Labuan Bajo, the Wonderful Gate to Island Hopping

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Komodo National Park is one of the wonders that you must visit in Indonesia. This is the only place where you can see the Komodo dragon in its natural habitat. The park consists of several small islands. Unfortunately, for now, Komodo Island is closed for an environmental reason. But there are still many sparsely inhabited, some are even uninhabited islands in this park. To get to these islands, the main port would be at Labuan Bajo.

Sunset at Lawa Darat. via Odeal Odealborneo/Travelingyuk

This city is the main hub for everyone who wishes to explore the park. You can rent a boat, find a travel agency to have a tour, or generally find a liveaboard to Komodo Islands from Labuan Bajo. Apart from Komodo Island, here are some of the most popular islands you can easily visit from Labuan Bajo.

Padar

The iconic Padar Island. via Odeal Odealborneo/Travelingyuk

You must have seen the picture of this island when you research about Komodo National Park. Padar is known for its branching headlands with white sand beaches. You only need a short boat ride away from Labuan Bajo to Padar. You will be taken to the ascent point beach. You will have to hike a little and you will be able to see the iconic view from atop the hill. Just make sure you have your camera ready because it will be a huge miss if you don’t capture the beauty here,

Taka Makassar

The dead red coral at Taka Makassar. via Odeal Odealborneo/Travelingyuk

This is a small island off the coast of Komodo Island. Only a few meters across, this island is a nice spot to visit. Basically, Taka Makassar is a sand island. However, it is not just a usual small exotic island. You will find that the sand on this island shares an almost similar trait with the pink beach. The dead red coral mixed with the white sand creates a unique hue on this island.

Gili Lawa

Gili Lawa in the afternoon. via Odeal Odealborneo/Travelingyuk

Located just to the north of Komodo Island’s tip, Gili Lawa (or Lawa Darat) is an island with wonderful green hills that turn brownish during the dry season. The view here is as remarkable as in any other part of the park. One of the most prominent attractions in Lawa Darat is its sunset view.

Kelor Island

The small yet lovely Kelor Island. via Odeal Odealborneo/Travelingyuk

On the eastern side of Komodo Island, you can find Kelor, a small island with a stunning white sand beach. Many boats that explore the park specially berthing here for its wonderful panorama. You can’t simply miss the relatively long beach line with soft sand.

Labuan Bajo - fishing town located at the western end of Flores in the Nusa Tenggara region of east Indonesia (c) Shutterstock
Labuan Bajo – fishing town located at the western end of Flores in the Nusa Tenggara region of east Indonesia (c) Shutterstock

There are so many islands you can explore in Komodo National Park. The easiest way to do that is by visiting Labuan Bajo first and then go on a ship or boat tour to those islands.

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Indonesia Island Hopping komodo national park Labuan Bajo
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