Last updated: September 2026 · Prices & availability verified for the 2026/2027 season
Last updated: August 16, 2026 · Written from Labuan Bajo
Short answer: As of August 20, 2026, you do not need to cancel your Komodo trip solely because of the earthquake. The Harbormaster officially reopened sailing on the same day as the earthquake through Maklumat Pelayaran No. 05/MP-VIII/2026, Komodo Airport is operating, Komodo National Park remains open, and all of our trips are operating as planned with no issues affecting our operations. If you still feel unsure about traveling, our Customer Relations team is here to help. Feel free to reach out to us for the latest information about the situation in Labuan Bajo and your planned Komodo trip.
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 that same afternoon. Since then, our team has continued monitoring updates from BMKG and local authorities while keeping guests informed of any developments that may affect their trip. What follows is the factual picture from the ground, so you can make your own informed decision about traveling to Komodo.
- 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. Whether you sail on a shared/open trip, a private trip, or a private yacht charter, the picture is the same. Here is how we frame the decision by travel date:
- If you travel in the next 14 days: trips are currently operating, and we continue to monitor updates from BMKG and the local authorities. If authorities ever restrict sailing on your date, our Customer Relations team will inform you directly and provide the latest information about the situation.
- If you’re booked for September–December 2026: there is currently no operational disruption affecting our trips. As your travel date approaches, our team will continue monitoring the situation and keep you informed of any relevant updates.
- If you’re planning 2027: the August 2026 earthquake does not necessarily mean you need to change your plans. When your travel date gets closer, check the latest official information and contact our Customer Relations team for an update on the situation in Labuan Bajo.
Note: While Labuan Bajo, Komodo National Park, and the port are currently operating normally, each trip is still subject to the regulations and operational policies of the individual vessel. This means sailing decisions may vary depending on the specific vessel’s regulations and the latest instructions from the relevant authorities. Our team will continue coordinating with each vessel and keeping guests informed of any updates that may affect the trip.
We’re honeymooners or 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 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?
It is completely understandable if you still feel hesitant after a major earthquake. Even when Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park are operating, you may still want more information before deciding whether you feel comfortable traveling. If you’re still unsure about your Komodo trip after the earthquake, you don’t have to make the decision based on headlines or social media updates alone. Our Customer Relations team is available to explain the latest situation in Labuan Bajo, the current condition of the sailing routes, and any updates that may be relevant to your trip.
We will continue monitoring information from BMKG and local authorities, and if there are any official changes that could affect our trips, we will inform our guests directly. So, if you’re traveling soon, later this year, or already planning your Komodo trip for 2027, feel free to reach out to our Customer Relations team whenever you have concerns. We are here to give you the latest information from the ground so you can make your travel decision with greater confidence.
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
- Follow BMKG (@infoBMKG) for official updates, not social media rumors.
- Pack as normal — no special preparations are required.
Sailing in Komodo with Confident with Komodo Luxury
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. Booking with confidence also means booking with the right company — see our verification guide against Komodo tour scams and the criteria for choosing a 2027 operator.
If you keep the trip, Komodo Island itself is unchanged — same trails, same rangers, same dragons.
Sailing Komodo After the Earthquake: What It Looks Like From Our Deck
We kept sailing the same day the harbourmaster cleared departures, and every Komodo open trip 3D2N shared cabin departure since has run on our own boats — Ayvara, Malca, Catnazse and Naturalia. If you would rather have the whole vessel, a private Komodo charter follows the same safety standard with your own captain and crew. The Komodo National Park fee is set under Government Regulation No. 36/2024 as displayed by the Balai (IDR 250,000 per international visitor per day, IDR 50,000 per Indonesian visitor per day), confirmed by our desk as its own line on your invoice.
Status check — evening of August 16, 2026 (day 2): Komodo Airport (LBJ) operating normally, boats departing Labuan Bajo on schedule throughout the day, and Komodo National Park open as usual. Our crews report calm seas across the sailing routes.
