Home to the last surviving population of the world’s largest living lizard, Komodo National Park encompasses three major islands — Komodo, Rinca, and Padar — along with numerous smaller islands set in some of the most biodiverse marine waters on the planet. The park’s star residents are the Komodo dragons, prehistoric-looking predators that can grow up to three meters long and weigh over 70 kilograms. Guided ranger-led treks on Komodo and Rinca islands bring visitors remarkably close to these formidable reptiles in their natural habitat. Beyond the dragons, the park protects pristine coral reefs where manta rays glide through crystalline waters, sea turtles nest on pink-sand beaches, and over 1,000 species of fish create an underwater kaleidoscope. The viewpoint hike on Padar Island, with its three curved bays of different colored sand, is one of the most photographed spots in all of Indonesia.

Pro tip: Visit Rinca Island instead of Komodo Island for your dragon encounter — it is closer to Labuan Bajo, less crowded, and offers equally impressive sightings since the dragons are often found right near the ranger station.