Summary
There’s a pink beach on Komodo island in Indonesia that’s become famous for its light reddish sand color and turquoise water, and the good news is that it’s also pretty easy to visit on a day trip from the town of Labuan Bajo!
You might be surprised to discover that this beach is not the only pink beach Indonesia has to offer — several other pink beaches exist in the Komodo National Park and on the island of Lombok near Bali — but pink beaches are quite rare, and there are only a handful worldwide!
This travel guide will explain how to visit both of Komodo’s unique beaches — the pink beach on Komodo island and the equally famous (and more colorful) pink beach on Padar Island!
Where To Stay In Labuan Bajo
Where Is The Pink Sand Beach?
The pink sand beaches are located in the Komodo National Park, a group of islands in east Indonesia.
The closest city is the fishing town of Labuan Bajo in Flores, which has its own airport and plenty of hotels and restaurants to enjoy in between visits to the park.
How To Get There
The only way to visit the pink beach is on a boat trip from Labuan Bajo.
The beach at Komodo island is approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) away from town. The journey typically takes 3 hours via a slow boat or less than half that with a speedboat.
You can explore all the top sights of Komodo National Park (including the pink beach) in one full-day tour, or it is possible to stay on a liveaboard boat and spend several days sight-seeing!
There are numerous flights to Labuan Bajo airport (LBJ) every day from Bali, featuring a 1-hour flight time with several airlines offering ticket prices as low as 1 juta ($70 USD).
Getting to the Komodo islands from Bali is now easier than ever with AirAsia flying between them several times per week. Flights are also available to Labuan Bajo from Jakarta, Surabaya, Ende, or Kuala Lumpur. You can shop for flights at Skyscanner.
Once you arrive in Labuan Bajo, it’s possible to book a boat tour to the pink beach at the harbor, or you can book a tour online.
What To Expect
1. Pink Beach On Padar Island
If you’re looking for the most colorful pink beach Indonesia has to offer, you can find that on Padar island! The sand color here is actually brighter than the beach on Komodo island, and we even found a heart-shaped piece of red coral on the sand.
The color of this pink sand beach may be slightly exaggerated in the photos you observe online, but the sand definitely has a noticeable pink hue, especially on a sunny day. The red/pink sand color appears more vivid when illuminated by sunlight.
This pink beach sits in a secluded bay on the northwest side of Padar island, just a short boat ride away from the famous viewpoint.
The beach features a row of warungs (food tents), which can be somewhat inconvenient for photography, though they prove useful if you’re looking to purchase snacks, drinks, or souvenirs.
2. Pink Beach On Komodo Island
This second pink beach is located directly on Komodo island, the home of the famous Komodo dragons, albeit you’re not likely to encounter them wandering about since they typically stay over the hills.
The sand at this beach on Komodo isn’t quite as pink or red as the one on Padar, but it’s surrounded by tall hills and mountains, and the shoreline itself is aesthetically more appealing (sand color notwithstanding).
You can also hike up to vantage points for even more stunning views, and the warungs on the Komodo beach are shaded by trees, minimizing their impact on the scenery.
Which Komodo Pink Beach Is Better?
Between the two main pink beaches in Komodo National Park, determining which one is superior—the one on Padar island or the one on Komodo—is subjective.
The pink beach on Padar undoubtedly possesses more vibrant sand, yet the Komodo pink beach offers a more captivating backdrop for photographs, replete with steep hills and trees.
Overall, if you can only visit one of Indonesia’s pink beaches, I would slightly recommend the one on Padar.
Why Is The Sand Pink?
Pink beaches derive their color from foraminifera, which are microscopic red organisms that inhabit coral reefs and can wash ashore.
A pink sand beach is generally quite rare, and there are only a few of them globally. They are even rarer than black sand beaches.
Entrance Fee
FREE as of 2024.
While there’s no fee to visit the pink beaches, if you participate in a day tour, you may need to pay for Komodo National Park fees, as the beach is part of the park.
Best Pink Beach / Komodo Tour & Day Trip
If you’re seeking a reliable tour company for visiting the renowned pink beach in Indonesia, consider a top-rated Komodo National Park day trip with Klook starting at 600k Rupiah ($42 USD) from Labuan Bajo.
This tour encompasses the top sights in Komodo such as Padar island, the pink beach, and the Komodo dragon safari, and their prices are competitive compared to quotes we’ve seen for similar tours in Labuan Bajo. Positive reviews bolster their credibility.
We have utilized Klook for many tours and activities globally, and we highly recommend their services!
Is There A Pink Sand Beach In Bali?
No, unfortunately, there is no pink sand beach in Bali.
However, Bali boasts numerous beautiful white and black sand beaches and the Nusa islands. There is a pink sand beach in Lombok, although it’s not as impressive as those in Komodo.
If you truly wish to experience a pink sand beach, your best bet is to visit the Komodo islands, especially with the increased availability of affordable daily flights from Bali.
Labuan Bajo Hotels
More Komodo Travel Tips
Thanks for looking! I hope you found these tips for visiting the pink beach in the Komodo islands enjoyable. It’s undoubtedly the best pink beach Indonesia offers!
For further information about seeing the dragons and exploring the islands, consider referring to the complete Komodo Travel Guide!
