Indonesia's Most Iconic Viewpoint
There are few places on Earth where nature has arranged such a dramatic display of contrasts in such a compact canvas. Padar Island — the third-largest island in Komodo National Park — rises from the Flores Sea like a sleeping dragon, its razor-sharp ridgeline carving the sky into sections of brilliant blue. From its summit, you gaze down upon not one but three separate bays, each fringed by a different coloured beach: creamy white sand to the north, a rare blush of pink coral sand to the south-east, and a dramatic stretch of volcanic black sand tucked into the western cove. This triptych of colours, set against the emerald savannah hillsides and the deep sapphire ocean, is without question the most photographed panorama in all of Indonesia — and one of the most shared travel images in the world.
The trek to the top is Padar's rite of passage. Approximately 800 carefully laid stone steps wind upward from the small wooden jetty where Behike Cruise deploys its tender boat. Most travellers complete the ascent in 20 to 30 minutes, though the wise start before dawn — departing the phinisi at 5:00 AM — to reach the summit in time for the sunrise. As the first golden rays break over the eastern horizon, the entire landscape ignites: the water shifts from deep indigo to luminous turquoise, the savannah grass flushes amber and gold, and the silhouettes of neighbouring islands emerge from the morning haze like fragments of a lost world. At that moment, standing atop Padar with the warm tropical wind on your face, you understand why this island has become a symbol of Indonesian natural beauty recognised across the globe.
Padar was not always the picture-perfect paradise it is today. In the 1980s, the island's population of Komodo dragons was believed to have died out due to the depletion of their prey base. However, through decades of careful conservation by the Komodo National Park Authority and the Indonesian government, the island's ecosystem has been restored to a thriving state. Today, Timor deer graze on the hillsides, raptors circle the thermals above the ridgeline, and the surrounding waters are a sanctuary for reef sharks, eagle rays, and sea turtles. The conservation success of Padar is a testament to what is possible when nature is given the space to heal — and visiting responsibly with operators like Behike Cruise ensures that this fragile beauty endures for generations.
After the descent, your Behike Cruise experience continues at sea. Our crew prepares a gourmet breakfast on the open-air deck as the phinisi glides toward the next destination. Many guests describe the Padar sunrise trek as the single most powerful moment of their Komodo voyage — a memory that defines their entire trip to Labuan Bajo. Whether you are a seasoned trekker or a first-time adventurer, Padar Island will leave you breathless in every sense of the word.