Komodo National Park
UNESCO-listed Komodo National Park is, hands down, one of Indonesia’s most beautiful places. Traditional villages and stunning volcanic lakes pepper the landscape of Flores, making it an intriguing prospect to explore before setting sail for Rinca’s enigmatic shores. Rinca is an accessible island, covered in dramatic volcanic scenery and skirted by pink sand beaches, offering conservation-friendly glimpses of Komodo dragons when explored in the company of a National Park ranger. Further afield, beyond the dragon-free, emerald green hills of Padar, Komodo Island is much less busy. Shoreline resorts and live-aboard sailing boats offer access to all areas, both above and below the waves.
Three things to do in Komodo National Park
Obviously there's a lot more, this is just to get you started...
Here be dragons…
Hop ashore and follow an arid, rocky footpath into an island’s wild interior. The sun beats down, there hasn't been rain for weeks, and the occasional sea breeze provides scant respite from the dry, volcanic conditions. Your knowledgeable guide tells you that Komodo Dragons were recently nearby, and has high hopes for a sighting. These large, fierce-looking creatures may be fairly docile, but when they move, boy can they move quickly! Rinca - one of three locations in Komodo National Park inhabited by the dragons - is a popular sighting spot, and (when open) fiercely-protected Komodo itself is extraordinary. Each dragon-spotting visit must, however, put conservation first and only ever be undertaken with an experienced local guide.
Underwater discoveries
Komodo diving can make you feel like you've been underwater for hours when, in reality, it has only been minutes; the environment is so rich. The sunlight catches the crystal-clear ocean waves as you stare across the surface, with Padar Island’s emerald hills in the distance. This region exceeds all diving and snorkelling expectations; the diversity and sheer volume of coral and colourful fish is incredible, and the marine conservation projects are seriously inspiring. Take a deep breath and dive under the surface again... A seahorse bobs by, and another, and then you spot something larger. Is it a ray? A turtle? A reef shark? Whether snorkelling or scuba diving in Komodo, the rewards are immense.
Live-aboard boats
Waking up to the sound of waves lapping against the bows of a wooden boat in the style of a phinisi (traditional Indonesian sailing barge) is just one reason among many why live-aboard sailing boats in Komodo National Park work so well. Nothing beats breakfast on deck, particularly when it’s a fragrant bowl of nasi goreng, as the tempting aromas from the galley entice you out of your cabin. Days spent paddle boarding, snorkelling or kayaking in otherwise inaccessible waters are absolutely unforgettable, although explorations on dry land, before the day trippers arrive, are equally as exciting for dragon-spotters. Live-aboard boats in Komodo National Park allow you to cruise away to lesser-sailed parts and enjoy the region’s marine wilderness as it should be.
