BRONZE - Cruise 1 day
Labuan Bajo - Padar - Komodo - Pink Beach - Labuan Bajo
Airport/hotel pickup to the Labuan Bajo harbour, hop on board, meet the crew, and sail to Padar Island
Undulating hills that mimic the surrounding waves are the most captivating element of Padar Island. This ‘Land of Dragons’ scenery is some of the most surreal and mysterious in Indonesia. Padar Island tour brings you to a primordial location between Komodo and Rinca islands in Komodo National Park. While Komodo Island attracts a more significant number of tourists, Padar Island makes the best destination to experience nature at its most raw state.
Once home to legendary Komodo dragons, none are left on Padar Island today. Witness savannah-covered, surreal landscape fringed by bright green-capped (or yellow during dry season) mountains of fairy-tale shapes. Completely uninhabited, the island stands proudly in its ruggedness and lets its beauty and stunning atmosphere speak for themselves. The main highlight on the Padar island tour is trekking to the viewpoint.
Padar Island tour offers trekking several viewpoints, but you should always aim for the highest. The trek is spectacular from any angle. And while it may take up to 2 hours to reach the top for some – it is worth it. The jaw dropping panorama from Padar’s summit is the epitome of the Komodo National Park. From the top, you can see rugged brown peaks of the dry savannah contrasting with natural blends of the breathtaking tri coloured beaches of grey, white, and pink. As sworn by most tourists, nothing beats this Jurassic Park scenery that awaits at the summit.
Unravel the beauty of the three different coloured sandy coves, exhibiting hues of volcanic black, coral pink, and powdery white. These three Padar beaches with different sands are squeezing a central hillock covered in multi-shaded, green (or yellow) grasses, depending on the season. Padar island tour promises heaven for nature photographers – one rare, quirky, and unique island.
The pink-coloured beach on Padar Island, being only one of the few in the world, gets its colour from a mixture of pulverized red coral and white sand. The pink hues that make up the whole beach may not be seen throughout the day, but when it does, the view is spectacular beyond words. At the same time, the black sanded beach is due to its volcanic origin, primarily made up of a variety of dark minerals. Finally, although found in most places in the country, the powder white-coloured beach promises a magical final touch during your Padar Island tour.
Visiting Komodo Island where you’ll meet the iconic Dragons
Komodo is one of the largest and most famous islands of Komodo National Park. Soaring palmyra trees punctuate its open landscape of rocky outcrop, auburn paths, dry forests, and glassy sky. As the name speaks for itself, the island is well-known for the prehistoric monitor lizards, commonly known as the Komodo dragons. Witnessing the last survivor of the ancient, gigantic lizards stalking the terrain, the Komodo island tour is your official entrance to the Lost World.
There is an estimated population of 1,000 Komodo dragons on Komodo Island, making Komodo tour an ideal place for sightings of the creature as compared to the other islands. Visitors can go on a ranger-led trek upon reaching the ranger station in the small fishermen village in Loh Liang, the largest settlement on Komodo Island. Legend has it that the Komodo dragons that live on the island are descendants of Orah, the dragon borne to the Dragon Princess. It is believed that throughout the century of sharing the same land and honouring the legend, Komodo villagers can communicate with the dragons.
Be prepared to witness ancient creatures at their most natural habitat. While the Komodo dragons may seem docile at first sight, your guide will always remind you to be extra cautious and keep a safe distance. Komodo dragons have an excellent sense of smell, so be sure that all wounds are clean and nothing forbidden is in your bag as they can smell blood even from a far distance. Although the dragons are the main highlight of the Komodo Island tour, those who wish to see more wildlife can go on a longer trek.
Pink beach
Pink Beach on Komodo Island is one of the only seven places on the planet where sand produces remarkable pink hues. The origin of Komodo’s Pink Beach is due to many red corals crushed by the waves, mixed with brilliant white grains of sand. The sight of bright pink sand and crystal clear blue waters is surreal – the true definition of paradise found only during the Komodo Island tour.
The fairytale beach faces a reef full of exotic fish and colourful corals, making it a perfect location for wide-angle drone footage, not just photos. Some say it resembles cotton candy and is terrific during sunset.
Interestingly, the Pink Beach on Komodo Island is one of the four pink beaches found in Indonesia. The other one is on nearby Padar Island, while Lombok Island boasts a few more. There are a total of seven notable beaches in the world, formed from millions of coral fragments mixed with shells and calcium carbonate left behind by the red microscopic creature, Foraminifera. Come early to enjoy serenity free of human interference, glowing waters, and spectacular raw and natural surroundings around Komodo’s Pink Beach.
Despite pink beaches present on Padar Island, the Pink Beach in Komodo Island offers a unique experience. Perhaps, the highest point on Komodo Island – Mount Satalino, which stands at 730 meters high above – adds that special touch. Locals will tell you of rare orchids that bloom only once a year on top of Mount Satalino. You will likely see the Pink Beach among every itinerary across Komodo National Park. Coupled with a visit to Komodo village and trekking for Komodo dragons, Pink Beach is an iconic highlight of the Komodo Island tour.