Authorities issue a new maritime advisory, extending the suspension of all tourist vessel permits to the UNESCO site, urging travelers to adjust their East Nusa Tenggara itineraries.
LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia — Access to Komodo National Park, home to the famed Komodo dragon, remains suspended for tourists as regional maritime authorities have extended a closure on all tourist boat operations. A newly issued sailing advisory confirms the halt of Sailing Approval Letters (SPB) for all tourist vessels, including speedboats, is now in effect from January 29 to February 1, 2026, with the possibility of further extension pending weather improvements.
The decision, formalized in an official maritime circular (Maklumat Pelayaran No: 09/MP-I/2026) dated January 28, 2026, from the relevant Port and Harbour Authority, is a direct response to forecasts and observations of extreme weather conditions. The advisory cites high winds and waves predicted by the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), corroborated by sea observations from coastal posts and reports from other vessels in the Flores Sea.
An Uninterrupted Closure with Direct Impact
This extension reinforces a continuous period of restricted access that has now stretched for over a month, disrupting travel plans to one of Indonesia’s premier “super-priority” destinations. The park’s management had previously confirmed that tourism services are entirely dependent on nautical access. Consequently, while the sailing ban is active, all tourist activities within Komodo National Park remain closed.
Key Directives from the Maritime Advisory
The official notice outlines critical instructions for all vessels in the region:
- Ship captains must ensure their vessels’ seaworthiness and seek shelter in deteriorating conditions.
- Vessels are to inform others of any observed weather hazards.
- Ships in affected waters should adjust voyages, anchor in areas protected from high waves and strong currents, and keep engines on standby.
- Coordination with harbour masters and the national search and rescue agency (BASARNAS) is mandated if conditions worsen.
Critical Guidance for Travelers and Tour Operators
For global travelers, expatriates based in Bali, and international tour operators planning trips to East Nusa Tenggara, this update is essential. It necessitates the immediate postponement or cancellation of any Komodo island tours, liveaboard diving trips, or sailing expeditions departing from Labuan Bajo within the stated period.
Travelers with existing bookings are strongly advised to contact their tour providers directly for information on rescheduling, alternative itineraries, or cancellation policies. The advisory underscores the non-negotiable priority of maritime safety in the region’s operational protocols.
A Waiting Game Dictated by Nature
The resumption of tourism services is explicitly tied to a sustained improvement in weather conditions, as determined by the BMKG. Authorities have set the new review date for February 1, 2026, but have clearly stated that reopening is contingent on safer seas, not the calendar.
This extended closure serves as a potent reminder of the powerful natural forces that shape travel in the Indonesian archipelago. For now, the dragons of Komodo and the vibrant marine life of its surrounding waters remain inaccessible, with the rhythm of tourism yielding to the imperative of safety.
