The Seraya Komodo Review: A Private Island Escape in Komodo National Park
Imagine waking up before sunrise and walking just steps from your door to a flourishing house reef waiting to be explored. Unlike staying in Labuan Bajo, here you have your own private beach where you can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, kayak, or simply relax in between day trips to see the dragons and your dives in Komodo National Park.
At night, instead of hearing nearby music and voices of those staying out late, you hear the waves gently crashing and perhaps a few birds flying home. For dinner, you enjoy a fresh meal while watching the sun set over Komodo's lush green hills. When you leave the island, you truly feel refreshed and rejuvenated from a well-deserved digital detox.
If this is the kind of Komodo National Park experience you are hoping to have, The Seraya Resort is for you. Keep reading to find out why this private island might just be the best-kept secret in Komodo.
Oh, & as always, practice sustainable tourism while traveling. The good news is The Seraya has already done most of the work for you.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, my blog may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
Everything You Need to Know About The Seraya Resort in Komodo
About The Seraya Komodo
The Seraya sits on the north coast of Seraya Kecil, a small private island just 45 minutes from Labuan Bajo and right on the doorstep of Komodo National Park. Aside from The Seraya, there is only one other hotel on the island. However, what makes this place truly special goes beyond just the location and the beauty of the property.
As an eco-conscious resort in Komodo, their commitment to sustainability shows throughout the property, and they have been recognized with the Gold Lingko Award for Sustainable Hotel Operations in 2022. The entire resort, including the manta-shaped restaurant, is built almost entirely from bamboo, a renewable material in Indonesia. They grow their own fruits and vegetables in a tropical garden on the island, compost their waste, recycle grey water for landscaping, and run daily beach cleans that guests are welcome to join. You can regularly spot staff clearing out any trash they find lying around, or that is washed up from other areas in Komodo National Park.
Since 2017, they have been running a coral restoration program on their house reef, replanting broken coral on specially positioned tables that have seen remarkable success. You can see how much the coral has progressed along the house reef's edge when you compare the newly planted pieces to those from seven years ago. They have their own little ecosystems flourishing, and numerous fish are grouping there, with sharks being regularly spotted. If you are searching for a dedicated eco resort near Labuan Bajo, The Seraya is exactly that.
And then on top of it all, there is the digital detox. No WiFi, no TV, no modern-day distractions. Just a chance to decompress and disconnect in one of the most biodiverse marine environments on the planet.
Getting to the Island
The Seraya is located on the island of Seraya Kecil, about 45 minutes north of Labuan Bajo, where the closest airport is. The resort offers complimentary pickup and drop-off from the airport and other areas around Labuan Bajo. From the airport, a staff member will escort you to the harbor, with boat transfers taking 45 minutes from Kampung Ujung jetty, just a 5 minute drive from Labuan Bajo airport. The ferry to the island is included roundtrip, departing for The Seraya at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM and returning to Labuan Bajo at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM daily. Be sure to confirm your times with the resort prior to arrival. Transfers outside of these times can be arranged ahead of time but do incur additional fees, which you can find on their website.
I was already on the island of Flores, so the resort picked me up in a private car and brought me to their cozy transit cafe to await the ferry. The Seraya Komodo experience all begins with a short stop in The Seraya Transit Cafe, offering breakfast, lunch, and small bites to enjoy while you wait. You can also find delicious coffee, tea, and fresh juices on the menu. The cafe has plenty of books to browse should you want something to get lost in during your digital detox on the island. I loved this little stop along the way because it gave me the chance to enjoy a small breakfast so I could hop in the water the moment I arrived to the island.
From the transit cafe we drove around 5 to 10 minutes to the harbor and boarded the boat for the journey to the island. Though the ride was 45 minutes it passed quickly with the breathtaking surroundings of Komodo all around you. Think tall, lush green hilly islands and unique liveaboard boats all around you. Once I reached the island, I was welcomed by various shades of sparkling blue water and every single staff member waving and welcoming me onto their secluded slice of paradise.
The Bungalows at The Seraya
The Seraya has 24 bungalows across their property, with some being beachfront and some being hillside or tucked in their gardens. Each room has large glass sliding doors, a large mosquito canopy, a dresser and luggage rack, kettle, safety box, air conditioning, fan, private open air bathroom with an outdoor shower, and sun loungers or chairs on your own private terrace.
The Absolute Beachfront Bungalow is the only two storey structure, created for families of 3 to 4 with a queen bed on the first floor and two single beds on the second. As the title implies, it sits right on the sand with large tamarind trees providing shade. The Premium Beachfront Bungalows hold a queen size bed for two, with dreamy ocean views out of the glass doors and the easiest access to the house reef. There is plenty of vegetation including tamarind and palm trees to keep the rooms cool and shaded. Both the family and premium beachfront bungalows were crafted from bamboo by Balinese artisans.
