Komodo Drone Flights Need SIMAKSI, Apply 7 Days Before Travel

Labuan Bajo — Visitors who plan to fly a drone in Komodo National Park must obtain a SIMAKSI conservation-area permit and pay a separate drone operation fee through the SIORA system, in addition to meeting Indonesia’s civil-aviation requirements, according to park-focused operator guidance.

SIMAKSI, short for Surat Izin Masuk Kawasan Konservasi, is a special permit category for activities beyond standard tourism such as drone flights, commercial filming and research inside conservation zones managed by Balai Taman Nasional Komodo (BTNK). According to multiple operator and travel-guidance documents, drone flights inside the park are not considered ordinary sightseeing and therefore require SIMAKSI approval before any operation.

Guidance aimed at liveaboard guests and independent travellers states that SIMAKSI applications for drone use should be submitted at least seven days before the trip, allowing around three working days for verification and extra time for payment and reservation steps. One Indo Master Liveaboards information sheet and several independent travel guides repeat the seven‑day recommendation for trips that include Padar Island, Pink Beach and other popular viewpoints.

What operators need to prepare

Operators and guests are instructed to apply through the official Komodo permit platform at the SIMAKSI page, then select the special‑permit category for videography or drones. Guidance from operators and local travel services says applicants should create an account, verify an email address, choose Komodo National Park as the destination, enter their visit dates and select drone operation as the activity.

Several sources list broadly similar supporting documents: a permit‑request letter, a passport or Indonesian identity card, a drone‑pilot licence and a drone licence or specification sheet. They note that all documents must be uploaded in PDF format for SIMAKSI verification, and that the permit code will be emailed once the application is approved.

After SIMAKSI approval, the guidance describes a second step: purchasing a drone operation ticket through the SIORA reservation app. The ticket is tied to a specific date and is required alongside the SIMAKSI permit whenever a drone is flown inside the park.

The typical sequence described by operator and guide documents is:

• Create and verify a user account on the SIMAKSI permit page.
• Select Komodo National Park, enter visit dates and choose the videography/drone permit type.
• Upload identity documents, drone licences and the application letter, then submit.
• After SIMAKSI approval, log in to the SIORA app, purchase the drone operation ticket for the chosen date and download the ticket.

Travellers are advised to carry both the SIMAKSI permit documentation and the drone ticket during their visit, as rangers and marine patrols may request to see them.

Fees and approved areas

Drone-related guidance from Indo Master Liveaboards and other operators indicates that the drone operation ticket is charged per day per drone, with recent estimates around IDR 2 million per day or approximately USD 125, separate from park entry tickets. These sources emphasise that the fee is based on the number of days the drone is authorised, not on the number of take‑offs or minutes flown.

Liveaboard FAQs and travel guides commonly mention Padar Island, Pink Beach and Taka Makassar as locations where drone flights may be approved when the SIMAKSI and drone tickets are in order. Approval is not automatic: applicants must submit a flight or shooting plan as part of the SIMAKSI process, and operators are instructed to fly only in areas and time windows specifically authorised in their permit.

Independent traveller accounts describe additional details of their own applications, including reported costs around IDR 1 million plus stamp duty for a visitor permit in 2024, but these figures are presented as individual experiences rather than an official fee schedule. Current guidance from operators therefore recommends confirming the exact drone fee and any non‑core‑zone charges directly through BTNK or the SIORA system at the time of application.

Restrictions and enforcement

Operator regulations note that drones are prohibited in some parts of Komodo National Park, particularly in sensitive wildlife areas, and that non‑compliance can lead to confiscation of the aircraft, fines or removal from the park. SIMAKSI and park‑rules summaries point to Indonesia’s Conservation Law No. 5/1990, which provides penalties for offences involving protected species, as part of the legal framework underpinning enforcement, even though drone flights are regulated through administrative permits rather than a dedicated drone statute.

Local guides also stress that on‑the‑day operational decisions remain with BTNK rangers and marine patrols. Even in zones where drones are sometimes authorised, staff may refuse or halt flights when necessary for wildlife protection or visitor safety. Travellers are told to stop flying immediately if instructed by park personnel.

For foreign and domestic visitors, the practical takeaway from the available guidance is that aviation compliance and park permission work together. Drone pilots must meet national aviation rules, secure SIMAKSI approval for their activity inside the conservation area, purchase the date‑specific drone operation ticket, bring all documents on board and follow any additional instructions from BTNK during their visit.

Sources

• Indo Master Liveaboards – Drone Operator Requirements
• Komodo Guide – Liveaboard Licenses & Rules 2026
• Komodo Luxury – Syarat dan Ketentuan Penggunaan Drone Bersama SIMAKSI di Taman Nasional Komodo
• Alongwalker – Cara Urus Simaksi untuk Izin Terbangkan Drone di TN Komodo
• Labuan Bajo Komodo