Sailing the Komodo Islands in November

Nature
The wow factor for nature - does it show nature at its best? Doesn't need to be the wildebeest migration or diving with hundreds of hammerheads. Rather make you pause as you realise just how awesome the natural world can be
10
Culture
How much does this experience showcase some of the better and finer things that us humans can offer? Sure, it can be ancient ruins and renaissance churches, but it can also be festivals or soaking up some of the great modern cities of the world
5
Fun factor/activity
Very simple - was it fun? This is usually linked in with doing some kind of activity - i mean, walking along some cliffs is nice, but paragliding from them, now that is fun. Its a vastly underrated factor in a truly great experience
9
Avoid the crowds
Big tour groups and being surrounded by loud fellow tourists can sap the life out of even the greatest of travel experiences. This score is to reflect just how much you can avoid this. But. . . The score also takes into account if the crowds actually add to the experience, such as with a party town or a bustling local market
7
World famous
How world famous is the experience?
7
unique
How hard is it to have a similar experience in other places round the world?
9
Overall TE Score
The overall travel experiences score:  fun factor + avoid the crowds + (best of nature or culture) + (best of world famous or unique). Then convert into a score out of 100
87 *What the scores mean and where do they come from
RANKING
How this travel experience ranks compared to all the other experiences on this site, based on the travel experience (te) score
10th/454
Top 5%
continent
Asia
country
Indonesia
Length of time
3-4 days
Typical daily price
This gives you a rough idea of the daily price based on 2 people travelling where they can split costs like accommodation. It excludes travel there and back, and factors in inflation the numbers in brackets show the price range for the full time of the experience (so not necessarily daily). It is a range to reflect different budget vs higher end
$100 ($175-$500 in 2025 prices)
Time of year visited
November
Primary Tags
Click on any of the tags to see all travel experiences with the same tag
Sailing Wildlife - Komodo Dragons Wonder of the World - Natural
All Tags
Adventure Beach promenade Beaches Boat trip Hiking Islands Isolation Jungle Local villages Mountains Snorkeling Sunrise Sunsets Swimming UNESCO world heritage site Wildlife - Crocodiles Wildlife - Manta Rays Wildlife - Monkeys Wildlife - Sharks Wildlife - Stingrays
Wow Factor
The wow factor reflects just how much you’re likely to say “wow”. As there’s a lot of experiences in the world, and a lot of wows, i’ve gone with a simple ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ to ⭐️ score, and a separate category for the truly "gash"
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Summary

The Komodo Islands are best known for the Komodo Dragons, and rightly so, because seeing these awesome creatures in their natural habitat while walking across the islands is a wonderful experience.  But it’s actually the islands themselves that are the real star – jagged savannah-covered mountains meet bright white sand beaches across 30 islands surrounded by gorgeous turquoise waters filled with manta rays . . . indeed, rather appealing! . . . one of the highlights of all of South East Asia . . . and a Wow Wow Wow 🌟🌟🌟 experience.

 

Sailing the Komodo Islands - view from Kelor Island's short walk up the hill for paradise-style views

 

The trick though is how best to do it – especially when it comes to what kind of boat (day trip / local boat / snorkelling trip / diving trip / luxury end) and the time of year (dry season is generally April – November, with June-August and December peak months).  I’ve visited twice now – once in early November 2015 and once in mid March 2025:

 

  • November 2015 was a real 🌟🌟🌟 experience as it was right at the end of the dry season when the vegetation is parched, and the crowds were minimal because it is before the December spike.  We went with a local boat from Labuan Bajo (the main hub you will fly into) for 3 days / 2 nights at fraction of the normal price
  • March 2025 was fun but more like a 🌟 experience because although the landscape was gorgeously green, seas calming, and underwater visibility great, it felt super busy as the operators ramp up for the coming dry season and the cluster of holiday at that time.  This was despite us going with a far more high end snorkelling boat for 3 days / 2 nights.

 

So, after two visits, I’m sharing some of my tips below on how to make this a Wow Wow Wow 🌟🌟🌟 experience.

