How I Almost Got Scammed on a Komodo Boat Trip

Imagine booking a dream trip to Komodo, only to find yourself on a shabby boat nothing like the stunning photos you were promised. I learned the hard way that not all tour operators are what they seem. Here's how my adventure took a surprising turn and what you can do to avoid the same fate.

Imagine booking a dream trip to Komodo, only to find yourself on a shabby boat nothing like the stunning photos you were promised. I learned the hard way that not all tour operators are what they seem. Here's how my adventure took a surprising turn and what you can do to avoid the same fate.

I wanted to share a recent travel mishap in hopes it might save you from a similar fate. Picture this: you’re all set for a dream trip to Komodo, excited to sail the clear, blue waters and see those amazing dragons.

So, here’s what happened.

My friend found a tour operator through a Facebook group we joined – I’m not mentioning the name because they could just made a new one, and this could be done by anyone. First lesson learned: never trust an operator who only has a Facebook page. No website, no physical office, nada. But, I got some references, and they seemed legit enough. He sent me some stunning pictures of different boats, each with a price tag for a 3-day, 2-night private tour for four adults. The boats looked amazing, and since it was high season, I quickly wired the money to secure what I thought would be the perfect boat. Big mistake!

The komodo trip boats looked amazing

Rule number one: never pay the full amount before seeing the boat in person.

Unfortunately, I was stuck with only airport Wi-Fi and felt pressured to pay before we left. When we arrived, they took us to a shabby, old boat – nothing like the photos. He tried to convince us it was more comfortable, but it was clearly a scam. We immediately headed back to shore, refusing to spend a single night on that boat. Thankfully, I managed to get half of my money back, but I’m pretty sure the rest is gone for good.

We ended up staying in hotels and doing day trips into the national park, which was a hassle but still fun. However, that first day was completely lost to this headache.

Here are my takeaways to save you from such scams:

Research Your Operator and make sure they have a legitimate website and a physical office. Facebook pages alone are a red flag.

Verify References and double-check any references. Ask around in multiple travel forums or groups to ensure they’re reliable.

Plan for Inspections and allocate time to see the boat before your trip starts. It’s better to spend a little time checking things out than losing a whole vacation day.

See the Boat First and never pay upfront without inspecting the boat. Photos can be deceiving, and unscrupulous operators might bait-and-switch.

Have a Backup Plan. If things go awry, have a plan B. Hotels and day trips can save your trip from total disaster.

Have a Backup Plan

Remember, it’s better to spend a little extra time ensuring everything is legit than to deal with the aftermath of a scam. Safe travels, everyone, and may your adventures be scam-free!

P.S. If you’ve had similar experiences 
or have tips to avoid scams, 
please share!
Let’s help each other out.
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