Like a bee to the honey pot, some destinations lure you back—Komodo Marine National Park is one of those gems that it’s impossible to stay away from. I was there in 2022—Wise Traveller article ‘Where Lizards Rule’ and couldn't wait to return.
Located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores in Indonesia, it's a wonderland above and below the azure water—red volcanic hills of forests, savannah and mangroves dot the Coral Triangle of the Asia Pacific, where one of the world's richest and most diverse marine life play beneath the water's sparkling surface. You don't have to be a scuba diver to get up close and personal with the locals and their fairytale underwater rainbow homes. The coral dazzles and the abundance of sea creatures will leave you amazed. Blood-red sunsets varnish perfectly still water at the end of the day.
Komodo Island Resort is tucked away in a bay on Sebayur Island, right in the heart of an underwater world that defies belief for both divers and snorkelers. This privately owned retreat allows you to dive or snorkel all day, hide in the shade of a tree on a sun lounge when you need time out, or indulge in a beer or cocktail at the beach bar at any time of the day with your feet buried in warm white sand. Hunger pangs are taken care of in the large open-air restaurant strategically placed to take full advantage of the sublime view over the water. A stay includes 3 meals daily that will have you drooling. Meals are a la carte, showcasing Indonesian staples and Western favorites with plenty of chili sauce on the side if desired. Think along the lines of nasi goreng, mie goreng, or a hamburger. There's a different menu for dinner from that of lunch. Breakfast is a feast of items, from eggs cooked how you like to luscious pancakes dribbled with honey. For the dedicated sweet lover, there is a tiramisu delightfully based on Oreo biscuits that is to die for—you can thank the chef for that creation of mouthwatering goodness.
The Spa & Wellness Center feeds your skin with locally sourced oils and herbs used in traditional therapies and holistic healing that leave your body glowing and relaxed, especially after a hectic day under a tropical sun. From massages to aromatherapy and reflexology, your mind can float away on a tide of blissful serenity.
You can roll out of a super comfy bed in your bungalow straight into the water each morning without a care in the world or jump from the end of the jetty into startling clear water to be greeted by a mass of angelfish before you down that first cup of coffee. Each wooden bungalow faces the white sand and expanse of blue sea—a picturesque view to the start of a day. Each hut has been thoughtfully planned, from the private balconies to the huge bathrooms—big enough to do a dance in and wash out your snorkeling gear with plenty of room to leave them to dry. The air conditioning is whisper quiet, perfect for afternoon naps in the cool, and the mosquito netting over the comfy bed gives a rustic, romantic ambiance. Foot wash basins sit at the bottom of stairs, lounge chairs decorate the verandahs, and personal sun loungers perch on the foreshore of this boutique resort of merely 26 bungalows. From the unintrusive surrounding sounds of nature at night to the early morning bird calls in tune with the gentle lapping of the sea, it's a lux beach stay of indulgence. Different configurations allow accommodation for singles, couples, and families with kids in tow, with the top of the range being a 'Presidential Suite' for the ultimate beachside relaxation.
Komodo Island Resort has one of the best, if not the best, house reef that I have ever seen. It stretches for a kilometer on its wet doorstep of this biodiversity hotspot (76% of known coral species, 37% of coral reef fish species). The underwater world is mind-boggling whether you are scuba diving or snorkeling. Snorkeling all day from the steps of the Resort's stunning beach is possible. If the current is a bit on the strong side, you can get a lift in a rubber dingy to one end of the house reef, jump in the water, and then drift back along the coral edge with minimal effort. If you are lucky, you may come across a super inquisitive reef fish that I had a crazy fishy moment with—he or maybe it was she—ogled me like a staring contest to see who would blink first. Between the ogling, the fish would do a little happy dance in a circle and come back to face me, a little bit closer each time. I promise I wasn’t suffering from ‘nitrogen narcosis’, or what is often referred to as the ‘martini effect’ from scuba diving.
There are plenty of snorkeling destinations to be reached by boat on a snorkeling trip with a guide: swim with the Manta Rays gliding through the water at Manta Point, gawk at the turtles slowly paddling around at Turtle City or Siaba Besar, peek at the vibrant coral in the shallows of Pink Beach, or head to Batu Bolong where the big fish (think large reef fish and sharks) hang out.
Komodo Island Resort has its own PADI 5-star dive operation for the experienced diver, or for the novice wishing to learn—courses are in English, Italian, Indonesian, and Chinese. The dive center offers equipment hire, experienced dive instructors, and plenty of thrills to be had when under the water. If the shy water babies come out to play, you may see pygmy seahorses or an elusive dugong.
If you want to talk to the fish, Komodo Island Resort is the place to go.
Gail Palethorpe, a self proclaimed Australian gypsy, is a freelance writer, photographer and eternal traveller. Check out her website Gail Palethorpe Photography and her Shutterstock profile.
