Observations of Komodo warblers
The Komodo varan is the king of this archipelago and every tourist who comes here wants to come face to face with this gigantic reptile. These giant dragons inhabit only the Komodo Islands and a few other places in the surrounding area. If you want to see them in the wild, you need to head to this archipelago to see this endangered reptile, where the chances of spotting them are greatest.
In Komodo National Park, you will find two islands where you can observe Komodo warblers, the largest Komodo Island and the nearby Rinca Island. On both islands, you have to pay an entrance fee to enter Komodo National Park and choose one of the tours offered. It is always mandatory to have several guides and park rangers present to ensure your safety when walking through the park.
Although the chances of spotting Komodo warthogs are quite high, you still have to take into account the possibility of not seeing any reptiles. When walking around Komodo and Rinca islands it is mandatory to wear closed shoes, Komodo varanians are not aggressive, but in exceptional situations when they bite, they will use a very dangerous poison.
Snorkeling and diving
The Komodo Islands are a paradise for all lovers of underwater life. Whether you like to dive or just snorkel, you will find a large number of places scattered around the islands where you can enjoy unique encounters with underwater life. However, diving and snorkelling trips are slightly more expensive in Komodo National Park than in other locations in Indonesia, mainly due to the long boat journey to each site. You can also snorkel from the beach on many of the local islands.
Some of the most famous snorkeling spots include:
- Manjerite Point - A very popular spot near Labuan Bajo where you will see beautiful colorful corals. There is quite a strong current here, so it's a good idea to have fins or come by boat to pick you up a little further out.
- Manta Point - Manta encounters are unique, and it is in Komodo National Park that you have a unique opportunity to take part in this interesting activity.
- Kanawa Island - This small island is an ideal snorkeling spot at low tide, its waters are filled with small blacktip sharks.
Snorkeling Cruises
The Komodo Islands are huge and a boat cruise is undoubtedly the best way to explore them. If you only take a day trip to the islands, you'll spend much of your time in transportation and less time at all the interesting places. If you opt for a multi-day cruise with a stay on the boat, you'll also be able to watch breathtaking sunrises and sunsets every day, go swimming and, with a bit of luck, encounter dolphins or other marine mammals.
Best cruises to the Comoros Islands
Three-day, two-night cruises are the most popular option, but there are many other combinations to choose from. Luxury cruises on designer sailboats with beautiful private cabins are available, as are simple cruises with sleeping on mattresses on board for a lower price. Most cruises combine sightseeing, swimming and snorkelling, but you can also embark on a special diving expedition where the dives will be the main programme
Most cruises include all meals on board and entrance to the national park. You can get a cruise for three days and two nights from IRD 2,500,000. Almost all cruises include a search for Komodo or Rinca ravens, a sunrise/sunset on Padar Island and some of the beaches with the fabled pink sand.
Our personal tip is to cruise from Lombok Island (next to Bali) to Labuan Bajo port on Flores. This cruise is not only an interesting mode of transportation, but also includes most of the important stops in the Comoros Islands. It is thus a relatively convenient alternative to a domestic crossing to Labuan Bajo (the departure port for the Comodian Islands).
Sunsets and sunrises
Ever dreamed of watching the sun rise or set over tropical islands? In the Comoros Islands, spectacular sunrises and sunsets are an everyday occurrence. Many of the smaller islands have short walking trails that take you to viewpoints where you can watch the solar disc.
The most popular location for watching sunsets and sunrises is undoubtedly Padar Island. It takes about 45 minutes to climb to the viewpoint and from the top you can enjoy incredible views of the unique panorama of Padar Island and the surrounding islets. It is said that the sunrise on Padar Island is more beautiful than the sunset, but on the other hand, the viewpoint is also much more crowded.
