One of the greatest expeditions we did in Indonesia was the Wanua Adventures boat trip from Lombok to Labuan Bajo. This unforgettable journey took us through the the pristine waters of Indonesia, allowing us to swim with whale sharks, visit the famous Komodo Island, and go on some breathtaking hikes. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of this incredible adventure:
WHAT IS WANUA ADVENTURES?
Wanua Adventures Indonesia is a travel company that offers various adventure tours and expeditions in Indonesia. They specialise in organising trips to explore the diverse landscapes, cultures, and natural beauty of the Indonesian archipelago.
Wanua Adventures offers 4 day 3 night boat trips from Lombok, an island in the West Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia, to Labuan Bajo, a town located in Flores Island. They also offer 4 day 3 night trips from Labuan Baja to Lombok, so you can choose which direction works best for your schedule. This multi-day expedition allows you to explore the stunning landscapes, vibrant marine life, and the famous Komodo dragons that inhabit the area.
ITINERARY – LOMBOK TO LABUAN BAJO
The trip typically spans several days, with various stops and activities along the way. The cost of the trip includes full board, with 3 meals a day and a bunk to sleep in overnight. While specific itineraries may vary based on weather or other factors, you can expect to visit beautiful islands, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, hike to scenic viewpoints, swim with whale sharks, and have the opportunity to encounter the Komodo dragons up close on Rinca or Komodo Island.
Day 1: Departure from Lombok & Kenawa Island
The boat trip typically begins in the morning from Lombok. The group is expected at the meeting point in Lombok, close to the Bangsal Harbour, at 9 am. Here, you will sign in, meet your fellow boat mates, and buy any last minute beer/snacks you may want for the expedition. One the check in process is completed, you will board a van that will shuttle you across Lombok to Kayagan Port. The drive is around 3-4 hours on the windy and narrow Lombok roads, so make sure you pack carsickness medication if you’re prone to motion sickness.
After arriving in Kayagan Port around 2 pm, you’ll board your liveaboard vessel/home for the next few days. On this boat there are two options for accomodation – cabin class and deck class.
Cabin class is a private cabin for 2, and deck class is a mattress on the open air top deck of the boat with 30+ other people. The cabin class is nice for privacy, but the cabins are right above the engine room so they can be loud and hot. The deck class is less privacy, but open air so it is very pleasant in the evenings.
As you set sail, enjoy the scenic views of Lombok’s coastline and the surrounding islands. The boat will navigate through the crystalline waters towards the first destination – Kenawa Island.
As you approach Kenawa Island, you’ll see the beautiful white sand beaches and a big hill in the centre of the island. The boat will always anchor a bit off shore, where the staff will ferry passengers to shore in the tender.
As you arrive on shore, you can purchase a few beers or drinks/snacks from the local stalls. You can jump in the water or just sip beers and make friends with your fellow boat mates.
After about an hour, the group will begin the approx. 20 minute hike up the little mountain to the sunset viewpoint. We strongly advise you to wear sneakers instead of flip flops for this hike, because there are lots of loose rocks and uneven surfaces.
As you hike up the hill, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding ocean and neighboring islands, making it an ideal vantage point to capture stunning sunset photographs.
To make the most of your sunset experience on Kenawa Island, it’s advisable to arrive early and find a good spot to settle in. Bring a picnic blanket or beach chair, and perhaps even some snacks or drinks to enjoy while you immerse yourself in the beauty of nature’s daily spectacle.
The sunset on Kenawa Island is truly a sight to behold. As the sun descends towards the horizon, it paints the sky with vibrant hues of orange, pink, and purple, creating a breathtaking display of natural beauty. You can watch the sun set over the iconic Mount Rinjani, an active volcano located on the island of Lombok.
After the sun fully sets, the group will hike back down and re-board the boat. Dinner will be served on board, and you can settle in for a night of sailing!
Day 2: Whale Shark Snorkelling & A Day at Sea!
One of the biggest draws to the Wanua Adventures trip is the prospect of getting to snorkel with a whale shark! These magnificent creatures, despite their massive size, are gentle filter feeders and pose no threat to humans. Unfortunately, swimming with the whale sharks on the trip cannot be 100% guaranteed as they are wild animals.
We got really lucky on our adventure, and we were woken up at 5 am by the crew yelling “WHALE SHARK!”. We immediately jumped into the water with our snorkel and fins, and were able to snorkel with the whale shark for over an hour!
After the exhilarating morning swimming with the gentle giant, be mentally prepared for a LONG day at sea. The 2nd day of the itinerary is an 18 hour straight sail to Komodo Island. There are no other activities planned on day 2 other than the whale sharks at 5 am, so it’s a lot of time to kill on the boat.
Bring a kindle, download some shows, or pack a board game to kill time. The crew did anchor for about 45 minutes halfway through the day to let us jump in the water for a swim, but other than that you’re on the boat for 18 hours straight.
The sea conditions can be bad, so make sure you bring sea sickness tablets for day 2. Many people on our tour got very sick, and the boat quickly ran out of seasickness tablets.
