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.
No time to read the whole article – no worries, I’ve got you covered 🙂
Here are my TOP PICKS TOURS that all INCLUDE PADAR ISLAND
MOST REVIEWED DAY TOUR: 1-day Komodo Open Trip with Bintang Komodo (TOP DAY TOUR PICK)
MOST BOOKED DAY TOUR: Full-Day Komodo Speedboat Tour from Labuan Bajo
BEST PRIVATE MULTI-DAY TOUR (2 People): Private Komodo Islands boat tour (TOP PRIVATE MULTI-DAY TOUR PICK)
BEST PRIVATE MULTI-DAY TOUR (Small Group): Private 3 Day 2 Night small group tour
MOST RECENTLY REVIEWED PRIVATE MULTI-DAY TOUR: Private 4-Day Komodo Boat Trip incl Labuan Bajo attractions
#1 RANKED TOUR OPERATOR: Komodo boat tour private charter by Indonesia Juara
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.
To 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:
READ: The Best Komodo Island Tours: A One-of-a-Kind Adventure!
READ: How to Choose the Best Komodo Islands Boat Tour: Everything to Consider + My Recommendations
READ: Planning a Perfect Komodo Trip: Your Guide to the Komodo Islands
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 couldn’t find any direct flights from Jakarta (or I couldn’t 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 |
{POST-COVID-19} Current Available flights from Jakarta (DPS) to Labuan Bajo (LBJ) Unfortunately flights are not always available daily. Will update as more airlines start flying this route
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.
There are two main options here:
- 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.
- Doing a Komodo Islands Liveaboard Boat Tour whereby you leave from 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 stay on the same boat. Private trips usually occur from Monday to Thursday, whereas Friday to Sunday is for open 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!
Check out the articles below to plan your perfect Komodo Trip without needing a Travel Agent
READ: Planning the Perfect Komodo Trip – An Ultimate Guide to the Komodo Islands
READ: Choosing a Komodo Boat Cruise – Everything you need to consider before choosing your boat tour
READ: Where to stay before your Komodo Cruise – The Best Seaview Accommodations in Labuan Bajo
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 makes 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!
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 🙂
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:
- Lightweight day bag
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Water
- Snacks
- Photography equipment
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.
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
LUXURY: #1 CHOICE AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach (9.4 STAR RATING + LOCATION 9.4 /10)
CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY: Agoda and Booking.com
MID RANGE: #1 CHOICE La Cecile Hotel and Cafe (8.8 STAR RATING + LOCATION 8.1 /10)
CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY: Agoda and Booking.com
BUDGET: #1 CHOICE SEAESTA KOMODO HOTEL AND HOSTEL (9.2 STAR RATING + LOCATION 9.3 /10)
CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY: Agoda and Booking.com
BOOK: Agoda hotels and Hostels in Labuan Bajo
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 Ultimate Luxury Tour by Indonesia Juara (5 Star Rated | 65+ Reviews | Luxury)
Open Trip 3 Days 2 Nights with Raja Bintang (Recently Reviewed | 4+ Reviews | 5 Star rated)
Private Komodo 3D2N Tour (5 Star Rated | 15+ Reviews)
DAY TRIPS
Open Day trip with Bintang Komodo (5-star Rated | 297+ Reviews | Viator Badge of Excellence)
Private Komodo Island Hopping Trip (4.5-star Rated | 41+ Reviews | Viator Badge of Excellence)
Open Day trip to 6 Destinations in Komodo & Labuan Bajo (4.5-star Rated | 35+ Reviews)
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 adventures? VISIT EAST JAVA, Check out these articles below!
Mount Bromo sunrise volcano hike
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: Kelor Island, Rinca Island, Sunset at Kalong Island
Day 2: Padar Island, Pink Beach Snorkelling at Manta Point
Day 3: Kanawa Island, Snorkelling at Siaba Island and return to Labuan Bajo
Padar Island Travel Tips
Book tours in advance
Charge your cameras and electronics
Wear lightweight clothing and closed shoes
Bring cash for tipping your guide
Pack water and snacks (there are no shops on the island)
Wear insect repellant
Padar 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, I’d love to keep making this content freely available to all. As always opinions and thoughts remain my own.
