Sailing Komodo by traditional phinisi sailing ship was something I had never planned on doing in my life as a traveller. But, as often happens with these unplanned travel adventures, our time on a cruise around Komodo National Park turned out to be the most memorable times I have spent travelling around Indonesia.
A traditional phinisi or Indonesian sailing ship is a beautiful way to explore Komodo National Park. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Sailing Komodo
Contents
Our Komodo boat tour began the day prior with what was really a taster of what the group of islands has to offer. Komodo National Park is a playground for the adventurous, boasting natural treasures the likes of the world-class Komodo diving and snorkelling sites, pink, white and grey sand beaches, turquoise waters and dry savannas where the legendary Komodo Dragon hunts.
Related: Things to do in Canggu Bali
Silky white sand, shallow water and incredible snorkelling at Kanawa Island, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Choosing a Komodo Tour Package
You can book a Komodo tour from Bali. However, we spent some time in Labuan Bajo and Komodo Island before beginning or Komodo cruise. An overnight Komodo Island boat tour added another element of adventure that we embraced and ultimately loved during our Komodo tour.
Indonesia sailing tours can vary from the very budget, perfect for the backpacker to the luxury tours which will appeal to families and luxury travellers. When you book a Komodo tour package, transfers, meals, activities and your cabin are all generally included in the cost (tips aren’t of course), but make sure you confirm this before you go.
While we only experienced a one night Komodo cruise, we covered a lot of ground including Mesa Village, Kanawa Island, Padar Island and also got to spend time relaxing on the boat while snorkelling, meeting the locals and exploring the diverse and rugged scenery on foot.
We were sailing Komodo on the Raja Ampat Explorer. The largest of the Grand Komodo fleet. Thankfully, I shared a twin room on the upper deck (if you book a phinisi, I recommend you do the same) where the air was slightly fresher and the views were breathtaking.
The boat was clean and the crew were lovely. All meals were and activities were included. The boat itself isn’t a luxury yacht you would find in the Mediterranean. It would suit backpackers, divers and families on a budget.
We quickly made ourselves at home and settled in comfortably for the day and night ahead. The area where we spent most of our time on the ship was the upper deck where you could take in the scenery while relaxing on deck chairs and giggle with friends. One of my favourite memories from our trip was when our group was sprawled on bean bags across the deck in the darkness, looking at the stars in silence. Stargazing was something I hadn’t done in a long time and it was the ideal spot to do it to the rocking of the boat.
The sandy pathways and turquoise waters of Kanawa Island, Komodo National Park. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Kanawa Island
Kanawa Island is a paradise and an easily accessible site for the famed Komodo snorkelling, thanks to the Kanama Island Resort. Unfortunately, I didn’t work that out until we pulled into the wharf and I saw the underwater playground waiting below; the water was shallow and clear and the coral sat in wait. While others stepped straight in from the boat, I walked the boardwalk on to the island and made my way to the beach, relaxing on the sand, having left my snorkel and flippers behind.
Thankfully though I wasn’t disappointed either. The beach at the Kanawa Island resort was gorgeous and I had the stretch of white sand entirely to myself. The sun was strong, so I soon retreated to the beach bar to enjoy a Bintang, strangely soothed by the sounds of Brandy belting covers from the sound system. Labuan Bajo to Kanawa Island takes about an hour by boat.
Beautiful local kids who showed me around Mesa Island. Image © Skye Gilkeson
A friendly shop owner at Mesa Village, Flores. Image © Skye Gilkeson
The island of Kanawa, only some 15 km from the growing fishermen’s town ofLabuan Bajo on Flores, is fringed with a bed of coral reefs teeming with colorful fish all around. Its turquoise water is exceptionally calm and clear. Swimming and snorkeling are most poular family activities here. Dive down the sea from the jetty, and meet schools of fish that cloud the stilts. Hours would pass so quietly as you are busy with all of these beach activities.
The island of Kanawa has two bulging hills with fantastic panorama from its hilltop. Covering only 32-hectare or less than 80-acre land, the island is a hideout from the hidden, yet so close to the burgeoning harbor of Labuan Bajo. This could be the only resort class service that fits the budget of backpackers.
The Rp 250,000 per night bungalows on Kanawa may just be the perfect base for you to start exploring the entire, or part of the Komodo National Park. There is nothing you can do on the island, except everything that the water and the land of the national park around it have to offer. The observation of the Komodo dragon, the water buffalos of Rinca, the male and female palm trees, the savanna of Monkey Mountain in Rinca, and the scenic landscape of the national park are equally astonishing. Moreover, diving and snorkeling in crystal clear waters are just a short walk away when you stay on Kanawa instead of Labuan Bajo.
Amongst sparse beach vegetation that grows between a rocky hill and turquoise water, the eco-friendly property is a delightful ambush. People do not wish to leave too soon. It’s a seamless haven. There are also diving enthusiasts who love to share their latest engagement with the mantas, the wobbegongs, the whale sharks, or the pigmy seahorse found in the diving spots around the island. The music usually turns to become lively during the evening after a time-lapsing moment passing the unworldly episode of a golden sunset.
