Komodo National Park: Why Time Out Named It the Most Beautiful Place in the World

Jurassic peaks, pink shores, and dragons in the wild — here’s why Komodo reigns supreme.

In a world overflowing with tropical destinations, few manage to feel truly legendary. But Komodo National Park, a surreal stretch of islands off Indonesia’s eastern edge, has just been crowned “The Most Beautiful Place in the World” by Time Out — and for good reason.

Where else can you hike up jagged volcanic peaks, swim with manta rays, walk alongside Komodo dragons, and sip coffee on the deck of a traditional yacht while three colored beaches curve into one panoramic view? Nowhere. And that’s exactly the point.

Why Komodo? Why Now?

Time Out praised Komodo for its rare mix of biodiversity, dramatic scenery, and otherworldly terrain — all packed into one UNESCO-listed marine park.

But ask anyone who’s sailed it, and they’ll tell you: Komodo isn’t just beautiful. It’s alive.

Padar Island’s Iconic Viewpoint

The poster child of Komodo, Padar’s sweeping viewpoint delivers a cinematic panorama: three bays, each with different-colored sand (white, black, and pink), flanked by sharp green ridgelines.

Panoramic view of Padar Island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia. Explore these stunning landscapes on a private yacht charter.
The famous Padar Island viewpoint.

Wild Komodo Dragons

No fences. No glass. Just you, a guide, and the last living dinosaurs on Earth. Komodo dragons still roam freely across Komodo and Rinca islands—a raw, rare wildlife encounter you won’t find anywhere else.

Komodo is the only place in the world where you can see Komodo Dragons in the wild.

Pink Beaches & Coral Kingdoms

The park’s underwater world is just as spectacular. Dive sites like Batu Bolong and The Cauldron deliver epic currents, reef walls, manta encounters, and schooling trevallies that flash like chrome in the sun. And yes, Pink Beach really is pink.

A couple relaxing on the soft pink sands of Pink Beach, Komodo National Park, with crystal-clear waters gently washing ashore
Pink Beach Komodo. Instagrams favorite beach.

Liveaboard Access = Deeper Adventure

Time Out said it best: the best way to experience Komodo is by liveaboard. Boatique Charters offers private yachts and curated itineraries that take you far beyond the Instagram spots—to remote coves, hidden reefs, and empty anchorages you won’t see on a group tour.

Explore the islands with an expert local guide while your yacht is anchored waiting off-shore.

Why Komodo Earned the #1 Spot

Komodo National Park didn’t just top Time Out’s list because it looks good on a postcard. It’s the rare combination of visual drama, raw nature, and unfiltered experience that makes this place truly extraordinary.

  • It feels prehistoric. From the dragons themselves to the Jurassic Park-esque hills of Padar, Komodo looks like it never got the memo about the modern world.
  • The color palette is surreal. Pink beaches, black sand bays, turquoise lagoons, golden savannas, and reefs bursting with life. It’s sensory overload in the best possible way.
  • You can still escape the crowds. Unlike Bali, Komodo still has that edge-of-the-map energy — especially when explored by private yacht.
  • It’s adventure, without compromise. Dive one day, hike the next, then sip cocktails under stars. Komodo delivers real experiences with cinematic backdrops.
  • It’s not just a pretty place. It’s a protected habitat, a natural museum, and one of the last wild frontiers where humans are just visitors.

In short? Komodo isn’t just the most beautiful place in the world. It’s one of the last places that still feels somewhat undiscovered.

A majestic reef manta ray glides above a coral-covered seamount in Komodo National Park.
Swim and dive with giant oceanic Manta Rays in some of the richest waters on earth.

When to Visit Komodo National Park

  • Best overall season: April to June and September to November (calm seas, peak wildlife)
  • Manta season: Year-round, but sightings spike during the dry season
  • Avoid: January–March (monsoon season)

How to See It Right: Private Yacht Charter

Skip the crowds. Ditch the day-trip chaos. The magic of Komodo lies in the in-between hours: sunrise hikes, late-night reef dives, and slow sailing under starlight.

Boatique Charters offers a curated fleet of Indonesia’s finest yachts—from laid-back adventure phinisis to luxury liveaboards—so you can experience Komodo your way. No fixed route. No strangers on board. Just you, your crew, and the most beautiful place on Earth.

Or if you are just looking for a cabin and want to join an open trip to Komodo, we got that too.

Explore more of Komodo

See all the Komodo Yachts & Liveaboards

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