Kimmie

Island hopping in Komodo is a breathtaking experience. Surrounded by the deep blue sea, countless tiny uninhabited islands, and dramatic mountains, you sail from one island to another while soaking in the most stunning views. A tour through Komodo National Park truly deserves a place on your bucket list, as it is an incredible and unique adventure. The park, located in Indonesia, consists of several islands and feels almost surreal in its beauty. After a one-hour flight from Bali, we arrived in Flores, in the small port town of Labuan Bajo—the gateway to the Komodo Islands.

Komodo National Park includes the three main islands of Rinca, Padar, and Komodo. The park is most famous for the Komodo dragon, an endangered species with only a few thousand left in the world. Since 1986, Komodo Island has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site to ensure the protection of these unique animals.

Upon arrival, we met our tour guide, who escorted us to our boat, named the Mona Lisa. For the next three days, we would live the boat life and explore the islands. Our first stop was Batu Bolong, where we snorkelled above the coral reef. Although some of the coral was unfortunately damaged, the experience was still spectacular. According to CNN Travel, the Komodo Islands rank as the second-best snorkelling destination in the world, and we can confirm that the underwater world is stunning. We saw countless colourful fish and even swam alongside a turtle for a while. Despite the strong current, snorkelling felt calm and peaceful, and the current brought plenty of food for marine life, making the area vibrant and full of movement.

The next morning, we woke up before sunrise to hike up to a spectacular viewpoint on Padar Island. From the top, you can see three different beaches at once: one with white sand, one pink, and one black. The pink beach gets its unusual colour from finely crushed pieces of coral that wash onto the shore. After the hike, we relaxed on the beach and snorkelled for a while.

Later that afternoon, we headed to Komodo Island. Nearby Rinca Island, a National Park guide takes visitors along a hiking trail in search of Komodo dragons. We were slightly disappointed because the heat kept most dragons in hiding, and we only saw two. Our guide also didn’t explain much, while other groups were getting interesting stories. Afterward, I spoke to a super-friendly guide who told us that children from nearby villages grow up playing around Komodo dragons—a surprising and fascinating insight.

The following day, we visited Manta Ray Point, where we were lucky enough to spot three mantas. We had been told that hardly any mantas had been seen in the last few weeks, so our expectations were low. As soon as our guide saw them, he urged us into the water—even before we were fully ready. The mantas measured from two to three meters and were incredible to see up close. Swimming alongside them was truly unforgettable.

On our final evening, we visited Flying Fox Island with no idea what to expect. Our boat guide mentioned we might see some bats, but we were not prepared for the breathtaking sight of thousands of bats filling the sky as they flew from the island to the mainland in search of food. They sleep during the day and depart minutes after sunset, creating a spectacular, moving cloud across the horizon.

All in all, these few days were fantastic. Between the activities, we also enjoyed relaxing moments on the boat, reading, and soaking in the peaceful surroundings. It was an unforgettable adventure and an experience we would recommend to anyone.