Last updated: September 2026 · Prices & availability verified for the 2026/2027 season
Last updated: September 15, 2026
There’s a reason almost every photo you’ve seen of Komodo National Park was taken from the same ridge, and it’s on Padar Island. Climb roughly 800 steps before sunrise, and the view that opens up below you is three bays in three completely different sand colors, curling away from each other like nothing else in Indonesia.
But here’s what most guides won’t tell you: the hike is more demanding than it looks in photos, and the light window for the best shot is narrower than you’d think. This guide breaks down exactly how hard the climb really is, when to go, how to get there from Labuan Bajo, and everything you need to pack, so your one shot at that view actually works out.
重點摘要
- Padar Island lies inside Komodo National Park, about 30 km from Labuan Bajo, and its viewpoint hike up roughly 800 steps takes most travelers 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
- Sunrise is the best time to make the climb, since the cooler air and softer light make the hike far more comfortable than the exposed midday heat.
- The summit view rewards you with three crescent bays in three different sand colors: white, pink, and charcoal black, a combination found nowhere else in the park.
- Getting there always means flying into Labuan Bajo first, then continuing by speedboat or traditional boat, since Padar has no airport or accommodation of its own.
Where Is Padar Island and Why Is It So Unique
Padar Island sits in the middle of Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. It lies between the park’s two largest islands, Komodo to the west and Rinca to the east, making it a natural first or second stop on almost every sailing itinerary from Labuan Bajo.
The island is famous for one image: the view from its highest accessible ridge, looking down over three crescent bays that curve away from each other like the arms of a starfish. Each bay holds a beach of a different color, one white, one pink, one nearly black. This is thanks to the unique mix of coral fragments and volcanic sediment that make up the sand. It’s the most photographed viewpoint in the national park and, for many travelers, the single reason they book a Komodo trip in the first place.
One thing Padar is not famous for anymore: Komodo dragons. The dragons that once lived here are no longer found on Padar in any meaningful numbers, so dragon trekking happens on Komodo and Rinca instead. On Padar, the hike and the view are the attraction.
How Hard Is the Padar Island Viewpoint Hike
The trail is short but honest work. From the jetty at the main bay, a staircase of roughly 800 steps, a mix of built wooden and concrete stairs lower down and an uneven rocky path near the top, climbs to the main viewpoint. Most guests reach it in 30 to 45 minutes at a relaxed pace; fit hikers can do it in around 20 minutes, and families with children or older travelers usually take closer to an hour with photo stops along the way.
We rate it moderate: no technical climbing, but steep, exposed, and completely without shade. The savanna grass that covers Padar is beautiful, but it offers zero cover from the sun. A few practical rules our guides repeat every single morning:
- Bring at least 1–1.5 liters of water per person, there are no shops or water sources on the island.
- Wear real footwear (trainers or trekking sandals), not flip-flops, the upper section is loose rock.
- Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are non-negotiable outside the early morning hours.
- Stay on the marked trail, the ridgelines look inviting but drop away steeply on both sides.
- Pack out everything you bring in, the park enforces this, and so do our crews.
There are two or three natural resting platforms on the way up. The classic photo is taken from the highest one, but the second platform already gives you a view of all three bays if the final rocky stretch feels like too much.
Read more: How Hard Is the Padar Island Hike? Here’s Everything You Need to Know!
Best Time to Visit Padar Island: Sunrise vs Sunset
Choosing the best time to visit Padar Island depends on season and time of day.
By season:
- Dry Season (April–September): Ideal for clear skies and predictable boat schedules. Rain is minimal, and hiking conditions are at their best.
- Rainy Season (October–March): The landscape turns greener, but trails can get slippery and boat rides rougher.
By time of day, sunrise wins, and it’s not close. At dawn, the air is cool enough to make the climb genuinely pleasant, the light is soft and golden across the bays, and the crowds are thinnest. Guests sleeping aboard a liveaboard anchored off Padar simply tender ashore at first light, this is the signature moment of an open/shared trip or private sailing itinerary.
