Overview
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About Komodo
Komodo National Park, also referred to as Komodo or Komodo islands, is a group of islands, located within the Lesser Sunda islands between East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara in Indonesia. Komodo, Padar and Rinca are the three largest islands and there are 26 smaller ones. The whole national park covers a total area of 1,733 km2, of which 603 km2 is land.
The national park was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo Dragons, that are known to be the world’s largest lizard. In the meantime it is listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site and it is dedicated to protect other species as well, including marine life. People all over the world know it for the Komodo dragons, but there’s more to explore!
In this guide, we’ll tell you everything about the best things to do in Komodo National Park – from the awesome landscapes to the incredible Komodo dragons and much more! Many full day trips take you to multiple different places from this list or you can join a multi-day boat tour. If you are curious to know more on how to visit Komodo National Park and participate in all these amazing activities, you can also read our Complete Komodo Island Guide!
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Meet the Komodo Dragons on Komodo Island
One of the most unique things to do in Komodo National Park is meeting the Komodo Dragons. They are the biggest lizards in the world and they only live in Komodo National Park.
For your own safety, those two islands are only accessible with an authorized ranger. With this ranger, you can do a trek looking for the dragons. Besides the dragons, you can see some other wildlife here as well, such as cockatoos, black-naped orioles and timor rusa deer.
Interesting facts about the Komodo Dragons:
- They can run up to 20 km/h.
- They can swim up to 700 m, but they don’t like it.
- There live approximately 1,500 living dragons on Komodo Island, together with other animals such as the timor rusa deer and approximately 1100 bird species.
- They can survive on only 12 meals a year.
- Komodo monitors are the largest lizards alive. They can weigh up to 100kg and being up to 3m long.
- They live on only those 2 islands of Komodo National Park and are classified as an endangered species.
- They eat almost every kind of meat: from small reptiles, to large animals, such as water buffalos. They are cannibals and have also killed human victims in the past.
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Visit Rinca island and meet more Komodo Dragons
Not only on Komodo Island, but also on Rinca Island, you are able to meet the Komodo dragons. Together with Komodo Island, it are the only two islands in the world where you can see these magnificent animals. On Rinca island, you would even be more likely to see them as it is home to a denser population of dragons!
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Enjoy the sun on a pink beach
Komodo National Park is home to several beautiful pink sand beaches. The beach gets its color form pink corals mixed up with the sand. There are only a small number of pink beaches in the world. So definitely a unique place to visit one on the Komodo Islands.
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Hike on Padar Island
Padar Islands has one of the most famous views of Komodo National Park. It is a short but steep hike of around 20 minutes to the top of the hill, from where you have this incredible view of the island. If you look closely, you can see that the 3 beaches each have a different color: Pink, black and white. As it is one of the most popular things to do in Komodo, it can get quite busy here. If you have the chance, we highly recommend you to visit this place during sunrise or sunset for the most magical setting.
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Swim with Manta Rays
The Komodo Islands are home to an incredible and diverse underwater world and fascinating marine life. At manta point in Komodo, you have a great chance of swimming, snorkeling or diving with mantas, but know that seeing them is never guaranteed.
If you are lucky to see these fascinating creatures, please respect them, keep an appropriate distance, don’t disturb them and NEVER touch them!
Go Snorkeling or diving
The Komodo Islands are home to an incredible and diverse underwater world. That’s why diving or snorkeling is one of the best things to do in Komodo. You will find colorful coral reefs, sea turtles, small reef sharks, thousands kinds of fish and even manta rays on different snorkeling and diving spots around the islands. It’s a true paradise for both snorkelers and divers. The most visited reefs are Karang Makassar and Penga Kecil.
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Enjoy the beaches of Kelor island
On Kelor Island, you can enjoy 2 beautiful bright white beaches. Bask in the sun, go snorkeling in the beautiful blue water and search for baby reef sharks! Ready to do something more active? You can trek to the top of the hill and enjoy a beautiful view.
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Join a multiple day boat trip around Komodo
A multiple day boat trip is an amazing experience and at the same time a great way to explore Komodo National Park. Not only can you visit the park at a pleasant pace and see more places with lesser crowds, you can also enjoy some beautiful sunsets and sunrises from the boat. It is at the same time the perfect opportunity to meet new people and enjoy a nice time together aboard. We highly recommend it because it combines a wonderful experience and your transportation around the national park!
Float in the Rangko Cave
Okay, technically Rangko Cave is not part of the Komodo National Park, but if you are in Labuan Bajo to visit the Komodo National park, you might as well visit this unique cave! Some of the multiple day tours, include a visit to Rangko cave as well.
The Rangko cave, also known as Goa Rangko, is a beautiful limestone cave, not far from Labuan Bajo. There are so many minerals in the water that you float by yourself and at the same time enjoy the mysterious silence in the cave. It is a very unique experience and a must-do if you are in Labuan Bajo. At the right time of day, the cave becomes even more magical, because the water seems to light up when the sun shines on the water inside the cave.
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