Lilshira
Indonesia caps daily visitors at Komodo National Park to 1,000 from April 2026
Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry will limit daily entries to Komodo National Park to 1,000 visitors, starting 1 April 2026. The rule applies to all tourists heading to Komodo, Rinca, Padar islands and the 23 designated diving sites.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Daily visitor cap of 1,000 for Komodo National Park
- Timing
- Effective 1 April 2026
- Who is affected
- All tourists visiting Komodo, Rinca, Padar and designated dive sites
The details
- Announced by
- Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry
- Takes effect
- 1 April 2026
- Previous rule
- There was no daily visitor limit; 429,509 people visited in 2025, exceeding the park’s estimated carrying capacity.
- New rule
- A daily limit of 1,000 visitors will be enforced, roughly 365,000 annually, covering Komodo Island, Rinca Island, Padar Island and 23 diving locations.
Background and decision
The Ministry of Forestry introduced the visitor cap after environmental assessments showed that visitor numbers were putting pressure on the park’s fragile ecosystems. The 2025 figure of 429,509 visitors surpassed the capacity calculated to protect the Komodo dragon’s habitat and surrounding marine areas.
Scope of the limit
The restriction applies to the three main islands—Komodo, Rinca and Padar—as well as 23 officially designated diving spots within the national park. Each day, only 1,000 visitors in total may be granted entry across these locations.
Implementation and booking
Visitors must secure a park entry permit before arriving in Labuan Bajo, the main gateway town. Permits will be allocated on a first‑come‑first‑served basis, and travellers are advised to check availability and booking windows early. The limit is expected to be monitored by park authorities using existing ticketing systems.
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Travelers must confirm park entry availability before booking island tours from Labuan Bajo.
- Booking windows may close earlier than in previous years due to the daily cap.
Cost and documents
- No new fees are introduced; existing park entry permit fees remain unchanged.
- Travelers still need a valid passport, visa (if required) and a confirmed park permit.
What you need to do
- Secure a Komodo National Park entry permit through an authorized provider before the travel date.
- Monitor the Ministry of Forestry website for daily quota updates and any changes to booking procedures.
Who this affects
-
Tourists visiting Komodo Island
The daily visitor cap includes all visitors to Komodo Island.
What to do Obtain a park entry permit in advance and plan travel dates around quota availability.
-
Divers heading to the 23 designated sites
Diving locations are part of the 1,000‑visitor daily limit.
What to do Book diving permits together with island entry permits before arrival.
-
Tour operators arranging island excursions
Operators must allocate spots within the daily quota for their clients.
What to do Coordinate with local permit issuers to secure slots for each scheduled tour.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Komodo National Park visitor limit start?
The daily visitor limit of 1,000 takes effect on 1 April 2026, as announced by Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry.
How many visitors can enter Komodo National Park each day?
A maximum of 1,000 visitors per day is allowed across Komodo, Rinca, Padar islands and the 23 designated diving locations.
Do I need a special permit to visit Komodo after the new rule?
Yes, a park entry permit is required and must be secured before traveling, but the permit fee remains the same as before.
Will the visitor limit affect diving trips in the park?
Diving trips are included in the daily cap; divers must obtain a permit for the designated dive sites along with any island permits.
Can I still visit all three islands in one day under the new limit?
Visitors can still tour Komodo, Rinca and Padar in a single day, provided the total number of visitors that day does not exceed the 1,000‑person quota.
