Background
These volcanic islands are inhabited by a population of around 5,700 giant lizards whose appearance and aggressive behaviour have earned them the name Komodo dragons. UNESCO says they exist nowhere else in the world and are of great interest to scientists studying evolution; rugged hillsides of dry savannah and pockets of thorny green contrast with brilliant white beaches and blue water over coral.
The park, founded in 1980, covers the three larger islands of Komodo, Padar and Rinca and 26 smaller ones, 1,733 square kilometres in all, and protects one of the world's richest marine environments as well as the dragons. Wikivoyage counts more than 150,000 foreign visitors in 2018 and notes that the park boundary takes in part of Flores, where there are even more dragons than on Komodo.
- 1980Komodo National Park is established to protect the dragon
- 1991Inscribed as World Heritage and a Man and Biosphere Reserve
- 2018More than 150,000 foreign visitors in a year
Find Your Way Around
The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them
- 1Komodo IslandThe dragon trek with a ranger, first thing in the morning.
- 2Padar IslandThe three-bay viewpoint at sunrise.
- 3Pink BeachPink sand and coral for snorkelling.
- 4Manta PointSwim with manta rays.
- 5RincaDragons, wild pigs, monkeys and horses on the park's other big island.
- 6Kalong IslandThousands of flying foxes leaving at dusk.
Know Before You Go
From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides
Dragons, Beach and Mantas
From the GoGo Labuan Bajo guide · Open the Labuan Bajo Guide ›
- 05:30Padar Island Viewpoint2 hrsSunrise over three bays.
- 07:00Komodo Dragons Trek3 hrsWith a ranger on Komodo Island.
- 11:00Pink Beach Snorkelling2 hrsPink sand and coral.
- 13:30Manta Point Snorkel90 minManta rays.
- 17:30Sunset at Bukit Sylvia1 hrBack in Labuan Bajo.
Best Time to Visit
Best months: Jul. Rainy season Nov–Apr.
Typical highs
Climate: NASA POWER