Komodo National Park Snorkeling: Early Morning Speedboat Tour

Six stops, manta rays, Komodo dragons, and a sandbank in the middle of the ocean

An early-morning speedboat tour from Labuan Bajo to Komodo National Park with an English-speaking guide, departing at 6:00 AM and returning by 3:45 PM. You hike Padar Island's 815 steps to a panoramic viewpoint, snorkel at Pink Beach and Manta Point where manta rays gather, trek Komodo Island with a local ranger to spot Komodo dragons in their habitat, rest at Taka Makasar sandbank, and finish at Siaba Island for sea turtle snorkeling. Lunch, snacks, drinks, and park entry are included. The early start means you arrive before peak visitor numbers fill the park's daily 1,000-person limit.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Padar Island1h 20m
2. Komodo National Park30m

Early morning Komodo National Park tour

• Hotel pickup around 5:25 AM
• Speedboat departs Labuan Bajo before 6:00 AM
• Hike to Padar Island viewpoint
• Snorkel and relax at Pink Beach
• Guided trek to see Komodo dragons
• Lunch at local warung
• Relax and swim at Taka Makasar sandbank
• Snorkel at Manta Point
• Explore underwater at Siaba Island
• Return speedboat to Labuan Bajo by 3:45 PM
• Transfer to hotel or airport

The experience

The pickup happens at 5:25 AM from your hotel lobby, with a speedboat departure at 6:00 AM sharp. You'll have four crew members on board: a captain, two crew, and an English-speaking guide. The timing is deliberate: arriving at Komodo National Park before the crowds means calmer waters, shorter waits at each stop, and a more relaxed pace throughout the day. The park now caps daily visitors at 1,000 people, and entry slots fill quickly. The operator pre-books your slot and handles the park fees upfront (IDR 450,000 per person total, with IDR 250,000 reimbursed on arrival and IDR 200,000 paid in cash to the ranger).

Padar Island comes first, about 75 minutes by speedboat from Labuan Bajo. The hike climbs 815 well-maintained steps at your own pace, with rest stops along the way, to a viewpoint overlooking three colored beaches: white, pink, and black sand meeting turquoise water. Pink Beach follows 15 minutes later, a rare pink-sand shoreline where you snorkel in calm, clear water. Then Komodo Island: a guided trek with an experienced local ranger to spot Komodo dragons in their natural habitat, along with deer and birds. The dragons here grow up to 3 meters long. Lunch is a prepared box (rice, vegetables, egg, chicken, vegetarian or vegan available) eaten at a simple local warung, where you can buy fresh coconut or extra drinks for cash. Taka Makasar, a crescent-shaped sandbank in the middle of the ocean, offers a peaceful swim and photo stop before Manta Point: a 5-minute ride away and famous for manta ray sightings in nutrient-rich currents. Your final stop is Siaba Island, where you snorkel in crystal-clear water among colorful corals, tropical fish, reef sharks, and sea turtles.

The return to Labuan Bajo takes about 45 minutes from Siaba, with an estimated arrival of 3:45 PM. Your driver waits at the harbor for transfer back to your hotel or straight to the airport: a 5-minute drive away, giving you time for an afternoon flight. The tour runs roughly 10.5 hours total. All departures depend on Harbor Master approval. Weather alone does not cancel the tour, but if conditions are deemed unsafe and sailing is not authorized, you can join an alternative tour date, postpone, or receive a full refund. Bring your own towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, walking shoes, and swimwear. If you're catching a flight, bring your luggage and store it in the shuttle.

What’s included

• Pickup from your hotel at 5:25 AM.
• speedboat transport with captain and crew.
• English-speaking guide throughout.
• entry to all six attractions (Padar Island, Pink Beach, Komodo Island, Taka Makasar, Manta Point, Siaba Island).
• guided trek on Komodo Island with a local ranger.
• snorkeling gear with fins fitted to your shoe size.
• Indonesian lunch box with rice, vegetables, egg and chicken (vegetarian or vegan on request).
• snacks, mineral water, soft drinks and seasonal fruits.
• tourist personal accident insurance.
• hotel or airport transfer upon return.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:30

Book up to14h before

AgesAdult (5 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 4 years): free · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. 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$ 25

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Komodo Snorkel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you have an afternoon flight or need to return to Labuan Bajo by mid-afternoon: the 6:00 AM departure and 3:45 PM return fit that schedule without cutting the day short. The early start is also what keeps the park calm and the snorkeling unhurried, so choose it if you want to move through each stop at a relaxed pace instead of racing between crowds.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 4 years): free; Infant (under 3): free.

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 24 h before the start.

What is the hike like on Padar Island?

Padar Island involves climbing 815 well-maintained steps at your own pace to reach the main viewpoint, with rest stops along the way. The climb is manageable and rewards you with a panoramic view of the three colored beaches and rugged coastlines: one of the highlights of Komodo National Park.

Will I definitely see Komodo dragons and manta rays?

Komodo Island is home to Komodo dragons, and you trek with an experienced local ranger who knows where to find them in their natural habitat. Manta Point is famous for frequent manta ray sightings in its nutrient-rich currents, though wildlife encounters depend on conditions and timing. The guide will position you for the best chance to see them.

What's included in the lunch?

Lunch is an Indonesian lunch box with rice, vegetables, egg, and chicken. Vegetarian and vegan meals are available if you request them when booking. The meal is eaten at a simple local warung, and you can bring extra cash to buy fresh coconut or additional drinks.

Can I bring luggage if I have an afternoon flight?

Yes, you can bring your luggage and store it in the shuttle car during the tour. After snorkeling ends, the same car takes you straight to the airport, which is a 5-minute drive from the harbor, giving you ample time for check-in.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Weather alone does not automatically cancel the tour. It proceeds as long as the Harbor Master determines conditions are safe and grants permission to sail. If the Harbor Master deems conditions unsafe and does not authorize departure, you can join an alternative tour date at no extra cost, postpone to another date, or receive a full refund.

How much does park entry cost?

The total park fee is IDR 450,000 per person, split as IDR 250,000 (SIORA fee, reimbursed upon arrival) and IDR 200,000 (ranger fee, paid in cash on arrival). The operator pre-books your entry slot using their own funds and requests your approval before confirming the booking.