Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Padar Island, located within Indonesia’s Komodo National Park in East Nusa Tenggara, has been ranked the most breathtaking viewpoint in the world by UK-based travel magazine, Time Out.
Known for its striking panoramic vistas of pink, white, and black sand beaches nestled in three separate coves, Padar Island topped Time Out’s global list of the most beautiful scenic spots. The viewpoint on Padar Island offers one of the most visually striking scenes in the world, three giant bays with contrasting beaches in one frame.
The island’s photogenic landscape, surrounded by turquoise waters and dramatic hills, has made it a favorite among travel influencers and Pinterest boards. Visitors can reach the summit via a steep but relatively short hike of 30 to 45 minutes, guided by a staircase trail.
Home to Wildlife and Dramatic Sunsets
Beyond the stunning scenery, Padar Island is home to diverse wildlife, including manta rays, dolphins, reef sharks, green sea turtles, geckos, eagles, and other native reptiles. Most travelers aim to reach the viewpoint at sunrise for golden-lit vistas, or during sunset, when the island is bathed in dramatic hues.
How to Get There
Reaching Padar Island requires several modes of transportation. The journey typically starts from Labuan Bajo, the gateway town on Flores Island. From there, visitors must take a boat, usually a speedboat or phinisi cruise for 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on sea conditions and vessel type.
Travelers coming from outside Flores can fly directly to Komodo International Airport from major Indonesian cities including Jakarta, Denpasar (Bali), Surabaya, or Ende. Other options include bus and ferry routes through Lombok and Bima, before reaching Labuan Bajo.
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Once in Labuan Bajo, travelers can board boats bound for Komodo Island’s Loh Liang Harbor or head directly to Padar Island. While speedboats are favored for short trips, those seeking a more luxurious experience often opt for traditional wooden phinisi yachts. For budget-conscious or solo travelers, open-trip boats provide a shared journey and a chance to meet fellow adventurers.
Although boats bring visitors close to Padar Island, reaching the famed viewpoint still requires a climb of 818 steps in total to the island’s peak.
Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Padar Island is part of Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses several volcanic islands, including Komodo and Rinca. The park is famously home to around 5,700 Komodo dragons, the world’s largest and most aggressive lizard species, found nowhere else on Earth.
The islands sit at the meeting point of two tectonic plates, creating a unique dry climate, rugged hills, and lush vegetation that contrast dramatically with their sweeping beaches and coral-rich waters.
(Raidi/Agung)
