Can I rent snorkel gear in Riung instead of bringing my own?

Yes, most boat operators offer rental masks and fins, typically for an additional fee on top of the boat charter — see our cost breakdown for typical rates.

Is mobile signal available on the boat?

Signal is patchy once you're away from the village and mainland coast. Don't count on it for navigation or communication during the boat day — download any maps or information you need in advance. See our signal and connectivity guide for what actually works in the village itself.

What shoes are best for the boat and islands?

Sandals with a back strap or dedicated water shoes handle the rocky and coral-rubble shore entries better than flip-flops or bare feet.

Strongly recommended. Boat-to-shore transfers at several stops involve wading or a small tender, and a dry bag protects phones, cameras and cash from getting wet.

Is there a packing difference between dry season and wet season visits?

In the wetter months, add a proper rain layer and consider that boat schedules are more likely to shift or shorten due to weather — pack a flexible mindset along with a rain jacket.

Do I need reef shoes for the beaches in Riung 17 Islands, or are sandals enough?

Most popular snorkel stops are from the boat straight into the water, so you can easily manage with bare feet and simple sandals on deck. Reef shoes become useful at low tide and on rougher coral rubble near shore, and for children. If you already own compact reef shoes, bring them; if you do not, sturdy sandals with a back strap are usually adequate.

Wooden jetty reaching over clear turquoise water toward a low green island

Packing

Six hours, no shade, and nothing to buy once you leave the pier.

A boat-day packing list for Riung, built around the two things the place genuinely lacks: shade and shops.

Bring your own snorkel mask, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, cash in small denominations and a dry bag — none of these can be reliably bought in Riung.

Your own mask. Boat gear is limited and leaks.
Cash in small notes. Nobody has change.
Reef-safe sunscreen — the ordinary kind harms coral.

The list

Four things people wish they had brought

Everything else can be improvised. These cannot.

Your own mask

Boat masks are limited in size and variable in condition. One that leaks ruins the whole day, and it packs small.

Representative. Photo: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.

Empty sand beach along the Flores coastline

Sun protection

A hat with a brim, a rash vest and reef-safe sunscreen. Many boats have no roof and there is no shade on the islands.

Photo: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.

Stalls and produce at a traditional market in Flores

Small notes

Boats, retribusi, lunch and rooms are all cash, and change for a 100,000 note is a genuine problem.

Pasar Maunori. Photo: Natalia Wewo / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Reef shoes

Some entries are over rubble and dead coral. Not essential, but the alternative is a cut foot two islands from anywhere.

Photo: Miranda Rachellina / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Bay full of moored boats below dry savannah hills — Photo: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.

Wet season

One thing changes between seasons

Add a dry bag that actually seals and something warm for the ride back. Rain on open water at speed is cold even here.

Everything else on the list is identical all year.

Frequently asked questions

Ready to put dates on it?

Riung boats are arranged locally, at the pier. For the Komodo leg or a full Flores itinerary, the reservations desk answers on WhatsApp.

Book with Komodo Luxury

Six hours, no shade, and nothing to buy once you leave the pier.