3-day Komodo National Park Snorkeling: Manta Rays & Dragons

Three days on a private boat, snorkeling manta rays and trekking past Komodo dragons

A 3-day snorkeling tour of Komodo National Park by private boat for up to ten passengers, based from Labuan Bajo. You snorkel at Manta Point to see manta rays, at Siaba to see turtles, and at Pink Beach; trek on Komodo Island to watch Komodo dragons; watch fruit bats at sunset on Kalong Island; and hike to the summit of Padar at sunrise. Meals, snorkeling gear, guide and hotel pickup are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Labuan Bajo to Kalong Island

• Arrive at Komodo Airport
• Transfer to Labuan Bajo pier
• Board private luxury boat
• Sail to Kelor Island
• Snorkel or hike on Kelor Island
• Lunch on boat
• Sail to Manjarite for snorkeling
• Sail to Kalong Island for bat watching
• Watch sunset at Kalong Island
• Dinner and overnight on boat

Day 2: Padar, Pink Beach and Komodo Island

• Sail early morning to Padar Island
• Hike to Padar summit
• Return to boat for breakfast
• Sail to Pink Beach
• Snorkel and relax at Pink Beach
• Sail to Komodo Island
• Trek to see Komodo dragons
• Return to boat for lunch
• Sail to Taka Makassar
• Snorkel and enjoy white sand beach
• Sail to Manta Point
• Snorkel to see manta rays
• Dinner and overnight on boat

Day 3: Snorkeling and return to Labuan Bajo

• Breakfast on boat
• Sail to Siaba
• Snorkel to see turtles at Siaba
• Sail to Kanawa
• Snorkel and relax at Kanawa
• Lunch on boat
• Sail to Angel Island
• Snorkel at Angel Island
• Sail back to Labuan Bajo
• Visit souvenir shop
• Transfer to Komodo Airport
• End of service

The experience

The boat departs Labuan Bajo on day one and sails to Kelor Island for snorkeling or hiking, then to Manjarite for another snorkel, and ends the evening at Kalong Island where you watch fruit bats at sunset before sleeping on board. Day two is the longest: an early sail to Padar Island for a hike to the summit, then Pink Beach for snorkeling, followed by Komodo Island where a guide leads a trek to see the Komodo dragons in their habitat. After lunch on the boat you visit Taka Makassar for snorkeling on white sand, then Manta Point in the late afternoon: the main draw for many travelers, where the water depth and current patterns bring manta rays close to the surface. Day three works backward toward Labuan Bajo: snorkeling at Siaba for sea turtles, Kanawa for white sand and reef, and Angel Island for a final snorkel before the return to port and transfer to the airport.

The private boat sleeps the group on board for both nights, with cabins, a dining area and a sun deck. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are cooked on board. Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins and life vest) is provided. Your English-speaking guide handles the itinerary, safety and the details of each site. Hotel or airport pickup in Labuan Bajo is included, as is the transfer back to the airport on the morning of day three. The boat is sized for up to ten passengers, so the group stays small enough to move between sites without long waits.

Entrance fees to Komodo National Park are not included and are paid separately at the gate. Alcoholic drinks and personal travel insurance are your own cost. The pace involves early mornings, the Padar hike starts before sunrise, and full days on the water with multiple snorkeling entries, so comfort in the ocean and a willingness to move between boat and water is assumed.

What’s included

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.
• mineral water, coffee and tea.
• snorkeling mask, snorkel, fins and life vest.
• English-speaking guide and guide fees.
• hotel or airport pickup and return transfer in Labuan Bajo.
• private boat accommodation for three days with all onboard facilities.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00, 10:30 and 14:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 6 days before the start.Between 2 and 6 days before the start, 50% refund.After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 28

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Flores Fantastic Tours

Is this one for you?Early starts and full days on the water are built into the schedule (the Padar hike departs before sunrise on day two), so you need to be ready to move between the boat and the water multiple times each day. If you're comfortable in the ocean and want to maximize snorkeling stops across three days rather than rush through them in one, this itinerary fits the pace.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 6 days before the start.

What are the Komodo dragons like when you trek on Komodo Island?

Komodo dragons are large monitor lizards found only on a few islands in this region. The trek on day two takes you into their habitat on Komodo Island with a guide who knows where they are most likely to be seen. They move slowly and rest in the heat, so sightings depend on the time of day and the season, but the guide will position the group for the best chance to observe them safely.

How deep is the water at Manta Point and how often do manta rays appear?

Manta Point is a snorkeling site where the water depth varies but is typically shallow enough for snorkelers to see the rays from the surface. Manta rays are seasonal and their presence depends on plankton levels and currents. The guide will know the conditions for your travel dates and position the boat where rays are most likely, though sightings are never guaranteed.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer to snorkel on this tour?

Snorkeling gear and a life vest are provided for all snorkeling stops. The sites are chosen for accessibility, though comfort in the water and the ability to enter and exit the boat safely are expected. The guide will brief you on each site's conditions before you enter the water.

What is Pink Beach and why is it called that?

Pink Beach is a snorkeling and swimming stop on day two where the sand has a pinkish tint from crushed coral and shells mixed into it. You snorkel in the reef nearby and have time to relax on the beach before the boat sails to Komodo Island.

Where do you sleep on the boat and what are the cabin conditions?

You sleep on the private boat for both nights, in cabins with basic facilities. The boat has a dining area and a sun deck. Meals are prepared on board and served to the group. Overnight stays are part of the itinerary and allow the boat to reach snorkeling sites early in the morning.

Does the tour include a visit to Labuan Bajo town or just the islands?

The tour is based from Labuan Bajo, where you are picked up from your hotel or the airport on day one and returned on day three. The itinerary focuses on the islands and snorkeling sites. Time in Labuan Bajo itself is limited to arrival and departure.