Best time to visit Komodo: the short answer
There is no single best time to visit Komodo National Park. The park has a dry season from April to October and a wet season that peaks in January and February, but calm water is not guaranteed in either one. If you are asking about the best time to visit Padar Island, plan around the sea conditions on your sailing day as much as around the calendar month.
Padar can only be reached by boat from Labuan Bajo, so the weather that matters is the weather on the water. Check the BMKG harbour forecast for Labuan Bajo the day before, and confirm your departure with your operator. The page on the Padar viewpoint hike explains the time windows for the climb.
Compare day trips and multi-day sailings on the tours page.
Our take: a full-day trip with a Padar stop
A day trip fits any season you pick, and this one stops at Padar, so check the forecast for your date before you book.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Padar Island and Komodo boat tours
Day trips and multi-day sailings from Labuan Bajo with live availability. Pick your date and check the forecast before you book.
Komodo weather by month
Komodo weather looks fairly steady in temperature and swings widely in rain. The table shows the Komodo station, BMKG observations for 2024, not long-term averages.
| Month | Max °C | Min °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34.0 | 24.8 | 109.1 |
| February | 33.2 | 24.6 | 104.4 |
| March | 33.8 | 24.6 | 106.5 |
| April | 33.8 | 24.0 | 238.2 |
| May | 34.2 | 23.8 | 1.7 |
| June | 34.0 | 22.6 | 16.7 |
| July | 32.6 | 21.2 | 48.8 |
| August | 33.2 | 21.4 | 0.3 |
| September | 33.0 | 22.6 | 27.7 |
| October | 34.2 | 23.8 | 44.2 |
| November | 34.6 | 24.0 | 101.9 |
| December | 32.8 | 23.4 | 230.9 |
Read the table as a rough guide to Padar Island weather: hot days, a little cooler nights from June to September, and rain that can arrive in any month of the year. April 2024 was wet even though it belongs to the dry season on paper.
Labuan Bajo weather
Labuan Bajo weather is what you will feel on the dock before you board. The harbour forecast from BMKG gives waves, wind and current for the port. It does not replace a check of the whole route to Padar, so ask your operator how the crossing looks.
Dry season is not calm sea everywhere
April to October is the dry season, and it is the usual choice for the Padar hike and island hopping. It still does not mean flat water on every route. July and August can bring windy crossings. In the dry month of September 2026, departures to Padar and Komodo were suspended by the harbour authority (KSOP) on 9 and 10 September because of weather.
From December to February the western monsoon brings rougher sea conditions again and again. January and February are the peak of the rainy season, with storms and high waves. If you travel then, keep a spare day in your schedule and expect that a trip may be moved or cancelled.
Manta season
Dive operators describe mantas at Manta Point as present all year, with larger feeding groups mostly from December to March. That is an observation from dive shops, not a promise. Sightings depend on the day, the current and the visibility, and no tour can guarantee them. The Komodo day trip page covers the stops that include Manta Point.
Dragon mating season
Komodo dragons mate roughly from June to August, when dragons are harder to spot. If seeing them is the main goal, a different month may give you an easier time, though a guided visit to Komodo or Rinca never comes with a sighting guarantee. More on that is on the Komodo dragons page.
Komodo in December
Komodo in December means rain and monsoon weather. The Komodo station recorded 230.9 mm of rain in December 2024. If you plan Labuan Bajo in December, book flexible dates and ask what happens if a trip is called off.
Best time to visit Komodo: frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Padar Island?
There is no universal best month. April to October is the dry season and the common choice for the hike, but the sea can still be rough in July and August, and trips were stopped on 9 and 10 September 2026. Check the BMKG harbour forecast for Labuan Bajo the day before.
Can I visit Komodo in the rainy season?
Yes, tours run, but January and February bring storms and high waves, and December to February is the western monsoon with rougher sea. Expect weather changes to your plans.
When can I see manta rays?
Dive operators say mantas are present all year at Manta Point, with bigger groups from December to March. There is no guarantee on any day.
When is the best time to see Komodo dragons?
The dragons mate roughly from June to August, when they are harder to spot. Outside those months a guided visit on Komodo or Rinca is easier, but sightings are never guaranteed.
Do I need to book the park ticket for a certain month?
No matter the month, reserve your park ticket through SiOra at the latest the day before. See the entrance fee page for the current rules.