SIMAKSI Komodo Permit Guide 2026 — Drone, Filming, and Research Permits

SIMAKSI — short for Surat Izin Masuk Kawasan Konservasi (Permit to Enter Conservation Areas) — is the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry’s special-activity permit for protected areas, including Komodo National Park. It is separate from the standard Komodo NP booking platform visitor ticket and applies only to specific categories of visitors: drone operators, commercial film and television crews, advertising and music video productions, scientific researchers, and journalists carrying professional broadcast equipment.

For the vast majority of foreign visitors — those arriving with a phone, a personal mirrorless camera, or even a high-end DSLR for personal travel photography — SIMAKSI is not required. The standard Komodo NP booking platform ticket covers your entry and any personal-use photography. The confusion arises because Komodo’s iconic photogenic landscapes attract a high volume of content creators, and the rules around when a permit kicks in are not always obvious.

This guide clarifies who needs SIMAKSI, who does not, the application process, fees, lead times, and the consequences of operating without one.

Disclosure: komodonationalparkticket.com is an independent English-language travel guide based in Labuan Bajo. We are not affiliated with siora.id, Balai Taman Nasional Komodo (BTNK), Direktorat Jenderal KSDAE, or the Government of Indonesia. All SIMAKSI requirements referenced come from official BTNK and KSDAE announcements active at the time of publication.

Who Needs SIMAKSI vs Who Does Not

The dividing line is not the equipment quality — it is the purpose. Personal use, even with professional-grade equipment, does not require SIMAKSI. Commercial use, even with a phone, does.

Drones are the one universal trigger: any drone flight in the park, hobbyist or commercial, requires SIMAKSI plus altitude and zone restrictions, because of wildlife disturbance risk and aviation safety considerations near ranger stations.

SIMAKSI Cost and Lead Time

Lead time: 30 days minimum. Applications submitted with less notice are routinely declined or held without action. Peak production seasons (June–September) often require 45–60 days due to application backlog at the KSDAE office in Jakarta.

For commercial productions, additional fees may apply depending on crew size, equipment manifest, location-specific surcharges, and ranger escort requirements. Budget a 50% contingency on top of the base fee for commercial work.

7-Step SIMAKSI Application Process

Step 1 — Determine Activity Classification

Before anything else, classify your activity correctly. The classification determines which sub-permit applies, which documents you need, and which fee schedule attaches. The four primary classifications are:

• Drone operation (hobbyist or commercial)
• Commercial production (film, video, advertising)
• Scientific research (academic or institutional)
• Journalism / broadcast (news, documentary)

If your activity spans multiple classifications (e.g., a documentary film crew using drones), all applicable sub-permits stack.

Step 2 — Prepare Supporting Documents

Standard document package:

• Scanned passport bio page
• Itinerary with specific dates and park locations
• Equipment list with serial numbers (especially for drones and broadcast gear)
• Project synopsis (1–2 pages, English acceptable)
• Sponsor or producer letter on company letterhead
• Indonesian counterpart institution letter (research only)
• Proof of insurance (commercial productions)

Submit as PDF, scanned at minimum 300 DPI, organized in a single zipped folder.

Step 3 — Submit Application

Submit the package to BTNK regional office in Labuan Bajo for activities purely within Komodo Park, or directly to Direktorat Jenderal KSDAE in Jakarta for cross-park or large-scale applications. Email submission is accepted, but a hard copy follow-up is recommended for high-value commercial work.

Step 4 — Indonesian Counterpart Institution (Research Only)

Scientific research permits require an Indonesian academic or research institution as counterpart. This counterpart provides local supervision, ensures data-sharing compliance, and acts as the in-country point of contact. LIPI (now BRIN), Universitas Indonesia, IPB University, and Universitas Udayana are common counterparts for marine and terrestrial research in NTT.

The counterpart letter must include institutional letterhead, named supervising researcher, scope of supervision, and a commitment to data sharing with BTNK.

Step 5 — Pay Fee and Await Review

After application acknowledgment, you receive a payment invoice (typically a BRI Virtual Account). Pay within 7 days to avoid application timeout. Review typically takes 14–21 days from payment confirmation.

Status updates come via email; check spam regularly. For commercial productions, an in-person interview at the BTNK office may be requested.

Step 6 — Receive Permit with Conditions

Approved SIMAKSI permits arrive as a PDF document with:

• Permit number
• Activity classification and authorized scope
• Approved dates (exact, non-modifiable)
• Approved locations within the park
• Equipment manifest authorization
• Conditions and restrictions (altitude limits, distance requirements, sensitive zone exclusions)
• Required ranger escort details

Print three copies. One stays with you, one with your boat captain, one with your tour leader.

Step 7 — On-Site Coordination with BTNK Ranger

Upon arrival at the park, check in at the BTNK ranger station before commencing your permitted activity. The ranger reviews your permit, confirms equipment matches the manifest, and assigns an escort if required.

