The Lesser Sunda Islands, also known as Nusa Tenggara, lie east of Java and include the islands of Komodo, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Sumba, Flores, Timor, Alor, and adjacent smaller islands. They form a 1200-km long arc towards the south of central Indonesia. The enchanting colour of the sea, the spectacular marine life, and great value Lesser Sunda Islands hotels throughout the region draw many visitors to the islands.
The waters surrounding Komodo and the Lesser Sunda Islands are populated by spectacular marine life.
Encompassing an area of 280 square km, the small island of Komodo lies between the islands of Flores and Sumbawa. Hills and barren land cover the whole island, except for some palm trees and wood that intermittently break the monotony of the landscap. Komodo is best known for its resident dragons! The Komodo dragons are giant lizards that are the largest in the world. They live on the islands of Komodo, Rinca and other small islands in the region. This protected species is the last of its kind surviving today with only 5700 or so left.
There is much to see and do throughout Komodo National Park and the Lesser Sunda Islands. Divers and snorkelers love to swim among the unending schools of fish that rush out from the sea vents and ride the water currents. The seabed is a riot of colours too with the aquatic invertebrates and florescent corals forming a thick carpet of matchless beauty. Then there is the unique and rich culture of the locals living on the islands. You can get up close and experience this rich culture firsthand on a Komodo Island tours, Flores Island tour and Sumba Island tour.
The Komodo National Park is home to marine life that is as varied as dolphins, mostly pelagic dugong, frog fish, mantas, nudibranches or molluscs, sharks, small pygmy seahorses and turtles, to name just a few. The terrain of the seabed varies from gentle slopes to steep cliffs, sandy flatlands to tall peaks, plateaus to caves, channels, and swim-through passages. The corals on the seabed are perfect and stunning. They are of all shapes, sizes, colours and types. We have many Komodo National Park tours and activities to help you discover some of the island's magical beauty!
Indeed the dry and rocky terrain is as ancient as the creatures that live here. The very distinct and unusual biosphere observed in the region was formed as a result of the volcanic activity that gave rise to the islands of Bali, Java, Sumatra and others that lie east of Papua New Guinea. The rich green valleys that lie between the volcanic peaks present quite a welcome surprise.
While the Komodo Island boasts of wildlife that includes a modest 185 species, its marine life is diverse and huge. The wildlife includes mainly Asian-Australian transition species such as cockatoos, eagles, Komodo dragons, pigeons, snakes, Timorese deer and wild horses.
We also offer tours to explore the beautiful islands of Sumba and Flores. Our Flores tours and Sumba tours offer a fascinating insight into the unique culture of these islands, as well as allowing you to discover their beauty.
Bali is possibly the most popular tourist destination amongst the Lesser Sunda Islands and is Indonesia's most visitor friendly island. The island's varied landscape provides a picturesque backdrop of hills and mountains, rugged coast and sandy beaches, and rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides. Deeply spiritual and warm and friendly, the island also boasts of a rich culture, fabulous shopping, mouth-watering cuisine and a wide range of Bali hotels and tours in Bali.
The Lesser Sundas are located on an inner volcanic ring and were created by the subduction after which the Australian tectonic plate partially melted below the Eurasian plate. The islands are the coming together of volcanoes from the Tertiary and Quaternary periods that are bound together by lava and sediment. Most of the islands in the chain were formed during the Tertiary or Mio-Pliocene period and the more recent Quaternary period. The island of Komodo alone was created during the Mesozoic Age.
The islands of Lombok and Sumbawa are on the Sunda Arc while the rest of the islands are on the Banda Arc. The Wallace Line, which represents the end of the Sunda Shelf, separates the island chain from Java and Bali on the west. Savannah woodlands and monsoon forests make up the natural vegetation of the land.
Check out our Komodo and Lesser Sunda Islands hotels listings for a full range of accommodation in Komodo and Lesser Sunda Islands for travellers to this unique destination. These include Sumba hotels, Flores hotels, Labuanbajo hotels, Komodo Island hotels and Komodo National Park hotels. We have a range from simple budget hotels and guesthouses through to luxury resorts and hotels in Flores, Sumba, Labuanbajo and Komodo.
If you would like to be near to a particular Komodo and Lesser Sunda Islands tourist attraction, such as the spectacular Komodo National Park, you can check our our Komodo and Lesser Sunda Islands map to see which Lesser Sunda Islands hotels are nearest before making your Lesser Sunda Islands hotels booking online.
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Incito Tours is the baby of a hard working and determined individual by the name of Ng Sebastian. Sebastian is a very professional and committed advocate for the tourism industry. He has a deep passion for ensuring his country remains sustainable for the years ahead and does not want irresponsible tourism to lead to his home's demise.
