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Park fees
Komodo National Park entrance, ranger, trekking and snorkelling charges are set by the park authority, applied per person and per activity, and paid in cash. We confirm the current amounts at booking.
Planning guide
Planning a Riley charter in Indonesia
Seasons, flights, park fees, what to pack and the mistakes guests most often make — everything you need to settle before you book.
The short version
Four decisions, and everything else follows
Pick your month (April to October is calmest), fly into Labuan Bajo the day before, choose a duration between 2D1N and 4D3N, and carry cash for park fees.
Riley sails Komodo National Park from Labuan Bajo on Flores, March through December. She is chartered whole — one group, up to ten guests, four en-suite cabins.
The rest of this page is the detail behind those four decisions, in the order you need it.
When to sail
April to October has the calmest water
The dry season runs roughly April to November: flat crossings, clear skies and the best underwater visibility. July and August are the busiest months in the park and the first to sell out.
Riley operates March through December. The wet months bring heavier rain and rougher crossings, but they are also when manta concentrations at Manta Point peak — December to February is the best window if mantas are the point of the trip.
Shoulder months — April, May, September and October — are the sweet spot: dry-season water without dry-season crowds, at the same charter rate.
- Best weather
- April – October
- Busiest
- July, August, Christmas – New Year
- Best mantas
- December – February
- Riley operates
- March – December
Getting there
Fly to Labuan Bajo, and arrive a day early
Labuan Bajo (LBJ) has direct flights from Bali (DPS), Jakarta (CGK) and Surabaya (SUB). The airport is about twenty minutes from the marina.
Arrive the day before departure. LBJ flights are weather-sensitive and frequently delayed, and Riley boards at 11:00 WITA — she cannot hold for a late connection. A hotel night in Labuan Bajo is the cheapest insurance you will buy on this trip.
On the final day you are back in Labuan Bajo in time for afternoon flights out.
- Airport
- Labuan Bajo (LBJ), 20 minutes from the marina
- Direct from
- Bali (DPS), Jakarta (CGK), Surabaya (SUB)
- Boarding
- 11:00 WITA on day one
- Transfer
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off included
Money
What to budget beyond the charter
The charter rate covers the boat, the crew and full board. These are the costs that sit on top.
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Cash on board
There are no ATMs or card machines once Riley leaves Labuan Bajo. Draw rupiah in town before you board — for park fees, tips and anything ashore.
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Crew gratuities
Appreciated, never expected, and never added to the bill. Groups that tip usually pool it and hand it to the captain to share among the whole crew.
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Drinks
Mineral water, coffee and tea are included. Alcohol and soft drinks are not — bring your own from Labuan Bajo and the crew will keep it cold.
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Diving
Snorkelling gear is included; scuba is an add-on with certified guides and separate equipment hire, quoted on top of the charter.
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Travel insurance
Strongly recommended, and worth checking it covers charter cancellation — force majeure is not refundable under the booking terms.
Packing
What to bring
Nothing formal is needed. What you will actually miss is a dry bag and a second pair of dry shoes.
Essentials
On the packing list we send every guest
Twelve things guests are glad they brought.
- Sunblock
- Sunglasses
- Beach hat
- Swimsuit
- Hiking sandals
- Power bank
And also
The second half of the list
The items most often forgotten.
- Toiletries
- Dry bag
- Personal medication
- Cash in rupiah
- Light snacks
- Local SIM card
Fitness & comfort
How demanding is it, really?
The park describes the physical demand as medium, and that is fair. The hardest single thing is the Padar climb: about twenty minutes of cut steps, steep in places, done before sunrise. There are lower platforms for anyone who would rather stop early, and nobody is obliged to go.
Everything else is optional. You do not need to be a strong swimmer — life vests come in every size and the crew get in the water with you. If you are prone to seasickness, ask for a lower-deck cabin amidships and bring what normally works for you; crossings are short and mostly happen inside sheltered water.
- Padar hike
- ~20 minutes of steps, before sunrise
- Dragon walk
- 60 – 90 minutes on marked trails, with a ranger
- Snorkelling
- Optional at every stop, life vests provided
- Crossings
- Short hops, mostly while you eat or nap
Mistakes
The three things guests most often get wrong
Arriving on the morning of departure. It works until the flight is delayed, and then it does not work at all. Come the day before.
Not carrying cash. Park fees are cash-only and there is no ATM in the park. Draw rupiah in Labuan Bajo.
Under-booking the duration. Guests who take 2D1N most often say they wish they had taken 3D2N. The extra night is where the unhurried version of the trip lives.
Planning
Practical questions
Do I need a visa for Indonesia?
Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival or an e-VOA for tourism. Check the current rules for your passport with the Indonesian immigration service before you fly — requirements change and we cannot advise on your specific case.
Is there mobile signal in the park?
Patchy, and absent in places. It depends on the mobile network rather than the boat. A local SIM helps; plan for stretches offline.
What is the power supply on board?
Indonesian standard sockets, with generators running overnight at anchor. Bring a power bank anyway — sockets in cabins are limited and everyone is charging cameras.
Can the crew handle medical issues?
First aid is carried and the crew are trained in it, but the park is remote and evacuation takes time. Bring your own medication and declare any condition at booking so the crew know.
What should we wear?
Swimwear, light clothing and something with sleeves for the sun. Hiking sandals or trainers for Padar and the dragon walks. Nothing formal — there is no dress code on board.
Is Komodo suitable for older travellers?
Yes, with the caveat that Padar is a genuine climb. Everything else — the dragon walks, the beaches, the snorkelling — is either flat or optional. Multi-generation charters are common.
Keep reading
Where to go next
Reservations
Still planning? Ask us anything
The reservations desk answers planning questions whether or not you have booked. WhatsApp is fastest.