The Canopy Bungalow has a queen size bed and sits hillside within the gardens of The Seraya, making for a private and enchanting stay. The Hillside Garden Bungalows also sit above sea level and offer ocean glimpses out of your sliding doors. This room type comes in two variations, one with a queen size bed and another with two single beds. Both the Canopy and Hillside Bungalows have the option of adding an additional bed.
I stayed in a Hillside Garden Bungalow and the first thing I noticed was how bright and airy it was with the large glass sliding doors bringing in natural light and the high ceilings. There was so much room for myself and my partner (honestly more than enough). I also felt completely private with the bungalows being quite spread apart and the surrounding vegetation naturally making you feel tucked in. The open air shower only added to the feeling of being outside in nature, keeping with the digital detox atmosphere. Not to mention the beautifully fresh smelling shower products.
Each night the turndown service included closing the mosquito nets, refilling water, closing the curtains, and lighting a mosquito incense in the open air bathroom. It made coming back from a day of snorkeling on the house reef much easier to settle into the night. Despite the open air bathroom I did not once notice any mosquitos. I also loved the refillable water, always a small but meaningful step towards lowering plastic consumption, especially in Indonesia. Breakfast was included in my stay, though this may vary depending on your package so be sure to check with the resort.
I always woke up each day feeling refreshed and energized, though getting out of bed was difficult with how well the curtains blocked out the light and how comfy the bed was. It was wonderful to wander out of my bungalow onto my garden patio, enjoy some fresh air and a cup of tea before heading down to breakfast or for a morning snorkel.
Though I was not beachfront, the walk to the restaurant and the beach was less than a minute and was a beautiful stroll through the quiet and peaceful garden. The room was truly a wonderful place to take a deep exhalation and just decompress.
Dining at The Seraya
My favorite dish at the Manta Restaurant, Pepes Tahu.
Who doesn’t love a smoothie bowl for breakfast?
A small section of the Manta Restaurant.
The Seraya has one restaurant in the resort that honestly has everything you could want from a menu. The structure itself is built entirely from bamboo and forged into the shape of a manta ray; a symbol for the incredible marine life surrounding you. It is completely open air, allowing the soft ocean breeze to cool you on warmer days, and the space itself feels surprisingly large. Each dining experience creates a feeling of enjoying your meal right over the ocean, with only water and Komodo's lush green hills before you.
Many of the ingredients are sourced through the resort's own tropical garden or through local markets on the mainland in Labuan Bajo. The seafood is freshly caught and purchased right from the shores.
I fell in love with the menu at The Seraya. As a complicated gluten-free vegan girl, I had so many options to choose from, and every one of them left my mouth watering. The menu covers all dietary restrictions alongside local-inspired dishes, Western options, fresh juices, smoothies, cold coconuts, and cocktails. They even have vegan icecream! Some of my personal favorites from the menu include the Pepes Tahu (which I still dream about) and the Rendang Nangka. I found myself sitting at the same table each day, where I felt like I was enjoying my meal right on the ocean, with the most beautiful view of the reef and Komodo's green hilly islands set behind it.
During my stay, I also saw a group of people enjoying a BBQ on the beach set under a lit canopy, which is a great option for those celebrating or those hoping for a more intimate beachside gathering.
The dishes on the menu ranged in price from 80,000 IDR to 250,000 IDR (4.50 USD to 13.50 USD), making it quite similar to food prices in Labuan Bajo. Be sure to check with the resort directly regarding breakfast inclusions, as this may vary depending on your package. I did have mine included.
The House Reef & Marine Life
A view of some of the reef restoration work at The Seraya.
There were SO many clownfish and anemones on the hous reef at The Seraya.
The different species of coral along the entire house reef at The Seraya was incredibly diverse.
One of the biggest highlights of staying at The Seraya is the ability to snorkel right from the resort's beach. When you stay in the main area of Labuan Bajo, there is no beach to swim in, let alone a reef to snorkel. And the snorkeling here is actually really beautiful. The house reef is the best I have seen anywhere in Indonesia.
The resort provides masks, snorkels, fins, and life jackets should you need them, so there is no need to worry about bringing your own gear. I found the water really warm during my stay, though this can vary depending on when you visit. Early mornings around sunrise are my personal recommendation for the best experience. The fish activity was incredible compared to later on in the day. The reef itself sits at around 3 to 8 meters depending on the tide, making it accessible for all levels of snorkelers.
