Making the most of Komodo
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
As cruise ships are not able to dock here you will be tendered ashore. A long pier will get you to the Komodo Ranger Station. This is where all excursions start.
Komodo National Park is located in the center of the Indonesian archipelago, between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores. Established in 1980, initially the main purpose of the Park was to conserve the unique Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) and its habitat. However, over the years, the goals for the Park have expanded to protecting its entire biodiversity, both terrestrial and marine. In 1986, the Park was declared a World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, both indications of the Park's biological importance.
The main attraction is seeing the Komodo Dragons. Up in the hills they're dangerous - a few deaths every year. In the village & on the tourist trail they're fat lazy overfed pussycats.
Getting around
If you do it own your own, the cruise ships will generally make you show them proof before you get on a tender to go to the island. So, if you book something via the internet before you go, make sure you take printed confirmations to show the cruise line.
There are no means of independent transportation on the island.
Food and shopping
There are a few small souvenir stalls inside the entrance to the Park
Money
ATMs are common in any major cities in Indonesia.
Be careful when using credit cards, as cloning and fraud are a major problem in Indonesia. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, but American Express can be problematic. At smaller operations, surcharges of 2-5% over cash are common.
Staying connected
The sole official language is Indonesian, known as Bahasa Indonesia.
mobile phones emergency number: 112