Labuan Bajo Jetty Fee 2026 — Port Charges for Komodo National Park Trips
The jetty fee is the easiest park-related charge to overlook in a Komodo trip budget. It is the smallest line item, charged once at departure from Pelabuhan Marina Labuan Bajo, and almost universally included in operator package prices — which is exactly why first-time DIY travelers and budget-conscious comparison shoppers occasionally encounter an unexpected IDR 100,000 charge at the port gate. This guide eliminates that surprise.
We cover the 2026 jetty fee rates, what the fee actually pays for, how it differs from other port charges that individual visitors generally do not encounter, the operator-included-vs-separately question, and the recent infrastructure upgrades at Labuan Bajo’s primary harbor.
Disclosure: komodonationalparkticket.com is an independent English-language travel guide and local tour operator portal serving foreign visitors to Labuan Bajo, Flores. We are not affiliated with siora.id, BTNK, Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo), or the Government of Indonesia. Jetty fees described below are based on the 2026 Pelindo and BTNK tariff regulations for Pelabuhan Marina Labuan Bajo; rates and collection procedures may be revised.
2026 Jetty Fee Rates
The jetty (harbour) fee at Labuan Bajo for boats departing to Komodo National Park is:
| Visitor Category | Jetty Fee 2026 |
|---|---|
| Foreign (WNA) | IDR 100,000 (USD ~6.50) |
| Indonesian (WNI) | IDR 5,000 (USD ~0.33) |
The fee is charged per departure. A standard one-day, two-day, or multi-day Komodo trip that begins from Labuan Bajo pays the jetty fee once, on the day of departure from the harbor.
The dual-pricing differential is consistent with the broader park fee structure.
What the Jetty Fee Covers
The jetty fee is a port-use charge administered separately from the BTNK park fees. It funds:
- Pier and dock infrastructure maintenance: the floating jetty extensions, pontoon walkways, and access gangways that allow passenger boarding regardless of tide level.
- Harbor lighting and signage: night-departure lighting, emergency signage, and tide markers.
- Basic passenger facilities: restrooms, covered waiting areas, and the small-vendor zone near the boarding area.
- Port security: the small security detachment that monitors the marina perimeter and screens passenger luggage.
- Sanitation and waste management: trash collection from passenger boats and the harbor zone.
The jetty fee is not part of BTNK’s conservation budget — it is a port-operations charge collected by Pelindo or the harbor master’s office, depending on which dock you depart from.
Pelabuhan Marina Labuan Bajo vs Other Harbors
The vast majority of Komodo National Park departures (estimated 90%+ in 2026) leave from Pelabuhan Marina Labuan Bajo, the modern marina developed in 2022–2023 and expanded in 2025. This is the harbor you will use for almost any organized day-trip or liveaboard departure.
Secondary departure points include:
- Pelabuhan Bajo Lama (Old Port): legacy fishing harbor still used by some traditional phinisi operators and freight vessels. Lower facility standards, occasionally lower jetty fee.
- Pelabuhan Asdp / Ferry Terminal: primarily for the Labuan Bajo–Sape (Sumbawa) public ferry; not used for park departures except in special cases.
- Private marinas (Plataran, Sudamala): hotel-affiliated piers used by their in-house boat services; jetty fees handled internally by the hotel and bundled into the tour cost.
For 99% of visitors, “jetty fee” means the Pelabuhan Marina Labuan Bajo charge described above.
How the Jetty Fee Is Collected
There are two primary collection methods in 2026:
Method 1: Operator-included (most common). Your tour operator collects the jetty fee as part of the all-inclusive package price and pays it on your behalf at the harbor gate. This is the default for shared day-trip boats, organized phinisi tours, and most liveaboard operations.
Method 2: Separately at the port gate. If you have booked a DIY arrangement — for instance, you have chartered a private boat directly from a fisherman or independent skipper — the jetty fee may be collected from you at the harbor entrance as you board. Cash payment in IDR is required.
Increasingly, some operators are starting to include the jetty fee in the Komodo NP booking app booking flow as part of the bundled park fees, though this is not yet universal in 2026.
