There lies a pink beach on the Indonesian island of Komodo, renowned for its pale red sands and turquoise waters. The good news is that it is easily accessible on a day trip from the town of Labuan Bajo!

You might be surprised to learn that this beach is not the only pink one in Indonesia – there are several others within Komodo National Park, and Lombok, near Bali, also boasts a pink beach. However, pink beaches are exceptionally rare, with only a handful existing worldwide!

This travel guide will navigate you through exploring two unique beaches on Komodo Island: the pink beach on Komodo Island itself and the equally famous (and even more colorful) pink beach on Padar Island!

Where Are the Pink Beaches Located?

The pink beaches are situated within Komodo National Park, a group of islands in eastern Indonesia.

The nearest city is the fishing village of Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores, which boasts its own airport and numerous hotels and restaurants for tourists to unwind during their visits to the park.

How to Get There

The only way to access the pink beaches is by boat from Labuan Bajo.

The beach on Komodo Island is approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) straight-line distance from the town, taking around 3 hours by slow boat and less than half that time by speedboat.

You can visit all the major attractions of Komodo National Park, including the pink beaches, within a day trip, or stay on a boat for a few days to sightsee!

Numerous flights operate daily from Bali to Labuan Bajo Airport (LBJ), with a flight duration of 1 hour and ticket prices as low as 1 juta Indonesian rupiahs (approx. $70 USD) from various airlines.

Getting to the Komodo Islands from Bali is now more convenient than ever, as AirAsia operates several flights between the two islands weekly. Additionally, flights are available from Jakarta, Surabaya, Ende, or Kuala Lumpur to Labuan Bajo Airport. You can purchase flights on Skyscanner.

Upon arrival in Labuan Bajo, you can book boat tours to the pink beaches at the harbor or online travel packages (more details later).

What to Expect

1. Padar Island Pink Beach

If you're searching for the most colorful pink beach in Indonesia, look no further than Padar Island! The sand here is actually brighter in color than that of Komodo Island's beach, and we even spotted a heart-shaped red coral on the shore.

The photos you see online of this pink beach might be somewhat exaggerated in color, but the sand does have a noticeable pink hue, especially on sunny days. The red/pink sand is more vibrant under the sun.

This pink beach sits in a secluded bay on the northwest side of Padar Island, just a short boat ride from the famous viewpoint.

There is a row of warungs (food stalls) on the beach, which can be a bit of a nuisance for photos, but they are convenient if you want to buy snacks, drinks, or souvenirs.

2. Komodo Island Pink Beach

The second pink beach is located on Komodo Island, famous for its Komodo dragons. However, you are unlikely to see them wandering around here, as they mostly stay in the mountains.

The sand on this Komodo Island beach is not as pink or red as that of Padar Island, but it is surrounded by high mountains and hillsides, making the coastline itself more photogenic (aside from the sand color).

You can also hike to vantage points for even better views, and the snack stalls on Komodo Beach are shaded by trees, so they do not interfere with the scenery too much.

Which Komodo Pink Beach is Better?

Komodo National Park boasts two main pink beaches, making it difficult to decide which one is superior: Padar Island's pink beach or Komodo Island's pink beach?

Padar Island's pink beach undoubtedly has more colorful sand, but Komodo's pink beach offers a prettier backdrop for photos, thanks to its steep hills and trees.

Overall, if you can only see one pink beach in Indonesia, I would recommend Padar Island's pink beach.

Why Is the Sand Pink?

The color of the pink beaches is apparently derived from foraminifera, tiny red organisms that live in coral reefs and are washed ashore.

Pink beaches are generally very rare, with only a few existing worldwide, making them even rarer than black beaches.

Entrance Fees

Free of charge from 2024 onwards.

There is no fee to visit the pink beaches, but if you join a day tour, you may need to pay for Komodo National Park fees, as the beaches are part of the park.

I have explained the park fees in detail in my comprehensive travel guide to Komodo Island.