Labuan Bajo–Sape ASDP Ferry Does Not Serve Komodo National Park

Labuan Bajo — The state ferry linking Labuan Bajo in Flores with Sape on Sumbawa is an inter-island transport route and does not take passengers into Komodo National Park’s main visitor areas, according to route information and park access guides.

The Labuan Bajo–Sape crossing is operated by ASDP as a car-and-passenger service between the two islands, landing at Sape port on the eastern tip of Sumbawa in West Nusa Tenggara province, well outside the park boundary.

Park access guides stress that visitors reach Komodo National Park itself by chartered or shared tourist boats departing Labuan Bajo’s harbor, and that a ticket for the Labuan Bajo–Sape ferry is not a substitute for a park visit.

What the Labuan Bajo–Sape ferry does

ASDP and local port guides describe the Labuan Bajo–Sape route as a scheduled inter-island crossing used by residents, vehicles and overland travelers moving between Flores and Sumbawa.

The crossing is listed at roughly 75 nautical miles between Labuan Bajo and Sape, served by roll-on/roll-off vessels such as KMP Cakalang and KMP Cucut.

Sape functions as a gateway town for Bima and the rest of eastern Sumbawa, not as an entry point to Komodo Island, Rinca or Padar.

Independent travel guides note that confusing this ASDP service with a “Komodo ferry” is a common mistake among budget travelers researching options online.

Public ferries versus park boats

Explainers on park access state that there is no public passenger boat that delivers visitors directly to Komodo or Rinca ranger posts as part of the Labuan Bajo–Sape ferry route.

Instead, the only way into Komodo National Park’s main visitor sites is by a tourist vessel arranged specifically for park itineraries, either on a shared “open trip” basis or as a private charter from Labuan Bajo port.

Shared day trips typically carry several passengers on a fixed itinerary and charge per person, while private speedboat or phinisi charters are sold per boat and give more control over timing and stops.

Operators and harbor-based guides say shared departures may be found through tour companies, hostels, dive shops or by inquiring at the harbor, though advance booking is recommended to match boat schedules with park permits.

Entry requirements separate from transport

Access to Komodo National Park is controlled through the SiOra online reservation system (siora.id), which issues dated electronic tickets tied to each visitor’s passport or ID.

Guides for Komodo Island, Rinca and Padar explain that every visitor must hold a valid SiOra booking for a specific entry point and time-banded session; walk-up tickets are no longer accepted.

Ranger-led trekking is mandatory on the main dragon-viewing trails and Padar viewpoints, with additional ranger fees charged per group.

Park information emphasizes that transport arrangements and permit requirements are separate: a boat brings visitors to the landing site, but SiOra registration and ranger checks determine whether they may enter the trails.

Because the Labuan Bajo–Sape ferry does not land on Komodo, Rinca or Padar, passengers on that ASDP route are not counted against Komodo National Park’s daily visitor quota, which applies only to people entering the park’s designated landing points under confirmed reservations.

Sources

• Komodo National Parks - Public Boats and Ferries to Komodo: What Actually Runs
• Bajo Port - Labuan Bajo to Bima and Sape by Ferry
• ASDP - Perkuat Konektivitas Laut Kawasan Timur Indonesia, ASDP Dorong Aksesibilitas dan Distribusi Logistik Antarwilayah
• Labuan Bajo Komodo - SiOra Permits & Visitor Quota for Komodo Park
• Komodo Guide - Park Fees and Visitor Quota 2026