Komodo, Indonesia

Komodo is an island in Indonesia with an area of 390 sq. km. It has volcanic origins. Its population is only about 2,000 people. Komodo belongs to the Lesser Sunda Islands and is located between the larger neighboring islands of Sumbawa to the west and Flores to the east. It is part of Komodo National Park. The Komodo dragons that live here are especially famous.

The national park was established in 1980, and already in 1986 UNESCO added it to the list of World Heritage Sites for both its historical and biosphere significance. Visitors to the national park can enjoy coral reefs, mangrove forests, vast fields of seaweed, underwater hills and secluded coves. The park is home to more than 1,000 species of fish, 260 species of reef-building corals and 70 species of sponges. As a habitat, Komodo National Park was also chosen by dugongs, sharks, giant rays, dolphins, sea turtles and, at least, 14 species of whales.

But above all, tourists come here from all over the world to see places where the famous Komodo dragons live-whose body length can reach up to 3 m. Big and fierce predators, they can easily eat an adult human. When they lazily pass by, staring threateningly with their little eyes and sticking out their huge forked tongues, it’s not hard to imagine the power of their massive jaws and powerful claws. Much harder is to imagine that these, seemingly clumsy creatures can run faster than a dog. The dragons are also excellent swimmers; they easily travel from one island to another. Although the wonderful pink and gray beaches of the islands are open to tourists, you should always be careful and check that there are no lizard paw and tail prints in the sand.

Beaches on Komodo are sparsely populated and snow-white in color-like sugar. This is not the bleached quartz “sand” from advertising posters with Photoshop effects-here it is exclusively of coral origin and dazzles in the sun. For snorkeling lovers, there is a beach with a unique pink sand and a coral reef running right from the shore.

The views from the lookout points of Komodo and Rinca toward the neighboring islets, hills covered in an emerald-green carpet, and a sparkling sea take your breath away and set your imagination on fire.

The climate is among the driest in Indonesia, with an annual rainfall of 800-1000 mm. The average daily temperature in the dry season (May to October) is about 40°C. The best time to travel to Komodo National Park is considered to be the dry season from April to October.