Indonesia Boat Trip Approx. 8 min read

4-Day Komodo Island Boat Trip: Pirate Ship, Dragons and a Little Heartbreak

View from Padar Island in Komodo National Park

Four days, a small pirate-style boat and a route from Kuta all the way to Labuan Bajo – our Komodo Island boat trip was one of the most intense experiences of our journey so far. Dolphins, Komodo dragons, Pink Beach and a viewpoint that was worth every single step. But also a few moments that made us stop and think.

At a Glance

🚤 Route: Start in Kuta, boat departure from Kayangan Port and arrival at the harbour in Labuan Bajo.
🛏️ Accommodation on board: Shared cabin for five people – much more spacious than we expected.
🐉 Highlights: Komodo National Park, Pink Beach and Padar Island.
🌊 Sea conditions: At night the movement of the boat was sometimes very noticeable, especially in cabins towards the front.
⚠️ Good to know: Some operators attract whale sharks by feeding them. If this matters to you, ask the tour company specifically about it before booking.

Day 1: From Kuta to Our Little Pirate Ship

We started the morning in Kuta. From there, a shuttle took us to the tour office, where we received all the information about the trip – along with food and drinks straight away.

Afterwards, we continued to Kayangan Port, where our boat was already waiting for us. Our first thought was Pirates of the Caribbean – somehow it really did look like a little pirate ship.

We had chosen a shared cabin, which we shared with three other travellers. We were honestly pleasantly surprised: it was much more spacious than we had expected.

Not long after departure, we started getting to know the other people on board. The atmosphere was relaxed from the very beginning.

Afternoon

Kenawa Island

We hiked up a small hill to watch the sunset. Even though the sun did not disappear directly into the ocean, the view was beautiful.

Day 2: Dolphins, Stomach Cramps and a Mysterious Home Remedy

The night was surprisingly comfortable, even though our cabin was right at the front of the boat and we could definitely feel the waves. Unfortunately, the sunrise stayed hidden behind the clouds.

Afterwards, the whale shark experience was on the itinerary.

An honest thought: Once we arrived, we saw that the whale sharks were being fed so they would stay close to the boats. It did not feel right to us – we would much rather experience animals as naturally as possible. Because of that, this unfortunately was not the experience we had hoped for.

Luckily, the day got much better afterwards. We were playing cards with the others when dolphins suddenly appeared and started swimming alongside our boat – such a special moment.

Later, we were even allowed to jump from the boat into the sea: Justin went straight for a backflip, while Justyna provided some slightly more accidental entertainment for the group. 😂

Towards Evening

Severe Stomach Cramps

Justyna suddenly developed severe stomach cramps and spent about an hour curled up on the deck. One of the crew brought her hot water with a few drops of oil in it – five minutes later, the pain was simply gone. We still have no idea what exactly was in it, but somehow it worked.

That night became seriously rocky again and we woke up several times.

Prepare Your Trip

Packed Everything for Four Days on a Boat?

Snorkelling gear, sun protection, light clothing and a small travel pharmacy – there are a few things you will definitely want in your bag before heading out on a multi-day boat trip.

Open Packing List →

Day 3: Komodo Dragons, Pink Beach and the Viewpoint That Was Worth Every Step

We barely slept because the boat rocked heavily throughout the night. But as soon as we started cruising between the small islands in the morning, we quickly forgot about it – the water was unbelievably beautiful.

Our first stop was Komodo National Park. Our guide had warned us that because it was mating season, there was a chance we might not see any Komodo dragons at all. Luckily, we ended up getting lucky.

We were only in the park for around an hour, though. We honestly would have liked a little more time there.

Midday

Pink Beach

The beach is not bright pink, but it definitely has a noticeable pink tint. We especially loved snorkelling here – the coral was beautiful.

Our absolute highlight: Padar Island. We were running a little late and basically rushed our way to the top – but once we arrived, we were speechless. That view was worth every single step.

Panoramic view from Padar Island — Padar Island – one of the most impressive viewpoints of the entire trip for us.

Back on the boat, we ended the evening in the most relaxed way possible. The crew played guitar and everyone sang together – moments like these are what made this trip so special.

Where to Stay in Labuan Bajo

A Comfortable Place to Land After the Boat Trip

After several days on the boat, we were very happy to slow down and properly arrive in Labuan Bajo. Especially for the night after the tour, we would choose somewhere well located with a little extra comfort.

View Accommodation → Add your Booking.com affiliate link here later.

Day 4: Turtles, Baby Sharks and a Bittersweet Goodbye

For the first time, we actually slept really well because the boat stayed anchored overnight.

Our first stop was Manjarite Island – another chance to snorkel, this time with turtles and even a ray. It was a beautiful start to our final day.

Morning

Kelor Island

Tiny baby sharks, some of them visible directly from the beach.

Far too quickly, our boat trip came to an end and we arrived at the harbour in Labuan Bajo. Somehow, we were not ready to leave our little pirate ship just yet.

We spent the afternoon relaxing at the hotel and were treated to one more incredible view at sunset.

That evening, we met up again with a few people from the tour – naturally with pizza involved, because after four days of rice we were definitely ready for something different. 🍕

And that is exactly what we love about travelling: you meet people who are complete strangers in the morning, and just a few days later it somehow feels like you have known each other forever. You laugh together, play cards, share incredible moments and create memories you will never forget. Which is exactly why saying goodbye always comes with a little heartbreak.

Our Verdict

Four days full of contrasts: breathtaking views and rocky nights, dolphins and an uneasy feeling about the whale shark feeding, new friendships and a bittersweet goodbye.

For us, it is exactly this mix of beautiful, funny and not-quite-perfect moments that makes travelling feel real.