Sunrise trekPadar Island
The most photographed viewpoint in Komodo. A short sunrise trek up cut steps opens onto three crescent bays — black, white and pink sand in one frame.
Itineraries
The Komodo route, day by day
Three durations out of Labuan Bajo — 2D1N, 3D2N and 4D3N. Same islands at the core, more of the park the longer you stay.
How it runs
The shape of the days does not change
Riley sails 2D1N, 3D2N and 4D3N itineraries from Labuan Bajo, covering Padar, Komodo Island, Pink Beach, Manta Point and Taka Makassar on every route.
Order shifts with the tide, the weather and where the mantas are on the day. What does not shift is the shape: an early start for Padar, the ranger walk among the dragons after breakfast, and the water in the middle of the day when the light is best.
On a private charter the route bends to you. Skip a stop, add an hour at a reef, or ask the captain for the anchorage no one else is using — that is the point of taking the whole boat.
3 days · 2 nights
The signature route
The itinerary most guests take, and the one the park is laid out for. Two nights at anchor, every headline stop, and enough time in the water that nothing feels rushed.
01Day one
Out of Labuan Bajo to the bat island
Board at the harbour late morning, trek Kelor, snorkel Manjarite, and take the sunset at Kalong Island as thousands of fruit bats lift off. Dinner and overnight at anchor.
- Labuan Bajo
- Kelor Island
- Manjarite Island
- Kalong Island
02Day two
The full Komodo day
Sunrise hike at Padar, breakfast at Pink Beach, the dragon trek on Komodo Island, manta snorkelling at Manta Point, then the Taka Makassar sandbar and sunset from the deck.
- Padar Island
- Pink Beach
- Komodo Island
- Manta Point
- Taka Makassar
03Day three
A last swim, then home
Sunrise breakfast on board, a final snorkel at Sebayur Island, then the sail back to Labuan Bajo and transfer to your hotel or the airport.
- Sebayur Island
- Labuan Bajo
4 days · 3 nights
The extended route
Everything in the 3D2N plus a full day the shorter trips miss: Kanawa, the turtles at Siaba, and a second dragon walk on Rinca — usually with the park to yourself.
- 01
Day one
Board and sail west
Pick-up in Labuan Bajo, board Riley, trek Kelor Island, snorkel at Manjarite, and drop anchor at Kalong for the sunset bat flight and dinner on board.
- Labuan Bajo
- Kelor Island
- Manjarite Island
- Kalong Island
- 02
Day two
Padar, dragons and mantas
The signature day: Padar at sunrise, a swim at Pink Beach, the ranger walk among the dragons, manta snorkelling at Manta Point and sunset on the Taka Makassar sandbar.
- Padar Island
- Pink Beach
- Komodo Island
- Manta Point
- Taka Makassar
03Day three
Kanawa, Siaba and Rinca
The day the shorter trips miss. Kanawa Island, the turtles at Siaba, and a second dragon walk on Rinca, followed by a sunset cruise and dinner at anchor.
- Kanawa Island
- Siaba
- Rinca Island
- 04
Day four
Sunrise, Sebayur, and back
A final sunrise breakfast, snorkelling at Sebayur Island, then the sail home to Labuan Bajo and transfer to your hotel or the airport.
- Sebayur Island
- Labuan Bajo
2 days · 1 night
The short route
One night at anchor for guests with a single spare evening in Labuan Bajo. Tight, but it still takes in Padar at sunrise and the dragons after breakfast.
- 01
Day one
Labuan Bajo, Kelor, Manjarite and Kalong
Pick-up in Labuan Bajo at 11:00 WITA and board Riley. Trek Kelor Island, snorkel the coral gardens at Manjarite, then anchor off Kalong for the sunset bat flight. Dinner and overnight on board.
- Labuan Bajo
- Kelor Island
- Manjarite Island
- Kalong Island
- 02
Day two
Padar sunrise, dragons and Manta Point
Sunrise trek on Padar, a swim at Pink Beach, the ranger-led walk among the Komodo dragons, then snorkelling at Manta Point and the Taka Makassar sandbar before the run back to Labuan Bajo.
