Everything our guests ask before they book — answered the way we answer on WhatsApp, minus the typing delays. Can’t find yours? Ask us directly; a human in Labuan Bajo replies within 12 hours.
When is the best time to visit Komodo National Park?
April to June and September to November are the sweet spots: calm seas, dry hiking trails and 20-30 metre underwater visibility. July and August are also dry but the busiest. December to February brings the west monsoon — trips still run, but expect occasional rerouting and choppier crossings. If you are weighing up formats for those months, every Komodo boat tour we run — open trip, private charter and liveaboard — is compared on one page.
I can't swim. Can I still join a sailing trip?
Yes. Life jackets are mandatory for everyone during water activities, snorkel stops are chosen for calm and shallow conditions, and a crew member is always in the water with the group. Many of our happiest guests never let go of the float ring — and still saw the mantas.
Are park entrance and ranger fees included in the price?
No — Komodo National Park fees are set by the government and paid directly at the gate (roughly IDR 400,000 for domestic and IDR 800,000 for international visitors, plus small ranger, trekking and snorkeling levies). Our guide handles all the queues and paperwork; you just bring the fee in cash or pay by QRIS.
How close will I get to a Komodo dragon? Is it safe?
Dragon walks on Komodo and Rinca are always led by licensed park rangers, usually keeping a 5-10 metre distance. Rangers read the animals' behaviour constantly and carry the traditional forked staff. Follow their instructions, stay with the group, and the experience is very safe — these walks have run daily for decades. Both islands are visited on most of our Labuan Bajo & Komodo tours.
What happens if the weather turns bad?
The captain and harbourmaster have the final word. If a crossing is closed we first try to reroute within the park, then reschedule your trip, and if neither works you receive a full refund of the affected days. Safety calls are never negotiable — it is why we are still here after a decade.
How do payments work? Do you take credit cards?
After you submit a booking request we confirm availability within 12 hours and email an invoice with bank transfer details (IDR). Trips more than 30 days out can be held with a 50% deposit. We do not charge cards online; international transfers via Wise or similar services work well and avoid card surcharges. You can follow your booking status, invoice and payment due date any time on the Check My Booking page.
Can I reschedule or cancel my booking?
Rescheduling is free up to 14 days before departure, subject to availability. Cancellations more than 30 days out are refunded minus a 10% administration fee; 15-30 days out, 50%; within 14 days, the booking is non-refundable but transferable to another person or to open-dated credit valid 12 months.
What should I pack for a liveaboard trip?
Light quick-dry clothing, swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sturdy sandals or trail shoes for Padar, a dry bag for electronics, any personal medication, and a light jacket for pre-dawn climbs. Towels, snorkeling gear, drinking water, tea and coffee are provided on board. The same list covers a private charter on any of our boats — the crew handles the rest.
Is there phone signal or Wi-Fi during the trip?
Patchy by nature. You will find usable 4G near Labuan Bajo, Rinca and parts of the main sailing corridor, and dead zones elsewhere. Some boats offer Wi-Fi in common areas. We tell most guests to treat the trip as an excuse — the office will survive two days.
Do you run trips for solo travellers?
Constantly. Our open trips have no single supplement — you share a cabin with another traveller of the same gender — and roughly a third of guests on any departure are travelling alone. It is the easiest place in Indonesia to make friends; two sunrises and a deck dinner will do that.