I visited this WHS in August 2018. Instead of opting for a live-aboard boat trip from Lombok, also due to the several earthquakes and tsunami threats, we opted to fly to Lambuan Bajo, Flores instead and based ourself on a diving resort island close to different areas of interest within the Komodo NP for 4 nights.

Not being much of a diver myself, I have to confess that the Komodo Dragons were the main reason why I visited and I had planned separate boat trips at different times of the day to Rinca Island and to Komodo Island. We were lucky to see plenty of Komodo Dragons on both islands even though the ones in Komodo were much more active when we visited in the late afternoon (top right photo). On both islands there are 3 types of guided tours (long, medium and short treks) and your assigned guide (armed only with a stick) will most probably do his utmost to convince you to opt for the latter two to avoid the scorching sun and to be as close as possible to the ranger station (where most likely you'll be able to spot deer and Komodo Dragons lazing about.

I've read several reviews on the web saying that most probably these dragons are fed on some day/days every month by the rangers/guides which explains why some of them keep coming so close. This may or may not be true but I wouldn't go as far as saying that they are 'drugged' as once they're fed it can take them as long as a month to digest the food. Moreover, even the motionless ones were very well alert to what was going on around them and like crocodiles, one of their main predatory tricks is to lay motionless (even for hours!) and pounce on their prey when they get too close.

In Rinca, our group opted for the medium trek to be able to also take in the panoramic sea views uphill. We saw male and female dragons, water buffaloes, deer, monkeys, kingfishers and herons. Most of the dragons here were not active. Females were guarding their eggs and males were lazing about. Only the juvenile dragons were moving along the water streams to drink. We were lucky to witness one male dragon attacking a zebra dove which happened to land to close to the dragon's mouth even though everything took place in a split of a second - too quick for photos or videos.

In Komodo, I went alone with a guide on the long trek and apart from the heat, I was rewarded for my efforts. Not only did I spot more birdlife such as oreoles, brush-turkeys and birds of prey but also more active Komodo dragons further inland in their natural habitat, a long way from any built structure. I will never forget the close encounter with one of the bigger beasts which at a certain point got fed up of my zoom lens getting closer and closer and opened its mouth wide.

The natural surroundings and wildlife alone already possess an OUV and are well worth visiting. But for me (as a non-diver), what really left me awestruck was the marine life and marine environment of Komodo NP in general. The best place to take in panoramic views of 3 different types of colourful beaches (black sand, pink sand and white sand) is from Padar Island (top left photo). The hues of blue in the sea are outstanding on a sunny day. Sunrise and sunsets are spectacular moments to be had every day with hundreds if not thousands of flying foxes/fruit bats coming in/out of the mangrove islands. Komodo island has a very beautiful white sandy beach (bottom right photo) were it is not uncommon to spot different species of rays or sea turtles.

Apart from the already splendid house reef around our diving resort with crystal clear waters in Sebayor Island, we visited several diving/snorkelling spots which were truly world class (if you're into diving/snorkelling - forget the picture perfect Maldives, French Polynesia, etc.). Not only were there endless varieties of healthy colourful coral, fish and marine life, but the water clarity was one of a kind. We visited Batu Balong (my favourite - literally it feels like an overpopulated aquarium!), Batu Simsia, Batu Tiga, Lohkima, Pink Beach, Castle Rock, Gili Lawa, Tatawa, Turtle Point (with hundreds of sea turtles) and Manta Alley/Point with drift currents which direct you towards land accompanied by flocks of eagle rays and giant manta rays (bottom left photo). Truly a spectacular top WHS.

Only negative point is the clumsy and confusing ticketing system for practically everything you do within the national park (from snorkelling to trekking). A practical solution would be to copy Raja Ampat's card system which was excellent and hassle-free.