I wouldn’t go to Komodo with kids that are younger than 5 years old.  If they can’t snorkel, there’s not much for them to do. Komodo Resort has a beach, but it’s quite rocky and full of coral, and not suitable for toddlers or younger kids.  If your kids can snorkel, then they’re in for a treat as the snorkelling here is the best I’ve ever done and Grobbler had eyes the size of rugby balls when he got to snorkel with Manta Rays, sharks, sea turtles and numerous tropical fish.

The snorkelling off Komodo Resort, which is literally outside your room, is awesome for younger kids. Go at high tide in the morning when the sea is calmer and the visibility better.  During the afternoon the currents can get stronger. You’ll be fine with flippers but don’t let your kids out of sight for more than 10 seconds or they could drift away if they’re not strong swimmers.  They’re not going to drift miles out to see, but for smaller ones you should just keep them close by your side.  Without doubt, if you’re going to Komodo with kids who love fish, nature and sea life, this is the place to be.

Kids will enjoy seeing the Komodo Dragons but make sure you tell the guide your kids are fit and can go wherever you can otherwise they’ll try and stiff you and take you on a 5 minute walk when it’s supposed to be at least an hour.  Grobbler walked up Rinca Island and I saw a few other younger local kids walking up but it’s quite boring for them as it’s just a view (awesome view). If your kids are active they should be able to make it up.

If you need a swimming pool for the kids, our resort that we stayed in (Komodo Resort) didn’t have one. The newer Ayana Resort has one but that looks like a magnet for Mainland Chinese who apparently come to take selfies of the food and certain view points then leave.  Most of the resorts are nearer Labuna Bajo and the ones that are out a bit would find maintaining a swimming pool would be costly and difficult so far in the middle of nowhere.  So if your kids only swim in swimming pools, Komodo Resort is not for you and you might have second thoughts about going to Komodo with kids.

If your kids aren’t into sea life, this is not the place for you, Grobbler loves it because he snorkels and when back at our Resort spent the whole time sea creature hunting along the beach when the tide was out. It’s teaming with sea life, hundreds of crabs, sea stars, sponges, even spotted an eel. If your kids don’t like picking up or finding things like that, you’re going to struggle to find things for them to do outside of Komodo Dragons and the Flying Foxes.

I didn’t see many kids at Komodo and Grobbler was the youngest of any of the kids I did see.  So again, you need to think carefully what your kids are like. Even if we didn’t see the Komodo Dragon’s or Flying Foxes or he didn’t snorkel, he would have been happy spending the entire 3 days on the beach hunting for sea animals. This isn’t every kids cup of tea so unless your kids love wild sea life and stuff like that, again, going to Komodo with kids might not be the best idea.

You also need to think about flights and getting there. From Hong Kong, it’s midday flight to Denpasar, night the Bali Airport Hotel, 1 hour flight to Lubuan Bajo then a 40 minute or one and half hour boat ride (depending on what boat you take.  It’s also an hour to an hour and a half to Rinca Island and Padar Island from the resort so a lot of travelling. If you’re not hands on with your kids and can’t keep them entertained with nothing but yourself, I’d say give Komodo with kids a miss.