KOMODO ISLAND, INDONESIA

Reason to visit

The home of the world’s most famous reptile could end under the water surface in few decades if the Global Warming continues to progress. The sea surrounding the island is growing and could cause extinction of the Komodo dragon, but the increased acidification could also cause big damage, as it make the surface temperature higher, which may eventually kill the corals around the island and destroy the amazing diving sites.

Location

Komodo is one of the 17,508 islands that compose the Republic of Indonesia. The island is particularly notable as the habitat of the Komodo dragon, the largest lizard on Earth, which is named for the island. Komodo Island has a surface area of 390 square kilometres and a human population of over two thousand. The people of the island are descendants of former convicts who were exiled to the island and who have mixed with Bugis fromSulawesi. The people are primarily adherents of Islam but there are also Christian and Hindu congregations.

Komodo is part of the Lesser Sunda chain of islands and forms part of the Komodo National Park. In addition, the island is a popular destination fordiving. Administratively, it is part of the East Nusa Tenggara province.

Komodo lies between the substantially larger neighboring islands Sumbawa to the west and Flores to the east.

Ways to get there

Before setting out on your visit, and learning how to get to komodo,  it is important that you understand where you are heading and the easiest ways to get there. Komodo is in the middle of the Indonesian archipelago, and is between Sumbawa and Flores islands. The fact that Komodo is a UNESCO reserve for both a marine diversity and of course the Komodo Dragon makes this a growing tourist destination. The snorkeling and diving in the National Park is almost unsurpassed, and it is completely understandable as to why one would want to go. Now that you know where you are going let us discuss the best ways for you to get there. 

Any tour to Komodo will start and finish in Labuan Bajo. This is the main transportation hub for the whole province. There is the airport, ferries, buses, local boat service and multiple private car hire services.  With 5-7 flights a day to Denpasar and then onto international flights, it is readily accessible. There are daily ferries to Sape on Sumbawa and weekly ferry service to Sulawesi aboard Pelni. Due to time and accessibility, nearly all visitors fly in and out via Labuan Bajo Airport – it’s even called Komodo airport!

The personal way to visit Komodo is to charter a boat for at least 2 days with one 1 night on the boat. Certainly longer charters are available, and needed to see much more of the park. But to see the dragons, sleep in the park, visit a few beaches and snorkeling. Most of the charter boats are fairly small, with limited facilities, so any trip longer than 2 nights would require re-supply at LBJ. There are larger charter boats can go for about a week without re-supply, The small boats usually come with a crew of 2, captain and mate.

The boat choice is basically with or without a cabin. Boats with a cabin are usually a little bigger and include an upper deck sitting area. The upper deck sitting area is nice to have for photo taking or just escape from the boat’s noisy engine. Prices can vary wildly – but with good haggling you should pay about $300 USD for all food and beverage on the boat, including a full load of beer, sodas, and water. Komodo National Park Fees are not included and have to be paid directly to the park’s contract operator.

Things to do

1. Loh Liang. The activities you can do: observing the Komodo, deers, hogs, birds; canoeing, etc.
2. Pink Beach. The beautiful beach with the pink-coloured sand and alluring corals. The activities you can do: snorkeling and sunbathing.
3. Loh Sebita. Loh Sebita is a mangrove area, thus observing the fauna and trekking are the interesting activities you can do here.
4. Loh Buaya. The activities you can do: observing the Komodo, deer, buffaloes, birds, long-tailed monkeys and wild horses; canoeing.
5. Kalong Island. The activities you can do: observing numerous bats in a colony. The best time to do this is at sunset when all the bats start to fly off to haunt food. It’s just amazing!
6. Golo Kode. From the top of the hill known as Golo Kode, tourists may witness the enchanting panorama and fantastic landscape.
7. Molo Strait.  The strait that has a swift current like the river flow at its hight tide.
8. Cannibal Rock. Famous for its varied and colorful invertebrate life. Night dives are excellent, especially on the sandy slope of the northern side of the island starting at about 25 m depth.