Komodo history: 1938 to 1991
The Komodo National Park lies between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores, and its main islands are Komodo, Rinca and Padar. Its protection grew in steps, and the Komodo history is easier to follow as a timeline. Padar also appears in it, since the story of the island is part of the story of the park.
The World Heritage listing covers land and marine ecosystems. Do not mix up the dates: 1980 is the founding of the national park, and 1991 is the year of the World Heritage status.
Our take: a private boat through the park
This private speedboat day tour takes your group through the national park at its own pace.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. 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.
Boat tours into the Komodo National Park
Speedboat and sailing trips from Labuan Bajo, with live availability.
Who manages the park
The park is run by the Balai Taman Nasional Komodo (BTNK), part of the directorate general KSDAE in the Ministry of Forestry. Its office is on Jalan Kasimo in Labuan Bajo. The authority sets the visiting windows, the quota and the trail rules, and the tourism authority BPOLBF and the harbour authority KSOP handle other parts of the visit.
This website is independent and is not run by any of these bodies. Tickets are issued through the state system SiOra, as the entrance fee page explains.
Zones and visitor routes
Visitors may use only the marked trails and zones, and trekking outside the permitted time windows is not allowed. The Padar tourism project sits in a use zone, which does not mean the whole island is open to visitors. For the viewpoint walk, see the Padar Island hike.
The Padar development debate
A planned tourism project on Padar has drawn public attention for years.
The company PT Komodo Wildlife Ecotourism (PT KWE) has held a permit on Padar since 2014. The permit area covers 274.13 hectares. The ministry states that the planned building footprint is about 15.375 hectares, or 5.64 percent, and rejects reports of 426 hectares.
In August 2025 the ministry reported an environmental assessment consultation and no tourism construction at that time. It said no construction would be approved before the World Heritage Centre and IUCN agree to the assessment. Book accommodation in Labuan Bajo or a liveaboard for your Padar visit. Treat these as the ministry's own figures, not as a survey of the ground.
Quotas in 2026
Since 1 April 2026 the park accepts 1,000 visitors per day, which is around 365,000 per year, for Padar, Rinca, Komodo and 23 dive sites. The ministry calls the quota adaptive and says it may be adjusted. Announced improvements to trails and jetties are plans, not finished work, and no increase has taken place.
Padar's own time windows are listed on the hike page. The Komodo day trip shows how a boat day fits around them.
Weather and departures
Departures can be paused for weather. On 9 and 10 September 2026 the harbour authority held back permits for Padar and Komodo. Check your slot and boat the day before.
Komodo National Park: frequently asked questions
When did Komodo become a national park?
It was declared a national park in 1980 and added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1991.
Who manages the Komodo National Park?
The Balai Taman Nasional Komodo (BTNK), under the Ministry of Forestry, with its office in Labuan Bajo.
Is there a hotel or resort on Padar?
A tourism project by PT KWE has been planned. As of August 2025, the ministry said building would only start once the World Heritage Centre and IUCN had agreed to the impact assessment. Book accommodation in Labuan Bajo or a liveaboard for your Padar visit.
How many visitors are allowed per day?
1,000 per day across the main visiting areas since 1 April 2026, with three time windows on Padar.
Where do I start my visit?
In Labuan Bajo, from where boats sail to the park islands.