Terakhir diperbarui: 26 Agustus 2026.
Do You Need a Permit to Fly a Drone in Komodo National Park?
Yes. Multiple independent trip reports from travelers who have gone through the process — not just tour operators selling drone add-ons — describe the same requirement: a SIMAKSI (izin masuk kawasan konservasi, or conservation-area entry permit) specifically for drone or aerial-filming activity, issued by Balai Taman Nasional Komodo at its office in Labuan Bajo. This sits on top of the standard park entrance ticket covered in our Komodo Park Fees, Permits and Rules guide — the drone permit is a separate, additional approval, not included in the regular PNBP entrance fee.
Unlike the entrance fee, which is set by national regulation (PP No. 36/2024) with a published rate, we could not find an official, dated fee schedule specifically for drone permits on BTNK’s own channels. What exists instead is a consistent pattern of traveler and blogger accounts describing the same in-person process at the same office, with fee figures that vary by source and by year — a sign the amount is set administratively rather than published as a fixed public tariff. Treat any number you read, including the range below, as indicative rather than official, and confirm the current fee and process directly with BTNK before you travel.
What Do Travelers Report Paying for a Drone Permit?
Because there is no single official published rate, the figures below come from independent trip reports rather than a government source — presented as a range for exactly that reason.
| Source type | Reported fee (per drone, per day) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traveler forum accounts (2025–2026) | Around IDR 1,000,000 | Cash payment in person at the BTNK office |
| Operator and lodge blog posts (2026) | Around IDR 2,000,000 | Described as one of the higher permit fees in the park system |
| Drone-community forum accounts | Roughly US$200 equivalent | Includes a short online drone-safety course as part of the process |
The spread between these figures is exactly why we’re not presenting a single “the fee is X” answer — it likely reflects genuine changes over time, drone size/weight categories, or inconsistent enforcement, and we have not found a dated official document that resolves which figure is current. If aerial footage matters to your trip, budget toward the higher end and confirm the exact current amount with BTNK or your boat operator before you fly.
How Does the Permit Process Work?
Based on consistent traveler accounts, the general pattern is:
- Apply in person in Labuan Bajo. The permit is arranged at the BTNK office rather than online, which means you need at least a day of slack in your itinerary before you plan to fly.
- Bring your drone and identification. Officers may want to see the actual drone, not just a description, along with your passport or ID.
- Pay the fee in cash. Reports consistently describe cash payment; do not expect a card machine at the office.
- Receive written approval before flying. Some accounts mention a short safety briefing or an online drone course as part of the process — this can add time, so don’t plan to apply and fly the same afternoon.
If your trip includes a private phinisi charter, ask your operator to help coordinate the permit in advance — see our Komodo phinisi charter page for operators who can build this into your itinerary planning rather than leaving it for you to arrange alone on arrival.
Where Is Drone Flying Restricted Even With a Permit?
Independent sources describing the permit process also note that drone use is restricted in specific situations regardless of whether you hold a permit:
- Near dragon nesting sites and during feeding-related activity — flights close to wildlife are treated differently from open-water or landscape shots, since low-altitude drone noise can disturb animals and rangers.
- Around ranger stations and trekking trails when groups are actively on the ground — always check with the ranger accompanying your trek before launching, even with a valid permit in hand.
- Near any active operations at Loh Liang (Komodo Island) or Loh Buaya (Rinca Island) during peak visitor hours, when multiple trekking groups may be on the same trail system.
No official published no-fly map exists as far as we could verify, so the practical rule reported consistently across sources is: ask the ranger on-site before you fly, every time, rather than assuming a permit alone clears you for any location in the park.
What Happens If You Fly Without a Permit?
Multiple independent sources describe the same consequence: confiscation of the drone and a fine, with removal from the park possible for repeat or serious violations. Because Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site with active conservation enforcement, rangers treat unauthorized drone use as a real infraction rather than a minor courtesy issue — this is consistent with the park’s broader approach to visitor rules (mandatory ranger-accompanied trekking, no plastic, no smoking on the islands).
Is a Drone Worth the Hassle for a Short Trip?
For a one-day Komodo boat trip, most travelers skip the drone permit process entirely — the in-person application, potential wait time, and cash fee rarely make sense against a single day’s schedule. Drone permits make more practical sense for:
- Multi-day liveaboard or phinisi charters, where there’s slack in the schedule to handle the permit before the boat departs.
- Professional or semi-professional photographers and videographers for whom aerial footage is the point of the trip, not an add-on.
- Travelers already applying for other permits or activities (diving certification paperwork, extended stays) who can combine the errand.
If aerial footage isn’t essential, our photography spots guide across Flores and Komodo covers ground-level and boat-deck vantage points that need no permit at all — Padar’s viewpoint hike alone produces the shot most visitors associate with drone photography, without a drone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly a drone on Padar Island without a permit?
No — Padar sits inside Komodo National Park, so the same SIMAKSI drone-permit requirement applies there as anywhere else in the park.
Do small, lightweight drones need a permit too?
