How to Travel from Bali to Komodo for a Sailing Tour
Dreaming of setting sail through Indonesia’s beautiful islands? Traveling from Bali to Komodo for a sailing tour is a great way to see some of the country’s most stunning spots, especially if you love nature and exploring remote areas. Whether you're hoping to see the famous Komodo dragons or snorkel in crystal-clear waters, this trip is one you won’t forget. Many explorers say the Best Komodo Island tours begin by getting there the right way—so let’s walk through how to do that.
To start, you’ll need to leave Bali, and the most common way is by taking a flight. There are no direct boats from Bali to Komodo, so flying is both faster and more convenient. You can book a flight from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) to Labuan Bajo Airport (LBJ) on the island of Flores. Labuan Bajo is the main gateway to Komodo National Park and a popular jumping-off point for sailing tours. Several airlines make this trip, and it usually takes about 1.5 hours.
Once in Labuan Bajo, you’ll find many local tour companies offering sailing trips that last one day or several. The longer tours often include stops at beautiful places like Padar Island, Pink Beach, and Rinca Island. If you want to spend more time in nature and sleep under the stars, consider a 2- or 3-night liveaboard tour. You'll stay on the boat overnight and wake up in a new place each day—it's a peaceful and exciting way to travel.
Make sure to check what’s included in your tour. Most of them provide meals, snorkeling gear, and a guide. If you’re prone to sea sickness, it might be a good idea to bring some motion sickness tablets with you, especially if you’re going on a multi-day trip.
You don’t need to be super experienced with boats to enjoy this kind of adventure. Just bring your curiosity, some sunblock, a hat, and a camera—you’ll want to capture the view!
So, if you're in Bali and thinking about heading east to Komodo, it's easier than you might expect. A short flight, followed by a sailing tour, is all it takes to leave busy roads behind and enjoy the quiet beauty of the sea.