The island of Komodo, also called the land of the dragon, is located in Indonesia and is home to the largest reptile in the world. This animal is the Komodo dragon, the largest lizard in the world. It can reach 3 meters long and weigh more than 100 kg. And it is capable of eating animals the size of a deer or a buffalo!
In the center of the Indonesian archipelago, which includes about 17,508 islands, you will find the Komodo Island National Park of 1800 square kilometers. It is located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores. Komodo Island National Park is divided into the three main islands: Komodo, Rinca, and Padar. Together they form the Komodo dragon sighting route. On the way to these islands we can stop to swim, snorkel, dive, swim with manta rays and visit some secluded paradisiacal islands.
1. Komodo National Park
In order to conserve this place and its fauna, UNESCO made it a Natural World Heritage Site in 1991. Tourism in the area has developed much more since 2011, when, after a worldwide vote, it was named as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
The most popular tribe on Komodo Island is called Ata Modo. And people belonging to this indigenous tribe are said to be able to talk to Komodo dragons.
The price of the entry to the park, which is about 3 € approximately, 40,000 rupees, 20,000 for the entrance fee and another 20,000 for a tourist tax.
2. Pink Beach in Komodo Island
The pink beaches are one of the world’s most unique natural wonders.
The sand is pink due to the amount of corals of reddish color. When they deteriorate, they end up having the size of a grain of sand.
The beaches are said to get their color from microscopic animals called foraminifera. These tiny creatures have pink shells and live in the coral reefs that surround the beach.
Consequently, the pink sand is a mixture of shells, coral and calcium carbonate. Resulting in that stunning cotton candy color.
There are 2 or 3 Pink Beaches within the Komodo National Park. At this beach the water is crystal clear and it is a great place for snorkeling.
3. Manta Point
This area is ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling. It is possible to swim next to manta rays up to 2 meters. The marine fauna in this place is magnificent. There is a large amount of plankton and there, therefore, diversity of species gather to eat. Which makes it perfect for those who like snorkeling.
4. Tukohbele Beach in Komodo Island
This is a beach that has a very intense blue color of the sea and at the same time it is crystalline. Also on these shores you can enjoy white sand, many corals and a diversity of marine species.
The practice of diving is highly recommended in this area, as it is possible to observe an intense biodiversity. An ideal place for those who enjoy nature and new experiences.
5. Padar viewpoint
It is the most iconic viewpoint in all of Indonesia, as the views you can get from the Padar Island Viewpoint are truly incredible.
From there you can enjoy the beauty of white sandy beaches, deep blue-green oceans and the view of a number of islands.
6. Gili Lawa viewpoint
Although not as popular as Padar Viewpoint, but you can get some excellent views from there as well. The hike to the top is a bit demanding, but from there you can get a spectacular view of the Komodo National Park.
Things to do in Komodo Island in 1 day
If you only have one day to visit the island of the world’s largest lizard, you should visit the Komodo National Park. It has two-hour trails that you can do in the morning, and enjoy a quick swim in the afternoon at the island’s pink beach.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Where to eat and sleep on Komodo Island
- Komodo resort: This rural resort is located on a private island in the Flores Sea, 6 km from the Komodo National Park and 18 km from Flores Pier, in the village of Labuan Bajo. The rustic-style bungalows feature thatched roofs, minibars, mosquito nets, patios and beachfront gardens. The hotel offers free services such as transfers from Labuan Bajo and meals served at an open international restaurant facing the sea.
- Kanawa Restaurant: restaurant and hotel, the accommodation offers a shuttle service from the ferry terminal. It features a restaurant offering local cuisine.
What should I consider before traveling to Komodo island
- If you are thinking of traveling to Indonesia or Komodo Island, remember that Indonesia’s location on the edges of the Pacific, Eurasian and Indo-Australian tectonic plates makes it a place with numerous volcanoes and frequent earthquakes.
- April to November is the best time of the year to visit the Komodo National Park. But this period still features a great deal of seasonal changes.
- In high season you have to book in advance, as with almost all tours and activities services in Indonesia.
- Komodo Island, like many of the nearby islands, is the product of volcanic activity in the area.
- Wear comfortable shoes. In Komodo there are no means of transportation, no bicycles, so we will have to walk quite a bit. There are trails that go halfway around the island and take almost two hours.
How to get to Komodo Island
- The island tends to be a stop-over area for tourists, who only want to see and enjoy the dragons. The most common is to go to Flores and Komodo from Bali or from Lombok, both islands are the perfect foretaste of everything you will find there.
- In order to get to the island of Komodo we must know that you can’t get there from Bali. Instead we must fly from Denpasar to Labuanbajo and then go by boat to Komodo.
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Komodo Island
Register on the website or download the free Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by other travelers’ experiences
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes we present in the post).
- There are restaurants that only accept credit cards.
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travelers what to see in The island of Komodo.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
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