The Komodo Islands with Josh Burkinshaw

Welcome to Labuan Bajo, the gateway to the Komodo Islands! Labuan Bajo is a small port town with a beautiful harbour, easily accessible via short 1hr flight from Denpasar (Bali).

We’ll be leaving for our liveaboard adventure early tomorrow, so we’ll spend a night at a hotel near the harbour to settle in, enjoy a delicious welcome dinner together, and prepare for an unforgettable 5 days exploring one of the most wild and stunning locations in the world.

Accommodation:

Hotel (exact property TBC)

Meals Included:

Welcome Dinner

Welcome aboard the beautiful Phinisi liveaboard boat Papiton Duwa! We’ll leave at approximately 9am, and you can settle into your cabins as we cruise to our first stop for the day. If we’ve got glassy conditions, you might find it hard to work out where the sky starts and the water begins – everything is such a beautiful azure blue.

Our first stop is a small white sand island known as Le Pirate Island, where we can chill in the shallows, have a snorkel, or relax on the beach. It’s also a great spot to get the drone up if you have one. Next stop is Sebayur Island, a snorkel spot where we will drift along in the current and enjoy bright fish, colourful coral and turtles.

We’ll then head towards Siaba Island (also known as Turtle Point) as the day draws to a close. We’ll have plenty of time for a swim and snorkel (hopefully with turtles) in beautifully coloured water with a rugged island landscape backdrop, before enjoying our first stunning sunset on the boat together.

Important Information:

All meals on the boat are included, along with snacks, free-flow mineral water, and tea/coffee. We have an on-board chef, and you will be VERY well fed! It’s highly recommended that you bring:

• A refillable water bottle
• Sea-sickness tablets if required
• Plenty of sunscreen
• Closed shoes for walking/hiking

The following is provided on the boat:

• Bathroom towel and beach towel
• Bedding
• Snorkelling gear (if required)

There is WiFi on the boat, however it relies on mobile data signal, and there are plenty of places out in the islands where the signal isn’t great. Prepare to spend a little bit of time disconnected from the net, and fully connected with your surroundings.

Siaba Island is a haven for turtles and other marine life with a stunning island backdrop, great for underwater and split over/under photography (check out the gallery). We’ll start the day here with a sunrise (if you’re up) and a snorkel.

From there, we’ll head to one of the absolute highlights of the trip, Manta Point. Here we have the chance to witness an awe-inspiring spectacle as Mantas gracefully soar through the water, their wings spanning majestically beneath the surface. We’ll endeavour to spend as much time with the Mantas as we can, and the crew will know how to pick the right tides and currents, as these will impact our chances of seeing them.

We’ll end the day at a beautiful island called Gili Lawa, where a sunset hike promises views that will leave you speechless.

Start the day with another Gili Lawa hike for sunrise. Trust us, it’s absolutely worth the early start. The 360 degree view you have here is absolutely incredible, and it’s possible that we’ll have the place mostly to ourselves.

Depending on tides and currents, we may have another chance to swim with the Manta Rays again before heading to Taka Makassar – an exposed sandbar island in the middle of the stunning turquoise water.

Our next destination is Padar Island – one of the most recognisable spots in the Komodos. We’ll visit Pink Beach, with vibrant blush coloured sand and crystal clear waters, before anchoring up for a sunset hike to the island’s summit for breathtaking views of the surrounding archipelago.

Important Information:

If you wish to fly a drone at Padar Island, there is a permit required – this fee will need to be paid in local currency (IDR) prior to boarding at Labuan Bajo, but you will need to advise us at least 7 days prior to boarding if you require it. The fee is subject to change, so we will confirm the exact amount when the time comes (likely around $1M IDR or $100 AUD).

Sunrise at Padar Island is a stunning spectacle, and there are a number of different viewpoints that you can check out to take it all in. Watching the sun hit Padar’s jagged peaks is an experience you won’t forget, and an opportunity to get photos and videos to make EVERYBODY jealous.

After a hearty post-hike breakfast, it’s on to the legendary Komodo Island, home of the iconic Komodo Dragons! We’ll take a guided tour of the island’s village, say hello to the friendly locals, and then head outside of town to encounter these ancient creatures in their natural habitat.

We’ll stop past Penga Island to swim amongst the mangroves with some baby reef sharks, before cruising to Kalong Island for sunset. Kalong Island, also known as Flying Fox Island, is home to thousands of flying foxes that roost in the mangroves during the day. At dusk, they all leave their roosts and fill the sky above you, with dramatic sunset colours creating the perfect backdrop.

Our final day starts at Kelor Island – a tiny island with a nice little sunrise hike as well as snorkelling with baby reef sharks. Our final stop is Manjarite Island, where you’ll find beautiful coral and turtles, before we begin our cruise back to Labuan Bajo.

The cruise back is a perfect time to reflect on what will have no doubt been an unforgettable trip, and share your photos and memories with your new-found adventure buddies. We’ll be back in port by around midday, which leaves plenty of time for the afternoon flight back to Denpasar.