About Zada Nara
The first morning light hit the starboard railing of Zada Nara as I stepped out barefoot, the wood still cool from night air. I remember the smell of sandalwood from the sundeck cushions mixing with salt spray. We’d anchored late near Kelor the day before, and now the island’s green cone rose sharp against a peach-streaked sky. It felt like we were the only boat in the strait—just the hum of the generator below and the skipper calling out course adjustments in Bahasa.
We spent three days moving through the northern arc of Komodo National Park, and I was surprised how quickly the rhythm settled in. After breakfast in the indoor dining area—fresh papaya, eggs done to order, strong local coffee—we headed to Padar at first light. The hike up the switchbacks was warm but not brutal, and from the top, that iconic triple-bay view unfolded: white sand curves cradling turquoise water, with Komodo Island’s jagged spine across the channel. The crew had lunch waiting on deck when we got back—grilled fish, sambal, cucumber salad—served just as we began drifting toward Bidadari.
On Day 2, we did the dragon walk at Komodo Island with ranger escort. Seeing them up close—yellow forked tongues flicking, claws clicking on dry earth—was surreal. They moved like something older than the island itself. We kept gear ready in our cabins between stops, and I appreciated that each room had individual AC controls and a private ensuite. No sharing bathrooms, which mattered after muddy trails and salt-drenched snorkels. That afternoon, we snorkeled at Manta Point near Batu Bolong. I counted seven mantas in twenty minutes, one circling so close I saw the pattern of pores along its shoulder.
Zada Nara isn’t a dive boat, but they support snorkeling perfectly. The platform at the stern lowered smoothly, and fins, masks, and flotation vests were laid out each time. We stopped at Pink Beach late on Day 2—less crowded than I expected. The sand really is tinged pink, though you have to look close. Sunset came from the sundeck with cold Bintangs and a playlist of 70s rock the crew somehow knew all the words to. That night, we anchored near Kalong Island. The sky turned indigo, and the bats began their exodus at dusk—thousands of them spiraling into the dark like smoke.
Day 3 took us to Taka Makassar first, hoping for clear water. It wasn’t the mirror-flat visibility some boast about, but still good enough to see parrotfish trailing clouds of coral dust. Kanawa came next, where we swam right up to the sandbar at low tide. The crew packed a final lunch—lemper wrapped in banana leaf, fruit skewers, iced tea—and we ate as we motored back toward Labuan Bajo. I didn’t realize how quiet it had been until the city lights appeared: no crowds, no vendors, just the boat’s steady pace.
