For a place that has beautiful scenery, a wide variety of wildlife, and world-class amenities, the area around Komodo Island is incredibly affordable. When compared to other leading tourist destinations in the west, it offers more affordable options when it comes to both accommodation and travel.
Therefore, if you are looking for an adventure and you are on a budget, taking a trip to Komodo Island should be at the top of your list. What is even better is the fact that even though everything is already affordable, you can still save money if you make a few smart choices. If you are planning on diving in Komodo island, the following tips will come in handy in helping to make your trip even more affordable.
Opt for shared liveaboard
Liveaboards offer an intense diving experience. And if you love diving, you will appreciate all the convenience of living on a boat — as opposed to going back to land. With a liveaboard, you will be able to get to your favorite diving sites before anyone else. Also, since you won’t have to be concerned about making it to shore on time, you will have the luxury of exploring remote areas of the island.
Shared liveaboard tours make this whole experience affordable. Since the costs of the tour will be essentially split among all the divers aboard the boat, the per-person costs tend to be extremely affordable. Furthermore, there is also the fact that you won’t really have to look for a place to stay on land. This will end up saving you a significant amount of money especially if you plan on staying in the area for an extended period of time.
Split the private liveaboard tour expenses with friends
The problem with a shared liveaboard tour is that you get to live with strangers for an extended period. This, in addition to the fact that you have no control over the itinerary, can make the trip a little frustrating. If you would love a little bit more control on where you go and your schedule, and if you want a certain degree of privacy, then opting for a private liveaboard tour is something that you should definitely consider.
The main reason why people shy away from private tours is because of the associated costs. However, just because it is a private tour does not mean that you have to shoulder all the costs. You can invite friends along on the tour. Even if they are not diving enthusiasts, they won’t get bored simply because there is a lot that one can do in Labuan Bajo. They can go to see Komodo dragons in the national park. They can also choose to enjoy the colorful beaches or awesome sunsets that the area offers. Whichever the case, allowing them to tag along will give you the opportunity to split the costs of your diving tour, and this will afford you all the convenience of a private liveaboard without the expenses that normally accompany such an experience.
Travel during the offpeak season
Everybody tends to flock to the Komodo Islands during the dry months. As a result of this uptick in visitors, things tend to get expensive. Therefore, you can avoid all the price hikes of the peak season, and even get significant discounts, by simply going for your diving trip during the wet season. During this season, competition for accommodation and other amenities tend to be lower and so getting a good bargain is easier. An since it typically rains for just a few hours even in the wettest of months, you will get to enjoy a great diving experience without the inconveniences that come with overcrowding.
Don’t buy your sim cards at the airport
In Labuan Bajo, you can get access to the internet by using cellular data. To do this, you need to purchase a local sim card. While you can get a sim card at the airport, they tend to be overpriced. Therefore, you can save money by simply choosing to buy your necessities in local shops and outlets.