Sailing to Komodo and Padar Islands Suspended until 15 September Due to Bad Weather
The Labuan Bajo Class III Harbourmaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP) in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has temporarily closed shipping access to Komodo Island and Padar Island.
The closure applies from 13 to 15 September 2026 following the threat of sea waves of up to 1.9 metres accompanied by strong winds.
The decision was taken after KSOP followed up on an early maritime weather warning from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) through Notice to Mariners Number 03/MP-IX/2026 dated 12 September 2026.
Head of KSOP Class III Labuan Bajo Stefanus Risdiyanto said the closure was imposed to guarantee the safety of sailors and passengers.
“We do not take safety lightly. If there is no extreme weather warning, conditions are safe. Conversely, as soon as there are signs of danger, we act firmly before anything unwanted happens,” said Stefanus on Tuesday (15/9).
According to data from the BMKG Tenau Kupang Maritime Station, wind speeds in the waters around Labuan Bajo range from 12 to 19 knots, with sudden gusts of up to 26 knots. Significant wave heights are estimated to reach 1.9 metres on 15 September 2026.
Wave conditions are projected to gradually fall to 1.3–1.7 metres from 16 September 2026. Meanwhile, wind speeds are expected to ease to 5–8 knots with wave heights below 1.5 metres.
KSOP has also identified ten maritime points considered dangerous that vessels must avoid during the bad weather.
These points include the waters of Kelor Island, Batu Tiga, Molo Strait, Padar Strait, the waters of Loh Kima, Luwu Island, Kerengga Island, Mawang Island, Tatatawa Island, and Siaba Kecil.
Stefanus urged shipmasters not to force sailings through routes considered dangerous and to change course immediately should weather conditions deteriorate.
“Do not take risks. Ships can be damaged, lives can be threatened. If the weather is declared unfit for sailing, that is a clear warning that danger is right in front of you,” he stressed.
KSOP Class III Labuan Bajo has also ordered all shipmasters to ensure vessel seaworthiness, monitor weather developments, and immediately seek shelter should water conditions worsen.
In emergency situations, shipmasters are asked to coordinate immediately with the harbourmaster’s office and the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas).
Although weather forecasts show improvement from 16 September, the reopening of shipping access to Komodo Island and Padar Island will not happen automatically. That decision still awaits the results of daily weather monitoring and BMKG recommendations.
KSOP affirmed that sailing safety remains the primary consideration before access to the tourist area is reopened.