Komodo Indonesia

Komodo Indonesia is an island located approximately five-hundred kilometers east of Bali, and is an island secluded from the rest of the Indonesian islands. Its name is actually taken from its endemic inhabitants that have freely multiplied and developed because of its isolation, the komodo dragons. These huge lizards have found protection and solace in the island, which has been preserved as an Indonesian National Park; tourists should be very careful though as these species are potentially dangerous and close encounters sometimes lead to mishaps.

The National Park of Komodo Indonesia is not only the abode of the komodo dragons, but its surrounding water has also been the playground of Mantas Rays. Today, the picturesque island of Komodo Indonesia keeps tourist’s cameras quite full and busy, with the stunning reefs and amazing number of marine animals that makes diving experiences world-class.

Diving in Komodo Indonesia has been a famous activity for adventurous tourists, where they experience exhilarating drift dives, as well as witnessing the awesome collections of Manta Rays and the most beautiful and richest coral reefs of the world. Among the famous dive sites found in the surrounding waters of Komodo Indonesia include Gili Banta, Batu Bolong, Pantai Merah, The Alley, Cannibal Rock, Pillarsteen and Three Sisters, Seboloh Kecil, and Pulau Sangeang.

Komodo National Park is perhaps the main feature of Komodo Indonesia; it was established in 1980 mainly to preserve the komodo species; however, through the years its goals have expanded to preserving the whole biodiversity of the island, both marine and terrestrial. It was declared a “World Heritage Site” and a “Man and Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO in 1986; these indicates of the biological importance of the park.

Komodo Indonesia’s park also provides refuge for various other terrestrial species like the Timor Deer, orange-footed scrub fowl, and a prevalent rat; its marine wildlife includes over a thousand species of fish, manta rays, dugong, sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, and at least fourteen whale species. This rich marine life is harbored by the stunning marine environment of the island including mangroves, seamounts, seabeds, semi-enclosed bays, and coral reefs.

The island of Komodo Indonesia has been threatened by several factors, including the increasing strain on water resources and forest cover due to increased human population throughout the past sixty-years, as well as the present and continuing destructive ways of fishing from immigrant fishers. Presently, the PT Putri Naga Komodo and PKA Balai Taman Nasional Komodo are jointly making efforts to protect the vast resources of the park.