A viewpoint in a UNESCO National Park has been named the most beautiful place in the world according to Time Out and it features pink, black and white-sand beaches
The most beautiful place in the world is home to pink, white and black-sand beaches, according to Time Out.
The publication has announced a list of the most beautiful places in the world and at the very top of the list is The Padar Island viewpoint in Komodo National Park. Located in Indonesia, The Padar Island viewpoint in Komodo National Park has one of the most striking sights in the world — three giant bays of white, black, and pink sand in one frame.
As if from the set of Jurassic Park, the viewpoint boasts impressive panoramic views of the island’s unique, tri-coloured beaches and surrounding turquoise waters. The iconic destination appears on most Pinterest boards and travel influencer Instagram feeds, mostly due to the fact that it is a relatively easy but steep hike up a series of steps and takes around 30-45 minutes in total.
The island itself is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including sharks, manta rays, dolphins, and various reptiles, falcons, geckos, and green turtles. Most people choose to hike to the viewpoint early in the morning to increase the beauty of the view with the sunrise. Alternatively, the dramatic Indonesian sunsets are another prime time to visit the viewpoint.
The island is located in the Komodo National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is a group of volcanic islands, inhabited by 5,700 giant lizards. Due to their appearance and aggressive behaviour, they have earned the name of ‘Komodo dragons’. They exist nowhere else in the world and are of great interest to scientists studying the theory of evolution.
Alongside Padar, Komodo and Rinca make up the National Park, as well as some smaller islands. They are all located at the juncture of two continental plates and feature a dry climate with rugged hillsides and dense vegetation which contrasts the sprawling sandy beaches and coral-rich waters.
The destination is a popular diving and snorkeling spot, as the sea is home to an array of corals full of reef fish. Castle Rock and Crystal Rock are well-known spots, and divers often see tunas, barracudas and even mantas and dolphins. To get to the Komodo Islands from the UK, you will need to fly to Labuan Bajo, and then hop on a boat tour, from Labuan Bajo Harbour. This can be either via a ferry or a boat trip, and it will take around two hours to arrive in Komodo Island.
According to the East Nusa Tenggara provincial head of tourism, there is an entry fee for Komodo Island in Komodo National Park and it is differentiated into two categories for local tourists and foreigners. Payment for entrance must be in cash and costs IDR 600,000 (£30.54) for foreign nationals. This price includes an entry fee and snorkelling.