Going to Komodo through Sumbawa

Kompas/Rony Ariyanto Nugroho

The sunrise panorama at Goa Port, Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, on Tuesday (28/3). The beautiful island has not been optimally developed even though it is close to Lombok and Komodo Island, which have become world-class tourist destinations.

“Want to go to Komodo, sir?” Mita, 25, a hotel clerk in Sape, Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, asked on Wednesday (29/3) evening. From Sape Port, there are ferries that serve the route to Labuan Bajo, the main gateway to an island inhabited by giant reptiles.

A small number of tourists who want to go to Komodo Island and other destinations in the waters of the region can begin their journey from Sape, a district at the eastern end of Sumbawa Island. It takes six hours to sail from Sape to Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).