Are you itching for a new travel destination? Whether you’re an experienced traveller or just planning your first trip, venturing to new places can be exciting and daunting at the same time. You may have heard of Komodo Island before, but do you know why it’s such a popular travel destination?
In this article, we’ll explore why so many people are interested in visiting Komodo Island and what kinds of activities you can expect when going there as well. Get ready to book your next vacation!
What & Where is Komodo Island?
Komodo Island is a small island (or archipelago) located in the westernmost part of Indonesia in Southeast Asia. This island is part of the Komodo National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Komodo National Park is home to the Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard.
The Komodo National Park is home to a number of animal species including 3 types of reptiles, 15 types of birds, and 5 types of mammals. Due to this diversity in fauna and flora, Komodo National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
Located in Indonesia, this island is part of the Lesser Sunda Islands, which are located at the border between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Komodo Island is located at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago. The closest city to Komodo Island is the city of Labuan Bajo, which is located at the western end of the island of Flores. The distance between Komodo Island and the closest mainland city is 1,122 miles.
How to get to Komodo Island?
You can reach Komodo Island from the city of Labuan Bajo. Labuan Bajo is the closest city to Komodo Island. To get to Komodo Island, there are a number of airlines that provide flights to Labuan Bajo. From there, you can take a boat to Komodo Island.
Otherwise, you can also reach Komodo Island via the marine route. The marine route to Komodo Island is through the Labuan Bajo harbor. You can also reach Komodo Island via the route via the port of Seritim. From Seritim, you have to reach Labuan Bajo via speedboat.
Once you reach Komodo Island, the best way to explore the island is by renting a car or hiring a taxi. You can also explore the island on a scooter.
Personally, we’d recommend these packages to ease your travels to the Komodo Islands:
- Flores Komodo Sumbawa Overland Tour (12 days)
- Discover Komodo at Rinca Island (2 days)
- Explore Komodo the Dragon Island by Speed Boat (3 days)
Do click on the links to learn more about the packages. Happy reading!
Activities in Komodo Island
There are so many different activities that a person can do in the Komodo Islands. Here are our top 5 picks of activities you can do there:
Read more: Things to do in Komodo Island.
Spotting the Komodo Dragons
The Komodo Dragon (Varanus Komodoensis) is a huge reptile weighing over 70kg and measuring 3 metres in length. It has a flat head, bowed legs, a lengthy, thick tail, and a forked tongue. These lizards are fast and can swim at up to 20 kilometres per hour, and they have good vision, which allows them to see distant objects. Komodos are carnivores that consume up to 80% of their body mass in one meal, and they can both run and swim at up to 20 kilometres per hour.
The mighty Komodo Dragon, which lives exclusively in the Komodo National Park and the surrounding Flores island, is the park’s most popular attraction. Visitors should keep a safe distance and follow the rangers’ instructions when around the beasts, which are awe-inspiring but dangerous. We strongly advise you to travel with a ranger and obey their orders when in the presence of these sluggish reptiles.
Pink Beach
The charming and unique pink beach got its name due to the mixture of red coral sand and white sand. This is one of seven worldwide locations with a soft pink tinge. The panoramic views of lush green hills, pristine turquoise water, luminous pink sand, and azure blue skies will certainly astound you.
Pink Beach’s beautiful marine environment can be admired through snorkelling and diving. The underwater garden is a habitat for hundreds of species of soft and hard corals and reefs populated by a wide variety of marine life.
Because Komodo Island still has Komodo Dragons, we suggest you be cautious when walking on the beach or swimming in the water. Again, we recommended coming here with an authorised guide or ranger.
Diving & Snorkelling
Diving:
Situated in the centre of the Asia-Pacific Coral Triangle, Komodo National Park is home to one of the world’s most diverse marine environments. Scientists, divers, and photographers from all over the world come here to see the park’s incredible diversity, which can be seen in one of the many dive sites—Rinca, Komodo, and Padar, as well as the smaller islands that surround them.
Snorkelling:
The pristine waters of Kanawa Island are a magnet for swimmers and snorkelers. Visitors can spot an abundance of sea life from the surface of the water thanks to its crystal clarity. From the jetty, snorkelers can begin their underwater expedition because the water is calm, while strong waves are safeguarded by the coral reefs. Be awed by colourful schools of tropical fish, mysterious corals, and various aquatic species, including stingrays, dolphins, and turtles.
Trekking
No place compares to Padar Island for magnificent scenery. You’ll be hypnotised by the gorgeous yellow, white, and blue colour scheme as you hike one of the many grassy hills. Four crescent-shaped beaches of blue, white, and green will mesmerise you as you stand at the highest point.
It will take about two to three hours to complete this hike. So, personally, we’d recommend you to wear comfortable clothing, footwear, water, and sunscreen. The sun is hot, so bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
Sunset at Kalong Island
Beau Taplin beautifully sums up the wonders of a sunset: Sunsets are proof that endings can often be beautiful too. Well, while travelling to the Komodo Islands, we’ve seen one of the best sunsets we could ever imagine.
The moniker Kalong originates from the local tongue for the massive flying foxes that are the prime attraction of the isle. As the sun sets, you are invited to witness thousands of these mysterious animals flying from the island to the shoreline and producing an incredible sunset scene. As the day ends, the bats’ noisy flapping and rustling as they depart the mangrove forest and fly into the sunset create a hauntingly beautiful lasting impression.
Final Words
Komodo Island is a great place to explore nature and wildlife. If you love nature, you should visit Komodo Island. This island is home to a wide variety of wildlife species and is the perfect place for nature lovers. So, are you planning for a vacation? Make sure to include Komodo Island in your travel plans.
There are a lot of exciting things to do in Komodo Islands. It is a great place to explore nature and wildlife and is sure to give you an adventurous vacation. Now that you know why so many people are interested in visiting Komodo Island and what kinds of activities you can expect when going there, are you ready to book your next vacation? This island is a great place to explore nature and wildlife, so make sure to include it in your travel plans.
