The Komodo Islands are one of those places on the planet where you can see pink sand on the beaches, where pristine nature has been preserved as it was thousands of years ago, and the only place where dragons live! Komodo is a UNESCO-protected nature reserve spread across three islands: Komodo, Rinca, and Padar. There is no tourist infrastructure here: no hotels, cafes, or restaurants. This is a completely different Indonesia – primitive and untouched! The archipelago is located between the islands of Flores and Sumbawa, just a two-hour flight from Bali.
What to see in the Komodo Islands?
Komodo dragons
The world’s largest lizards live here, found only in this archipelago. They are the only direct descendants of dinosaurs remaining on the planet. About 1,700 individuals live in their natural habitat on the island of Rinca, where they can be found in forests, on trails, and even on the beach. Monitor lizards are predators, feeding on snakes, deer, wild boars, goats, buffalo, and other large animals. Despite their clumsy appearance, monitor lizards are good runners (reaching speeds of up to 20 km/h). They are also good swimmers.
Padar Island
A small island with an area of only about 8 square kilometers. The landscapes of Padar resemble scenes from films about the Jurassic period. There are no monitor lizards here, but the island is attractive precisely because of its surreal landscapes. Climb to the top of the hill to see the whole picture: lush green or brown mountains, depending on the season, covered with savannahs and surrounded by bays with turquoise water. Interestingly, each beach has sand of a different color: one is pearly white, another is coal black, and the third is pink. This rare combination makes the island special. Be sure to visit the beaches of Padar and meet their inhabitants – deer that are not afraid of people at all.
Flying foxes
The tiny island of Kalong is hidden in one of the bays of Komodo. At sunset, boats with tourists usually come here to see thousands of flying foxes appearing against the pink sky as they set off on their nightly hunt. They look like bats, only much larger. It’s an unforgettable sight!
Taka Makassar Sandbar
Imagine you are sailing on a boat and you see a crescent-shaped beach right in the middle of the turquoise water. It is a tiny island with nothing on it at all. Not a single palm tree! From a distance, it looks like people are walking right on the water. But when you get closer, you see a small patch of land with white sand right in the middle of the ocean.
Sea Devils
The waters near the Tak Makassar sandbar are home to amazing creatures—giant stingrays with a wingspan of up to 7 meters. Despite their impressive size, stingrays are friendly to humans and surprisingly graceful. You can swim alongside them.
Diving
The underwater world of these places is incredibly rich. The coastal waters are home to more than 1,000 species of fish, 260 species of reef corals, 70 species of sponges, and several species of sea turtles. Divers from all over the world come here specifically to admire this beauty. The water here is so clear and transparent that it creates ideal conditions for snorkeling and especially diving, as most of the marine life thrives at a depth of 15-40 meters. Large marine mammals are also found here: sperm whales, dugongs, and more than 10 species of dolphins.
How to get to Komodo?
From Bali, you can fly directly to Labuan Bajo Airport on the island of Flores.
Where to stay and how to get around Komodo?
As we mentioned above, Komodo is a nature reserve, so there are no hotels or restaurants here. The most convenient way to live and travel between the islands is by boat. Trips around the Komodo Islands are made on traditional wooden sailing boats equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay.
These boats feature cabins, bathrooms, indoor and outdoor relaxation areas equipped with sofas and sun loungers, and a dining area. There is a chef on board who will prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner for you. Boats often feature Instagram-worthy areas, a small cinema, and even karaoke for cozy evenings with friends. On our website, you can choose a boat and book a cabin. A trip around the Komodo Islands usually lasts 3 days and 2 nights. An unforgettable experience awaits you!
