Rinca Island’s Loh Buaya Reopened with Elevated Walkway in October 2022

Labuan Bajo — Rinca Island’s Loh Buaya visitor area was closed for construction from late October 2020 and reopened to tourists on 1 October 2022, following a multi‑year project that added an elevated boardwalk, a redesigned jetty and new visitor facilities, according to government statements and tourism operators.

Rinca is one of the three main islands in Komodo National Park and is known for its population of Komodo dragons alongside wildlife such as wild boar, monkeys, birds and water buffalo, as described in tourism material and park-related studies.

Closure and reopening

The park authority announced a temporary closure of the Loh Buaya resort on Rinca starting on 26 October 2020 to allow construction of new tourism infrastructure, including a jetty, elevated deck, information centre and ranger facilities.

A later notice and tourism guidance state that the area reopened to visitors on 1 October 2022 after the works, with the site operating under new capacity limits and structured visiting hours.

The timeframe described by official and academic sources aligns with travel reporting published in February 2023, which notes that “after 3 years of the big project which happened from 2019 to 2022, finally Rinca Island officially opened for visitors on November 2022,” while summarising the new infrastructure for tourists.

New infrastructure at Loh Buaya

The redevelopment at Loh Buaya introduced an elevated deck that replaces ground-level trails and connects the jetty, information centre and accommodation for rangers, guides and researchers.

Officials and commentators say the elevated structure, built around two metres above ground, is intended to keep visitors and Komodo dragons in the same general area without direct contact, reducing disturbance to wildlife and improving safety.

The project also includes a redesigned jetty at Loh Buaya, described in park-related commentary as a “Y”‑shaped pier inspired by a Komodo dragon’s tongue and ranger staff, now used as the main arrival point for boats bringing visitors to Rinca.

Government documents and park commentary describe additional visitor facilities at Loh Buaya, including an information centre and lodging for rangers and researchers, as part of a broader plan to develop tourism infrastructure funded through the state budget.

Visitor experience and access

Travel operators report that visitors typically reach Rinca by boat from the Labuan Bajo area, disembarking at the Loh Buaya jetty before continuing along the elevated boardwalk for Komodo dragon viewing.

Current guidance emphasises that visitors move along the elevated deck with a guide, and that access to ground-level forest trails remains restricted during parts of the post‑construction period.

Tourism sources highlight Rinca as a destination for Komodo dragon sightings with fewer boats than Komodo Island, alongside snorkeling and diving in nearby coral reefs.

Official and academic material frame the Loh Buaya redevelopment within a wider programme to enhance tourism infrastructure in Komodo National Park, including works at Rinca and Padar funded by national government allocations.

Sources

• Explorcation Indonesia – What’s New in Rinca Island
• Detik Travel – Pulau Rinca, Lokasi Komodo Vs Truk yang Akan Jadi Jurassic Park
• Komodo Guide – Loh Buaya: Close Dragon Sightings on Rinca Island’s Best Trails
• Tempo – Proyek Pariwisata Super-prioritas di Taman Nasional Komodo Hampir Rampung
• Scribd – RPP BTNK-BPPW-BWS 04102020
• Labuan Bajo Boat Charter – Rinca Island Boat Trip — Loh Buaya Dragons Without the Crowds
• Balai Taman Nasional Komodo – Penataan Sarana dan Prasarana Wisata di Pulau Rinca TN Komodo Tetap Patuhi Kaidah Konservasi
• Forest Digest – Masa Depan Komodo Setelah Jurassic Park
• Inspire Travel – Pulau Rinca Loh Buaya Mulai Di Buka Untuk Wisatawan
• Institut Teknologi Bandung Digital Library – Pulau Rinca and Loh Buaya Tourism Facilities
• Jurnal Pariwisata – Analisis Keberlanjutan Taman Nasional Komodo sebagai Destinasi Wisata Alam
• Tirto – Ambisi Investasi Luhut dan Jokowi di Balik Komodo Vs Jurassic Park