Komodo National Park. Place of pink beaches, legendary dragons, and exquisite scenery.
Abundant with unique wildlife, stunning landscapes, and pristine waters, Komodo National Park is part of Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda chain of islands. Famously known for its resident Komodo dragons, Komodo National Park spans 669 sq. miles (1733km2) and is made up of three main islands: Komodo, Rinca and Padar. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the main islands have diverse landscapes that range from dry savannah, scrublands and rocky hillsides, to unspoilt sandy beaches and colour-drenched oceans. Several islands within the national park are where the legendary Komodo Dragons – the world’s largest living lizard –roam. Komodo Island’s iconic Pink Beach is one of only a handful in the world and is a must-see of the region.
Komodo National Park is known for its exceptional snorkelling and diving experiences. This area is part of the Coral Triangle, which boasts some of the richest marine biodiversity on the planet. Visitors to Komodo can explore pristine coral reefs, swim with manta rays, and may encounter a variety of marine life, including turtles, sharks, Dugong, dolphins, and more than a 1000 species of fish. World renown dive sites like Batu Bolong, Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, and Makassar (Manta Point) are unspoilt playgrounds for nature lovers, water explorers, scuba divers and snorkellers. Making up 67% of the national park, the oceans of Komodo National Park flourish with reef-building coral – over 260 species, as well as 70 species of sponges can be found here. These waters are also home to 14 species of whales which make for majestic sightings and dive sites are suitable for all levels of experience.
The best way to explore Komodo National Park is on Aqua Blue, a 15-suite modern luxury expedition yacht. Accommodating 30 guests, this 60m modern yacht bears the elegant design fingerprint of Dutch yacht designer Cor D. Rover and consists of 5 decks. With 30 crew, the 5-star experience on Aqua Blu is exclusive, and so much more than simply a mode of travel. Throughout the 7 night trip, guests will be indulged with outstanding cuisine and breath-taking views of the surrounding seascape. Being boat-based means divers, swimmers and snorkellers will enjoy at least two dives per day, and will be able to access off-the-beaten-track dive sites.
An obvious drawcard of visiting Komodo National Park is seeing the Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. These ancient reptiles can grow up to 3 meters long, and roam freely on the island. They can be observed on guided treks with park rangers and are incredible to behold. The best places to spot them are at Loh Liang, the main entry point, and along specially designated hiking trails.
Comprising over 17 500 islands, the Indonesian archipelago is rich in history, natural beauty, biodiversity and adventure, making it a bucket-list destination for travellers of all ages. Aqua Blu explores the best parts of the Nusa Tenggara archipelago, including Moyo Island and Komodo National Park. Departure dates for Komodo National Park fall between mid-May to mid-September and voyagers will fly into Komodo International Airport which is found on the island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province, and will embark/disembark at Labuan Bajo/Denpasar in Bali.
