Urgent Travel Tips for Komodo Island Visitors: Must-Know Before You Go

I hadn’t planned to update this post, but the influx of questions in the backend has made it necessary. As I previously mentioned, once a volcano erupts, it remains active for a short period. This morning, I checked the volcano’s status again, and the situation is concerning. If you’re planning a trip to Komodo, it’s crucial to plan wisely.

Lewotolok (also known as Lewotobi) is currently one of Indonesia’s most notorious active volcanoes. [Holding Wall R]
[One R] It erupted at 1:45 AM on November 8, spewing an ash column that soared to 5,000 meters.
[Two R] The following day, on November 9, it erupted twice more, at 8:05 AM and 11:23 AM, with ash columns reaching up to 3,500 meters.

These eruptions have disrupted flight routes, leading to the closure of Komodo Airport, Kupang Airport, and several other routes flying east from Bali. There is no official word on when these airports will resume operations.

The volcano is currently in a state of extreme activity. If you are still considering a visit to Komodo, here are some tips:
[One R] Consider taking a cruise ship from Bali to Komodo as an alternative route.
[Two R] Volcanic eruptions are classified as force majeure, which means you can get a full refund or reschedule your trip.

However, there won’t be compensation for other parts of your journey. It’s wise to purchase travel insurance to cover potential losses.
[Three R] Flights and boat tickets to Komodo (excluding liveaboards) are not in high demand, so you can still buy them last minute.
[Four R] In case of any issues, stay calm.

Contact the embassy, or reach out to me, and I’ll do my best to assist you.

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A boat is scheduled to depart tonight at 9 PM from Pelabuhan Labuan Bajo, Manggarai Barat, heading to Benoa Harbour, Denpasar, Bali, with a travel time of 28 hours. If you need to leave the island, this might be a viable option. Several people have already opted for this route.

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Many of you have been asking about the specific dates of the eruptions and the best time to visit. Unfortunately, I can’t provide those answers. If I could predict such events, I’d be working in some mysterious department [Disappointed R]. It’s not that I don’t want to help; I genuinely can’t.

Please understand [Crying R].