 

Table of Contents

My Highlights after two Komodo Trips

Komodo Islands - #1 Simply being on a boat slowly sailing your way through the Komodo Islands, some of South East Asia's most beautiful islands

#1 Simply being on a boat slowly sailing your way through the Komodo Islands, some of South East Asia's most beautiful islands

Komodo Islands - #2 Getting up close with the Seeing the world-famous Komodo dragons in the villages on Komodo itself and the surrounding islands

#2 Getting up close with the Seeing the world-famous Komodo dragons in the villages on Komodo itself and the surrounding islands

Komodo Islands - #3 Rocking up in Labuan Bajo, haggling with a local and heading off on the more "authentic" trip! It will move at a snail's pace.  But, grab a book, sit on the roof and watch paradise drift by

#3 Rocking up in Labuan Bajo, haggling with a local and heading off on the more "authentic" trip! It will move at a snail's pace.  But, grab a book, sit on the roof and watch paradise drift by

Komodo Islands - #4 Chilling on the stunning white sand beaches that seem to be everywhere in this island chain

#4 Chilling on the stunning white sand beaches that seem to be everywhere in this island chain

Komodo Islands - #5 World class snorkelling - Komodo has some of the best and easily accessible snorkelling in the world, let alone Indonesia - and pretty much guaranteed to see Manta Rays, especially at Manta Point

#5 World class snorkelling - Komodo has some of the best and easily accessible snorkelling in the world, let alone Indonesia - and pretty much guaranteed to see Manta Rays, especially at Manta Point

Komodo Islands - #6 Trekking across Komodo Island itself - a beautiful Savannah-style setting, especially in November

#6 Trekking across Komodo Island itself - a beautiful Savannah-style setting, especially in November

Komodo Islands - #7 The crystal clear waters. Beautiful for diving, snorkelling, swimming, or just gawping at over the side of the boat

#7 The crystal clear waters. Beautiful for diving, snorkelling, swimming, or just gawping at over the side of the boat

Komodo Islands - #8 Kelor Island's short walk up the hill for paradise-style views

#8 Kelor Island's short walk up the hill for paradise-style views

Komodo Islands - #9 Snorkelling with sharks either in the reef just off the boat or, the best spot we found was just off Pulau Kelor's beach

#9 Snorkelling with sharks either in the reef just off the boat or, the best spot we found was just off Pulau Kelor's beach

Komodo Islands - #10 Those beautiful sunsets from the boat

#10 Those beautiful sunsets from the boat

Komodo Islands - #11 The famous spot - Padar Island's sunrise/sunset hike to the triple-bay viewpoint

#11 The famous spot - Padar Island's sunrise/sunset hike to the triple-bay viewpoint

Komodo Islands - #12 Kalong (Bat) Island – sunset fly-out of thousands of fruit bats

#12 Kalong (Bat) Island – sunset fly-out of thousands of fruit bats

Komodo Islands - #13 The Pink Beach, and being lucky enough to catch sight of some Timor Deer on it

#13 The Pink Beach, and being lucky enough to catch sight of some Timor Deer on it

Komodo Islands - #14 Sunrise from the surprisingly well done beach promenade in Lubuan Bajo

#14 Sunrise from the surprisingly well done beach promenade in Lubuan Bajo

Komodo Islands – when to visit?

The time of year is going to be critical to get the best out of a Komodo Islands visit.  The seasons vary dramatically from really dry savannah style backdrops to thunderstorms and near continuous rain.

 

November was the perfect time to visit.  Really dry so the dragons were easy to spot, water was crystal clear and the crowds weren’t as bad as the other prime times:

    • December – early March.  Wet season and very few operators running
    • Late March – early May.  Shoulder season, very green
    • June – August. Best weather, turning golden, but very busy with crowds
    • September – November.  Very dry, quieter for crowds especially towards November

3 Key Tips for Komodo Island sailing options

 

#1 Do the 3 Days / 2 Night trip option.  One day would be so gash, and a 2 Day / 1 night would just feel unnecessarily rushed.  3 Days / 2 Nights is perfect.

