- Province: East Small Sunda Islands
- Island group: Small Sunda Islands
- Area: 198 square meters. km
- Highest point: 667 m
The island of Rincha is located in Indonesia and is part of the archipelago of the Lesser Sunda Islands. To the right of it, across the Strait of Malo, is the island of Sumbava , and to the left, across the Strait of Lintach - the popular Komodo . The island of Rincha belongs to the Komodo National Park and is protected by UNESCO as a natural heritage.
Why is the island attractive?
On two neighboring islands, Komodo and Rincha, is the Komodo National Park. He attracts people from all over the world with his famous lizards. In addition to exploring the lizards in the park, you can swim with a mask and fins, watch the sea life in coral reefs. Going out on boats to the open sea, there is the opportunity to meet dolphins or swim with large ramps.
The national park is located throughout the island of Rincha. It is based on two types of tracks: three short and one long, going along the perimeter of the island . On any of the routes you can see the low green hills planted with Lontar palms, bamboo forests and mangroves.
The animal world of the island is represented not only by famous monsters, but also by a large population of monkeys, flying foxes, a huge number of birds and other animals. Coastal waters are inhabited by tropical fish, there are more than 1000 species. They live in coral reefs, which are around 260 species around the island. The sea is inhabited by manta rays, dolphins, sea turtles and whales.
Varians of the island of Rincha
The main attraction of the island are Komod dragons - huge lizards up to 2.5 m long and weighing from 70 to 90 kg. Lizards live long enough, not less than half a century, even in the wild.
Varanans actively hunt large animals such as wild boars, buffaloes and deer. They kill a sharp leap from the ambush, biting the victim. These animals have poisonous saliva, but the poison does not act immediately, so the lizards leave the victim, and later find it by the smell. One successful hunt is enough for lunch to a few dozen lizards.
On the island of Rincha, eight cases of attacks of warrants on people were recorded, so it is not worth to approach very close to them, and even more so try to pat them. At the same time, they are easy to photograph, they spend a lot of time motionless or move slowly enough.
Features of visit
An excursion to the national park with a guide costs $ 5 per person without taking into account the cost of lunch, you will also have to pay $ 2 for entry and a local tourist tax of $ 4. The right to photograph in the park will cost you another $ 4, and the opportunity to see the underwater world with a mask and fins from the beaches of the island - $ 4.5.
How to get to the island?
You can get to the island of Rincha on ships offering tours to the national park, the price can include lunch and snorkeling in interesting places. Boats depart from the port of Labuan Bajo (Labuan Bajo), located in the western part of the island of Flores . It is a relatively large tourist city with its own airport , here fly by AirAsia and Lion airlines from Denpasar (Bali).