Sunset on Padar is beautiful too, the west-facing slopes turn copper, but it comes with two catches: the climb happens in the full heat of the afternoon, and boats need to return or reposition before dark, so visits are timed conservatively. Day trips by speedboat usually reach Padar mid-morning, which is still very good light and works well if your time in Labuan Bajo is short.
The Three Colored Beaches of Padar Island
The three bays you see from the viewpoint aren’t just a postcard, you can swim at them. Their colors come from different sediment mixes around the island:
| Bay | 沙色 | What Makes It Special |
| North bay (main landing) | White-cream | The arrival beach; calm, easy swimming near the jetty |
| South bay | Pink | Crushed red organ-pipe coral mixed with white sand, one of the park’s famous pink beaches |
| West bay | Charcoal grey-black | Dark volcanic sand; the contrast that makes the summit photo iconic |
Seeing all three colors from one ridge is what makes Padar unique, pink beaches exist elsewhere in the park, but nowhere else do white, pink, and black sand share a single frame. Itineraries often pair the hike with a swim or snorkel stop at Padar’s pink beach or the nearby reefs on a Komodo boat tour.
如何前往帕達爾島
科莫多國家公園的主要入口——拉布安巴焦，可搭乘船隻前往帕達爾島。但首先，您需要從印尼的主要城市搭乘飛機前往拉布安巴焦。以下是關於如何前往該地的所有須知資訊：
1. 如何從各大城市前往帕達爾島
您可以輕鬆從印尼的幾個主要城市前往拉布安巴焦，包括峇里島、雅加達和泗水。您只需搭乘飛往拉布安巴焦科莫多機場的航班即可。具體方法如下：
- 飛往拉布安巴焦的直飛航班：每天峇里島 努拉萊國際機場）、雅加達（蘇加諾-哈達機場）和泗水（朱安達機場）飛往拉布安巴焦的航班。從峇里島出發約需 1.5 小時，從雅加達出發約需 2.5 至 3 小時，從泗水出發則約需 1.5 小時。
- 抵達拉布安巴焦：抵達拉布安巴焦後，您需要搭乘船隻前往帕達爾島。船程約需 1 至 2 小時，具體時間視天氣及海況而定。
2. 從拉布安巴焦前往帕達爾島
帕達爾島距離拉布安巴焦約 30 公里，只能乘船前往。以下有兩種選擇：
- 快艇：前往帕達爾最快的交通方式是搭乘快艇。根據海況不同，船程約需 1 至 2 小時。
- 菲尼西船：若想享受更奢華的體驗，您可以選擇搭乘菲尼西船。這些傳統木船能提供更悠閒且風景如畫的航程，且常被用於科莫多島的觀光行程。
探索帕達爾島的最佳方式：參加科莫多島之旅
探索帕達爾島（Padar Island）以及科莫多國家公園 熱門景點最簡單且最有效率的方式科莫多國家公園 參加科莫多島遊覽團。這些行程不僅能帶您造訪帕達爾島科莫多島 Pink Beach其他標誌性景點。預訂遊覽團的最大好處在於其便利性——您無需費心安排船隻或嚮導，即可享受無憂無慮的旅程。
科莫多島 由Komodo Luxury提供的科莫多島 選項
Komodo Luxury 多種科莫多島旅遊行程，以滿足不同偏好與預算的需求。以下是您可以選擇的幾項最佳科莫多島旅遊行程：
- Private Sailing Trip: This is perfect for those who want a more private experience. You’ll have the boat all to yourself (or with your close group), allowing you to explore Padar and other islands in style.
- Open/Share Trip: Ideal if you want to meet other travelers while enjoying a more affordable option. This shared boat tour is a great way to experience Komodo National Park without the high cost of a private charter.
- One-Day Trip: If you’re short on time but still want to visit Padar Island and other top spots in Komodo National Park, a one-day tour is the perfect option. You’ll get to witness the sunrise at Padar, swim at Pink Beach, and snorkel at nearby islands—all in one day.
