When you visit Flores in Indonesia, one of the activities you should not miss is sailing around the Komodo National Park islands. The vast National Park stretches out to 1,733 km squared and includes three well-known islands: Komodo, Rinca, Padar, and 26 other lesser-known and smaller islands.
The three main islands Komodo, Rinca, and Padar, are huge and seem quite close to each other on a map but are far from each other. A sailing trip is the perfect opportunity for tourists to sight-see and do some island-hopping, which takes at least three days.
Here is a rough itinerary for a typical three-day sailing trip to Komodo.
Day 1
The sailing trip starts in the morning, around 9 am or earlier, depending on how many days your trip is. Your sailing package may include pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or airport if you are traveling directly. If your hotel is arranging the trip, the same case applies. They drop you off and pick you up after the trip. You can either book a private trip or a shared one.
· Kelor Island
The first stop may be Kelor Island, half an hour away from Labuan Bajo by a small boat. You can hike for at least 30 to thirty minutes to the island top to catch the other surrounding islands’ breathtaking view and take some photos.
· Menjerite Island
The next stop is usually Menjerite Island to enjoy some snorkeling. The island is only twenty minutes away from Kelor Island.
· Rinca Island
The famous Komodo dragons are found in the Komodo and Rinca Islands. Interestingly, most tourists who have been to the islands prefer Rinca to Komodo Island.
As soon as you set foot on Rinca, you are met by a ranger who will be your guide around the Komodo-infested island. You can hike to the top of the Island and see Komodo nests on the way. You can get a 360-degree view of the island at the top of the Island, which is a Savanah for miles around. The sailing package you pay for is inclusive of the National Park entrance fee.
· Kalong Island
As the sun sets on Day one, you will stop at the Kalong island to watch bats fly from Kalong Island to other neighboring islands to look for food. They come back before sunrise. The overnight stay is on the boat on Kambing Island.
DAY 2
· Padar Island
Padar Island is famous, and most photos of the Komodo National Park are taken on this island. You will need to hike for at least 20-30 minutes to see the spectacular view. There are some wooden stairs on the trail’s first half. Bring enough water as the sun is scorching.
· Pink Beach
The Pink Beach is exquisite and the most beautiful of all of Komodo’s beaches. You can snorkel and enjoy the pristine waters, the beautiful corals, and the schools of colorful fish. The beach is pink due to a natural phenomenon of dead, red corals that break down and mic with the white sand.
· Gili Lawa
Translated as Beautiful Island, this stop is famous for its breathtaking sunsets. The hike to the top takes half an hour if you are up to it. You can hike for 10 minutes to a smaller hill and watch the sunset if the first option is impossible. The night is spent at Gili Lawa.
DAY 3
· Manta Point
The first stop is at Manta Point, where you get to see Manta Rays and swim with them as they are harmless.
· Taka Makassar
Taka Makassar is a sandbank found near Manta Point and is a beautiful place to swim and relax.
· Kanawa Island
Kanawa is the last stop on your trip. It is among the closest islands to Labuan Bajo and quite visited by tourists.
Your trip should be over by early afternoon, and you can either go catch a flight or back to your resort to rest. If planning to fly the same day, book a flight with a departure time after 3 pm.
What to Bring for the Trip
Carry the following:
- Hiking shoes
- Hats and sunscreen
- Earplugs to keep out noise
- Books, board or card games
- Snorkel/fin/mask
- Headlamp for spotting octopus or fish in the evening
- Swimsuits
Conclusion
Going on a sailing trip is a lot of fun, and the more days you take, the better opportunity you get to do more sightseeing. If you are going for a sailing trip via your resort, it takes away the hassle of booking flights and looking for a reliable boat crew.
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