Guide And Tips for Going on Vacation to Komodo Island Posted by Anzi B on Jun 28 2021
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As the name suggests, Komodo Island is the original habitat of Komodo dragons located in the Nusa Tenggara Islands, to the east of Sumbawa Island which is separated by the Sape Strait. This island is located at the western end of East Nusa Tenggara Province, bordering West Nusa Tenggara Province.

This island is also included in the Komodo National Park area which is managed by the Central Government. At least in 2009 there were 1,300 Komodo dragons that breed well on this island. In fact, coupled with other islands, namely Rinca Island and Gili Motang, the population reaches 2,500 individuals. In fact, there are also around 100 Komodo dragons in the Wae Wuul Nature Reserve on the mainland of Flores Island but not including the Komodo National Park area. Apart from Komodo dragons, this island also has a variety of exotic flora, Sepang wood is used as medicine and clothing dye. Nitak tree or Sterculia oblongata is believed to be useful as medicine and its seeds are tasty like peas.

In 1986, UNESCO designated Komodo Island and other islands in the Komodo National Park area (Rinca Island, Padar Island and Gili Motang) as world heritage sites because the existence of Komodo dragons can only be found in this area. The habitat of this endangered animal is open nature with grasslands, white sandy beaches and tropical rainforests.

Guide Tips for Going on Vacation to Komodo Island

Komodo Island has also won an award as the New Seven Wonders of Nature which is an award for the seven best natural tourist attractions in the world. The determination of the winner is obtained from the results of voting and research by experts. Komodo Island won the highest vote along with six other tourist attractions, namely Iguazu Falls, Amazon Forest, Puerto Princesa Underground River, Halong Bay, Jeju Island and Table Mo.

Komodo Island Main Area

Administratively, this island is included in the Komodo District, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province.

Komodo Island History

About 40 million years ago in Asia, a species of Komodo dragon appeared, starting with the genus Varanus, and then migrating to Australia. Furthermore, 15 million years ago these giant monitor lizards moved towards the area known as Indonesia today because of the meeting of the Australian and Southeast Asian continental plates. Komodo dragons are believed to have evolved from Australian ancestors and spread as far as Timor.

The Dutch named the island on the south side of East Nusa Tenggara Province Komodo Island in 1910. Initially, Lieutenant Steyn van Hens Broek tried to prove the report of the Dutch troops about a large animal resembling a dragon on the island. He then killed an animal and brought the documentation to the Museum and Botanical Garden in Bogor for research.

Then, Director of the Zoological Museum in Bogor, Peter A. Ouwens published Komodo dragons to the world through his dissertation in 1912. In his reporting, he suggested the name of the giant lizard Varanus komodoensis for Komodo dragons as a substitute for the nickname Komodo Dragon (Komodo Dragon).

How to Go to Komodo Island

There are several ways to go to Komodo Island, some of which are:

Go to Komodo Island By Plane

Now there are two to three flights to Bali-Labuan Bajo or Komodo Island-Bali Airport every day, each of which takes 1.5 hours. The airlines operating are Transnusa, IAT (Indonesia Air Transport) and Merpati. In addition, there are also twice a week flights from Kupang.

Go to Komodo Island By Boat and Motorboat

For sea routes, there are motorboats that connect between islands from Sape in West Nusa Tenggara every day if the weather permits. Another way is by PELNI boats from Bali and Lombok stopping Komodo Island every two weeks.

Go to Komodo Island by Bus

Land routes can be reached from Flores to the east with the route Ruteng, Bajawa, Ende and Maumere. Meanwhile to the west with a route a bit far from Flores to Maumere, Moni, Kelimutu, Ende, Bena, Bajawa, Ruteng and finally Labuan Bajo (Komodo Island).

Transportation on Komodo Island

To get around the islands around Komodo Island, boat rentals are available to join Live On Board (LOB) at a slightly lower cost. You can experience staying on a phinisi boat for a few days of adventure. The ship will depart from Labuan Bajo to Rinca Island, Gili Bola and other islands.

Komodo Island Hotels

• Motorboat Rental
• Komodo Island guard houses in Ecological style
• Komodo Castle Resort
• Bajo Komodo Ecology Hut
• Boat Accommodation from Labuan Bajo
• Boat Accommodation from Bima

Climate in Komodo Island

Komodo Island is influenced by the climate resulting from a long dry season with high air temperatures and low rainfall.

Regional Language on Komodo Island

The original inhabitants of Komodo Island are the Ata Modo people who still exist on this island. The majority of the inhabitants of this island come from Bima, Manggara, South Flores and South Sulawesi who are Bajau Bugis tribesmen. So, the language used tends to be Buginese.

Tourist Attractions on Komodo Island

Pink Beach, Komodo National Park,  Kelor Island, Kelimutu Lake,  Kanawa Beach,  Labuan Bajo, Liang Bua, Pantar Strait, Bidadari Island, Mirror Stone Cave, Nuhanera Maritime Festival, Samsia Stone, Sebayur Island, Crystal Rock. You can find the complete list of destinations on Komodo National Park here.

Malls in Komodo Island

Unlike other tourist areas, Komodo Island does not have a mall because most of the area is a savanna. However, you can buy various souvenirs at gift shops in Loh Buaya and Loh Liong. There are t-shirts with pictures of Komodo dragons and quality wooden statues of Komodo dragons for you to take home.

Culinary Recommended Places to Eat on Komodo Island

Loh Liang in Komodo National Park (PT. Putri Naga Komodo)

Travel Tips on Komodo Island

• Do not make sudden movements or noise while trekking because Komodo dragons are very sensitive to movement and sound.
• Should report yourself for women who are menstruating because Komodo dragons can smell blood from a radius of hundreds of meters.
• Go with a tour guide or park staff, so don't be alone.
• Komodo dragons are slow and lazy, but can be aggressive and move quickly when fed. So, don't give food or disturb the dragons.
• Bring a two-pronged stick when trekking, Komodo dragons are afraid of being bullied with a stick.
• Wear shoes. The islands of Komodo, Rinca and Pidar have 12 types of snakes and three of them are poisonous.
• Bring insect repellent or use mosquito repellent lotion.
• Most places on Komodo Island are savanna grasslands which are flammable during the dry season. So, it is forbidden to smoke and light a fire.

What You Need to Know on Komodo Island

Last changed: Jun 28 2021 at 10:35 AM

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