As waves in Eastern Indonesia grow dangerously high, maritime authorities have issued fresh warnings to vessels navigating the Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park waters.
On Sunday, August 3, 2025, the Class III Labuan Bajo Office of the Harbormaster and Port Authority (KSOP) released a “notice to mariners” alerting of extreme weather conditions in the Komodo National Park area. The warning comes amid forecasts of strong winds and high waves expected to affect the region from August 4 to 8.
Stephanus Risdiyanto, Head of KSOP Class III Labuan Bajo, urged all ships operating in the Labuan Bajo waters to pay close attention to BMKG’s weather forecasts and early warnings.
“To avoid areas with potential extreme weather in Labuan Bajo, especially the southern parts of Padar Island, Komodo Island, and Rinca Island due to predicted high waves, strong currents, and powerful winds,” Stephanus said in a written statement on Sunday afternoon.
He emphasized that ship captains must remain vigilant and regularly monitor the weather through BMKG’s maritime portal at peta-maritim.bmkg.go.id.
“Captains should ensure their vessels are seaworthy, seek shelter when conditions worsen, and immediately alert other vessels if they become aware of dangerous weather conditions,” he stated.
KSOP is also calling on ship operators to stay in close coordination with the Harbormaster and Indonesia’s Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) should the weather continue to deteriorate.
The threat of extreme waves isn’t limited to the Komodo area. BMKG forecasts that the southern Bali Strait, Badung Strait, southern Lombok Strait, and the southern waters of Bali will also experience high waves from August 3 to 6. Wave heights could reach up to six meters in some locations.
These maritime zones are vital transportation and economic arteries for the region. The Bali Strait, for instance, serves as the main crossing route between Java and Bali. The Lombok Strait connects Bali to Lombok, while the Badung Strait plays a critical role for fishermen, tourists, and access between Denpasar and Nusa Penida. Southern Bali’s waters are also a key zone for commercial fishing operations.
Meanwhile, wave heights in the northern Lombok Strait are expected to reach up to four meters, while the northern waters of Bali could see waves as high as 2.5 meters.
As conditions at sea remain uncertain, authorities continue to remind vessels not to underestimate the power of nature in Komodo national park waters. Ship operators are urged to take all necessary precautions to prevent accidents and ensure safety at sea.
