Loh Liang Komodo Island: The Day We Met the Dragons
Komodo dragons are the world’s largest living lizards, found only in Indonesia on Komodo Island, Rinca, Gili Motang, and parts of Flores. Adults can reach three meters in length and weigh over 70 kilograms. They hunt using a combination of venom, strength, and powerful jaws. On August 11, 2025, our family visited Loh Liang, Komodo National Park, guided by local ranger Mr. Kardin. We saw four Komodo dragons up close, two male, two female in a single afternoon.
Arriving at Loh Liang
Loh Liang was our fourth stop of the day. We had started early from Labuan Bajo, climbed the long steps of Padar Island, and spent time in the clear water at Pink Beach. By the time our speedboat reached the jetty around 12:45 PM, we were already tired, with warm skin from the sun and heavy legs from the hike. Still, the moment we saw the island in front of us, the energy came back.
From the dock, it was only a short walk, about three hundred meters, to the entrance of Komodo National Park. This place is not only protected as a UNESCO site, but it was also named one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature in 2012. As we walked closer, the atmosphere changed. The air felt drier, the surroundings more open, and everything seemed quieter.
At the entrance, we met Mr. Kardin, our ranger for the day. Every visitor at Loh Liang must walk with a licensed ranger. The island is home to more than just Komodo dragons. There are also snakes, wild boars, monkeys, and deer. Walking alone is not allowed, and it makes sense. Komodo dragons can move quickly if they feel disturbed, and there have been a few serious incidents in the past involving people who were not with a ranger.
Mr. Kardin had a calm and confident way of guiding us. It was clear he knew the area very well. Just a few minutes after we entered the park, he had already spotted our first Komodo dragon.
First Komodo
We were lucky. Just a few minutes into the walk, we saw our first Komodo dragon, a male resting quietly under a tree. His body looked strong and heavy, with a thick neck, a wide head, and a long tail stretched out behind him. At the same time, he was completely still. His skin blended so well with the dry ground and fallen leaves that we almost missed him as we walked past.
Mr. Kardin gently reminded us to stay calm and move slowly. A Komodo dragon can react very quickly if it feels disturbed, and it is important not to attract its attention in the wrong way.
He taught us something interesting. Komodo dragons do not pay much attention to what is behind them. Their focus is mostly on what is in front. That is why the ranger always stands in front of the dragon, keeping its attention, while visitors stay behind at a safe distance. Mr. Kardin stayed between us and the dragon the entire time. He watched every small movement and even helped us take photos, one by one with our first Komodo on the island.
A little further along the path, we saw another male. This one felt different right away. He moved his head more sharply, and his body looked tense. It was clear he was not as comfortable with people nearby. Mr. Kardin noticed it immediately and calmly guided us away before the situation could change.
That quiet confidence, knowing when to stay and when to move, showed how important the ranger’s role really is. It is not just a rule but a genuine protection
The Legend of the Dragon Princess
As we continued walking deeper into Komodo National Park, Mr. Kardin began to share something we did not expect. It was not about safety or directions, but a story that has been passed down on Komodo Island for generations.
The rangers on Komodo Island are locals who believe they are spiritually connected to the dragons.
They are all locals who truly belong to the island, not visitors or workers from other parts of Indonesia.
Each ranger carries a wooden stick and is highly trained to watch every movement of the Komodos. As long as visitors follow their instructions, Alhamdulillah, no serious incidents have ever happened.
According to stories passed down from generation to generation, they believe that they are the twins of the Komodo dragons. That is why they share a special connection and deep respect for these ancient creatures.
Long ago, local people believed that Komodos were the twin siblings of humans.
A princess named Putri Najo gave birth to twins, a human boy, Gerong, and a Komodo dragon named Orah.
Separated at birth, they met years later during a hunt. When Gerong almost attacked Orah, their mother appeared in a vision, saying,
“Do not harm her, she is your sister.”
Since then, the people of Komodo Island believe that humans and Komodos are family sharing the same land, side by side.
Believe it or not, this belief shapes how they live today, respecting the dragons and protecting the island’s balance.