Jumping in near the jetty, I saw massive schools of jackfish mixed with rabbitfish curving in and out of the jetty pillars. There were three lionfish about, a few eels, and even a scorpionfish resting on a rock. We also spotted squid swimming right from the jetty, which was such a cool surprise. As I swam away from the jetty, I was welcomed by so many different types of coral: soft corals, brain corals, branching corals, rose coral, and anemones with a variety of clownfish species. Along the top of the sloping reef, there were many reef restoration sites set up, and it was really cool to see the comparison between the newly planted pieces of coral and the ones that have been there for seven years. They were truly flourishing with so many vital fish around like parrotfish, surgeonfish, and Moorish idols, and I even spotted turtles and reef sharks every now and again. In the early mornings, I always saw so many more schools of fish than later in the day, and I was even lucky enough to spot three eagle rays swimming together. Word on the street is that there is a dugong around as well, but I was not lucky enough to see it this time.
Over near the mangroves, I always saw a few baby blacktip reef sharks swimming around.
It was simply refreshing to see a place working so hard towards restoring its oceans from the previous dynamite fishing in the area. It proves that life can come back if given the chance. It was also amazing to see staff out on a boat collecting any bits of trash from the water (which is sadly inevitable in Indonesia), to keep their reef in good health.
Their dedication to restoring their shoreline and the ability to walk straight from your room to snorkel are two of the many reasons why The Seraya is genuinely one of the best places to stay in Komodo, Indonesia.
Things to Do at The Seraya
Me paddle boarding across the reef at The Seraya.
Enjoying the pool at The Seraya.
Aside from snorkeling on the house reef, you can also:
Relax on one of the many hammocks on the beach.
Go for a swim in the infinity pool.
Kayak or SUP over the reef or to the nearby islands. Highly recommend doing this; it was breathtaking to see the reef from a different viewpoint.
Join a scuba dive on the house reef with the dive shop next door, or join a liveaboard through the resort.
Enjoy your 200m private beach.
Visit one of the local villages.
Go for a snorkeling day trip to see mantas and turtles.
Explore Komodo National Park for the day to see the Komodo Dragons, Pink Beach, Padar Island, and more. This is ideal because you can avoid the large group tours offered on the mainland and get ahead of the crowds.
Join scuba diving day trips to Komodo National Park.
Walk up to the viewpoint above the resort to get a 360 view of the island.
Relax on one of the many beanbags or overwater nets to sunbathe.
Get pampered at the spa.
Work out at the outdoor gym.
The Seraya felt like a true hidden gem in Labuan Bajo. It is a one-stop shop for everything you want to do in Komodo, while also having plenty to do right from its doorstep.
Is The Seraya Resort Worth It?
YES! I truly believe The Seraya is one of Komodo's best island resorts. You have the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation, all without ever having to leave. Snorkel a beautiful reef, enjoy freshly made meals, unwind, and pamper yourself on-site, and for those who want to explore further, scuba day trips leave right from the resort too.
Whether you are a couple looking for a romantic slice of paradise, a family wanting a safe and comfortable environment for the kids, or a group of friends after a fun little getaway, The Seraya has it all.
Best of all, you can enjoy it all with peace of mind knowing you are staying somewhere that genuinely cares about its footprint and is actively working to make a difference.
Plan Your Stay
You can book your stay at The Seraya either through their website or through my booking link here.
The best time to visit is honestly anytime throughout the year, but Komodo's rainy season runs from November through to March, with the heaviest rainfall in January and February. If you prefer the best visibility for snorkeling and scuba diving, and sunny skies, I would recommend visiting outside of those months. The best time for diving is April to September when visibility is clearest, and the sea is calmest. The busiest time in Labuan Bajo and Komodo is June through August.
I visited in late May and had warm and sunny days each day. I also still spotted plenty of mantas on my dives and snorkels around the National Park, so shoulder season is very much worth considering. I spent 5 days here and felt that it was not enough for really diving and exploring as much as I wanted to. So I would recommend a minimum of 5 days, and ideally 6-7+ if you plan to dive. That gives you enough time to dive multiple sites, visit the Komodo dragons, Pink Beach, and Padar Island while still having days to simply enjoy the resort and its’ house reef.
Travel Tip: Never travel without the right insurance to cover you for sickness, injury, or theft. After 6+ years of travel, Safety Wing is the one I keep coming back to.
→ Thinking of heading to Lombok next? I have full guides on the best beaches, food, waterfalls, and itineraries (5 days or 7-10 days) here!
Disclaimer: This stay was hosted by The Seraya. As always, all opinions expressed are entirely my own and based on my genuine experience.
