Undulating hills that mimic the surrounding waves are the most captivating element of Padar Island. This ‘Land of Dragons’ scenery is some of the most surreal and mysterious in Indonesia. Padar Island tour brings you to a primeval location between Komodo and Rinca islands in Komodo National Park. While Komodo Island attracts a more significant number of tourists, Padar Island makes the best destination to experience nature at its most raw state.
Once home to legendary Komodo dragons, none are left on Padar island today. Witness savannah-covered, surreal landscape fringed by bright green-capped (or yellow during dry season) mountains of fairy-tale shapes. Completely uninhabited, the island stands proudly in its ruggedness and lets its beauty and stunning atmosphere speak for themselves. The main highlight on the Padar island tour is trekking to the viewpoint.
Padar viewpoint
Padar Island tour offers trekking several viewpoints, but you should always aim for the highest. The trek is spectacular from any angle. And while it may take up to 2 hours to reach the top for some – it is worth it. The jaw-dropping panorama from Padar’s summit is the epitome of the Komodo National Park. From the top, you can see rugged brown peaks of the dry savannah contrasting with natural blends of the breathtaking tri-colored beaches of grey, white, and pink. As sworn by most tourists, nothing beats this Jurassic Park scenery that awaits at the summit.
Padar beaches
Unravel the beauty of the three different colored sandy coves, exhibiting hues of volcanic black, coral pink, and powdery white. These three Padar beaches with different sands are squeezing a central hillock covered in multi-shaded, green (or yellow) grasses, depending on the season. Padar island tour promises heaven for nature photographers – one rare, quirky, and unique island.
The pink-colored beach on Padar Island, being only one of the few in the world, gets its color from a mixture of pulverized red coral and white sand. The pink hues that make up the whole beach may not be seen throughout the day, but when it does, the view is spectacular beyond words. At the same time, the black-sanded beach is due to its volcanic origin, primarily made up of a variety of dark minerals. Finally, although found in most places in the country, the powder white-colored beach promises a magical final touch during your Padar Island tour.
Padar snorkeling
Due to its strategic location at the center of Komodo National Park, Padar island is protected from strong currents coming from the Indian Ocean. With surrounding waters relatively calm all year round, Padar island offers fascinating snorkeling and diving. No wonder, Padar Island tour often includes snorkeling in Padar Bay and on nearby islands. Batubilah Island is a unique snorkeling spot next to Padar Island, made famous by a wooden, 12-meter boat that sank nearby in 2016.
The wreck is already full of life, with barracudas patrolling the site, thousands of shrimp residing in all crevices, and batfish hanging around the still intact mast. Macro lovers will be amazed by the wide variety of larger fish on the hunt for crabs and shrimps. Snorkelers can be prepared to take in the beauty of the coral garden on the beautiful sandy bottom, home to all kinds of critters, and more sophisticated creatures such as cuttlefish and octopus. Frequent patrons of the coral reef around Padar Island include the large schools of trevallies and snappers.
