Komodo National Park is the home of
the unique and rare Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis). Because of the
unique and rare nature of this animal, KNP was declared a World Heritage
Site by UNESCO in 1986. An adventure to the lair of the dragons in the Komodo National Park is definitely the experience of a lifetime. This is the only remaining place on earth that is the habitat of Komodo, Varanus komodoensis,
the largest living prehistoric lizard, the only one worthy of the title
“Dragon”. This national park is the closest you can get to a real life
Jurassic Park experience.
The park includes three major
islands, Komodo, Rinca and Padar, and numerous smaller islands together
totaling 603 square km of land. At least 2,500 komodos live in this
area. Large dragons are usually three meters long and weigh up to 90 kg.
Their habitat has beautiful panoramic views of savannas, rain forests,
white beaches, beautiful corals, and clean blue seas. In this area, you
can also find horses, wild buffalo, deer, wild boar, snakes, monkeys,
and various types of birds.
This place has a rich and amazing
underwater sea biotica. Divers claim that Komodo waters are one of the
best diving sites in the world. It has fascinating underwater scenery.
You can find 385 species of beautiful corals, mangrove forests, and
seaweeds as a home for thousands of fish species, 70 types of sponges,
10 types of dolphins, 6 types of whales, green turtles and various types
of sharks and stingrays. The waters that surround the island are
turbulent and teeming with unparalled marine life. A marine reserve has
recently been established and this reserve is largely undocumented and
remains unexplored.
Secluded from the modern world, the Komodo National Park and its surrounding areas are also where nature has
been kept its most pristine. Here, the seas offer vibrant colors and
exotic marine life which amaze divers and snorkelers alike. On the
surface, beautiful unspoilt beaches radiate a certain sense of serenity.
On the hills above the vast savannah, you can gaze upon some of the
most spectacular natural scenery you will ever see.
Besides immersed in the splendor of nature, these spots also offer the perfect settings and composition for photography.So, whether you are a professional photographer, avid Instagramer,
or just simply love to take great photos, these are some of the best
spots to shoot your pictures in and around Komodo National Park.
1.Padar Island
From the summit of Padar Island you
can see beautiful beaches surrounding the island and some of the most
fascinating natural scenery that you can ever hope to find. With all
these amazing photo opportunities, Padar Island has even been dubbed a
“Haven for Photographers”. The island is a great spot for sunrise and
sunsets making it perfect for capturing the beautiful beaches or rolling
hills catching the rays of light. Padar Island is the third largest
landmass within the Komodo National Park and lies between Komodo and
Rinca Island. Although you may need to trek or hike up to some of the
vantage points, the rewards waiting at the top is more than worth it.
Padar is mostly savannah-covered, surreal landscape fringed by bright green-capped mountains of fairy-tale shapes. It’s all surrounded by three turquoise bays, and curiously, each one of the bays’ beaches has different coloured sand: One is pearly white, another charcoal black, and a third is a very rare baby pink. It is a rare combination, a quirk of this unique island.The black-sanded beach has volcanic origin, composed of various dark minerals. The pink, one of a few in the world, has pulverized red coral mixed with white sand. And the white one, in most any other setting would be a spectacular find. Here, it almost plays third fiddle.
Padar is mostly savannah-covered, surreal landscape fringed by bright green-capped mountains of fairy-tale shapes. It’s all surrounded by three turquoise bays, and curiously, each one of the bays’ beaches has different coloured sand: One is pearly white, another charcoal black, and a third is a very rare baby pink. It is a rare combination, a quirk of this unique island.The black-sanded beach has volcanic origin, composed of various dark minerals. The pink, one of a few in the world, has pulverized red coral mixed with white sand. And the white one, in most any other setting would be a spectacular find. Here, it almost plays third fiddle.
2.Peak of GIli Laba Island
Gili Laba is a small island near the main island Komodo. Gili Laba is an
uninhabited island located one hour away from Komodo Island. From
Labuan Bajo, it will take around four hours to get to the island. The
island has become a popular travelers’ destination since the rise of
many sailing trip tours offered by tour service agents in Flores and
Lombok.