 

#2 If you are flexible, shop for bargains in Lubuan Bajo.  Lubuan Bajo is the main town, starting point for all the boat trips and the place you will fly into.  The vast majority of people already have boats booked, but spaces are typically still available.  Each time I’ve been, I’ve seen some amazing last minute deals where the operators (often for very well established boats) have spaces free and are ready to sell for heavy discounts.  Speak to as many people as you can, in the main street (Jl Soekarno Hatta) and the Tourist Office to see what’s on offer.

 

#3 What to expect from the 3D/2N trip options:

  • Going “authentic” – US$160 pp (2025 prices).  Likely up to 6 people on board, cold pump showers, mattresses on the floor, one bathroom, and it will move at a snail’s pace.  But, grab a book, sit on the roof and watch some of the most beautiful scenery in Indonesia drift by.  One of my best South East Asian experiences.
  • Going on a snorkelling trip – US$500 pp (2025 prices).  Around 12-16 on board.  We went with the Vinca and it was fab (see there website – Vinca Voyages.  Hit all of the major tourist sites, plenty of world-class snorkelling, boat & food & staff were brilliant.
  • Diving liveaboard – US$1250-1750 pp (2025 prices).  3 dives a day, beautiful boats, top class service.  Liveaboards are always pricey no matter where you go, but they’re often the best experiences.

 

The Vinca, 12 berth boat that makes regular trips around the Komodo Islands

The Vinca, 12 berth boat that makes regular trips around the Komodo Islands

For Komodo Island Itself

Komodo Island itself is now quite a bit more structured than only 10 years ago.  You tend to arrive with your boat trip, walk to the see the dragons who are chilling all around town, get your picture taken and get back on the boat after 1-2 hours.  It is fun because the dragons are cool to see, but a tad tourist-conveyor belt.

 

My key tip for Komodo Island itself is push to take the long walk option.  The views from hills of the surrounding islands are magnificent and you have the chance of seeing some of the dragons out in their natural habitat.

Komodo Island Diving an Snorkelling Tips

Firstly, you’re in luck – the snorkelling and diving in the Komodo Islands is world-class.  Scuba Diving Top 10 in the world and I can’t think of anywhere better for snorkelling.

 

The Komodo Islands are a transition zone between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.  Its where cold currents, nutrient upwellings and tropical scenery meet, which explains why Komodo delivers such intense marine life and conditions.  The North of Komodo = stronger currents, mantas, dramatic diving.  South Komodo = colder water, richer reefs, less visited.

 

Snorkelling you’ll be guided by your boat organisers, but my main tips are to to visit:

  • Manta Point – your boat will almost certainly visit there.  No where in the world have I seen so many manta rays.  Its busy, but it isn’t hard to just swim a bit further away and have them to yourself.
  • Pulau Kelor’s beach – you will likely visit the island as part of your boat trip.  Right by the beach there is a jetty and hundreds of small sharks.  Your guide will be able to show you

 

For scuba diving, be sure to organise a trip to see:

  • Castle Rock – the famous Komodo dive and one of the most famous sites in Indonesia. A massive underwater pinnacle just swarming with fish.  Requires a bit of experience as the current can be strong, but a must if diving in Komodo.
  • Crystal Rock – next to Castle Rock and again with masses of fish.  You’ll likely dive here if making the trip to Castle Rock.
  • The Cauldron – strong drift dive where you’ll pass hundreds of rays as you pass through a bowl-shaped channel between Gili Lawa Darat and Gili Lawa Laut.

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Score Detail

The scores above are the real point of this site.

Over 20+ years and 100+ countries, I’ve tried to rank the world’s best travel experiences — from genuinely mind-blowing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ to the properly gash.

Every one of the 500+ places on this site has both a Wow Factor rating and a more analytical Travel Experience (TE) score based on the things that actually make travel memorable.

If you're curious about the thinking behind it, head to the About page.

Otherwise, explore the map above or on the Home page and see which places truly deliver maximum wow.

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