Day 3: Komodo National Park, Pink Beach, and Padar Island
Early on day 3, you’ll reach the famous Komodo National Park on Rinca Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After a quick briefing, the park rangers will take you on a guided trek in search of the Komodo dragons, the largest lizards on Earth. Again, this cannot be 100% guaranteed as these are wild animals, but our group saw over 10 Komodo’s during our trek. You’ll be able to observe these massive lizards in their natural habitat, and ask any questions you may have to the experienced park rangers. Rinca Island also has other wildlife, such as wild boars, deer, and various bird species.
After spending the morning seeing the Komodo Dragons, the next stop is Pink Beach, named for its stunning pink-hued sands caused by microscopic coral particles. The water here is stunning, extra blue contrasted with the pink sand. There is also amazing snorkelling in the crystal clear waters. There are a few stalls on the beach that sell beers and snacks, so relax on the beach, and enjoy a cold beer!
What makes the sand pink are small organisms called Foraminifera. They produce a red pigment on the coral reefs and leave small red particles behind that blend with the white sand, forming a soft pink tint that glows beautifully.
After a few hours frolicking on the incredible Pink Beach, the last stop of the day is debatably the most famous viewpoint in the Komodo Islands – Padar Island. Padar Island has a stunning vista and is located in the Komodo National Park, Indonesia. Known for its breathtaking landscapes and crystal-clear waters, and the panoramic view of the 3 beaches below – where each of the beaches has a unique colour. There is a black sand beach, a pink sand beach, and a white sand beach below!
The hike to the Padar summit is a quick 25 minute hike on a path. It requires a moderate fitness level, and definitely wear good shoes as the path can be uneven at times. The hiking trail to the summit is well-marked and easy to follow, with viewpoints scattered along the ascent.
Watching the sunset from atop of the Padar Island summit is an incredibly magical experience. The sky lights up with beautiful colours over a stunningly gorgeous island and beach below. Soak in the views for your last night on this amazing boat adventure.
Quick note about drones – you are not allowed to fly a drone in Komodo National Park without a permit which costs 1,000,000 IDR. However, when I tried to inquire about a permit, a ranger told me he’d let me fly it if I paid him 50% of the cost in cash under the table.
After the sun sets completely behind the faraway mountains, the group will hike back down to the dock and board the boat.
Day 4: Sharks, Snorkelling, and Kelor Island
The 4th and final day begins with a morning snorkel at Kelor Island. This island has a gorgeous white sand beach, with little stalls selling snacks and drinks. However – the real draw of the island is the snorkelling. The reefs surrounding the island are absolutely teeming with life! One of the most amazing sights is the swarm of black tip reef sharks. At one point, we saw over 10!
The entire morning is spent relaxing at Kelor Island, soaking up the last hours of the expedition! Around noon, the boat loads back up and drives towards the final destination – Labuan Bajo.
Around 2 pm, you will pull up into the Labuan Bajo port and slowly be ferried to the dock on the tender. There are plenty of taxi drivers waiting at the port to give you a ride to the airport or your hotel.
Day 4 Part 2: Party in Labuan Bajo!
If you’re not ready to say goodbye to your boat mates, don’t worry! Wanua Adventures hosts a party that everyone is invited to that evening in Labuan Bajo. You have the afternoon to have a real shower (for the first time in 4 days), get some food, and siesta. The party starts around 10 pm, and Wanua Adventures provides a shuttle from their office in the main town to the bar. This party is 100% optional, so there is no pressure to go if you’re too tired.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Itinerary: Please note that the itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions, park regulations, and special holidays. The above itinerary provides a general outline of the Wanua Adventures boat trip from Lombok to Labuan Bajo, showcasing the highlights and activities you can expect during the journey.
Food & Drinks: To be completely candid, the food on the tour was subpar. A majority of the meals, we were only provided rice and vegetables, with no protein dish. Even if there was a protein dish, the quantity was pretty limited. By the end of the 4th day, many of us were feeling sluggish and low energy. Especially if you’re a picky eater, the limited options can be challenging. Bring your own healthy snacks, because there are not many places on the tour where you can stock up on snacks other than junk food.
Free water was provided for the entire tour, and Wanua Adventures also provides you with a reusable water bottle at the start of the trip.
Alcohol is not included in the booking prices, so if you want to booze you need to bring your own beers/drinks.
Shower & Toilets: There is a shower on board, but it is on the public front deck of the boat. There is no privacy, and the best shower you’re going to get is a quick post swim 1-2 minute rinse. Prepare to be a little gremlin by the time the 4 days in up!
There are 2 toilets on board that are bucket flush style. Despite our boat having over 40 people and only 2 bathrooms, the line for the bathrooms was surprisingly never an issue!
Power: There are solar powered outlets provided for all the guests on board. If you have multiple devices to charge, make sure you bring your own extension cord so that you don’t take up too many of the outlets. The power is generally on overnight, and off during the day. Bring a power bank if you think you’ll need extra juice! Also remember to bring a travel converter for the Indonesian outlet.
Communication: Although the trip was incredible, the communication could be improved. A lot of times, we were left in the dark about what the itinerary for the day would be. Other times, they would only tell 1 or 2 people and not announce it to the whole boat. If you want any information, you need to be VERY proactive in asking the crew, as well as announcing it to your following boat mates. For example, on the morning of our whale shark swim, the deck class people were woken up by the crew to alert them of the whale sharks, but the cabin class people weren’t. Take matters into your own hands by asking questions, and informing your boat mates!
To see our full Lombok to Flores boat tour gallery, click here!