Packing Checklist for a Full Day Komodo Tour

Every morning at 6:00 AM we collect guests from hotels across Labuan Bajo, and every morning someone panics: "I forgot sunscreen!" or "Should I have brought a towel?" So that your morning is calm and your night before is restful, here is the checklist we've refined over years of trips — including the things you should deliberately leave behind.

The essentials (don't leave without these)

• Swimwear worn from the hotel. Trick number one: wear your swimsuit or rash guard under your clothes from the start. Changing rooms on islands are scarce, and the first swim comes sooner than you expect.
• Full change of clothes + small towel. The ride home is infinitely better dry. A microfiber towel saves space.
• Reef-safe sunscreen, SPF 30+. The Flores sun is merciless, and regular sunscreen damages coral. Reapply every two to three hours.
• Hat with a strap, and sunglasses. The wind on a speedboat deck is strong — an unstrapped hat becomes a donation to the Flores Sea.
• Dual-purpose footwear. Trekking sandals or trail shoes with grip for Padar's steps and the dragon trek; skip thin flip-flops.
• Cash. Park entrance, activity levies, and ranger fees are paid in cash on-site. ATMs exist only in Labuan Bajo.
• Dry bag, 5–10 liters. Protects phone, wallet, and power bank from splashes during boarding. A thick ziplock works in a pinch.
• Phone + camera, charged, plus a power bank. You will shoot more than you think. Trust us.

Strongly recommended (comfort multipliers)

• Long-sleeve rash guard — the best sun protection in the water, and it cuts your sunscreen needs dramatically.
• Motion sickness tablets, taken 30–60 minutes before departure if you're prone. Full strategy in our seasickness guide.
• Personal medications — asthma, allergies, prescriptions; the nearest pharmacy to Pink Beach is a 90-minute boat ride.
• Action camera + wrist strap for manta and turtle moments.
• Light windbreaker — the 6:00 AM open-sea run is brisk before the sun climbs.
• Refillable water bottle — refill gallons are on board; the planet thanks you.
• Plasters and hand sanitizer for minor scrapes after trekking.

Leave at the hotel

• Jewelry and valuables — there is nothing to prove to a Komodo dragon.
• Laptops and documents — salt spray and humidity are their enemies.
• Large luggage — speedboat cabins are designed for daypacks.
• Drones — unless you hold an official park permit, they cannot fly.
• Strong-smelling food — it attracts exactly the attention you don't want on a dragon island.

What's already provided on board?

The part our guests love: you can pack light because our speedboats carry a fresh Indonesian buffet lunch cooked that very morning, unlimited water and fruit, masks, snorkels, and fins in all sizes, adult and child life jackets, a first-aid kit, and an air-conditioned cabin for the crossings. The crew also keeps a large dry box for your electronics whenever you're in the water — nothing gets left unattended.

Packing by traveler type

Families should add: two spare outfits per child (kids get wet twice as often as adults), kid-specific sunscreen and hats, favorite snacks for between-meal hunger, and simple sand toys for Taka Makassar. Child-size life jackets are on board — just tell us ages when booking. Content creators: a big power bank (nonstop shooting drains batteries by noon), spare memory cards, a microfiber cloth for salt-sprayed lenses, and a floating strap for anything entering the water. Minimalists: good news — with everything the boat provides, you can genuinely board with swimwear on, one small dry bag with phone-cash-sunscreen, and sandals. Guests who've done it call it the freest day of their lives.

The five-minute test the night before

One last trick that saves many mornings: do a dry run the evening before. Wear tomorrow's outfit, pack everything per the list, lift the bag, and walk ten steps. Too heavy? Remove the extras — usual suspects: second shoes, giant towel, "the book you won't read." Then double-check the three most-forgotten items per our crew's data: sunscreen (reigning champion), the seasickness tablets bought but left on the hotel desk, and cash for the park tickets detailed in our fees article. Charge everything, put the bag by the door, and sleep — 6:00 AM arrives faster than your alarm thinks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?

No — we provide clean masks, snorkels, and fins in every size. If you own a mask that fits your face perfectly, bring it: mask comfort is the biggest single factor in snorkeling enjoyment.

How much cash should I carry?

Enough for park entrance fees and levies plus a small buffer for tips and snacks — typically a few hundred thousand rupiah per person depending on current rates. Details are in our park fees article.

Is there somewhere safe to store things while snorkeling?

Yes. The cabin is secure and always watched by crew members who stay aboard, and a dry box is provided for phones, wallets, and cameras. Guest belongings are never left unattended.