Komodo Island

Why Komodo Island works

Komodo National Park spans a cluster of rugged, volcanic islands in the Lesser Sunda chain, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site both for its namesake dragons and its exceptional marine biodiversity. Rinca and Komodo islands are the two main sites for ranger-guided treks to see Komodo dragons in the wild — apex predators that can grow past three metres and have roamed this corner of Indonesia largely unchanged for millions of years. Pink Beach, one of only a handful of pink-sand beaches in the world, owes its rosy hue to fragments of red coral mixed into the white sand, and its shallow reef just offshore makes for excellent snorkelling straight from shore. Padar Island's short but steep hike rewards climbers with a panoramic view over three distinct bays, ranked among Indonesia's most photographed vistas. The park's surrounding waters are a magnet for divers and snorkellers, with Manta Point offering near-guaranteed encounters with reef manta rays gliding through nutrient-rich currents. Most visitors base themselves in Labuan Bajo, a fast-growing harbour town on Flores that serves as the gateway for day trips and multi-day liveaboard boat trips through the park.

Trip Snapshot

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