Taka Makassar Marine Tourism Resumes After Weather Suspension

Manggarai Barat — Marine tourism activities at Taka Makassar in Komodo National Park resumed in mid-May 2026 after a temporary suspension of tourist sailings due to bad weather, according to local media reports published on 19 May 2026.

DetikTravel reported that visitors were again enjoying the sandbank and surrounding waters at Taka Makassar once tourist cruises were permitted to operate following a weather-related restriction on marine tourism in the park.

The article shows tourists returning to the site by boat and spending time on the sandbar, indicating that access for marine excursions to Taka Makassar had resumed by 19 May 2026.

Weather-related closures in Komodo National Park

The May reopening followed a series of temporary closures and restrictions on marine tourism in Komodo National Park in early 2026, imposed because of forecasts of extreme maritime weather.

In January 2026, the Komodo National Park authority announced a temporary closure of all tourist activities in the park due to extreme weather conditions, with the suspension initially set from 12 to 15 January.

The port authority at Labuan Bajo, Kantor Kesyahbandaran dan Otoritas Pelabuhan (KSOP) Kelas III Labuan Bajo, later extended these restrictions through a marine notice that shut down sailing for tourist vessels in park waters until 20 January 2026, and media reports noted that the closure of tourist visits was prolonged further until 27 January 2026 because conditions had not improved.

Coverage of these closures cites forecasts from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warning of strong winds, high waves and heavy rain that could endanger vessels and tourists in the Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park area.

Taka Makassar access confirmed; wider reopening unclear

DetikTravel’s report confirms that Taka Makassar was accessible to tourists by 19 May 2026, with marine tourism activities at the site resuming after a suspension linked to bad weather.

The report does not specify whether the reopening applied to all marine destinations within Komodo National Park or only to Taka Makassar, and it does not detail the scope of any ongoing restrictions for other islands or dive sites in the park.

It also does not identify the specific authority responsible for lifting the earlier sailing restriction to Taka Makassar, nor does it provide the exact dates when the suspension began or ended.

Other coverage of weather-related closures in 2026 focuses on Pulau Komodo, Pulau Padar and broader park waters, with restrictions implemented through marine notices issued by KSOP Labuan Bajo and closure decisions by the Komodo National Park management.

These reports describe temporary bans on tourist sailings, suspension of the issuance of sailing permits for tourist vessels, and situational reopenings once BMKG forecasts indicated safer sea conditions.

Practical considerations for visitors and operators

Because marine access in Komodo National Park has repeatedly been adjusted in 2026 in response to forecasts of high waves and strong winds, travellers planning to visit Taka Makassar or other marine destinations in the park are advised to confirm current conditions and operational status with local authorities or their tour operators before departure.

Media reports on recent closures note that KSOP Labuan Bajo has at times limited or halted sailing permits for tourist vessels to specific destinations, while allowing carefully controlled access to others, depending on the latest BMKG maritime weather forecasts.

As of the May 2026 coverage, tourists were able to return to Taka Makassar after a weather-related suspension of marine tourism there, but available reports do not establish that all park waters had reopened without restriction or that vessel rules, passenger limits or routes were uniform across Komodo National Park at that time.

Sources

• detikTravel - Wisata Bahari TN Komodo Kembali Dibuka, Turis Nikmati Indahnya Taka Makassar
• CNN Indonesia - Cuaca Ekstrem, Wisata Taman Nasional Komodo Ditutup hingga 15 Januari
• Media Indonesia - Cuaca Ekstrem, Taman Nasional Komodo Ditutup Total hingga 27 Januari 2026
• IDN Times - Pulau Padar dan Pulau Komodo Ditutup akibat Gelombang Tinggi
• Monitor Indonesia - Cuaca Ekstrem Hantam Labuan Bajo, Wisata ke Pulau Komodo dan Padar Ditutup Hingga 8 Agustus