Komodo National Park - Part 3
Our next stop on the tour was Komodo Island, where we were set to see the legendary Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. Interestingly, Komodo Island is one of only two islands in the national park that are inhabited by humans. Over time, the locals here have learned how to live safely and harmoniously alongside these powerful and prehistoric creatures.
Before I dive into Komodo, let me share a funny little moment from our previous stop at Pink Beach. Since there's no jetty there, we had to jump off the boat and wade through the shallow water to reach the shore—which was fine on the way in. But when it was time to leave, the tide had gone out and our boat couldn’t get close to the beach. So, our only way back was on a makeshift dinghy—basically a few blocks of Styrofoam tied together with a tarp on top. It was hilariously wobbly, and it felt like any slight move would send us splashing into the sea. But thanks to the crews' balancing skills, we all made it back to the boat dry and laughing. Definitely one for the memory books!
Back on Komodo Island—thankfully, this time there was a proper jetty, making it much easier to get on and off the boat. The weather had done a complete turnaround: the sky was a clear blue, and fluffy white clouds drifted overhead.
As we arrived, we were met by a local ranger who would guide us on a short trek to look for the dragons. We were told to stay in a group at all times, and two rangers came along—one at the front, one at the back—to ensure no one wandered off. Safety first when you’re in dragon territory!
We started walking along the trail, surrounded by native trees and the occasional flutter of birds. For a while, it seemed like we might not spot any Komodos at all. But then, just as we reached the water hole, there it was—an adult Komodo dragon, resting in the shade. Massive, prehistoric, and very much alive. The ranger immediately drew a line in the dirt and told us firmly to stay behind it. After hearing all the stories of how dangerous they can be, no one dared to test the rule.
As we observed from a safe distance, the ranger shared more about these fascinating predators. Komodo dragons are not only stealthy and strong, but they also have razor-sharp teeth and venom that prevents blood from clotting and causes a sharp drop in blood pressure. Even if their prey escapes, it usually doesn’t get far. The Komodo just follows the scent trail—blood and venom mixed—and will patiently track its prey for hours or even days. Nature’s slow, quiet hunter. There’s no known antidote for their venom, which makes them all the more formidable.
The tour turned out to be quite educational, too. We were shown empty nests, which sparked a fun fact—Komodos don’t build their own nests. They often borrow abandoned ones, or dig a hole if they can’t find one. The female lays her eggs and then leaves them unguarded. After about 7 to 8 months, the eggs hatch and the baby Komodos scramble up trees to avoid becoming a meal for other predators—including other Komodos. Survival here is no easy feat.
One oddly fascinating detail? Komodo dragon poop is white. That’s because of all the calcium from the bones they consume, along with uric acid they excreted. These dragons eat just about everything—except hair. We actually spotted a few white droppings along the trail, a quiet reminder of their presence even when we couldn’t see them.
Eventually, our tour wrapped up—no surprise here—at a row of souvenir shops near the exit. Haggling was expected, but we’d come up with a method we felt was fair. Since most of the stalls sold similar items, we spread out instead of crowding one seller. Once we agreed on a price for an item, we stuck to that price at each stall. That way, everyone made a little something, and we still got our keepsakes.
It was lunchtime by then, and we were served pre-packed meals that the tour had prepared for us. Just like at Pink Beach, we borrowed space from one of the small food stalls to sit and eat. As a thank-you, we ordered a few drinks, including some wonderfully refreshing fresh coconuts. After lunch, we were given a bit of time to wander along the beach, though we were reminded not to stray too far—Komodo dragons are known to visit the beach too. And sure enough, we spotted one! The ranger told us it was a young Komodo, calmly patrolling its turf.
Eventually, it was time to return to the boat and continue our journey. As we sailed away, I couldn’t help but feel incredibly lucky to have walked this island and witnessed its most famous residents up close. It was a wild, humbling, and unforgettable experience.