Kayak the Komodo Islands
- Kandoo Kayaking
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Arrive into Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo. Here our guide will meet us and transfer us to our hotel. We then have free time for the rest of the day to explore the fishing town of Labuan Bajo and sample some of the local cuisine.
This morning our guide will meet us at the hotel at around 8:30am and we will drive inland to Mirror Stone Cave, located on a rocky hill behind the town. The cave earns its name from the salt drenched walls that sparkle in the morning sunlight as it seeps in through a crevice in the roof. These, along with the fossils of marine animals found in the cave walls, are remnants from when the cave was submerged thousands of years ago. We then head on to Cunca Walung waterfalls, where a 30 minute hike will take us along a deep cut canyon to the scenic falls beyond, where the option of a cooling swim is available. Ending on a high, we then drive to a delightful viewpoint to watch the magnificent sunset over the archipelago before heading back to the hotel to relax ready for kayaking.
This morning is the start of our adventure out into the Komodo National Park. After a safety briefing at Puri Sari beach with our Guide, we will begin your first kayaking leg to Bidadari Island; with it's rocky outcrops and exotic white beaches it is the perfect place for a snorkel and a relaxing swim followed by some lunch aboard our traditional, wooden support boat. After lunch, the support boat will sail us to the spectacular site of Goa Rangko caves. This grotto shields clear, turquoise waters, seamed by stalactites and stalagmites. After some time exploring and swimming in the caves we will sail back to Seture Island for our first overnight camp beneath the stars and if time permits an evening sunset kayak, the perfect way to finish the day.
This morning, after a delicious breakfast on board the support boat, we’ll begin things with a relatively easy paddle, through the luscious mangroves, to a local pearl farm. Learn about the local pearl business in a beautiful location, before heading on to Menjerite, famous for its crystal clear water. Snorkel from the picturesque jetty surrounded by colourful coral reefs and majestic views. We then continue on our paddle to Pungu Island, where we camp in Safari style tents on idyllic, white, sandy beaches.
After waking, and an optional early morning swim, we board the support boat for breakfast before starting our first paddle to Gado, its woven web of mangroves yielding some amazing snorkelling. Our guides take us to a unique spot that boasts giant table corals, multicoloured fish and turtles drifting by on their way to find lunch. We marvel at these incredible surroundings before hopping back in our kayaks and heading to Rinca Village School where we indulge in a bit of local culture and experience a small part of island life. To end our day, we take in the sunset aboard our boat at Koaba, a small mangrove island which is inhabited by bats. We watch the spectacular sight as thousands of them fly into the night sky before spending the night in our cabins, anchored up at Toro Buaya.
This morning, we board the support boat to Komodo National Park, home to the formidable Komodo Dragons. These impressive beasts are a highlight of the trip, as we trace them in the natural environment they have roamed for thousands of years. We then again board our support boat and take a scenic ride to Manta Point where these gracious marine wonders will delight us with their presence as we float amongst them. After lunch, we will then start paddling towards Sebayur Kecil for our last beach camp of the expedition. Sebayur Kecil has a beautiful white sand beach with some great coral reefs and interesting fish so a spot of snorkelling in the late afternoon or early the next morning is certainly encouraged.
After enjoying our last breakfast in the beautiful islands and maybe a swim or snorkel just off the beach, we will then make our way, paddling through the tropical mangrove forests towards Kanawa for one last snorkel and swim. Fringed with coral reefs, Kanawa's blue-green waters make for the perfect place to finish on a high, before we hit the last open stretch of kayaking. It will then be time to say goodbye to the crew before we arrive back at the Puri Sari Beach by mid afternoon. Enjoy free time for the rest of the day to relax in the luxury of the hotel or take in some local culture in this quaint fishing town.
Our transfer will pick us up at our hotel and transfer to the airport for our flight.
The hikes we undertake will be short and have
relatively low height gain, the longest walking day will be on Komodo Island
when we encounter the Komodo Dragons. Being in good physical condition will
mean you find these walks well within your capability.