The island offers one-of-a kind view of the Flores sea from the top of its hill. When you arrive at the island, you will be greeted by the white, clean sand completed by the clear water with amazing combination of blue and green. The whole island has hills all over, with green savannah that turns yellowish when the dry season comes.
Snorkeling is a favorite activity to do here. Accompanied by the sea breeze and the flying birds, it will give you the perfect feel of tropical paradise. Eventhough Gili Island is located near Komodo National Park, you don’t have to worry about the predators. There isn’t any known komodo living in the island.
After you have done snorkeling, you can trekking to the top of the hill in the island. To get to the peak, it takes a lot of physical and mental work because of the steep trail even up to 70 degrees. To reach the top, you will need around 30-45 minutes. The blowing wind will sometimes makes it harder, but your effort will be rewarded as you arrive at the top of the hill. All of your tiredness will disappear as you see the stunning scenery of the sea and nearby islands before you. Prepare your camera to take pictures to remember your adventure. However, don’t stand at the peak for too long because the wind can be harsh and dangerous for you.
3.Kanawa Island
Located only some 15 kilometers from the growing harbor town of Labuan Bajo (the gateway to Komodo National Park), Kanawa Island
is fringed with a bed of coral reefs teeming with colorful fish all
around. Its turquoise water is exceptionally calm and clear. The island
also offers views of sunrise and sunsets that you can enjoy from the top
of the hill located at the center of the island. As it is also a
favorite spot for snorkeling, you can also take some marvelous
underwater photos among the colorful fish and coral reefs.
Kanawa is a beautiful tropical island of about 32 Hectares, fully
surrounded by natural reefs. It consists of two main white sand beaches
and one small, hidden sand cover.At the center of the island a hill guarantees astonishing 360 degrees
views all over Komodo National Park, offering one of the world’s most
spectacular sunsets.Kanawa is a beautiful tropical island of about 32 Hectares, fully
surrounded by natural reefs. It consists of two main white sand beaches
and one small, hidden sand cove.
Kanawa Island is a small island off Flores. It can be walked around in about 30 minutes at low tide, and has only very basic tourist bungalows (ten of them) and a restaurant. There is electricity for 4 hours every evening and the bathrooms are outdoor affairs with cold water mandis. The attraction here is the great snorkelling and the good fishing. it’s the most relaxing place island of Labuan Bajo islands group
Kanawa Island is a small island off Flores. It can be walked around in about 30 minutes at low tide, and has only very basic tourist bungalows (ten of them) and a restaurant. There is electricity for 4 hours every evening and the bathrooms are outdoor affairs with cold water mandis. The attraction here is the great snorkelling and the good fishing. it’s the most relaxing place island of Labuan Bajo islands group
4.Pink Beach
A clear blue sky above, with fluffy
white clouds drifting lazily across, rolling green hills, covered
luxuriantly in thick vegetation interspersed with high, rocky cliffs.
Here are calm, clear waters, tinted by the colorful corals below its surface, and alive with the movement of a hundred species of marine life. Last, but not least: a stretch of soft sand, neither white nor black, but surprisingly, Pink. This is what await you at the Pink Beach of Komodo Island, one of only seven pink beaches on the planet. With its unique feature, taking photos here is definitely a must. For a better view of Pink Beach, try to reach higher ground and capture the exceptional views with your camera.
The main lure is its pink sand. The beach has several visitors every day. That means it is quite popular among tourists. The water is clear and shallow. It is calming! There are also some hills nearby. The perfect time to visit Pink Beach is during summer. It features perfect weather and clear sky. You can even see some unique clouds above. On the hills, there are only some trees. Usually, tourists may walk on the shorelines and enjoy the breeze of the wind. It is a relaxing experience so you must visit this beach someday.
Pink Beach is an additional charm. The main attraction in Komodo Island is definitely the giant lizards. They are the rarest lizard, after all. Their saliva contains deadly bacteria. They use their bite for hunting. The island also becomes the home of Komodo National Park. It is a famous conservation. In fact, the world has acknowledged it as one of the world’s heritages. It is a great opportunity to see those exotic animals directly. Though, you must not get too close to them. They are dangerous animals.
