TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Tourist boat cruises in Komodo Park, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, have reopened as of January 10, 2026. However, the Labuan Bajo Harbormaster and Port Authority (KSOP) has prohibited the movement of tourist boats at night within the area.
Cruises were previously restricted due to weather reports from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) indicating high waves.
Stephanus Risdiyanto, Head of the Labuan Bajo KSOP, stated that tourist cruises were suspended for several days based on BMKG weather warnings.
Terms and Conditions Apply
As of Friday, weather conditions in the shipping lanes were declared safe. Based on this update, Risdiyanto announced that cruises would resume on Saturday, provided they adhere to the terms and conditions in the KSOP’s official notification.
Risdiyanto emphasized that the ban does not stop all tourism activities but specifically restricts vessel movement at night to ensure navigational safety.
"The prohibition on night sailings means no ship movements at night, especially in high-risk areas," he said on Friday, January 9, 2026.
Traveling in High-Risk Areas Prohibited
He added that while tourists can travel during the morning or afternoon, ships must find shelter and remain stationary overnight. For example, tourist vessels are not permitted to traverse specific routes, such as the Padar Strait, during nighttime hours.
However, standard tour packages, including three-day, two-night trips, can still operate as long as the vessels do not move at night while in high-risk locations.
The KSOP explained that reopening tourist cruises aims to support the recovery of local tourism businesses and assist in the search for maritime accident victims. Cruises were initially suspended following the sinking of the KM Putri Sakinah in the Padar Strait on Friday, December 26, 2025.
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