Komodo National Park is a national park in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores. It is accessible by boat from the town of Labuan Bajo on Flores Island and is the top attraction from Labuan Bajo. Covering an area of more than 200,000 hectares, it includes the island of Komodo, which hosts the largest living species of lizard, the komodo dragon. The park is not all about Komodo Dragons though, it boasts a wide array of activities from trekking to snorkeling which will blow your mind. So here we are breaking the top must-visits in Komodo National Park for you!
1. Dragon Trekking
You can spot the komodo dragons either on Komodo Island or Rinca Island (this one is currently closed to the public at the time of writing in May 2022). A journey through the island is one of the best ways to see Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. You’ll also have a chance to learn about conservation efforts, as well as other animals that live on the island.
Your tour will begin with an introduction to the komodo rangers who will guide you through the trail and keep you safe. They will explain everything there is to know about these giant monitor lizards: how they hunt; why they’re so big; what they eat; how they defend themselves against predators; why it’s important that we protect them from extinction…and more! They can also help you to take a good picture with the komodo dragons from a safe distance but with a great angle. But that is not part of their job description though so you can tip them at the end of the trek.
Remember: always listen carefully when instructed by rangers during this trekking tour! The komodo dragons have a deadly bite after all…
2. Padar Island
Padar Island is the third-largest island in Komodo National Park and offers a hiking trail to the top. The trail is roughly four kilometers long and takes about two hours to complete. There are some steep parts, but you’ll get some great views out over the park from above if you choose to take this hike. It has one of the famous views of Komodo National Park with stunning Jurassic-like pointy hills and tri-colored beaches.
3. Manta Point
Manta Point is one of the most popular dive sites in Komodo National Park but it is also explorable for snorkeling. You can see them swimming just below the surface but if you’re super lucky, you may spot them flipping above the surface! On usual days expect about 3 – 4 manta rays but on an incredible day, you may be able to see more than 10! Of course, there is never a guarantee as they are wild and have their own free will. The site is really wide and a few kilometers long, so it’s a wide area to scour for manta rays. Snorkeling here is a must but do expect some current here (manta rays love currents!) and always pay attention to the guide’s briefings and directions. Wear a life jacket to stay on the safer side.
As a side destination, there is a sandbank nearby called Taka Makassar which is a great place for photo taking and especially drone shots! Make sure to stop by to enjoy the little white sand.
4. Pink Beach
One of the best beaches in Labuan Bajo and its surroundings, there are several pink beaches in the national park: there is one on Komodo Island and another on Padar Island, and maybe on other smaller islands as well. The pink color comes from broken shells and red-colored corals. The pink color that you see depends on how the sand reflects the light and the seasons but it can look the pinkest when it’s in the middle of the day. Drone shot is incredible here so make sure to hire a photographer/videographer who can take drone shots and videos. Aside from being a picturesque beach, it is also a nice snorkeling destination so make sure to check out the underwater too.
5. Kelor Island
Kelor Island is a small, uninhabited island in Komodo National Park. It is a trekking destination with an amazing viewpoint with a sharp hill as a backdrop. The trek is steep but it’s worth the challenge and you will be rewarded by the stunning views upon arrival. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and sandals!
6. Kalong Island
A great place to see flying foxes is near the island of Kalong. The animals leave the island in the evening and return at sunrise looking for food (and rest). The best time to spot them is when they come out with the sunset as their backdrop, which may truly be one of the best sunsets you’ll ever see. You can observe them from the liveaboard boat. This is one of the spots not visited with day trips because day trips need to be back to the harbor before sunset.
To visit these destinations, there are two main ways of exploring them: by speedboat or sailing (liveaboard). You can go with speedboats for day trips and liveaboards for longer trips, typically 3 days 2 nights. Either way, they will take you to see Komodo Dragons and other wildlife on land as well as wonderful coral reefs in the sea. When you go with private sailing, you can choose your itinerary and schedule, so if this is what interests you then we recommend that over any other option! No rushing or waiting for other people, you can have the best quality time with friends or family.
If you are traveling solo, as a couple, or in a small group, you can still visit these places with open/shared trips where you will meet other travelers aboard.
Whatever your choice is, Island Trip Indonesia is the perfect partner to find the best Labuan Bajo tour packages for you. We can arrange your sailing trip, hotel in Labuan Bajo, transport in Labuan Bajo, everything! Leave the stressful planning with us and you’ll be guaranteed a good time!