Best time to visit
Plan the ideal time to embark on your Komodo National Park cruise
Aqua Blu sails the Komodo National Park from April to September.
Unlike other parts of Indonesia, Komodo National Park has a drier climate with a shorter monsoon than the rest of Indonesia, owing to the dry air mass flowing from the Australian continent. This unique climatic condition has helped create the region’s dramatic savannah hills, which are often framed against a stunning blue sky in the dry months.
Annual Rainfall: 1266mm
Most of the rainfall in the region occurs between December and March. In April when the rain begins to subside, the savannah hills of the region is adorned in a vibrant green.
The average number of days with any rainfall in April is 9, before falling further to 6 days in May, and 4 and 3 days in June and July respectively. With just 1 day of rain in August and September, there’s a chance you might experience clear skies all the way on a 7-night Aqua Blu journey in August and September!
Daytime Length: 11.5-12 hours
Relative Humidity: 80-85% (Apr-Jun), 75-80% (Jul-Sep)
At Komodo National Park, the air happens to be the calmest during and just after the rainy season. Winds pick up slightly from May onward, making for slightly less humid days. Bring/wear an extra layer for nights out on the decks of the Aqua Blu, or while the vessel is navigating.
Average wind speed: 2.4 to 6.2 knots (Barely noticeable to Light breeze)
Sustained high wind speed: 9.2 to 13.7 knots (Gentle to significant breeze)
Komodo National Park is situated in between two seas in the Nusa Tenggara archipelago of East Indonesia. Hence, water conditions may vary depending on the location within the National Park. The northern region, which include the Gili Lawah islands, is warmer due to the flows from the Pacific Ocean, whereas the southern region, including Horseshoe Bay, experience constant cooler currents from the Indian Ocean. The central area, where Linta Straits and the Pink Beach is located, typically remains pleasantly warm.
Komodo Northern Region:
Water Temperature: 27-28°C (81-82°F)
Visibility: 15-40m (average 25m)
Komodo Central Region:
Water Temperature: 27-28°C (81-82°F)
Visibility: 7-30m (average 15m)
Komodo Southern Region:
Water Temperature: 23-24°C (73-74°F)
Visibility: 7-20m (average 12m)
Month-by-month summary:
April to June
As the rainy season of Komodo National Park draws to a close in March, all of the savannah islands of the Park are decked in a pleasing shade of green. With the exception of rains during the night time, the weather is generally dry. The seas are typically nice and calm and manta rays are at peak numbers in the area. However, humidity may be on the high side, at times reaching 90%.
Rains and humidity subside in May, with animals getting particularly active. By June there’ll be near zero chance of rain, and understandably the green savannah landscape would have faded by now.
July to August
High tourist season might mean more visitors arriving in Komodo, although the nature of Aqua Blu’s itineraries (e.g. private landing sites and exclusive trekking routes) and its longer range mean that our guests feel any impact of tourist arrivals minimally. Even though manta rays would have moved out of the area by this time of the year, also a wealth of marine animals still await to be discovered.
During these months, the sea may also be rougher on some days due to winds. There is a chance of rain at night, and temperatures might get slightly chilly. Inside the Aqua Blu, you’ll be in utmost comfort, with temperature-controlled interior spaces and technologically-advanced stabilizers to minimise any side-to-side movement of the ship.
September to November
Sea and land temperatures begin to get warmer, while wind and waves start to fade in intensity. The manta rays start to return, and visitors may get to see sperm whales while cruising. October is the driest and most arid month in the Komodo National Park
December through to March
Due to harsh weather conditions, many tour operators and cruises suspend operations in Komodo National Park during these months.
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