The island of Kanawa, only some 15 km from the growing fishermen’s town ofLabuan Bajo on Flores, is fringed with a bed of coral reefs teeming with colorful fish all around. Its turquoise water is exceptionally calm and clear. Swimming and snorkeling are most poular family activities here. Dive down the sea from the jetty, and meet schools of fish that cloud the stilts. Hours would pass so quietly as you are busy with all of these beach activities.
The island of Kanawa has two bulging hills with fantastic panorama from its hilltop. Covering only 32-hectare or less than 80-acre land, the island is a hideout from the hidden, yet so close to the burgeoning harbor of Labuan Bajo. This could be the only resort class service that fits the budget of backpackers.
The Rp 250,000 per night bungalows on Kanawa may just be the perfect base for you to start exploring the entire, or part of the Komodo National Park. There is nothing you can do on the island, except everything that the water and the land of the national park around it have to offer. The observation of the Komodo dragon, the water buffalos of Rinca, the male and female palm trees, the savanna of Monkey Mountain in Rinca, and the scenic landscape of the national park are equally astonishing. Moreover, diving and snorkeling in crystal clear waters are just a short walk away when you stay on Kanawa instead of Labuan Bajo.
Amongst sparse beach vegetation that grows between a rocky hill and turquoise water, the eco-friendly property is a delightful ambush. People do not wish to leave too soon. It’s a seamless haven. There are also diving enthusiasts who love to share their latest engagement with the mantas, the wobbegongs, the whale sharks, or the pigmy seahorse found in the diving spots around the island. The music usually turns to become lively during the evening after a time-lapsing moment passing the unworldly episode of a golden sunset.
The island of Kanawa, only some 15 km from the growing fishermen’s town ofLabuan Bajo on Flores, is fringed with a bed of coral reefs teeming with colorful fish all around. Its turquoise water is exceptionally calm and clear. Swimming and snorkeling are most poular family activities here. Dive down the sea from the jetty, and meet schools of fish that cloud the stilts. Hours would pass so quietly as you are busy with all of these beach activities.
The island of Kanawa has two bulging hills with fantastic panorama from its hilltop. Covering only 32-hectare or less than 80-acre land, the island is a hideout from the hidden, yet so close to the burgeoning harbor of Labuan Bajo. This could be the only resort class service that fits the budget of backpackers.
The Rp 250,000 per night bungalows on Kanawa may just be the perfect base for you to start exploring the entire, or part of the Komodo National Park. There is nothing you can do on the island, except everything that the water and the land of the national park around it have to offer. The observation of the Komodo dragon, the water buffalos of Rinca, the male and female palm trees, the savanna of Monkey Mountain in Rinca, and the scenic landscape of the national park are equally astonishing. Moreover, diving and snorkeling in crystal clear waters are just a short walk away when you stay on Kanawa instead of Labuan Bajo.
Amongst sparse beach vegetation that grows between a rocky hill and turquoise water, the eco-friendly property is a delightful ambush. People do not wish to leave too soon. It’s a seamless haven. There are also diving enthusiasts who love to share their latest engagement with the mantas, the wobbegongs, the whale sharks, or the pigmy seahorse found in the diving spots around the island. The music usually turns to become lively during the evening after a time-lapsing moment passing the unworldly episode of a golden sunset.
The island of Kanawa, only some 15 km from the growing fishermen’s town ofLabuan Bajo on Flores, is fringed with a bed of coral reefs teeming with colorful fish all around. Its turquoise water is exceptionally calm and clear. Swimming and snorkeling are most poular family activities here. Dive down the sea from the jetty, and meet schools of fish that cloud the stilts. Hours would pass so quietly as you are busy with all of these beach activities.
The island of Kanawa has two bulging hills with fantastic panorama from its hilltop. Covering only 32-hectare or less than 80-acre land, the island is a hideout from the hidden, yet so close to the burgeoning harbor of Labuan Bajo. This could be the only resort class service that fits the budget of backpackers.
The Rp 250,000 per night bungalows on Kanawa may just be the perfect base for you to start exploring the entire, or part of the Komodo National Park. There is nothing you can do on the island, except everything that the water and the land of the national park around it have to offer. The observation of the Komodo dragon, the water buffalos of Rinca, the male and female palm trees, the savanna of Monkey Mountain in Rinca, and the scenic landscape of the national park are equally astonishing. Moreover, diving and snorkeling in crystal clear waters are just a short walk away when you stay on Kanawa instead of Labuan Bajo.
Amongst sparse beach vegetation that grows between a rocky hill and turquoise water, the eco-friendly property is a delightful ambush. People do not wish to leave too soon. It’s a seamless haven. There are also diving enthusiasts who love to share their latest engagement with the mantas, the wobbegongs, the whale sharks, or the pigmy seahorse found in the diving spots around the island. The music usually turns to become lively during the evening after a time-lapsing moment passing the unworldly episode of a golden sunset.
The island of Kanawa, only some 15 km from the growing fishermen’s town ofLabuan Bajo on Flores, is fringed with a bed of coral reefs teeming with colorful fish all around. Its turquoise water is exceptionally calm and clear. Swimming and snorkeling are most poular family activities here. Dive down the sea from the jetty, and meet schools of fish that cloud the stilts. Hours would pass so quietly as you are busy with all of these beach activities.
