Padar Island: Iconic and Breathtaking Paradise in Komodo
Padar Island is one of the iconic natural beauty in Komodo National Park with breathtaking view. From the top of the island, you can witness three different colored sandy beaches (pink, black and white) on each side of the island while enjoying the sunset or sunrise.
To fully appreciate the island’s beauty, trek up over 800 steps to the summit. While it’s a bit demanding, the views from the summit are well worth it.
Along the trekking trails its like opening shield gradually. For example, in post 1 you will only see 1 beach and the other views are still covered by hills, until you reach the top, you will see the entire beauty of this island.
How to get to Padar Island?
Padar Island is usually included in Komodo tour packages, whether it’s a one-day tour or a multi-day trip. The starting point of this tour series is from Labuan Bajo; a small town in western tip of Flores Island and as the main gateway to Komodo National Park. Direct sailing from Labuan Bajo to Padar Island takes about 2 hours by wooden boat or 1 hour by speedboat.
Upon arrival at Padar Island, the first thing you have to do is register at the ranger station there, and of course, you will be assisted by your tour guide. Then, listen to the brief instructions and regulations of Komodo National Park before you begin your trek to the top of the island.
Don’t Get Overwhelmed! Here’s What to Know Before Trekking Padar Island
Trekking to the summit of Padar Island offers a unique experience for travelers. However, before you begin, consider the following as a basic guide for your stay on Padar Island:
- Follow all the regulation that have been delivered by the Komodo Park Authority or from the tour guide.
- Trekking in Padar Island will be on open savannah. it means that there will be no shade along the trekking trails. please prepare for the suitable dress to avoid the heat of the sun, such as: hat, sunglasses or long-sleeved clothes but still lightweight and suitable for the tropical area.
- Don’t forget to bring a bottle of water when you are trekking to avoid dehydration.
- Using sunscreen/ sun cream is advisable to avoid sunburn.
- If you feel you can’t trek to the top of Padar, don’t force it. Don’t hesitate to tell your tour guide to avoid unwanted risks.
- Taking photos or videos with your cell phone or another digital camera is fine here. However, if you want to use a drone, you’ll need special permission from Komodo National Park authorities. This special permit cannot be processed on the spot. This special request letter submission is required at least two to three days before the tour is started. This drone permit is valid for all locations within Komodo National Park. A drone usage fee of IDR 2,000,000 per day will apply. Drone pilots must also have a license as one of the requirement from the national park authority. So, if you plan to use a drone during your Komodo tour, please notify us as your agent at least one week before your trip so we can assist you with this permit process.