- Padar Island
- Pink Beach
- Komodo Island
- Manta Point
- Taka Makassar
Side by side
What each duration covers
A quick comparison before you pick. All three depart Labuan Bajo and return there.
| Duration | Nights at anchor | Headline stops | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Days / 1 Night | 1 | Kelor, Manjarite, Kalong, Padar, Pink Beach, Komodo, Manta Point, Taka Makassar | A single spare evening |
| 3 Days / 2 Nights | 2 | All of the above, unhurried, plus Sebayur on the way home | Most guests |
| 4 Days / 3 Nights | 3 | All of the above plus Kanawa, Siaba and Rinca Island | Divers, families, anyone who wants the quiet days |
The captain may reorder or substitute stops for weather, tide and sea state. Park entry, ranger and activity fees are paid separately in cash.
The stops
Where you actually go
Nine places make up the Riley route. These are the ones worth knowing about before you board.
Sunrise trek
Ranger walkKomodo Island
Home of the Komodo dragon and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. You walk with a park ranger, in a small group, on marked trails.
Swim stopPink Beach
One of only a handful of pink beaches on earth. Crushed red coral mixed through white sand, with calm turquoise water just off the shore.
SnorkellingManta Point
A cleaning station where reef mantas hold position in the current. Sightings are best on a moving tide, which is why the crew time the stop.
SandbarTaka Makassar
A crescent of white sand that surfaces only at low tide. Step out into the middle of the ocean with turquoise water on every side.
Short hikeKelor Island
The first stop out of Labuan Bajo. Fifteen minutes of climbing gets you a full panorama of the surrounding archipelago.
Coral gardenManjarite Island
Shallow, sheltered water between three and eight metres — the easiest snorkelling on the route, and the best stop for beginners and children.
Sunset anchorageKalong Island
The overnight anchorage on night one. At dusk thousands of giant fruit bats lift off the mangroves and stream overhead for close to an hour.
Final snorkelSebayur Island
The last swim before the run home — a healthy reef close to Labuan Bajo, shallow enough to see everything from the surface.
The fare
Included, and what to budget for separately
Included in the fare
- Accommodation on board Riley Phinisi for the full itinerary
- All meals, prepared fresh by the on-board chef
- Mineral water, coffee and tea throughout
- Professional documentation — drone, GoPro and mirrorless
- English-speaking cruise guide
- Snorkelling equipment and life vests
- Pick-up and drop-off within Labuan Bajo
Budget separately
- Flights to and from Labuan Bajo (LBJ)
- Komodo National Park entrance and ranger fees
- Crew gratuities
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal snacks and expenses
- Drone permit, where required
- Travel insurance
Planning
Itinerary questions
What time does the trip start and finish?
Pick-up in Labuan Bajo is at 11:00 WITA on day one. On the final day you are back in Labuan Bajo in time for afternoon flights. We recommend arriving the day before departure.
Can we change the route?
On a private charter, yes — within what the weather, the tide and park regulations allow. Tell us what matters most to your group and the captain builds the days around it.
How hard is the Padar hike?
About twenty minutes of cut steps to the main viewpoint. It is steep in places but short, and there are lower platforms if anyone would rather stop early. Guests do it in the dark before sunrise with head torches from the crew.
Will we definitely see manta rays?
Never guaranteed — they are wild animals. Sightings at Manta Point are best on a moving tide, which is why the crew time the stop rather than slotting it in at a fixed hour. Odds are highest from December through February, but mantas are seen year-round.
Do we sleep at anchor or under way?
At anchor, in sheltered bays. Night one is usually off Kalong Island after the bat flight.
Is the itinerary suitable for children?
Yes. Manjarite is shallow and calm for first-time snorkellers, life vests are carried in every size, and the dragon walk is a marked trail with a ranger. Families regularly take the whole boat.
Keep reading
Where to go next
Reservations
Build the route around your dates
Send your dates, guest count and the stops that matter most. We reply with live availability and a written quote.