see some lying by a hut at the beginning, but it seems they feed the animals there. The guide says they don’t do this and that the dragons come for the smell of the kitchen, but whatever it is, it’s not very thrilling this way. 
Swimming with Mantas at Karang Makassar Reef
Another highlight of the Komodo Islands is snorkeling with the giant mantas. These giants average 2 to 3 meters (6.6 to 9.8 feet) wide. The chance of seeing mantas here is nearly 100%. From December to February is manta season, where you might spot groups of up to 30 mantas, but even outside the season, they can always be found somewhere at the Karang Makassar reef. A truly unique experience! 
Paradise Islands
Of course, you can also expect some nice stops at paradise islands with white beaches. These islands are surrounded by crystal clear blue water and often beautiful coral reefs. This is the perfect place to capture stunning photos.
Le Pirate Island
As the cherry on top, you can add an extra night at Le Pirate Island after the boat trip. Here, you’ll sleep in a cute little hut on the beach. It’s a paradise location and the perfect spot for a fun evening. During the day, you can enjoy snorkeling, table tennis, beach volleyball, kayaking, or sipping cocktails in your hammock. If you decide to take a boat trip with another organization but still want to stay at the beautiful Le Pirate Island, you can book one or more nights here as well.
How to Travel to the Komodo Islands?
The departure point for this tour is the harbor town of Labuan Bajo on Flores, which is about an hour’s flight from Bali. This isn’t necessarily a fun place but simply a gateway to the Komodo Islands. A one-way ticket from Bali costs around $55 when booked in advance. Of course, you can also fly to Labuan Bajo from other places in Indonesia. Check the current prices and departure times for flights to Labuan Bajo. 
The Best Time to Visit the Komodo Islands
The best time to visit the Komodo Islands is from April to December. This is the dry season, where you usually have sunny days. Ideal for snorkeling, diving, hiking, and of course, island hopping. From January to March is the rainy season, and these months are far from ideal for a trip like this. July and August are naturally the busiest months since many people are on vacation then. If you have the choice, the best times to go are between September and December or from April to June.
What Does the Komodo Trip with Le Pirate Explorer Cost?
If you want more information about this trip, you can check out the website of Le Pirate Explorer. They offer various tours and have several boats. They are often fully booked several months in advance, so if you want to join, you need to act quickly. The 4-day trip costs about $990 per cabin ($495 per person). If you have a smaller budget, there are also two- and three-day cruises, but these are not significantly cheaper in proportion.
Low Budget Alternative: If you’re on a tight budget, you can book a similar tour with Wanua Adventure on a larger and less comfortable boat. Luxury Alternative: On Liveaboard.com, you can compare all the luxury boats operating in this area and book a boat trip. Often, you can also dive on these boats. These boats regularly travel to different parts of Indonesia, and the overview shows all the offered boat trips per boat. So when booking your boat trip, always check the cruise’s location. It will always be specified, and it should include the Komodo Islands.
Where to Stay in Labuan Bajo?
Flights in Indonesia are not always reliable, so it’s smart to stay a night in Labuan Bajo first to avoid the risk of missing your boat. It’s also nice to relax in a hotel after returning from the boat trip. If you enjoy staying in a cozy hostel, La Boheme Bajo is definitely for you. This is a cool hostel in a great location with both double rooms and dormitories. You’ll easily meet other travelers here, as there’s a bar, a nice courtyard with plenty of seating, and a pool table. If you’re looking for something a bit more luxurious, Seaesta Komodo is a great choice. What makes this hotel unique is its rooftop terrace with a pool and a cozy bar. You can enjoy delicious food while taking in the stunning ocean view, especially during sunset. Both are great places to stay in Labuan Bajo!
  Seasta Komodo Hostel & Hotel |
  Bajo Bunkhouse |
