Bad Weather Limits Visits to Komodo National Park to Rinca Island Only

Visits to Komodo National Park (TN) in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) are restricted to Rinca Island until 7 March. Tour boats will not be issued sailing permits (SPB) for trips to Komodo Island and Padar Island due to bad weather. Visits to Rinca Island are limited to fast boats (speedboats). Pinisi sailing ships are not allowed to sail. ‘Correct — SPB is only for speedboats bound for Rinca Island,’ said Stephanus Risdiyanto, Head of Class III Labuan Bajo Maritime and Port Authority Office (KSOP), on Thursday (5 March 2026). The ban on sailing to Komodo and Padar islands is because of forecast bad weather such as strong winds and high waves from the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). KSOP has issued a Notice to Mariners (NtM) stating SPB approvals apply only for speedboats destined for Rinca Island. The SPB to Rinca is based on wind speed and wave height forecasts for 5–7 March 2026 from BMKG Tenau Kupang Maritime Weather Station, as well as sea observations from shore posts and reports from other vessels. ‘Thus SPB can be granted for speedboats heading to Rinca. For other vessel types, approvals will be adjusted according to the maritime weather forecast,’ explained Stephanus. KSOP urged skippers to ensure vessel seaworthiness and seek shelter if weather worsens, to inform other vessels if dangerous weather is known, and to coordinate with the harbour master and Basarnas if weather deteriorates. The ban on private tourism vessels sailing to Komodo and Padar due to bad weather has been in place since 23 February 2026. SPB for all destinations in TN Komodo was reissued from 26 February to 2 March. KSOP then banned tourism vessels to Komodo and Padar from 3–5 March, with the ban extended again to 7 March.