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The Komodo Islands in Indonesia are like a dream come true. Meet real-life dragons - the Komodo dragons, right in their natural home. Dive into crystal-clear waters for amazing snorkeling and diving adventures. The beaches here are like paintings with pink sands and stunning views. And the sunrises and sunsets? Unbelievably beautiful, turning the sky into a colorful masterpiece every day. The Komodo Islands aren't just a place; they're a magical experience where nature and adventure meet. Every view and experience is breathtaking!
After touching down in Labuan Bajo around 6pm, we settled into our hotel near the airport for the night. The Komodo Island boat tours offer something for everyone. You can cram the highlights into a thrilling one-day adventure, or spread it out for a more relaxed three-day exploration. To truly soak in everything these islands have to offer, the three-day option is highly recommended. Here's a peek at what a typical three-day itinerary might look like.
Your friendly boat tour guide will greet you right at your hotel or a designated pickup point at Labuan Bajo Harbor. From there, a quick hop on a smaller motorboat will whisk you away to the main tour boat and the start of your Komodo adventure!
Day 1: Kelor Island – Manjarite Island – Kalong Island
Kelor Island beckons as your first stop after setting sail! Here, you can unwind on the pristine beach, feeling the soft sand between your toes. Or, a short hike up the hill rewards you with mesmerizing panoramic views. I decided to just do both :)
After soaking up the sun and exploring Kelor Island for an hour or so, it's back to the boat for a delicious lunch refuel. With bellies full and happy hearts, set sail for Manjarite Island, your next adventure!
Manjarite Island was our first snorkeling stop, and let me tell you, it was incredible! No exaggeration here, the Komodo Islands truly spoiled me rotten with their underwater wonders, and Manjarite was just the first glimpse. Crystal-clear water revealed a whole new world under the waves. We spent an hour exploring the amazing coral reefs before hopping back on the boat for a quick coffee break.
Our island hopping adventure for the day came to a close with a refreshing coffee break. But the fun wasn't over yet! We kicked back on the boat's deck, anticipation building as we waited for a picture-perfect sunset. Our destination? The Kalong Island. Our captain steered towards Kalong Island, where as the sun dipped below the horizon, millions of flying bats would take flight, creating a magnificent spectacle against the vibrant sky.
Dinner followed. We shared stories and laughter under the stars with our new travel buddies, then hit the hay for an early start the next day.
Day 2: Padar Island – Long Beach/Pink Beach – Komodo Island – Taka Makassar – Manta Point
Day 2 brought an early wake-up call as our boat cruised towards Padar Island. The anticipation was electric as multiple boats gathered near the island's beaches, all their passengers eager to witness the breathtaking sunrise from atop Padar's majestic hill.
Heads up for photographers! Weekends at Padar can get crowded, making it a bit tricky to capture those picture-perfect shots.
But trust me, the hike itself is worth it. The view from Padar Hill is absolutely stunning and easily one of my most cherished experiences.
Cameras clicked away as we captured stunning photos from Padar's summit. Bellies rumbling after our climb, we headed back to the boat for a delicious breakfast to fuel us for our next adventure: the Pink Beach! The cruise from Padar to Long Beach was a tranquil affair. Several boats accompanied us, maintaining a comfortable distance that ensured both privacy and a sense of community amidst the vastness of the sea.
Living up to its name, the Pink beach is actually pink because of tiny red organisms called the Foraminifera. The beach is even more breathtaking when you add the turquoise blue ocean lapping at its shore. A sight for sore eyes.
After snapping some photos on the shore with its incredible pink sand, we plunged into the crystal-clear water. Remember how I said the underwater world gets better with each stop? Pink Beach did not disappoint! The corals, anemones, and fish create an unimaginable riot of colors underwater.
My heart was so full at the end of it.
After an hour lost in the underwater wonderland, we surfaced with rumbling tummies. A delicious lunch awaited us back on the boat, refueling us for our next adventure: Rinka Island. Lace up your boots and get ready to explore Rinca Island, another jewel in the crown of Komodo National Park. Guided tours led by experienced forest officers will take you trekking through this diverse terrain, all while keeping an eye out for the real stars of the show: the Komodo dragons!
Next Stop Taka Makassar. Taka Makassar is a sandbar in the middle of the sea. This island is special because it only emerges during low tide. When the tide rises, it disappears back underwater.
We relaxed for a bit on Taka Makassar's beach. While at it, our captain had exciting news! Manta rays were spotted feeding at Manta Point, and we didn't want to miss this incredible opportunity. With a quick change of plans, we set sail for Manta Point eager to witness these majestic creatures.
The sight of manta rays gracefully gliding through the water was truly mesmerizing. As I watched them dance and tease, it felt like a real-life scene straight out of "The Little Mermaid" with "Under the Sea" playing in the background (well, almost!).
After meeting the Rays, we snorkeled around the area for the most colorful corals so far.
Day 2 might have been jam-packed, but it was an absolute winner! We squeezed in so much adventure, from the breathtaking sunrise at Padar to the magical encounter with manta rays at Manta Point. This day definitely takes the crown as the best of the entire 3-day trip, hands down!
We capped off the night with delicious food, good company, and of course, some epic karaoke sessions with our new travel buddies and the amazing boat crew! It was the perfect way to unwind and share stories under the stars.
Day 3: Kanawa Island
Two epic days down, and I wasn't sure anything could top them. But Kanawa Island? Let me tell you, it was a whole new level of awesome. Every snorkel on this trip has been like swimming into a different aquarium, and Kanawa was the grand finale I never knew I needed. As an aquarium nut, this place blew my mind. Schools of fish, more colorful than anything I've ever seen, darted around the coral reefs. It was like living wallpaper! I got so caught up in the spectacle, I almost forgot I'm not exactly a mermaid and drifted a little too close for comfort. Let's just say, the underwater world at Kanawa is enough to make anyone want to sprout gills!