Unauthorized deviation from permit conditions can trigger immediate suspension. Follow ranger instructions on the ground without exception.

Drone Operation Rules with SIMAKSI

Even with SIMAKSI approval, drone operation in Komodo Park is heavily regulated:

• Maximum altitude: 120 meters above ground level, unless the permit specifies a different ceiling.
• No-fly zones: Over confirmed Komodo dragon habitats, near ranger stations, over the village of Komodo (cultural sensitivity), and within 500 meters of designated nesting sites.
• Wildlife distance: Minimum 30 meters horizontal distance from any Komodo dragon, and avoid hovering over sea turtles, mantas, or seabird colonies.
• Time restrictions: Daylight operations only; no operations at dawn or dusk during dragon feeding windows.
• Audio recording: Drones with audio capture face additional review for wildlife disturbance assessment.

Equipment confiscation is the standard penalty for unauthorized drone use, and BTNK rangers actively monitor for unauthorized flights. Foreign visitors operating drones without SIMAKSI face confiscation, fines, and potential deportation in commercial cases.

Commercial Filming Specifics

Commercial production carries the highest scrutiny and the most additional requirements:

• Production permit from the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism, separate from SIMAKSI.
• Location fees payable per shooting day per location.
• Environmental impact assessment for crews larger than 12 people.
• Local crew quota — Indonesian regulations encourage hiring local production crew (camera assistants, drivers, fixers).
• Insurance certificate with minimum coverage requirements.
• Daily ranger escort at additional fee.

For productions involving wildlife sequences (Komodo dragons, mantas, sharks), additional wildlife handling review applies. Touching, feeding, or staging interactions with wildlife is prohibited regardless of permit status.

Scientific Research SIMAKSI

Research permits carry additional supervisory requirements:

• Academic supervision by a named senior researcher at the Indonesian counterpart institution.
• Sample handling protocols — most biological samples cannot leave Indonesia without separate export permits.
• Data sharing agreement with BTNK; final research outputs must be shared with the park.
• Publication acknowledgment — peer-reviewed papers arising from the research must acknowledge BTNK and the counterpart institution.
• Follow-up reports annually for multi-year permits.

Research permits are typically issued for 6–24 months and can be renewed.

Penalties for Operating Without SIMAKSI

Consequences for unauthorized special-activity operation in Komodo Park escalate based on commercial intent:

In every case, BTNK reserves the right to revoke the standard Komodo NP booking platform visitor ticket and remove the violator from the park. Confiscated equipment is held by BTNK and is not always recoverable, particularly for high-value drone and broadcast gear.

The pragmatic message: if there is any ambiguity about whether your activity needs SIMAKSI, apply. The 30-day lead time and IDR 4,000,000 fee are far cheaper than equipment confiscation and trip ruin.

FAQ

Q1: Do I need SIMAKSI to take photos with my phone or personal camera in Komodo?
A: No. Standard recreational visitors with phones or personal cameras (including high-end DSLRs and mirrorless) do not need SIMAKSI for personal-use photography. Your standard Komodo NP booking platform ticket covers entry and personal photography on all park sites.

Q2: How much does SIMAKSI cost for a drone in Komodo National Park?
A: Approximately IDR 4,000,000 (USD 260) for the base permit, plus a drone supplemental fee of around IDR 1,500,000 (USD 100). Total around IDR 5,500,000 (USD 360). Lead time is 30 days minimum.

Q3: How long does SIMAKSI application processing take?
A: 30 days minimum from submission to approval. Peak production seasons (June–September) often require 45–60 days due to application backlog. Plan accordingly — late applications are routinely declined.

Q4: What happens if I fly a drone in Komodo without SIMAKSI?
A: Equipment confiscation is the standard penalty, plus a fine starting at IDR 2,000,000 for hobbyist use and IDR 5,000,000–10,000,000 for commercial use. For foreign nationals operating commercially, deportation proceedings and re-entry bans are possible.

Q5: Can I apply for SIMAKSI as an individual researcher without an Indonesian institution?
A: No. Scientific research SIMAKSI requires an Indonesian academic or research institution as counterpart. Common counterparts include BRIN, Universitas Indonesia, IPB University, and Universitas Udayana. The counterpart provides local supervision and data-sharing compliance.

Next Steps

For drone, commercial, or research activities in Komodo Park, your next steps depend on your situation:

• Contact BTNK directly for application packages and current fee schedules.
• Engage a local production coordinator in Labuan Bajo who handles SIMAKSI paperwork as part of their service — significantly faster than navigating the system solo.
• Consult Komodo production coordinators who handle SIMAKSI for film crews for turnkey commercial production support including permit, boat charter, ranger coordination, and local crew.

For standard travelers without commercial intent, no further action is needed — your Komodo NP booking platform ticket alone covers your visit.