Authorities in Komodo National Park gateway issue immediate sailing ban for all vessels, citing severe weather warnings and observed extreme sea conditions.
LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia – In a significant disruption to maritime tourism, the Harbourmaster and Port Authority (KSOP) of Labuan Bajo has suspended all sailing permits for tourist vessels, including speedboats, effective immediately until at least January 15, 2026. The decision, announced Monday, comes as a direct response to severe weather forecasts and confirmed reports of dangerous sea conditions in the waters of the renowned Komodo National Park and its surroundings.
The directive, formalized under official notice No. 05/MP-I/2026, reinstates a sailing prohibition just days after services had resumed following a previous two-week weather-related closure that ended on January 9. The sudden reinstatement underscores the volatile and potentially hazardous marine environment currently affecting this premier Indonesian destination.
Stephanus Risdiyanto, Head of the Class III KSOP Labuan Bajo, confirmed the closure. “The suspension of sailing approval letters for all tourist vessels is temporary from January 12 to 15, or until weather conditions improve based on further information from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency [BMKG],” Risdiyanto stated.
The authority’s action is based on a multi-source assessment of risk. It follows a high-wave warning issued by the BMKG’s Tenau Maritime Meteorological Station in Kupang on January 11, corroborated by direct observations from coastal posts and incoming reports from vessels already at sea indicating deteriorating conditions. Heavy rains and strong winds have been lashing the Labuan Bajo area since the weekend.
The notice outlines critical safety protocols for the maritime community during this period. Captains of vessels are instructed to ensure their craft’s seaworthiness and seek immediate shelter from the poor weather. Furthermore, all ships are advised to anchor or moor in areas protected from high waves and strong currents, maintain a crewed watch, and keep engines on standby for emergencies. The harbor master also emphasized the importance of vessels coordinating with authorities and the national search and rescue agency (BASARNAS) should conditions worsen.
For tourists and operators, this announcement means all planned boat trips, including visits to Komodo Island and other nearby attractions, are suspended. Travelers with bookings in the coming days are advised to contact their tour operators directly for rescheduling or cancellations.
The repeated weather-related closures highlight the operational challenges faced in the region, especially during the peak of the rainy season. They also reflect a heightened caution by Indonesian authorities following past maritime incidents, prioritizing passenger and crew safety over tourism activity.
The KSOP will lift the ban contingent on official clearance from the BMKG confirming that sea conditions have safely improved. Global travelers and local expatriates planning a visit to the Komodo National Park are urged to monitor official announcements and exercise flexibility with their itineraries during this period of seasonal uncertainty.
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