Tucked away in the heart of Komodo National Park is the breathtaking Padar Island. Indonesian islands like these are an absolute dream for those looking for a unique landscape and mesmerizing view.
Padar Island in Indonesia is one of the incredible stops that you will make along with Pink Beach, Kanawa Island, Rinca Island, and Kelor Island whilst you make your way through the Komodo Island tour.
Don’t have time to read the full post? Book a Private 3D2N Liveaboard Tour or Epic Sharing Day Tour both with โญโญโญโญโญ 625+ Reviews
โตVisit Padar Island, Pink Beach and Komodo Island
โต Snorkel at Manta Point, Kanawa Island and Taka Makassar
โตLiveaboard Tour includes: Air-conditioned cabin, 3 meals and day and hotel transfers
โต Day trip includes Lunch and refreshments and hotel transfers
CHECK 3D2N TOUR AVAILABILITY CHECK DAY TOUR AVAILABILITYTo think that all these incredible destinations lie just a couple of 100 metres from one another is something that you just have to take advantage of when visiting the island of Flores Indonesia with a boat trip. It truly is one of the most beautiful island destinations in the world.
A Komodo tour is certainly not complete without visiting Padar Island (Pulau Padar in Indonesian). Not only is the hike to the top an easy one, but there are plenty of viewpoints along the way that you’ll be spoilt for choice with photos to choose from!
Komodo Indonesia is an incredible adventure for those looking to laze on a pink sand beach, snorkel in Kanawa, swim with manta rays, or get up close with a Komodo Dragon. Island trips like these are extremely special and definitely worth making onto your Indonesia itinerary!
Need Help Planning a Komodo Trip? READ THESE POSTS:
๐ READ: How to Choose the Best Komodo Islands Boat Tour: Everything to Consider + My Recommendations
๐ READ: Where to stay before your Komodo Cruise – The Best Seaview Accommodations in Labuan Bajo
๐ READ: 20 Best Things to Do in Labuan Bajo: Island Hopping, Dragons and More
๐ READ: Planning a Perfect Komodo Trip: Your Guide to the Komodo Islands
Padar Island Hike
I’m not too sure if one can really consider this a hike, but I’ll go with it. Upon disembarking the boat, there are a series of stairs to get to the first Padar viewpoint or landing, there are 3 more of these should you choose to go all the way to the top.
If you are able-bodied and can climb stairs then reaching the top is not a difficult task as you can do this in your own time. It is paved for most of the way, so the terrain is not difficult but I would suggest wearing a pair of closed shoes like sports trainers, hiking shoes are not entirely necessary.
Padar Hike Difficulty
I would say the hike is approximately an easy 3 or 4 out of 10 with 10 being highly strenuous and requiring special equipment. This is purely a steep walk.
How long it will take will depend on how many times you stop, which I highly recommend, because there are plenty of places to take amazing photos.
It should take about 30 minutes to reach the top without stopping, we easily spent more than an hour though stopping at various viewpoints to take photos ๐
Padar Viewpoints
As you ascend Padar Island, there are several stops, you can make along the way to take advantage of its incredibly scenic viewpoints.
Whether you favour the landscape or the ocean, it’s an absolute stunner.
It is one of the most beautiful sunrise viewpoints in Indonesia, and easy to get to.
Check out some of our amazing shots from this scenic adventure.
What to Pack to Visit Padar Island
If you are doing Padar Island on the Komodo Island live-aboard boat tour, then you’ll have all your belongings on the boat, but will only need a day bag to make it up to the top. These are my suggestions on what to pack for a Padar Island Komodo National Park day tour:
๐Lightweight day bag
โ๏ธSunscreen
๐Sunglasses
๐ฐWater
๐Snacks
๐ธPhotography equipment
What to Wear to Hike Padar Island
๐Lightweight quick dry clothes (It gets hot ๐ฅต)
๐Closed walking shoes
Padar Island Height
Padar Island reaches a height of 185 metres above sea level, which makes for an absolutely stunning view of the unique rock formations and landscape of the area.
