Raffles Cruise
Raffles Cruise
Kelor: a short climb at the start of the trip, or a swim on the last morning
Updated 24 October 2026
The Kelor Island viewpoint climb is 15 to 30 minutes of short, steep hill. Raffles Cruise calls there on the first day of the 2D1N and the 4D3N, and gives it as free time on the last morning of the 3D2N. It is a short walk, not a trek.
Kelor on each sailing
Pickup at 09:30. The harbour. A short run to Kelor, about an hour. Then the walk. That is day one of the 2-day trip, which opens with Kelor, lunch, the Manjarite snorkel, a snack and the Kalong sunset.
On the 4-day trip Kelor is also on day one, after the Manjarite snorkel and lunch, with a snack and Kalong afterwards. On the 3-day trip it is the last morning: breakfast, free time at Kelor, lunch and the harbour.
The full day does not reach it. Which stop comes when is the captain's decision once he is on the water.
The short climb and what it overlooks
Kelor is a small hilly islet, an hour by boat out of Labuan Bajo. One short climb brings you to a lookout above the bay. The climb takes 15 to 30 minutes as a planning range, and the park data rates it moderate.
It is a short steep hill and not a long trek. The path is dry and steep, and sturdy shoes help. There are no dragons on Kelor, and the island is not a dragon site.
Its distance from the harbour makes it a first or a last stop, which is how the routes use it. A guest who has just climbed Padar and walked Komodo should not expect energy for much more on the same morning.
- Best window
- morning
- Time ashore / in water
- 15–30 min
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Tide
- Not tide-dependent
- Busiest months
- July, August
What it is not: short steep hill, not a long trek · not a dragon site · often the last stop of a trip, so do not expect to have energy left for much more
Photo taken on a Komodo Explorer trip · 8 photos
The last morning on the 3D2N
The third morning of the 3-day trip is Kelor with free time. The stop is a walk, a swim or a paddle board, followed by relaxing on the beach, then lunch and the return to the harbour.
In the water, the rules of the other days apply. Weak swimmers keep a life jacket on, and the crew calls the time and the place. Two stand-up paddleboards are on board, so the last morning can be spent on top of the water.
Around midday the boat is back at Labuan Bajo, and the car carries you to the hotel or the airport. Book a flight after 14:00.
Footwear and water for Kelor
Wear shoes with a grip for the climb, since the path is dry and steep. Carry water, a hat and sunblock. On the last morning of the 3-day trip, carry a towel for the beach as well.
Pack so that the bags are closed by the time lunch ends. The harbour comes soon afterwards.
For the park ticket, a foreign visitor pays IDR 250,000 and an Indonesian citizen IDR 50,000 on a weekday, outside the fare. Whether Kelor itself falls inside the boundary, we confirm with the park system when we register your names.
FAQ
How long is the Kelor climb?
The planning range is 15 to 30 minutes to the viewpoint over the bay. The hill is short and steep, the path is dry, and sturdy shoes help. It is a walk and not a trek.
Is Kelor good for snorkelling?
The itineraries list Kelor as a walk. The 3-day trip's last morning adds free time to walk, swim or paddle board, and no snorkel is planned for the island. The snorkels on the routes are at Manjarite, Sebayur, Pink Beach, Manta Point and Taka Makassar.
Can I swim at Kelor?
Yes, on the last morning of the 3-day trip, when there is free time to walk, swim or paddle board and then relax on the beach. Someone unsure in the water wears a life jacket.
Is it suitable for children?
The hill is short and steep, so a child walks with a parent and takes it slowly. Tell us the age when you book, and we confirm the plan in writing. A child can also wait on the beach.
Check availability — Raffles Cruise
Raffles Cruise is booked through PT Komodo Explorer Indonesia. We arrange the pickup, take the payment and keep your booking in order. The boat sails with its own crew of 8.