Komodo National Park tours at a glance
Komodo tours all start in Labuan Bajo, the harbour town on the western tip of Flores. From there boats head into Komodo National Park to islands such as Padar, Komodo, Rinca and the beaches and reefs in between. A padar island tour is rarely sold on its own. Padar is usually one stop on a day trip or on a longer cruise.
Tours fall into three groups. Shared speedboat day trips are the most common and fit one long day. Private speedboats give you a flexible schedule. Phinisi cruises last two to three days with nights on board, and some three-day programmes add a day on land.
If you want the boat to yourselves, see the Padar Island private tour options.
Our picks: day tours to Padar
Compare three day tours: the full-day speedboat tour picks up around 05:30 to 06:15 and excludes breakfast; the Komodo day tour with snorkeling visits Manta Point.
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.
One-day Komodo National Park tour
- Pickup and drop-off
- English-speaking guide
- Snorkeling gear and lunch box
A soft drink and a towel are included. Park entry is extra.
Check availability →
Full-day speedboat tour of the national park
- Pickup and drop-off
- English-speaking guide
- Snorkeling gear and lunch box
Water, soft drinks, fruit and snacks are on board. Park ticket, ranger fee, tips and breakfast are extra.
Check availability →
Komodo day trip with snorkeling
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Speedboat and local guide
- Snorkeling gear and lunch box
The program covers Padar, Pink Beach, Komodo and Manta Point. Park entry is extra and paid in cash on site.
Check availability →Komodo and Padar tours from Labuan Bajo
Day trips by speedboat and cruises by phinisi, with live prices and availability.
Labuan Bajo tours: pickup, harbour and park fees
What the listing says matters more than the title.
Most labuan bajo tours include a pick-up at your hotel and a transfer to the harbour. On the early starts the pick-up can be around 05:30 to 06:15 in the morning, so confirm the time the evening before. A few tours also collect from the airport, which helps when your flight lands on the day you sail.
The park ticket is where tours differ most. On several of the most booked day trips the park entry is paid in cash on the spot or is not included at all. A smaller group of tours includes the park ticket and the ranger fee in the offer. Neither approach is better by default. Compare the includes line by line and ask whether the park entry and the ranger fee are covered. The same question applies to snorkel gear, lunch and towels.
Some listings add crew tips or a harbour transfer. Others list a lunchbox only. If a detail does not appear in the includes, ask the operator before booking and do not assume it is covered.
Speedboat, phinisi or liveaboard
The boat decides the pace of the trip.
A speedboat covers the distance to Padar in about 1 to 2 hours, depending on the boat and the sea. A phinisi under engine takes about 3 to 4 hours for the same stretch. That difference is why day trips use speedboats and why cruises feel slower and longer, with more time at anchor.
The day trip suits travellers with one free day and a wish to see the main stops. A cruise suits those who want quiet anchorages, an evening with the flying foxes and more than one snorkel stop. Read the route in the day trip guide or the notes on cabins and park fees in the liveaboard guide.
Three-day boats with two nights on board are compared on the Komodo sailing tour page.
Trips built around time in the water are compared on the Komodo snorkeling tour page.
What the park fee covers
Since the rules of 2024 (PP 36/2024), the park entry is a simplified fee that combines trekking, wildlife viewing and snorkelling. It does not cover the boat, a guide or other services of the operator. The amount for foreign visitors and the booking steps are on the entrance fee page.
On multi-day trips, ask your operator how many park days are charged. Inspections in 2025 targeted boats that bought one ticket for several days.
Which tours stop at Padar
A typical pattern, not a guaranteed route.
A common speedboat day combines Padar with Pink Beach, Komodo and Manta Point, and sometimes Taka Makassar and Kanawa. Some day trips go to Rinca and the flying foxes instead of Padar, and the multi-day programmes differ again. The order and the stops depend on the weather, the tide and the park's permits. If Padar matters to you, check that it is named in the itinerary and that the tour runs to one of the park's time slots.
Dragon viewing happens on Komodo or Rinca. See the Komodo dragons page for the difference. The beach with pink sand is on Komodo too, as explained on the Pink Beach page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose between a day trip and a cruise?
Choose a day trip if you have one day and want to see Padar and the main stops. Choose a cruise if you want slower days and nights on board.
Does every tour include the park ticket?
No. Some tours include it, others ask you to pay in cash on the day or buy it separately. Check the includes before you book.
Can I join a tour from the airport?
Some tours offer an airport pick-up. Others collect only from hotels in Labuan Bajo, so ask the operator.