Is Komodo Island Open for Visitors
What changed on 1 April 2026
Visitors can no longer walk into the park and buy a ticket at the jetty. Every visitor must be pre-registered in the SiOra system by a licensed tour operator before boarding a boat. You cannot register yourself; the operator files your passport details. The park then runs a hard cap of 1,000 visitors per day. On full days, capacity closes and you cannot book a tour.
The old backpacker move — fly to Labuan Bajo, walk the harbour, haggle with a boat captain in the morning — is finished. Booking a tour is no longer the convenient option; it is the mechanism by which you are legally allowed onto the island.
The "Komodo is closing" rumour
For years, there have been news stories about Komodo closing permanently or for renovation. The stories are not false; they refer to real proposals. But every closure proposal has been dropped. The park has been proposed for closure, renovation, restricting visitor access, and removing the dragons. None of it has happened. As of now, the park is open. If it were closing, the Indonesian government and the operators would have announced it plainly, and the park would not be taking registrations.
Booking your visit now
Book a tour through GetYourGuide or any licensed operator in Labuan Bajo. The tour covers your SiOra registration, boat, guide and lunch. Budget $19–$24 in cash for park entry and ranger fees, paid on the day. Booking lead time is one week in shoulder season, 3–4 weeks during July and August when the park approaches 1,000 visitors a day.
Do not wait for clarity on rumours. The park is open, tours are running, and bookings are being made daily. When you land in Labuan Bajo, confirm your tour with the operator the same day. You will be in the SiOra system within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Is Komodo open for tourists?
Yes. It is operating under a new system since 1 April 2026. Every visitor must be pre-registered through SiOra by a tour operator. The park runs a 1,000-visitor-per-day cap. Walk-in tickets at the jetty no longer exist.
Is Komodo closed for renovation?
No. There have been proposals over the years, but none have been enacted. The park is open, guides are registering visitors, and tours run daily. If the park were closing, the government would announce it plainly.
What is the 1,000-visitor cap?
The park allows a maximum of 1,000 visitors per day. On full days — typically July and August — tour availability closes. Book 3–4 weeks ahead in peak season. Shoulder months (April, May, October, November) rarely hit the cap.
What is SiOra?
The park’s official online visitor registration system. You cannot register yourself. Your tour operator files your passport details with SiOra before you board. This is why you need to book through a licensed operator, not a random boat captain.
Can I walk up to a boat and negotiate on the morning?
No. That option ended on 1 April 2026. Every visitor must be pre-registered. Book your tour online at least the night before, or days ahead in peak season.