Female and Male Komodo
Later, we saw a female Komodo resting quietly, and according to Pak Kardin, she was already at her maximum size. She was around 15 years old, her yellowish head blending perfectly with the soil.
Female Komodos usually live up to around 30 years, with the oldest known reaching 32 years. Male Komodos can live much longer, sometimes more than 50, and some are believed to reach 60 or even 70 years old. Male Komodos can grow even larger, up to 3 meters and 20 centimeters long.
Suddenly, the Komodo lifted its head. Pak Kardin said it was watching something. In front of the Komodo, a tourist had walked a little too close. Pak Kardin immediately warned the person to move away. It is very dangerous for anyone to stand in front of a Komodo or walk without their ranger.
Another tourist even left his own group and joined our family. Pak Kardin quickly told him to go back to his group, because this activity is full of risks. He explained that he was only responsible for us, not for other visitors.
After taking photos with the male Komodo, we continued walking. With his trained eyes, Mr. Kardin spotted another Komodo resting under a tree branch. It was almost invisible to us because its body blended perfectly with the soil, dry leaves, and twigs.
Mr. Kardin carefully watched over us and made sure we kept a safe distance from the Komodo. He could even predict where the Komodo would move, so we managed to record a video while it was walking. It was such an incredible moment to see right in front of us.
Today we were lucky, we saw 4 komodos. 2 female and 2 male komodos.
Life on the Island
Komodo Island covers about 390 square kilometers, slightly more than half the size of Singapore. Around 2,000 people live here, mostly local fishermen and families who have lived on Komodo Island for generations. Most are Muslim, while local traditions and beliefs about the dragons remain deeply respected.
There are around 3,000 Komodo dragons in the park, more than the human population.
Komodos are cannibalistic, meaning adult dragons sometimes eat their young. That’s why baby Komodos climb trees immediately after hatching.
Parthenogenesis
They can also reproduce without mating through parthenogenesis, though they usually still mate once a year after a fierce fight between males. Parthenogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction. This means a female Komodo can produce babies from unfertilized eggs, without any genetic contribution from a male. Mating can last from two to four hours, and male Komodos have two reproductive organs but use only one when mating.
Before that happens, male Komodos often fight each other to win against the female. The strongest one becomes the winner. In a way, the male Komodo is quite the gentleman.
That’s why, even in the legend where Orah was the only female, Komodo dragons could still survive until today. Nature gave them this special gift, so their species can continue living on these islands.
The Komodos here are not fed by the park officers or rangers. They live naturally and hunt their own food. Komodos are cannibals. They eat other animals, and sometimes even their own young. Baby Komodos have a natural instinct to run and climb trees right after they hatch, before their own mother can eat them.
So I wonder maybe while we were walking in the park earlier, a baby Komodo could have been hiding above us in the trees?
Since this island’s nature is still so untouched, there are also very dangerous snakes here, but they usually come out only at night. Please be careful if you happen to stay here a bit later.
We played for a while on this beach, and I was curious about the other side of it. When I walked a little farther away, a few rangers called out and asked me not to go there. So I returned to where we had been playing.
It was fine. We did not really know this place well, and sometimes being careful is the wisest thing to do.
What Makes Komodo Dragons Unique
| Feature | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Venom and bacteria | Their bite releases venom that lowers blood pressure and prevents clotting, while bacteria can cause infection |
| Camouflage | Their skin matches soil and tree bark, helping them blend into the environment |
| Power | They can run up to 20 km/h for short distances and are strong swimmers between islands |
| Senses | They use a forked tongue to detect scent and locate prey from several kilometers away |
| Size and lifespan | They can grow over three meters long, weigh more than seventy kilograms, and live up to fifty years |
| Hunting behavior | Komodos are solitary and usually hunt alone |
| Nesting | Females lay eggs in a hole and guard the nest for months, becoming very protective |
| Safety note | Visitors should keep a safe distance from nesting areas as advised by rangers |
Even though they look calm, they are always alert, Mr Kardin said they look “sleeping but actually they are always ready to catch their prey.”