We are running our kayaking trips in the dry
season, so in the perfect situation, you should not experience much or any
rain, however in recent years this has become more common. Temperatures in the park are always warm ranging from mid 20’s to
mid-’30s during the day and low 20s during the night. Conditions can also
be windy at times depending on the season. If it is too windy or unsafe to kayak
we will cover the distance with our support boat.
If you have any questions about your
suitability or how to prepare for this trip please have a look at our Indonesia Kayaking Guide and do not hesitate to contact
us.
A typical meal will always include steamed
rice along with one or two main dishes of Fish, meat or vegetables. Vegetarians
can enjoy Tempe Goreng (Indonesian tofu), Nasi Goreng Lotus (rice with
vegetables and egg cooked in a lotus leaf) or Gado Gado (green vegetables with
tofu and peanut sauce).
We will take our breakfasts and evening meals
onboard our support boat whilst out kayaking. Lunches will be picnics of fresh
fruit and vegetables, bread, cheese and cold meats.
If you have special dietary requirements,
please let us know when booking your trip.
Please be aware that tap water in Indonesia is
not drinkable. Mineral water can be purchased in most towns and villages but we
recommend you bring a water filter or purification tablets. Please see the
equipment pages on our website.
Below deck, at the front, there is plenty of space for relaxing and
there is a large covered dining room at the rear of the boat. The upper deck has a sun lounge deck with bean bags and deck chairs. We
can even set up a hammock for you!
Safari Style tents - When on the islands you will be staying in very comfortable insect
resistant Safari Style tents. Here, you will sleep in twin or double rooms on
stretcher style beds which are very comfortable. Nights in the park are fairly warm, especially in the tents, however, we
suggest bringing a lightweight sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner and a couple
of sarongs which can be used as a sheet or blanket. You will have small
camp stools to sit on around the common areas. A toilet tent will also be set
up for some privacy with a basic seated toilet to use.
Hotel - This will
be of 3 star standard with twin or double rooms and en-suite bathrooms. It has
a pool and beach access so is a good place to relax before and after
kayaking.
From the UK, Emirates provide convenient flights
from Stanstead, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow, stopping in Dubai
and Denpasar (Bali) on route.
For travellers from the US, Emirates also have the most convenient
flights from New York (JFK) and Los Angeles, stopping in Dubai and Denpasar
(Bali). For those coming from Atlanta, Dallas and San Francisco, Qatar Airways
and Singapore Airlines have convenient flights via Doha and Jakarta (Java).
On arrival in Labuan Bajo, after clearing immigration and collecting
your luggage, please look out for a member of our team in the arrivals area.
They will be holding a large “KANDOO” sign.
The currency in Indonesia is the Indonisian Rupiah, Rp (IDR). You can withdraw Indonesian Rupiahs from in-country ATMs or exchange money at the airport/local currency exchange offices. ATMs can be found at the banks in Labuan Bajo.
We recommend ~$10 per guest per day for your guide and other support crew.
Indonesia is located on the equator and while kayaking you will be
exposed to its strong sun rays for longer periods of time. We suggest always
wearing a long sleeve shirt or rash shirt and a hat while in the kayak or
exposed to the sun. Ensure to apply sunscreen regularly and take it
along with you in your kayak to be able to re-apply if required.
From | To | Price | Availability | Book | Enquire |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
24/04/2025 | 01/05/2025 | $3,505 £2,699 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
29/05/2025 | 05/06/2025 | $3,505 £2,699 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
24/07/2025 | 31/07/2025 | $3,505 £2,699 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
28/08/2025 | 04/09/2025 | $3,505 £2,699 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
25/09/2025 | 02/10/2025 | $3,505 £2,699 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
24/04/2026 | 01/05/2026 | $3,599 £2,899 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
29/05/2026 | 05/06/2026 | $3,599 £2,899 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
24/07/2026 | 31/07/2026 | $3,599 £2,899 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
28/08/2026 | 04/09/2026 | $3,599 £2,899 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
25/09/2026 | 02/10/2026 | $3,599 £2,899 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
Want to ask us a question or book a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!
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