Learning how to dive & meeting Komodo Dragons in Labuan Bajo

The little town of Labuan Bajo doesn’t have a lot to offer but it is the perfect base to visit Komodo National park where you can meet Komodo Dragons and learn how to dive. When we were looking for a “tour operator” to take us to the islands with the dragons we bumped into a diving shop run by Belgians. They also offered a visit to the dragons, combined with two dives. I was scared at first but thought: “now or never” and it ended up to be the best decision ever. Komodo National park has a stunning underwater world to discover. We decided to immediately go for our Open Water certificate and spent every day of the week in the water and on the boat.

Labuan Bajo travel information

• Transport: We flew to Labuan Bajo from Surabaya (Java).
• Stay: The first nights were a bit fancier at the Green Hill Boutique Hotel but when we decided to stay longer and get our Open Water certificate we moved to the cheaper Hotel Mutiara. It’s not a cosy place with dark rooms and a basic bathroom but you’re living outside anyway and it had a great breakfast with pancakes!
• Things to do: Visit the Komodo Dragons and learn how to dive with Manta Rhei!
• Food: There’s a great Italian place (MadeInItaly) but the local warungs are great as well. There’s even a frozen yoghurt parlor.