Thalassa
Thalassa Phinisi
Kelor Island: a short climb and a first swim
Updated 23 October 2026
Kelor is a small hilly islet about an hour by boat from Labuan Bajo, with a 15 to 30 minute climb to a viewpoint over the bay. It opens the Thalassa 3D2N on day 1. Manjarite, next door, is the first snorkel stop. Kelor is not a dragon site.
The first morning
Kelor is where the Thalassa trip starts, because it lies about an hour from the harbor and is the first island you meet. The boat leaves Labuan Bajo after pickup and boarding, the crew gives the safety briefing on deck, and by late morning the hill is ahead.
On the 3D2N and the 2D1N, Kelor is the first stop of day 1, followed by Manjarite for the first snorkel and then Kalong at dusk. The sail from the harbor takes between 50 and 70 minutes, and the wind on the way out is the first lesson in how the day works.
It is a small island with a short path. Do not expect a trek. Expect a hill, a view and a swim.
- 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 · the first stop of day 1, not the last
The climb
The path takes 15 to 30 minutes. It is steep and dry, and the ground is loose in places, so shoes with grip help. The top looks over the bay, with the harbor behind and open water ahead, and it is the first view of the trip.
It is the easiest warm-up for Padar, which comes on day 2 and is longer.
On Thalassa 1, with up to 11 guests, the group goes up together. On Thalassa 2, with up to 27, it goes up in a line and waits at the top. Bring water, a hat and a camera.
Photo supplied by the boats' owner · 8 photos
Snorkeling at Manjarite
Manjarite is next to Kelor and is the first snorkel stop of the trip. The reef is close to the surface and the water is calm, so it suits a first swim after the harbor and the climb. Snorkeling gear is free on both boats, and the canoe and SUP boards go in the water here too.
Lunch on board follows. The first afternoon is slow on purpose: swimming, sitting on the sundeck and sailing on toward Kalong. Nobody hurries a first day.
The captain adjusts the order of the day with the wind and the swell.
A short hill and nothing more
Kelor is not a dragon site. It is not a long trek and it is not a beach holiday. It is a short hill and a swim, and that is why it opens the trip and does not close it.
The 15 to 30 minutes of climbing does not need special preparation. A guest with a bad knee can skip the top and wait at the beach.
Each guest pays park entry for each day: IDR 250,000 for a foreign visitor, IDR 50,000 for an Indonesian citizen on weekdays and IDR 75,000 at weekends. Komodo National Park tickets and ranger fees are never part of the fare. Your quote lists the ticket line so you can budget for it.
FAQ
How long is the Kelor climb?
The climb takes 15 to 30 minutes on a steep, dry path, and the viewpoint looks over the bay. It is a short hill and not a trek. Allow another hour for the swim at Manjarite. Shoes with grip help, and so does water.
Is Kelor the first stop on the 3D2N?
Yes. Day 1 runs Kelor, Manjarite and Kalong, and the boat reaches Kelor about an hour after leaving Labuan Bajo. The 2D1N also starts here, with Manjarite and Kalong after it. On both routes day 2 opens with the Padar climb before breakfast.
Are there dragons on Kelor?
No. Kelor is a small hilly islet and not a dragon site. The Komodo walk, on day 2 of the 3D2N, is the stop for dragons, and it needs a ranger. Kelor is where the group learns the rhythm of the boat before the longer walks.
What should I bring to Kelor?
Bring shoes with grip, water, a hat, sunscreen and a camera. A mask of your own helps at Manjarite, though the boat carries snorkeling gear free of charge. Keep the head torch for Padar on day 2, which starts before sunrise, and pack a light layer for the breeze on the sail.
Check availability: Thalassa
Thalassa is published and booked by PT Komodo Explorer Indonesia, a booking partner for Thalassa 1 and Thalassa 2. The boats belong to their owner.