The islands with land texture in the form of grassland spoil the eyes of tourists behind the window of ATR type aircraft, which take off from Ngurah Rai Airport, Denpasar, Bali, when it will land at Komodo Airport, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province ( NTT).
It took less than two hours by air from Denpasar to arrive on the western island of Flores. Every year, foreign and domestic tourists come to this island. The goal, of course, is to visit the Komodo National Park (KNP) which can be accessed from Labuan Bajo.
KNP was designated a world heritage site in 1991 by the United Nations (UN). Not to mention, in 2011, KNP was designated as 7 New Wounders with the Amazon Forest, Halong Bay, Iguazu Falls, Jeju Island, Puerto Princesa Underground River, and Table Mountain.
KNP consists of three large islands namely Rinca, Komodo and Padar Islands. KNP is special because there is only the Komodo dragon on earth. Flores waters are more special because of the beauty of the beach and the clear sea. The beauty of the underwater store of coral reefs and millions of fish.
In KNP, tourists can travel to at least nine destinations, namely Komodo Island, Rinca, Padar, and Gili Lawa. The three islands have savanna hill soil texture. Then proceed to Kanawa Island which has white sand and amazing coral reefs, a small island with white sand Taka Makasar, hunting manta fish, pink beach, Kelor Island and Island 9, where to swim with jellyfish.
Adventure travel to KNP is believed to be a lot of high-cost parties. Every tourist from Java, especially from West Java (West Java), must stop first in Denpasar, Bali. Then, air travel continues to Komodo Airport.
Even so, there are also several direct airlines from Jakarta to Labuan Bajo. However, due to high costs, many tourists choose to stop by in Bali. Thus, it costs twice the flight to Labuan Bajo.
Not to mention, the cost to start an adventure in Flores waters requires a boat rental fee which is certainly not cheap. On various social media networks, many trip organizers offer this Sailing Komodo tour package. Generally, they offer tour packages for several days. Starting from a full day trip, two days and one night, three days and two nights to four days and three nights.
For three days and two nights, for example, many trip organizers set a maximum price of Rp 2.5 million per person. The fee includes rent for snorkeling equipment, entrance fees to a number of places, rent a boat, to eat. Likewise with electricity. SAILING KOMODO boats are equipped with air conditioners, bedrooms, relaxing areas on the deck, toilets and sufficient fresh water needs.
For three days and two nights, tourists will stay and sleep on a boat or known live on board. Even so, many trip organizers offer prices under Rp. 2 million for three days and two nights. However, the price determines the type of boat. Many Sail Komodo boats only provide air-conditioning fan and other limited facilities, such as bedrooms to electricity.
An average boat is inhabited by one Captain and three to five crew (ABK). Each boat also includes a lifeboat and safety equipment. While on board, don’t worry about food because ABK serves delicious food three times a day. Food quality, no doubt because the average specialists cooking specialists will serve delicious foods from the sea.
Tourists usually order SAILING KOMODO packages in advance through social media networks. Even so, in the Labuan Bajo area many trip organizers are found, including diving guide services.
Here are some tips for every tourist who wants to adventure on Komodo Sail. Sail Komodo takes tourists during the day and night in a few days to wade the waters of Flores.
Therefore, the condition of the body must be fit, not seasick, and prepare a lot of clothes because for a few days, tourists will definitely be tempted to swim on a beautiful beach. Clear sea water, white sand beaches, and coral reefs that can be seen in plain sight is an attraction that is difficult to resist. And most important, must be smart to choose a trip organizer. Make sure the one who has experience guides Sail Komodo.
Flores waters are not “tame” waters. At a number of points, these waters at certain times are quite fierce. The currents of the sea were swift and currents in the sea were just as ferocious. At least those two assumptions are proven.
First, when tourists want to swim to see the charm of manta fish in one afternoon, the sea surface current is quite heavy. In fact, there are times when a boat crosses a calm sea level, even though the currents are raging inside.
Second, on the same day, in the morning, when going to Padar Island, for example, there came a big enough sea wave. So, the tourists and the crew were adrift quite inside the boat. Luckily, the boat is large and the captain is already reliable, so the sea waves can be passed safely.
Therefore, make sure the boat offered by a trip organizer to tourists with a certain price is safe and comfortable. Moreover, for several days tourists will stay on board.
There is another suggestion that is important for tourists to consider. Be patient waiting for cheap airplane tickets, whether it’s from Bandung or Jakarta to Denpasar, Bali, or from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo. Our observation, the lowest price for two flights ranges around the price of Rp 1.5 million. If you are patient, the price can be reduced to Rp 1 million to Rp 1.3 million. As for direct flights, on average airlines offer prices above Rp 1.7 million. Therefore, if you want to plan Sail Komodo, be diligent in checking the flight ticket prices for these routes.
Come to Sail Komodo in early April to mid-December because of the friendly weather. Then do not ever ventured to Sail Komodo without being accompanied by a guide.
Other tips, don’t worry about having trouble finding a hotel in Labuan Bajo before starting Sail Komodo. From Komodo Airport, tourists can go directly to the Port of Labuan Bajo which is only less than five kilometers. Along the highway from the airport to Labuan Bajo, many hotels stand. Especially in the port area. Hotels with a tariff of Rp 100 thousand per night to millions of rupiah can be found. Food included. At the harbor, at night, there is a culinary tour. Various foods are served there, of course, many sea food menus are found.
Heading to the harbor can walk from the airport or use a motorcycle taxi at a rate of Rp 10 thousand to Rp 20 thousand. You have to stay in the port area because that’s where the Komodo Sail begins. To start, we, the trip organizer can pick up and send tourists back to the hotel.
Finally, it is recommended that tourists bring unused clothes or reading books to donate to the residents of Kampung Komodo on Komodo Island. Every tourist in Sail Komodo, will visit the village whose citizens are friendly.
There is a village there. Formerly they used to live with dragons, now they still are. There are already elementary school buildings to one-roof junior high school. But at the high school level, they must go to Labuan Bajo.
Happy Resposible Travel!