How to Verify Your Operator Includes Jetty Fee
Before you commit to any tour booking — day-trip, phinisi, or liveaboard — request an itemized invoice that explicitly lists:
- Park entrance fees (per island, per day)
- Conservation fee
- Ranger fee
- Trekking fees
- Jetty fee / harbour fee
- Komodo NP online booking fee (operator service charge, if any)
- Boat charter or per-person share
- Meals
- Equipment
If the jetty fee line is not present, ask directly: “Is the jetty fee included or do I pay it separately at the port?” A reputable operator will give you a clear answer either way. Vague responses (“don’t worry, everything is included”) are a flag for follow-up questions about other potential surprise charges.
For travelers using shared boat operators booked through aggregator platforms, the platform’s price often does not include the jetty fee, even when other park fees are bundled. Read the inclusions list carefully.
Cruise Ship and International Yacht Arrivals
Visitors arriving on international cruise ships or private yachts are subject to a separate set of port charges processed by the harbor master, not the standard jetty fee. These include:
- Tendering fee for cruise passenger transfers to shore
- Yacht agency fees for cruising permit processing
- Customs and immigration coordination through the local agent
- Anchorage and mooring fees for vessels staying overnight at the marina
Cruise passengers boarding day-trip excursions from Labuan Bajo are typically included in the tour operator’s port-handling arrangement and do not pay the jetty fee separately. If you are arriving by private yacht and chartering local services, work with a licensed yacht agency for accurate fee calculations.
Jetty Fee vs Other Port Charges
The IDR 100,000 jetty fee is the only port charge an individual day-trip or liveaboard passenger pays. The following are operator/vessel-level charges that do not appear on a typical visitor’s bill:
| Charge | Who Pays | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Jetty fee (passenger) | Visitor | IDR 100,000 foreign |
| Berthing fee | Vessel operator | Variable, per night |
| Mooring permit | Vessel operator | Annual |
| Anchorage fee | Vessel operator | Per night |
| Sanitation/pump-out | Vessel operator | Per use |
| Pilotage (large vessels) | Vessel operator | Per arrival |
This separation means that if you compare two operators and one quotes IDR 100,000 higher than the other for an otherwise identical itinerary, the difference is most likely the jetty fee being bundled vs separate — not a hidden operational markup.
Recent Changes in Labuan Bajo Port Operations
Pelabuhan Marina Labuan Bajo underwent a major infrastructure expansion in 2024–2025 funded through the Ministry of Tourism’s Super Priority Destination program. Upgrades included:
- New floating pontoon system supporting simultaneous boarding of up to 12 boats
- Renovated passenger terminal with climate-controlled waiting area
- Improved disability access ramps
- Dedicated departure lanes for shared boats vs private charters
- Expanded short-stay parking for hotel pickup vehicles
A modest jetty fee increase from IDR 75,000 to IDR 100,000 (foreign rate) took effect in early 2026 to support the expanded facility’s operating cost. The pre-2026 rate is no longer in effect; verify current rates with your operator before assuming legacy pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the jetty fee per person or per boat?
The jetty fee is per person, charged at IDR 100,000 for foreign visitors and IDR 5,000 for Indonesian visitors. It is not a per-boat or per-group charge.
Is the jetty fee included in my tour price?
Most reputable Labuan Bajo tour operators include the jetty fee in their all-inclusive package price. To verify, request an itemized invoice that lists park fees, jetty fee, and other line items separately. Some shared-boat budget operators charge the jetty fee separately at the port gate.
Where is the jetty fee paid?
If included in your operator’s package, no separate payment is needed — your operator handles it at the harbor gate. If you are paying separately, the fee is collected in cash at the port entrance to Pelabuhan Marina Labuan Bajo. Some operators are starting to bundle the jetty fee into the Komodo NP online booking flow.
Does the jetty fee apply to liveaboard departures?
Yes. The jetty fee is charged once per departure, regardless of trip length. A 5-night liveaboard departing once from Pelabuhan Marina Labuan Bajo pays the jetty fee once.
Why is the foreign jetty fee 20 times higher than the Indonesian rate?
The differential mirrors the broader Komodo park fee dual-pricing structure: foreign visitor rates reflect international tourism value, while Indonesian rates are a domestic subsidy intended to keep port access affordable for local citizens, fishing crews, and school groups.
For travelers who prefer to skip the port-fee management entirely, our partner offers Komodo tours with all port and harbor fees included in one transparent itemized package price.