Where is Padar Island
Padar Island is located in Komodo National Park. Indonesia consists of over 17 000+ islands, so finding this one is surprisingly easy. So, where is Komodo National Park? It is located in East Nusa Tenggara, Flores Island Indonesia. OK, that’s great but how do I get there?
How do I get to Padar Island?
Well, Padar Island will require a few stops or transits depending on where you are landing in Indonesia. Reaching the Komodo Islands in Komodo National Park will involve travelling by boat from the coastal town of Labuan Bajo.
How to get to Labuan Bajo
The easiest way to get to Labuan Bajo is by air to Komodo Island airport. The most frequent flights are taken from Bali or Jakarta. Bali to Komodo Island Labuan Bajo is only an hour’s flight. This is an idea of the flight schedule for the city of Labuan Bajo:
Flights from Bali
BALI TO LABUAN BAJO FLIGHT SCHEDULE
| Airline | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration |
| BATIK AIR | 8:00 | 9:10 | 1h 10min |
| 11:40 | 12:50 | 1h 10min | |
| 15:35 | 16:55 | 1h 10min | |
| AIR ASIA | 11:35 | 12:55 | 1h 20min |
BALI TO LABUAN BAJO: CHECK FLIGHT TIMES/DAY AVAILABILITY AND PRICES WITH 12GO
Flights from Jakarta
When I first visited Labuan Bajo, I travelled from Jakarta. Unfortunately, pre-covid I couldnโt find any direct flights from Jakarta (or I couldnโt find any :/) but now thankfully there are!!!
JAKARTA TO LABUAN BAJO FLIGHT SCHEDULE
| Airline | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration |
| BATIK AIR | 11:40 | 15:05 | 2h25min |
| CITILINK | 10:50 | `14:10 | 2h20min |
| CITILINK | 9:35 | 13:00 | 2h25min |
| GARUDA | 11:00 | 14:25 | 2h25min |
JAKARTA TO LABUAN BAJO: CHECK FLIGHT TIMES/DAY AVAILABILITY AND PRICES WITH 12GO
How to get from Labuan Bajo to Padar Island
To get from Labuan Bajo to Komodo Island (or any of the Komodo Islands), it will require taking a Komodo Island trip by boat.
๐คOPTION 1: Do a day trip to Padar Island returning in the evening and sleeping the night in Labuan Bajo at a hotel. A Padar Island Labuan Bajo day trip can also involve some island hopping.
โตOPTION 2: Doing a Komodo Islands Liveaboard Boat Tour whereby you leave Labuan Bajo and sleep on a boat whilst island hopping Indonesia’s Komodo islands.
PRIVATE TRIP VS OPEN TRIP: These tours have the option to be private tours, where it would be just yourself and a friend or your group of friends on a private boat, or what they called an open trip. An open trip is when you join a group of people travelling to the same destination and share/stay on the same boat. Private trips usually occur from Monday to Thursday, whereas Friday to Sunday is for open/sharing trips.
Both are great options, as there are some stunning sea view accommodations in Labuan Bajo, but sailing on the boat for 2 to 3 days is equally a magical experience. Check out my articles below for more insights into which option would be best for you!
Best Time of Day to Visit Padar Island
Padar Island is best visited first thing in the morning for a sensational sunrise, You don’t necessarily need to be at the top before sunrise, but the early hours as dawn breaks make for some stunning golden hour photography and watching the glow graze the landscape as the sun creeps in is a beautiful experience.
Padar Island Entrance Fees
The entrance fees for Padar Island are IDR 150 000 on weekdays and IDR 250 000 on weekends.
TRAVELIST TIP: I think here it’s important to note that if you are doing a day trip or Liveaboard boat tour, you should check whether your Komodo National Park fees are included or excluded in your tour price as they are often excluded. It’s also important to be aware that there are different fees for foreign tourists versus domestic tourists. There are also specific fees for the other islands visited as well as the activities on the island. Make sure these are clarified in writing before your trip!
Are there any Padar Island hotels?
Can you stay on Padar Island? Unfortunately, the answer is no.
