Tourist boats have once again been barred from sailing to Komodo Island, Padar Island, and several other destinations within Komodo National Park in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), the second such suspension this month, as authorities respond to renewed forecasts of high waves and strong winds through July 29, 2026.
Rinca Island Remains the Only Option
During the restriction, tourist vessels sailing out of Labuan Bajo are only permitted to travel to Rinca Island, one of the park’s Komodo dragon habitats and the destination closest to Marina Waterfront Port.
“Yes, tourist boats are only permitted to sail to Rinca Island,” confirmed Stephanus Risdiyanto, Head of the Class III Harbor Master and Port Authority (KSOP) office in Labuan Bajo, on Monday, July 27, 2026.
Why the Restriction Was Reimposed
The suspension follows maritime weather forecasts indicating potential high waves and strong winds, based on data from BMKG’s Tenau Kupang Maritime Station, onshore sea observations, and reports from vessels operating in the area.
Stephanus said sailing permits (SPB) for tourist boats will resume once weather conditions improve, and could potentially be reissued before the July 29 deadline if conditions allow. “We’ll monitor how the weather develops,” he said.
A Pattern of Repeated Closures This Month
This marks the second time this month that tourist boats have been restricted to Rinca Island alone. A similar suspension was in effect from July 22 to 24, before KSOP reopened access to all Komodo National Park destinations on July 23 once conditions improved, only for rough seas to force another closure days later.
Safety Protocols for Boat Captains
KSOP’s Labuan Bajo office has issued a formal maritime notice to vessel captains, instructing them to ensure their boats are seaworthy and to seek shelter immediately if weather conditions deteriorate.
Captains are also required to alert other vessels if they become aware of hazardous weather developing in the area, and to coordinate directly with the harbor master’s office and Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) if conditions continue to worsen.
Why This Matters for Travelers Planning a Komodo Trip
For travelers with island-hopping itineraries booked out of Labuan Bajo in the coming days, this repeated pattern of weather-related closures, now the second in a single month, is worth factoring into trip planning rather than treating as a one-off disruption. Anyone hoping to visit Padar Island’s iconic viewpoint or Komodo Island’s dragon-trekking trails should build flexibility into their schedule and confirm directly with tour operators whether routes have been affected, since Rinca Island, while offering similar dragon-viewing opportunities, is not a substitute for travelers specifically hoping to reach Padar’s panoramic lookout.
The recurring closures also reflect a broader pattern of heightened maritime caution in the region this year, following January’s fatal pinisi boat sinking and July’s fatal drownings near Pulau Kelor, both of which have kept water safety around Komodo National Park under sustained scrutiny.