Here are calm, clear waters, tinted by the colorful corals below its surface, and alive with the movement of a hundred species of marine life. Last, but not least: a stretch of soft sand, neither white nor black, but surprisingly, Pink. This is what await you at the Pink Beach of Komodo Island, one of only seven pink beaches on the planet. With its unique feature, taking photos here is definitely a must. For a better view of Pink Beach, try to reach higher ground and capture the exceptional views with your camera.
The main lure is its pink sand. The beach has several visitors every day. That means it is quite popular among tourists. The water is clear and shallow. It is calming! There are also some hills nearby. The perfect time to visit Pink Beach is during summer. It features perfect weather and clear sky. You can even see some unique clouds above. On the hills, there are only some trees. Usually, tourists may walk on the shorelines and enjoy the breeze of the wind. It is a relaxing experience so you must visit this beach someday.
Pink Beach is an additional charm. The main attraction in Komodo Island is definitely the giant lizards. They are the rarest lizard, after all. Their saliva contains deadly bacteria. They use their bite for hunting. The island also becomes the home of Komodo National Park. It is a famous conservation. In fact, the world has acknowledged it as one of the world’s heritages. It is a great opportunity to see those exotic animals directly. Though, you must not get too close to them. They are dangerous animals.
5.Manta Point
Manta Point Komodo is a divesite rich with bottom based plankton
making it an alluring spot – attracting dozens of Manta Ray for feeding
and cleaning. Accessible by chartered liveaboard, the dive site sits
between the islands of Komodo and Rinca within the Komodo National Park.
Geographically the site is directly on the channel connecting the
Indian and the South West Pacific oceans, each hosting distinct
underwater climates that come together to create an ideal environment
for Manta Ray.
You can expect to drop down just ten metres or so to find a sandy
bottom not heavy with coral but blessed with excellent visibility for
most of the year and a reasonable current to nourish the nutrient rich
arena for the Manta Ray.
The spellbinding beauty of Komodo
National Park also lies below the surface. For divers and underwater
photographers, your trip to Komodo National Park will not be complete
without diving into Manta Point. Manta Point (often called Karang
Makassar by the locals), is a popular spot among diving and snorkeling
enthusiasts, being the place where they can encounter giant Manta Rays.
Aside from opportunities to see these majestic gliders of the sea, Manta
Point also offers other excellent diving and snorkeling experiences.
Reefs lie from only 2 meters to 9 meters depth. Turtles, sharks, eagle
rays, giant trevallies, huge clams, various kinds of sponges, and
cuttlefish are just among some giant sea creatures you may see during
your underwater adventure.
6.Kelor Island
Boasting serenity and pristine
scenery, Kelor Island is another spot in the National Park that provides
opportunities for perfect shots. The island has many features,
including beautiful beaches, calm waters, looming hills, and more. The
seascape is definitely top-notch, the kind where you just want to sit
back, relax and indulge your eyes in its magnificent splendor. Since the
island is relatively small, you can easily stroll around and explore
every angle for your perfect shots.
What can tourists do in Kelor Island? The thing is you won’t find any
facilities in this island, as Kelor is considered uninhabited. Due to
this reason, visitors can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere and unspoiled
nature. The sea scenery is definitely top-notch. Usually, most of the
tourists would only want to get around and enjoy sightseeing. Not to
mention it is only one day, since there are no accommodations there.
That means Kelor is only suitable for island hopping, as it is located
near to other islands and has no facilities.
The other fun activities to do are snorkeling, photography, swimming,
and diving. Water sports are popular in Kelor Island, as it features
perfect sea and shorelines. The water is clear and the sand is soft.
Numerous types of fishes also live in the water, including clown fishes
(Nemo)! As an extra, tourists are able to see mesmerizing landscape in
the horizon. Another fun thing to do is beach walking, as the size of
the island is not quite big. That means you can explore it without
hassles.
Before getting back to Labuan Bajo City, it is better to explore some
other parts of Kelor Island. Some hills are available in the island, so
you must prepare your stamina and some equipment. In fact, some hills
are considered extreme! Make sure to carry bottled water, as well. As
for the tips, you need to carry some items like a camera, extra clothes,
a map, and some money. A tour guide is a good idea, actually.