Can You Fly a Drone on Padar Island
Yes, but not freely. Padar lies inside a national park, and drone flights require permission from the Komodo National Park authority before you launch. Commercial filming needs a formal filming permit arranged in advance, and rangers at the viewpoint do check.
Beyond the paperwork, fly with care: the ridge winds are stronger than they feel at ground level, thermals near the summit are unpredictable, and a crowded viewpoint at sunrise is no place for a low pass over people’s heads. If aerial shots matter to you, tell your operator when booking so the permissions are handled before departure, our team arranges this routinely for guests on private trips.
Is Padar Island Open After the August 2026 Earthquake
Yes. The M7.7 earthquake of August 15, 2026 struck the sea north of Flores near Mbay, roughly 200 km northeast of Labuan Bajo and even farther from Padar. There was no destructive tsunami, only a minor wave of about 30 cm was recorded at the Labuan Bajo tide gauge, and BMKG lifted the warning within hours after declaring the tsunami potential over. The Labuan Bajo Harbormaster officially reopened sailing the same day (Maklumat Pelayaran No. 05/MP-VIII/2026).
Komodo National Park was never closed, and trips, including Padar visits, resumed on their normal schedule. Conditions across the park remain calm. Our thoughts stay with the communities of central and eastern Flores, where the earthquake was most severely felt. For the full picture, read our detailed report: Is Labuan Bajo safe after the earthquake?
前往帕達爾島旅行該帶什麼
在展開帕達爾島的探險之旅前，有幾樣必備物品建議您隨身攜帶。以下是一份清單，確保您已備齊所需物品：
- 舒適的登山鞋：帕達爾島的健行步道地勢崎嶇，因此請務必準備一雙適合岩石地形的合適鞋款。
- 飲用水與點心：島上沒有商店或餐廳，因此請為您的健行與探索行程準備足夠的飲用水和輕便點心。
- 防曬措施：請攜帶防曬乳、帽子和太陽眼鏡，以防烈日曝曬，特別是在攀登至山頂的途中。
- 相機／智慧型手機：面對如此壯麗的景色，別忘了帶上相機或智慧型手機，將這座島嶼的美景盡收眼底。
- 現金：科莫多國家公園沒有自動櫃員機，因此請務必攜帶足夠的現金，以支付門票及其他開銷。
造訪帕達爾島的旅遊小貼士
以下是一些實用的旅遊建議，助您享受一次順暢且愉快的帕達爾島之旅：
- 保持體能：攀登帕達爾島（Padar Island）的頂峰可能頗具挑戰性，尤其在炎熱的天氣下更是如此。建議在出發前進行一些輕度運動或健行，以確保身體狀況足以應付這趟旅程。
- 攜帶必需品：如前所述，請別忘了帶上飲用水、點心和一雙耐穿的鞋子。此外，請務必攜帶現金，因為園區內無法提款。
- Entrance Fee to Komodo National Park: Under Government Regulation No. 36/2024, as displayed by the Balai, the entrance fee is IDR 250,000 per international visitor per day, while Indonesian citizens pay IDR 50,000 per day and IDR 75,000 on Sundays and public holidays.
- 請遵循嚮導的指示：務必聽從嚮導的建議，特別是在徒步期間。保持水分補充，切勿匆忙——盡情欣賞沿途美景，放輕鬆。
搭乘Komodo Luxury探索帕達爾島
Padar Island is a bucket-list destination for anyone exploring Komodo National Park and Flores tourism. From the viewpoint at sunrise to the pink-hued shores below, it’s a landscape unlike any other. Whether you prefer a private sailing trip or a shared open trip, visiting Padar Island will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Ready to stand on that ridge yourself? Compare the Komodo boat tour and private trip itineraries, or message our Labuan Bajo team directly on WhatsApp at +62 811-3823-875. We hike Padar with guests every week and are happy to help you time it for the best light.