Souvenirs and Safe Distance
Before we left, we stopped at a small stall near the beach. Local vendors were selling simple necklaces made from Komodo teeth and bones, all collected from animals that had died naturally. Komodo dragons are fully protected under Indonesian law, so nothing comes from harming them. We picked a few pieces to take home as a memory of the day.
For lunch, we sat at a small local spot by the water at Loh Liang. The view was wide and open, with deep blue sea, clear sky, and waves that felt stronger than what we had experienced earlier at Pink Beach. It was showing how close the island is to the open Flores Sea.. Vicky and we ate our packed lunch from the East Cruise.
If you sit at one of the shelters or use a table near the beach, it helps to support the local sellers, even with something small like a drink or a snack. For the families living on Komodo Island, those small transactions make them alive.
Outfit of the Day
For a trip like this, where you move between hiking, the beach, and wildlife areas, what you wear makes a big difference. We chose long-sleeve swimsuits and leggings with UPF 50+ protection, and they worked well for both the walk through Komodo National Park and for snorkeling earlier in the day.
For children, or for anyone who cannot use sunscreen easily, UV-protective clothing is a practical option. It gives consistent protection without needing to reapply anything.
We also found that water shoes were very useful. They worked well on sand, rocky areas, and even the concrete paths, so we did not need to change shoes between stops.
Watch the Vlog
Beside this blog, we also made a video for this trip on YouTube.
Filmed on August 11, 2025, using smartphone.
Watch our full Komodo Island vlog with East Cruiseon YouTube.
This article is based on our genuine family experience at Loh Liang, Komodo National Park. It was written independently and reflects our firsthand visit. If you represent a travel brand and are interested in a sponsored feature or contextual link placement within this article, feel free to contact me to discuss availability and rates.
FAQ
Loh Liang is the main entrance for visitors to Komodo National Park, located on Komodo Island. Most people get there by speedboat from Labuan Bajo as part of a guided tour. If you are coming from Pink Beach, the ride usually takes about 30 minutes. From Labuan Bajo, it can take around one and a half hours, depending on the sea and your route.
Yes. Every visitor must be accompanied by a licensed ranger while inside the park. Rangers are trained to read the behavior of the dragons and to position themselves between the animals and visitors. This is a strict rule, and it exists for safety, as Komodo dragons can react quickly if approached the wrong way.
There are around 3,000 Komodo dragons living in the park. They are spread across several islands, including Komodo, Rinca, and Gili Motang, as well as parts of Flores. Interestingly, this means there are actually more dragons than people living on Komodo Island.
Komodo dragons are strong and fast predators, capable of short bursts of speed up to 20 kilometers per hour. At the same time, serious incidents are very rare when visitors follow the rules. During our visit, our ranger managed every situation calmly, including one moment when a dragon became alert after someone from another group got too close. His quick response kept everything under control..
Adult males can grow up to about 3.2 meters long and weigh more than 70 kilograms. Females are usually smaller and reach their full size earlier. Males can live for more than 50 years, and some are believed to live even longer. Females typically have a shorter lifespan, around 30 years.
Yes, they can. Komodo dragons are able to reproduce through Parthenogenesis, where a female produces eggs without a male. This helps the species survive in isolated environments. They also reproduce through normal mating, which usually happens once a year.
There is a local story that explains the connection between the people and the dragons. According to the legend, a princess named Putri Najo gave birth to twins, a human boy named Gerong and a Komodo dragon named Orah. They were separated when they were young and met again years later. When the truth was revealed, it created a lasting belief that the dragons are part of the same family as the people on the island. This is why they are treated with respect.
Yes, as long as you prepare well and follow the ranger’s instructions. Rangers will adjust the walking route based on the situation that day. Children should stay close, move calmly, and avoid walking ahead of the group. With the right approach, it can be a safe and memorable experience.
Near the beach, local sellers offer simple souvenirs such as necklaces made from Komodo teeth and bones collected from animals that have died naturally. Komodo dragons are protected, so nothing comes from harming them. If you spend time at one of the shelters or use a table near the beach, buying a small snack or drink is a simple way to support the local community.
