Last updated: August 2026 · Prices & availability verified for the 2026/2027 season
Last updated: August 16, 2026 · Written from Labuan Bajo
Short answer: As of August 16, 2026, you do not need to cancel your Komodo trip. The Harbormaster officially reopened sailing the same day as the earthquake (Maklumat Pelayaran No. 05/MP-VIII/2026), Komodo Airport is operating, Komodo National Park never closed, and trips are running normally. If you still feel unsure, our Sail Again Guarantee — a flexible rebooking guarantee — turns 100% of your payment into travel credit valid for five years.
This guide was written from Labuan Bajo by the Komodo Luxury team. Our crews were at sea with guests when the earthquake struck on the morning of August 15, and our boats returned to the water the same afternoon. What follows is the factual picture from the ground, so you can make your own calm decision.
- Earthquake: M7.7 (initially estimated at M7.0 by BMKG, later revised), Saturday, August 15, 2026, 05:58 WITA, in the sea north of Flores near Mbay — roughly 200 km northeast of Labuan Bajo.
- Tsunami: BMKG’s early warning was lifted about three hours later. No destructive tsunami occurred; only small waves were recorded (about 0.36 m at the Labuan Bajo tide gauge).
- Airport: runway and apron declared safe; Komodo Airport is operating, so far on a normal schedule.
- Port: The Harbormaster (KSOP) reopened sailing the same day — Maklumat Pelayaran No. 05/MP-VIII/2026.
- Park & trips: Komodo National Park was never closed, and trips have been running normally since August 16.
What actually happened on August 15?
At 05:58 WITA on Saturday, August 15, 2026, a shallow M7.7 earthquake struck the sea north of Flores near Mbay, Nagekeo — about 200 km northeast of Labuan Bajo. BMKG’s tsunami warning was lifted roughly three hours later after only small waves were recorded. Following our protocols, guests on boats wore life jackets while vessels held safely in deep water; guests on land moved to higher ground. That same afternoon, the Harbormaster of Labuan Bajo issued Maklumat Pelayaran No. 05/MP-VIII/2026 officially reopening sailing, and boats — including ours — were back on the water. Full timeline: how sailing reopened the same day.
The harder part of this story: the earthquake’s force was concentrated in central and eastern Flores, where dozens of lives were lost and communities in Nagekeo, Sikka, and Manggarai suffered real damage. Labuan Bajo, at the far western tip of the island, saw limited damage and kept functioning — but our thoughts, prayers, and support are with our neighbors across Flores and all of NTT. Choosing to travel here in the coming months also means supporting the local families whose livelihoods depend on tourism.
What has changed — and what hasn’t?
| Question | Status (as of August 16, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Is Labuan Bajo functioning? | Yes — the town saw limited damage and daily life continues, so far calmly. |
| Is Komodo Airport open? | Yes — runway and apron declared safe; flights operating. |
| Is the port open? | Yes — sailing officially reopened by the Harbormaster on August 15 (Maklumat No. 05/MP-VIII/2026). |
| Is Komodo National Park open? | Yes — the park was never closed. |
| Are trips running? | Yes — our boats sailed again on August 15 and trips run normally since August 16. |
| Are there aftershocks? | A few were felt in the first days; BMKG continues to monitor. We sail only with official clearance. |
In plain terms: the infrastructure your trip depends on — airport, harbor, park, boats — is open and working, so far without disruption. What has changed is emotional, not operational.
So — should you cancel?
Based on the facts above, cancellation is not necessary. Here is how we frame the decision by travel date:
- If you travel in the next 14 days: trips are operating normally, confirmed daily against BMKG and Harbormaster guidance. If authorities ever restrict sailing on your date, we will contact you directly and your payment stays protected as travel credit.
- If you’re booked for September–December 2026: there is currently no operational reason to change your plans. The recovery here was measured in hours, not weeks.
- If you’re planning 2027: this event should not factor into your planning at all. What matters is how operators and authorities respond — and here, sailing reopened the same day.
Whether you sail on a shared open trip, a private trip, or a private yacht charter, the picture is the same.
We’re honeymooners / traveling with kids — should we still go?
This is the question we have heard most this week — from a couple whose honeymoon starts in October, parents traveling with a three-year-old, a guest whose partner is pregnant. Our answer is the same for all: this is a personal decision, and no one should pressure you into it. Labuan Bajo is functioning, the airport is open, our luxury phinisi fleet came through the event without incident, and our crews executed the safety protocols exactly as trained. We have documented those protocols in our liveaboard earthquake safety protocols. And if your heart says “not yet,” that is a valid answer too — the next section is for you.
What if I’m still not comfortable traveling?
You lose nothing by hesitating. Every booking affected by this event is covered by our Sail Again Guarantee — a flexible rebooking guarantee:
- 100% of what you have paid becomes travel credit held in your name.
- Valid for five years — until August 15, 2031.
- Your price is locked: rebooking the same product and cabin category costs nothing extra, even if prices rise in future seasons (only the government’s national park fee follows the official tariff at the time of travel).
- One free reschedule, and the credit is transferable to family or friends.
- Upgrade path: you may apply the credit toward a higher category by paying the difference.
Sail now with confidence, or sail later without penalty — your trip waits for you.
What would change this answer?
We would revise this article — and contact affected guests directly — if any of the following occurs: BMKG issues a new warning for the Labuan Bajo area; the Harbormaster suspends sailing again; Komodo Airport restricts operations; or Komodo National Park closes. So far, none of these apply. We are updating our earthquake coverage regularly — see our full report on whether Labuan Bajo is safe after the earthquake for the broader picture.
What should you check before you depart?
- Reconfirm your flight with your airline; flights via Bali connect normally so far, and our Komodo tour from Bali page covers the route.
- Save our WhatsApp (+62 811-3823-875) — one message reaches our team throughout your trip.
- Check that your travel insurance covers natural events; we can provide official documentation for any claim.
- Follow BMKG (@infoBMKG) for official updates, not social media rumors.
- Pack as normal — no special preparations are required.
What are guests actually asking us this week?
We have a boat trip booked at the end of August — is it still going ahead?
Yes. As of August 16, all trips are operating on schedule following the Harbormaster’s official reopening. If authorities ever restrict sailing on your date, we will contact you directly and your payment stays protected as travel credit under the Sail Again Guarantee.
Are there still aftershocks? Should we be worried?
A few aftershocks were felt in the first days, which is normal after an event of this size. BMKG monitors seismic activity continuously, and we sail only with official clearance from the Harbormaster. No one can promise zero aftershocks in Indonesia — we can promise our decisions follow the authorities, not optimism.
Is it safe to go on the boat after the earthquake?
We will never answer that with the word “guaranteed” — no honest operator can. What we can tell you: the Harbormaster has officially reopened sailing, our full safety protocols remain active on every departure, and our crews proved them in real conditions on August 15, with every guest safe and accounted for.
If we decide not to travel because of the earthquake, what happens to our booking?
Nothing is lost. Under the Sail Again Guarantee, 100% of your payment converts to travel credit in your name, valid until August 15, 2031, with your price locked, one free reschedule, and the option to transfer it to family or friends or upgrade to a higher category.
My partner is pregnant and we’re anxious — should we still come?
That is a decision only you two can make, and we will support it either way. The facts: Labuan Bajo is functioning, the airport is open, and trips are running normally so far. If you prefer to wait, your credit holds your trip — at today’s price — for up to five years.
Still weighing it up? Message our team on WhatsApp at +62 811-3823-875, or explore a private trip or open trip whenever you are ready — our contact page is always open. Our boats are sailing; your seat and your credit will wait for you.
