Carnaby
Carnaby Phinisi
Best month for a celebration in Komodo: a fixed date, a fixed sea
Updated 26 October 2026
April to June is calm and clear; July and August are windier and busiest; December to March is wet, rough and quiet, with mantas at their best. A Carnaby rate does not change by month, so a fixed birthday date can be fitted to the sea by choosing the boat, not the price.
Twelve months for a fixed date
The grid below shows sea, visibility, mantas and crowds for each month. In short: April to June is calm and clear, July and August are windy and busy, September to November is calm and clear, and December to March is wet.
The captain decides on the day. The Carnaby rate does not change by month in the 2026 list, which means the date can follow the birthday and not the calendar.
| Month | Sea | Visibility | Mantas | Crowds | Rain | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | rough | low | peak | low | wet | Wet season at its height: heavy showers, the roughest water of the year and low visibility. Anchorages are quiet and mantas are at their best, so a January date suits a group that accepts a lively sea and plans some of the day in the lounge. |
| February | rough | low | peak | low | wet | Still wet, with rough water and low visibility. The stops are quiet and the mantas stay, which makes February a fair month for a group that cares more about space than calm. |
| March | moderate | medium | good | low | wet | The last wet month. Showers ease, the sea settles to moderate and visibility reaches medium, with few other boats about. |
| April | calm | high | fair | medium | dry | The dry season opens with calm water and some of the clearest reef of the year. Crowds sit at a medium level, so a group of 15 or more still finds room at each stop. |
| May | calm | high | fair | medium | dry | Dry, calm and clear. Hike and snorkel days are the most predictable of the year, which helps when 10 to 21 people have fixed flights. |
| June | calm | high | fair | medium | dry | Dry and clear, with the south-east wind starting to build toward July. Mornings on the water are livelier than in May. |
| July | rough | medium | peak | high | dry | Windier water, medium visibility and the busiest stops of the year. Mantas are at their peak, so book the boat early for a July date. |
| August | rough | medium | peak | high | dry | The windiest dry month, with busy stops. Mantas are common and the water stays at medium clarity. |
| September | moderate | high | peak | medium | dry | The wind eases and visibility is high again. Mantas are still around and the crowds drop to a medium level, a strong month for a large group. |
| October | calm | high | fair | medium | dry | Calm, clear and hot, with fewer boats than in July and August. A good month for a group photo on a quiet ridge. |
| November | calm | high | fair | low | dry | The dry season closes with calm water, clear views and some of the quietest stops of the year. Sunrise at Padar comes early, so brief the guests the night before. |
| December | moderate | medium | peak | medium | wet | The wet season starts and mantas return. Late December is busy with holiday travellers, so a date in that week is booked well ahead. |
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A birthday in the wet season: the trade
December to March brings showers and the roughest water of the year, with lower visibility. The trade is fewer boats and the best manta sightings, roughly December to February. A birthday in January gets quiet stops and some rain.
Plan the day with a second option. The indoor lounge, with a TV and karaoke on both boats, takes the toast when the deck is wet. Ask us how a group of 14 on Carnaby 1 or 21 on Carnaby 2 fits there. The captain decides each day whether a stop is safe.
March is the last wet month: showers ease and the sea settles to moderate.
The busy weeks and booking ahead
July and August fill first, and late December is busy with holiday travellers. The dry months bring crowds at Padar, Kanawa and Komodo, which matters for a group of 14 or 21 that wants the viewpoint to itself for a photo.
A date is held when the 50 percent deposit is paid, and the balance is due 30 days before sailing. Ask as soon as the guest list is firm. The booking page explains the steps.
Padar mornings and Kalong evenings, for the photos
Sunrise at Padar falls near 05:31 in November and near 06:18 in July, so the start moves by about 45 minutes through the year. Sunset at Kalong falls between 17:49 and 18:27.
Carnaby 1's open-trip route opens day 2 at the top of Padar for sunrise, and Carnaby 2's published 3D2N puts Padar at sunset. The tables show the light for each month.
| Month | Sunrise | Leave the boat by | On the ridge by |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 05:54 | 04:49 | 05:34 |
| February | 06:05 | 05:00 | 05:45 |
| March | 06:06 | 05:01 | 05:46 |
| April | 06:04 | 04:59 | 05:44 |
| May | 06:07 | 05:02 | 05:47 |
| June | 06:14 | 05:09 | 05:54 |
| July | 06:18 | 05:13 | 05:58 |
| August | 06:12 | 05:07 | 05:52 |
| September | 05:56 | 04:51 | 05:36 |
| October | 05:39 | 04:34 | 05:19 |
| November | 05:31 | 04:26 | 05:11 |
| December | 05:38 | 04:33 | 05:18 |
| Month | Sunset | Bats fly from about |
|---|---|---|
| January | 18:27 | 18:42 |
| February | 18:26 | 18:41 |
| March | 18:15 | 18:30 |
| April | 17:58 | 18:13 |
| May | 17:49 | 18:04 |
| June | 17:50 | 18:05 |
| July | 17:57 | 18:12 |
| August | 18:00 | 18:15 |
| September | 17:58 | 18:13 |
| October | 17:55 | 18:10 |
| November | 18:01 | 18:16 |
| December | 18:14 | 18:29 |
Is the park open? Notices to check
The national park has closed Komodo and Padar for short spells, for example for waves and wind, and Rinca has stayed open. A closure is announced by the park, not by us, and the dragon walk moves to Rinca if it happens.
We check the park notices before your sailing and tell you in writing. No closure for a given date is stated in our sources until the park announces it. The park fees page covers entry fees, and the 3D2N page shows the route.
FAQ
What is the best month for a birthday trip?
April to June and October to November are calm and clear, and the rate does not change by month. July and August are busiest, and December to March is wet with the best mantas. Pick the month that matches your guests.
Is Komodo Island closed in 2026?
Not as a rule. The park has closed Komodo and Padar for short spells, for example for waves and wind, while Rinca stayed open. We check the notices before sailing and tell you, and a closure moves the dragon walk to Rinca.
Is July too crowded?
July is a high-crowd month, with the stops busier at Padar, Kanawa and Komodo. The sea is windier but mantas are at their peak. For a group of 14 or 21, ask early, because a date is held only when the 50 percent deposit is paid.
Can we sail in the wet season?
Yes. December to March brings showers and the roughest water, and the captain decides on the day whether a stop is safe. The rate does not change by month, and the indoor lounge takes the toast when the deck is wet.
Check availability — Carnaby
Carnaby is published and booked by PT Komodo Explorer Indonesia, a booking partner for Carnaby 1 and Carnaby 2. The boats belong to their owner.