Visitors to Loh Buaya on Rinca Island should bring their own water

Labuan Bajo — — Visitors to Loh Buaya ranger station on Rinca Island should bring their own sealed drinking water and should not expect a reliable refill point or a dependable food vendor on site, according to two 2026 travel guides on the area.

The guides describe Loh Buaya as the main visitor entry point on Rinca, with basic restroom facilities, a small ranger office or information point, and shaded waiting areas near the jetty. One of the guides says the toilets are functional but simple and may not always have running water or toilet paper stocked throughout the day.

For water, the same guide recommends bringing at least 1 to 1.5 litres per person for a short-to-medium trek, and more for longer routes or hotter conditions. Another guide says visitors should bring enough water for the trek itself because there is no reliable refill point on the trail.

Both guides also say there is no restaurant at Loh Buaya and that any kiosk or stall near the station should not be relied on for essential supplies. The practical advice is to arrive prepared with food, drinking water, sunscreen, sun protection and personal hygiene items.

Loh Buaya is presented as a functional ranger station rather than a full visitor complex, with shade concentrated around the station area and little or no shade on the savanna routes. That makes self-sufficiency important for travellers planning a stop on Rinca Island.

What visitors can expect

The station is described as the place where trekking groups check in, rangers are assigned and route choices are confirmed for the day. The available facilities are basic rather than resort-style, and visitors are advised not to assume the presence of a stocked shop or a public drinking-water dispenser.

The guides differ slightly on wording around small retail facilities: one says a small retail point may sell drinks, snacks and souvenirs, while the other says any stall presence should not be counted on. On that point, the common advice is the same: do not rely on Loh Buaya for essential supplies.

Visitors are also encouraged to carry a rubbish bag and take waste back with them. The same guides recommend reducing single-use plastic and checking current instructions from boat operators before travelling.

For travellers, the key planning takeaway is simple: treat Loh Buaya as a ranger-controlled trailhead with basic amenities, not as a place to top up supplies once you arrive.

Context

Loh Buaya sits within Komodo National Park on Rinca Island and serves as the park’s primary access point for visitors to the island’s dragon-viewing trails. The site’s infrastructure is enough for a short guided visit, but the published guides both stress that visitors should arrive with their own water and snacks.

The recommendations are especially relevant in hot weather, when delays, waiting time for boats or ranger assignments, and exposed savanna terrain can increase the amount of water travellers need.

Sources

• Rinca Island Guide – Facilities at Loh Buaya
• KomodoGuide.org – Rinca Island: Where Dragons and Humans Coexist