Komodo Island, Indonesia

Set right on the waterfront with panoramic views of the harbour, this beloved restaurant serves the freshest grilled seafood imaginable, sourced directly from local fishermen each morning. The Lobster Thermidor and chargrilled snapper with sambal matah are absolute showstoppers that guests rave about for years. Sip a cold Bintang as the fiery Labuan Bajo sunset melts into the sea.

This humble family-run warung tucked into a side street serves the most authentic Florinese home cooking you will find anywhere in the region. The nasi campur piled high with cassava leaves, salted fish, and fragrant rice is extraordinarily satisfying after a long day exploring. Mama herself greets every guest with a warm smile and ensures nobody leaves the table hungry.

With its bohemian rattan furniture, fairy lights, and gentle live acoustic music, La Bohème is the most atmospheric spot in Labuan Bajo for a relaxed evening meal. The menu creatively bridges Indonesian flavours with Mediterranean-inspired dishes, producing unique small plates perfect for sharing. Their passion fruit mojito is the best cocktail on the island — order two immediately.

As the sun dips below the horizon, this lively open-air seafood market transforms the waterfront into a feast of sizzling grills and intoxicating aromas. You simply point at the raw catch you want — prawns, tuna, squid, or whole snapper — and it's cooked to order right before your eyes. Eating here surrounded by locals and the smell of the sea is one of Komodo's most genuinely joyful experiences.

Perched above Waecicu Beach with sweeping views of Flores Bay, this luxurious resort blends seamlessly into its dramatic coastal landscape. Each villa features a private infinity pool and floor-to-ceiling windows framing the glittering Flores Sea. It's the perfect sanctuary to return to after a day of diving and dragon spotting.

Nestled among lush tropical gardens on Waecicu Bay, Plataran Komodo offers elegantly appointed villas built with local timber and natural stone. Wake up to the sound of the ocean and enjoy a candlelit dinner on your private terrace beneath a sky full of stars. The resort's spa uses traditional Indonesian healing rituals that will leave you completely restored.

Ideally located in the heart of Labuan Bajo, this stylish harbour hotel puts the island's vibrant waterfront scene right at your doorstep. Rooms are bright and airy with warm wooden accents and balconies overlooking the busy marina filled with colourful pinisi boats. It's an excellent base for early-morning boat departures to Komodo National Park.

Experience Komodo like no other guest by sleeping aboard this beautifully restored traditional Phinisi schooner that sails the national park's turquoise waters nightly. Each of the eight private cabins is thoughtfully appointed with hand-crafted wood finishes and premium bedding. Falling asleep to gentle waves with Rinca Island silhouetted against a moonlit sky is utterly unforgettable.

Walking among the world's largest living lizards in their prehistoric natural habitat is one of the most thrilling wildlife encounters on earth, plain and simple. Rangers guide you along forested trails on Komodo Island where dragons bask lazily in the sun, their forked tongues flickering in the humid air. The sheer scale and prehistoric energy of these magnificent creatures will leave you in complete, speechless awe.

One of only seven pink sand beaches in the entire world, Pantai Merah gets its rosy blush from red coral fragments mixed into the pristine white sand. The snorkelling just offshore is extraordinary, with technicolour reef fish darting through hard and soft coral gardens in crystal-clear shallow water. Arriving at sunrise when the pink hues are most vivid and the beach is blissfully empty is something every traveller should do.

The iconic hike to Padar's summit rewards every drop of sweat with arguably the most photographed panorama in all of Indonesia — three dramatic bays curving around volcanic ridges in perfect symmetry. The trail climbs steeply through dry savanna dotted with dragon blood trees, with deer sometimes crossing your path. Arrive for golden-hour sunset and you will understand immediately why this view has become legendary across the world.

Slipping beneath the surface at Manta Point and finding yourself face-to-face with a graceful oceanic manta ray is a genuinely life-changing moment you will treasure forever. The strong currents here attract feeding mantas year-round, making it one of the most reliable manta encounters anywhere on the planet. Even snorkellers at the surface can watch these gentle giants glide effortlessly through the blue water just metres below.