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Komodo dragon with a group of visitors in the forest

Monthly travel calendar

Twelve months,
twelve different trips.

Weather, seas, wildlife, crowds and pricing in Komodo, month by month — so you can pick the trip that suits you, not just the busiest one.

Help me pick a month See the calendar
Dry season
Apr–Oct
Peak crowds and pricing
Jul–Aug
Manta aggregation peak
Aug
Wet season
Dec–Feb

The seasons

Three seasons,
one calendar.

Biodiversity stays high all year. What changes is visibility, sea state, crowds and price.

April–October

Dry season

Calm seas, clear water and the best weather — with peak crowds and premium pricing in July and August.

March & November

Shoulder months

Fewer visitors and favourable pricing as the weather turns. Watch the forecast, but expect good value.

December–February

Wet season

Rain, choppier seas and green islands. Some longer routes pause; prices drop except over the holidays.

Month by month

The year
at a glance.

Conditions and crowds for each month, from the wet-season low to the August peak.

January ConditionsWet season peak: heavy rain, choppy seas NotesFewer crowds, lower prices; some longer routes pause
February ConditionsLate wet season, shorter storm windows NotesGreen landscapes for photography; fewer flights
March ConditionsShoulder: drying out, seas improving daily NotesLow visitor numbers, favourable pricing
April ConditionsDry season opens, visibility returns NotesExcellent for dive liveaboards; prices start climbing
May ConditionsPrime: stable weather, calm seas NotesPeak visibility; crowds building, not yet heavy
June ConditionsPre-peak sweet spot NotesBest balance of weather and crowds; good for families
July ConditionsPeak season, best weather of the year NotesMost visitors, premium pricing; book 3–6 months ahead
August ConditionsPeak continues, diving at its best NotesManta aggregation peaks; Pink Beach and Padar busy
September ConditionsLate peak, weather still excellent NotesCrowds easing, strong manta sightings; prices soften
October ConditionsShoulder return, excellent weather NotesFar fewer crowds, mid-tier pricing — strong value
November ConditionsLast clear window before the rains NotesLow visitor numbers, good value; watch forecasts
December ConditionsWet season begins, mixed conditions NotesHoliday price surge; domestic travel peaks

Park permits, SIORA registration and conservation fees apply all year.

Phinisi sailing in soft light

Peak season

Peak season,
and the boats in it.

June to August is Komodo at its busiest. The phinisi carrying its guests were built far away, in the yards of South Sulawesi.

  1. Book early

    July needs at least 3–6 months’ notice; private charters are often booked further ahead.

  2. Built in Sulawesi

    Phinisi are built in Bira and Tana Beru by Bugis and Konjo master builders — not in the park.

  3. Hardwood and joinery

    Ironwood (ulin) and teak, shaped by generations of shipbuilding knowledge.

  4. Visit the yards

    Peak season is a good time to plan a separate trip to the shipyards.

Busy charter seasons drive demand for new builds and maintenance back in the yards.

Best time to visit

For owners

The yard year,
season by season.

While guests follow the weather, fleets and shipyards follow their own calendar.

  1. June–August

    Fleet at full charter

  2. September

    Routine maintenance, minor refits

  3. November

    Plan major refits and new builds

  4. December

    New builds start, timber sourced

  5. Wet season

    Fleet readied for high season

Dry dock & maintenance

Peak or shoulder?

Busy months
or quiet ones?

There is no single best month — only the best month for your trip.

Go in peak season if

  • You want the most reliable weather
  • Diving and manta sightings are the priority
  • School holidays fix your dates

Choose shoulder months if

  • You prefer quieter anchorages and viewpoints
  • Value matters more than guaranteed sunshine
  • You can stay flexible on sea conditions
Tips & best practices

FAQ

Calendar
questions.

Choosing a month comes down to weather, crowds and what you want to see.

What is the best month to visit Komodo?

May and June bring stable weather, calm seas and strong visibility before the July–August peak. October is excellent too, with far fewer crowds.

When can I see manta rays?

Manta aggregations peak in August, and sightings stay strong through September.

Is the wet season worth it?

December to February brings rain and choppier seas, and some longer routes pause. In return: green landscapes, fewer visitors and lower prices — except over Christmas and New Year.

How far ahead should I book for July?

At least 3–6 months. Private charters in peak season are often secured much earlier.

Do park fees change by season?

No. Permits, SIORA registration and conservation fees apply the same way all year.

Are phinisi built in Komodo?

No. They are built in the shipyards of South Sulawesi, notably Bira and Tana Beru, and sail to Komodo to operate.

Guides

More in
Guides.

Seasons from the traveller’s side and the owner’s side.

Boats anchored in the bay below Padar Island Seasons Best Time Dry, shoulder and wet seasons for building and visiting. Read more
Red-sailed phinisi off a white-sand beach 9 tips Tips & Best Practices Seasons, boat tiers, budgets, pacing and culture. Read more
Phinisi hull seen from above on blue water Annual cycle Dry Dock & Maintenance Annual haul-out, docking list and planned maintenance for wooden hulls. Read more
Dining table set on a phinisi deck at anchor Ongoing Charter Management & Returns Crew, bookings, distribution and maintenance — against published benchmarks. Read more

Pick your month

Tell us your dates,
we read the sea.

Share when you can travel and what matters most — diving, wildlife, quiet or value. We suggest the month and the boat.

Help me pick a month Email a specialist

WhatsApp +62 811-3941-4563 · bd@juaraholding.com

Operated by Komodo Luxury, part of Juara Holding Group — in Komodo marine tourism since 2015.