Three walks, five reefs and a boat to sleep on

The three-day route is a full programme for a party that likes to move. Day one holds the Kelor climb, a snorkel stop at Manjarite and the Kalong dusk. Day two holds Padar before the sun, Pink Beach, the Komodo Island trek, Taka Makassar and Manta Point. Day three holds a last reef, chosen by the captain between Sebayur and Kanawa.

That is three walks and five reef stops, and the boat does the carrying between them. Check-in is between 10:00 and 10:30 on the first day and check-out between 11:00 and 11:30 on the third. A trek and snorkel party should book a flight home after 14:00 so that the last reef is not cut short.

Weather and tide set the order of the stops, and on the day the captain makes the call.

Day two is the long walking day. Padar's path mixes built steps with loose gravel, and walkers reach the main lookout after 25 to 45 minutes; a higher ridge carries on for those with energy left. The Komodo Island trek takes 45 to 120 minutes, led by a ranger, on a trail the ranger chooses from the short, medium and long routes.

Kelor, on the first day, is the warm-up. Allow 15 to 30 minutes for a climb that is steep and dry. A party that finds it easy has the legs for Padar. A party that finds it hard should save its energy for the second morning.

No walk here is a mountain. All three are short enough for a fit party to take at a brisk pace, and the heat and the sun are what test them.

Three reefs repay a good swimmer. Pink Beach is an easy snorkel. Reef from 1 to 8 metres, a mild current, and most people swim for 45 to 90 minutes. Taka Makassar is also easy, with a shallow reef from 1 to 5 metres around a sandbar that shows at low tide.

Manta Point is the demanding one. It is rated moderate; the water runs 3 to 15 metres deep with a strong current, and the group drifts along the reef. A confident swimmer will enjoy it. Mantas are common, never guaranteed.

Elrora carries snorkel gear with life vests. Nobody on board dives from the boat, and no compressor is listed. A party that wants to dive should arrange it separately with a dive operator.

Shoes decide the walks. Wear closed shoes with a grip sole for Kelor, Padar and Komodo Island, and keep a second pair for the boat. Bring a hat with a brim, a reef-safe sunscreen and a water bottle you can refill.

A small headtorch helps for the Padar start, and a light layer helps for the cool first hour. A bag that closes and a waterproof pouch for the phone complete the kit. Bring personal medicines, because the choice in town is limited.

One KEXI park package per guest bundles the entrance ticket (IDR 250,000 per foreign visitor per day under PP 36/2024) with the ranger fee and local levies, and it comes on top of the boat price unless your written quote lists it as included. Both can change, and we confirm the amounts before you sail.

Take six active friends and three cabins: four seats at IDR 7,500,000 each in the two Superior cabins and two seats at IDR 9,750,000 each in a Deluxe cabin. That adds up to three cabins on a shared date, and three cabins meet the minimum an open trip needs to sail.

A party of four who want a cabin to themselves can take the Family cabin, which sells four seats at IDR 6,500,000 each. Park tickets, the ranger fee and drinks other than water, coffee and tea are extra, and so are flights and crew tips.

A shared date means other guests on the walks and in the water. A private charter keeps the walks to your party alone, and the whole-boat price is quoted in writing for your date. A charter price covers neither a guide nor documentation.