You cannot stay on Padar Island. You can find incredible sea view accommodation in Labuan Bajo or the other awesome is to try the Komodo Island Hopping Liveaboard Boat Tour.
Best Hotels in Labuan Bajo for ALL BUDGETS
โญโญโญโญโญLUXURY: #1 CHOICE AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach (9.4 STAR RATING + LOCATION 9.4 /10)
โก๏ธCHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY: Agoda and Booking.com
โญโญโญMID RANGE: #1 CHOICE La Cecile Hotel and Cafe (8.8 STAR RATING + LOCATION 8.1 /10)
โก๏ธCHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY: Agoda
โญโญBUDGET: #1 CHOICE SEAESTA KOMODO HOTEL AND HOSTEL (9.2 STAR RATING + LOCATION 9.3 /10)
โก๏ธCHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY: Agoda and Booking.com
Best Time of Year to Visit Padar and Komodo Islands
The best time to visit Padar Island and the Komodo Islands would be during Indonesia’s dry season. Indonesia only has two seasons, the wet season (November till May) and the dry season (April till November). We visited in October and were happy with the lack of rain interference.
Padar Island Tour Recommendations
These are a few picks for Boat Liveaboard and Day Trips to Komodo Island:
LIVEABOARD MULTI-DAY TRIPS
Private Komodo 3D2N Liveaboard Tour (51+ Reviews) โก๏ธ BOOK IT
3D2N Standard Phinisi Sailing Komodo Tour (300 Booked | 13+ Reviews) โก๏ธ BOOK IT
DAY TRIPS
Open Day trip with Bintang Komodo (5-star Rated | 625+ Reviews | Viator Badge of Excellence) โก๏ธ BOOK IT
Private Komodo Island Hopping Trip (4.5-star Rated | 57+ Reviews | Viator Badge of Excellence) โก๏ธBOOK IT
Open Day trip to 6 Destinations in Komodo & Labuan Bajo (4.5-star Rated | 74+ Reviews) โก๏ธ BOOK IT
Are there Komodo Dragons on Padar Island?
The rare Indonesian Komodo dragon can be elusive here, so, unfortunately, you are very unlikely to see Padar Island Komodo Dragons. It has been mentioned that there are have been sightings on Padar, but they are more readily found on Rinca island.
Looking for more easy hiking adventures? VISIT EAST JAVA, Check out these articles below!
๐ READ: The Amazing Mount Bromo Sunrise Hike & 7 Convincing Reasons to Visit
๐ READ: Magnificent Madakaripura Waterfall: The Most Unique Waterfall in Indonesia
๐ READ: The Magic of Mount Ijen: An Adventure to a Blue Flame Volcanic Crater Lake
Other Things to Do in Komodo National Park
1. Rinca Island and Island of Komodo: See Komodo dragons in their natural habitat
2. Bask on the sands of Komodo Pink Beach
3. Snorkel with gentle giants at Manta Point
4. Enjoy the colours and views of Kelor Island
5. Witness the sunset migration of the Flying-foxes at Kalong Island
Typical Islands of Komodo Itinerary
Day 1 โก๏ธ Kelor Island, Rinca Island, Sunset at Kalong Island
Day 2 โก๏ธ Padar Island, Pink Beach Snorkelling at Manta Point
Day 3 โก๏ธ Kanawa Island, Snorkelling at Siaba Island and return to Labuan Bajo
Padar Island Travel Tips
โ Book tours in advance
โ Charge your cameras and electronics
โ Wear lightweight clothing and closed shoes
โ Bring cash for tipping your guide
โ Pack water and snacks (there are no shops on the island)
โ Wear insect repellant
Padar Island and Komodo FAQ
I hope this travel guide to Padar Island helps you enjoy this incredible Komodo Islands adventure in East Nusa Tenggara Flores.
Let me know what you think and if you’ve visited before and planning to visit too!
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in the article have affiliate links, what this means is, if you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn some money to buy a coffee (woohoo!). Thanks for the support, Iโd love to keep making this content freely available to all. As always opinions and thoughts remain my own.