The island of Kanawa has two bulging hills with fantastic panorama from its hilltop. Covering only 32-hectare or less than 80-acre land, the island is a hideout from the hidden, yet so close to the burgeoning harbor of Labuan Bajo. This could be the only resort class service that fits the budget of backpackers.
The Rp 250,000 per night bungalows on Kanawa may just be the perfect base for you to start exploring the entire, or part of the Komodo National Park. There is nothing you can do on the island, except everything that the water and the land of the national park around it have to offer. The observation of the Komodo dragon, the water buffalos of Rinca, the male and female palm trees, the savanna of Monkey Mountain in Rinca, and the scenic landscape of the national park are equally astonishing. Moreover, diving and snorkeling in crystal clear waters are just a short walk away when you stay on Kanawa instead of Labuan Bajo.
Amongst sparse beach vegetation that grows between a rocky hill and turquoise water, the eco-friendly property is a delightful ambush. People do not wish to leave too soon. It’s a seamless haven. There are also diving enthusiasts who love to share their latest engagement with the mantas, the wobbegongs, the whale sharks, or the pigmy seahorse found in the diving spots around the island. The music usually turns to become lively during the evening after a time-lapsing moment passing the unworldly episode of a golden sunset.
Mesa Village
A boy of about 6 helped me step on to the wharf at Mesa Island fishing village, his face beaming he and his friends boldly said “Halo” as we walked off the boards on the path towards the centre of the village. More children followed and quickly my hands were scooped up by a team of girls, pulling me along the narrow central pathway.
The Bajauan houses stood on stilts, safe from rising waters. The remaining space below the house was used as a makeshift shop front in some cases, in others; an alfresco living area perfect for an afternoon nap. Houses were painted every colour under the Flores sun from marigold yellow to muted blues and greens to match the water lapping near their doorsteps.
As we wandered the dusty pathways weaving our way between the buildings, past the large, well-preserved mosque, satellite dishes seemed a surprising addition to each simple dwelling. Yolanda, a little girl aged around 7 nominated herself as my tour guide leading me around with her entourage of friends in toe. Her English was incredible.
The satellite dishes sprung back to mind. Home to about 1500 people, the fishing village features a close-set collection of houses and a few little shops. Everything, including drinking water, has to be brought on to the island each week. Having visited many villages around the world, I have to say I’ve never received such an enthusiastic welcome. The children, in particular, seemed to love every moment they spent with us, albeit fleeting and we equally, our time with them.
Mesa Island is 15 kilometres from Labuan Bajo, accessible by boat and generally a stop during a Komodo Island day tour or stay on a phinisi.
A shop owner sits for a photo in Mesa fishing village. Image © Skye Gilkeson
A cute sign pointing to the “Dock of Love” or dermaga cinta in bahasa. Mesa Village, Flores. Image © Skye Gilkeson
A man was sitting quietly in his window. We complimented him on his biceps and we got this grin in return. Image © Skye Gilkeson
One of the many beautiful children who stole our hearts at Mesa Village, Flores. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Two of the ladies who led me around the village by hand and loved posing for photos. Mesa Village, Flores. Image © Skye Gilkeson
A quick high-five and we jumped back on the boat again. Mesa Village, Flores, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson
More of the local gang of cute kids. Such incredible faces. Mesa Village, Flores, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Fishing boats double as clotheslines near the sea wall at Mesa Village, Flores, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Sarah from Fit Travels and Luke from Backstreet Nomad take a moment to enjoy the view with me on Padar Island, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Our phinisi waiting patiently in the protected cove off Padar Island, Indonesia. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Padar Island
It was late afternoon when we pulled into the bay at Padar Island, a standout stop during our time sailing Komodo. A quick dingy ride into shore and I launched myself on to the hiking track up the mountain. We were the first of our group on the beach and I wanted to get up the top before the crowds arrived.
The first climb is steep and turning left will take you for a view of the sheltered cove where the boats were waiting, the next section is a little bit easier, taking you in short climbs to the top. I ran it in small bursts eventually reaching the very top. I was all alone without another soul in sight.
It was a welcome moment of peace with an incredible view back over the island to the water below as the setting sun beyond. I watched as the sky turned from blue to golden and gradually started to dim. The island’s unique shape, carved by the arches of its beaches make it an incredible place to watch the sunset.
As soon as the sun dropped I started the walk back down, slipping in the dirt on the way. The pathways are steep, dry and slippery and the only light is provided by a few guides that work on the island, carrying torches.
As I returned back to the cove it was flooded with purple and pink light and perfectly quiet. Our Padar Island hike was one of the highlights of our time Sailing Komodo but also the entire trip. It was magical.
Where: Padar Island is about a 2-hour boat ride from Mesa Island but it is well worth the trip.
The Fit Traveller was a guest of the Indonesian Ministry for Tourism for this trip to Flores and Komodo. As always, the opinions, imagery and words are authentically our own.
Watch our Padar Island Hike
Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.
She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.
As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.
Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.
Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.
Read more about Skye’s story here.