Based on traveler reports, yes — accounts describe permits being required even for drones under 250 grams, which is lighter than the threshold some countries use for their own domestic drone-registration rules. Don’t assume a lightweight consumer drone is exempt inside the park.
Can my boat operator arrange the drone permit for me?
Some can help coordinate the visit to the BTNK office or advise on current requirements, but the permit itself is issued to you directly by the park authority, not resold by tour operators. Ask when booking whether your operator has experience with this specific process.
Is there a difference between recreational and commercial drone permits?
Independent sources suggest commercial or professional filming may involve a more involved approval process than a single tourist wanting personal footage, though we did not find an official published distinction. If you’re filming for commercial use, mention this explicitly when applying, since the requirements may differ from a personal-holiday drone flight.
Where do I go to apply for a Komodo drone permit?
The Balai Taman Nasional Komodo (BTNK) office in Labuan Bajo is the office consistently named in traveler accounts. Confirm current opening hours and required documents before you go, since offices in Indonesia sometimes adjust hours around public holidays.
Planning a Trip That Includes Aerial Photography?
Tell Komodo Luxury if drone footage matters to your itinerary and they will build in the extra day the permit process typically needs, whether you’re joining a Labuan Bajo boat tour or a multi-day Komodo liveaboard charter through our sister operator Komodo Luxury.
A drone permit is issued to a person, not to a boat, but the boat decides where and when you can legally launch. Trips arranged through a local desk, which can build the permit day into your schedule, are at Labuan Bajo tour options. On a fixed departure the deck and the timing are shared with everyone else aboard: shared open-trip departures. A whole-boat charter is the only format where the launch windows are yours to choose, and those quotes come from private trip packages.
What to Expect: Practical Rules and Permit Realities for Drone Operators
Anyone planning to film in the park arrives through Labuan Bajo, and so does the paperwork. Both the BTNK office and the official payment counter are in town rather than on the islands, so the process starts before you board anything. Cameras are not the issue — there is no camera fee and no photography permit in the official tariff. Drones are the exception, and they are treated as their own category.
Drone clearance is arranged separately from the entrance ticket. You are asked to declare the equipment, the dates you intend to fly, and the zones you want to film. Fees are set case by case against the declared purpose and the number of flying days rather than published as a fixed rate, so ask BTNK directly rather than trusting a figure quoted online. The process is identical whether you are alone or with a crew; group size changes nothing.
Some areas are closed to drones outright: every ranger post, Komodo village, and the zones where visitors are concentrated. The conservation rules apply in the air as well as on the ground — do not fly near dragons or nesting sites, keep well clear of reef areas, and launch and land off vegetation. Enforcement is real: spot checks happen at entry and sometimes on the boat before a landing.
The park is open from roughly sunrise to sunset, 06:00 to 18:00, and drone flying has to happen inside those hours. Feeding wildlife is banned outright and carries heavy fines. The permit process itself is bureaucratic and rewards persistence — accurate paperwork, a visit to the office in person, and contact well before your travel dates are what get it approved.
More Questions Answered
How to get to Komodo National Park from Flores?
To reach Komodo National Park from Flores, most travellers depart from Labuan Bajo by boat. Boat trips range from 1 to 4 hours depending on the island visited (e.g. Rinca, Padar, Komodo). Daily departures run year-round, but seas can be rough from January to March.
Do you need a permit for Komodo National Park?
Yes, all visitors must obtain a Komodo National Park permit. Standard entrance tickets are required for each person. Drone flying is the one activity that needs its own separate permit; diving and photography do not carry a government permit of their own. Permits are issued by BTNK in Labuan Bajo before departure.
How to book Komodo National Park permit?
You can book your Komodo National Park permit in person at the BTNK office in Labuan Bajo. No online system is available for independent travellers. Arrive early as queues form, particularly in high season (July–September). Agents and licensed tour operators can also arrange permits in advance.
How to pay in Komodo National Park?
Permit and entry fees must be paid in cash at the BTNK office in Labuan Bajo. Bring sufficient Indonesian Rupiah, as card facilities are unreliable. On the islands, only cash is accepted for ranger tips and small purchases. There are several ATMs in Labuan Bajo.
Is Padar Island part of Komodo National Park?
Padar Island is part of Komodo National Park and subject to all park rules, including entry fees and permit checks. The island is famous for its viewpoint but has no accommodation. Day trips commonly include Padar along with Komodo or Rinca.
Can you fly a drone in Komodo National Park?
You can fly a drone in Komodo National Park only with a specific drone permit (SIMAKSI) obtained from the BTNK office. Flying without a permit risks fines and confiscation. Permitted zones are limited, and flight is banned near rangers, wildlife, and visitor clusters.
Is Komodo National Park worth it?
Komodo National Park is considered highly worthwhile for its unique wildlife, diving sites, and landscapes. Peak season (May–September) offers better weather and sea conditions. Entrance costs are higher than many parks, but the scenery and experience are rarely matched elsewhere in Indonesia.
The quickest route to a written quote is WhatsApp at +62 811-3823-875; sales@komodoluxury.com works too if you would rather have it in your inbox alongside the drone regulation summary here.
