Waking up at 4:00 AM on vacation feels like some kind of cosmic punishment… but then you see this.

Once the view from Padar Island (Pulau Padar) hits your eyes, you instantly forget the sleep deprivation. In fact, it’s a view that pays dividends for the rest of your life.

I headed up Padar Island to catch the sunrise, lured by those picture-perfect postcards you always see advertising Labuan Bajo liveaboards. And honestly, how could I pass it up? It’s a world-famous island where Mother Nature decided to show off, carving out three distinct bays—one pink, one black, and one white—all visible from a single vantage point.

But here’s the catch: nobody ever warns you about the thrilling, chaotic morning adventure it takes to actually get those flawless Instagram shots! 😆😆

But here’s the catch: nobody ever warns you about the thrilling, chaotic morning adventure it takes to actually get those flawless Instagram shots! 😆😆

⛵ A Morning That Felt Like a Hostage Situation

The adventure kicked off at 4:00 AM, in total darkness and half-asleep. We had to transfer from our main liveaboard vessel into a tiny dinghy to get to the island. Looking around, I couldn’t see a single thing, just a pitch-black ocean. For a fleeting moment, a wild thought crossed my mind: “Am I being human trafficked onto a fishing boat right now?” When we finally hit the shore, the climb from the boat onto the pier was a massive, steep drop. And that was just the warm-up. Still cloaked in darkness, we had to begin the trek up a grueling 800+ steps. Having recently recovered from COVID at the time, I was absolutely gasping for air. As our guide zipped ahead to lead the way, I lost count of how many times I silently cursed him in my head!

🌅 Golden Hour Magic and a “Hollow Earth” Primordial Beauty

Once you reach the summit and watch the sun slowly crawl out of the ocean, the sheer beauty of it leaves you utterly speechless.

At first, the island’s jagged, winding ridges were shrouded in darkness, making me feel like I had stepped straight into the prehistoric “Hollow Earth” from the King Kong movies. I half-expected some ancient monster to come bursting out at any second! 🤣🤣

But as the golden sunlight began to flood the sea, the colors hidden away in the dark started to shift, waking up in shades of rich, brilliant gold. Down below, the pink, black, and white beaches finally revealed their true, vivid colors.

(Fun fact for the view: Of the two beaches on the left, the further one is the Pink Sand Beach, and the closer one is the Black Sand Beach!)

The funniest part? During the trek up, I was a sweaty, hot mess, completely wrecked by post-COVID exhaustion. Yet, the moment the camera clicked, the photos turned out absolutely stunning. I guess that’s exactly why we call it the “Golden Hour”—it has this magical ability to make even the most exhausted traveler look effortlessly beautiful! 📸

🎒 Essential Checklist for Future Adventurers:

If you are planning to conquer Padar Island yourself, learn from my experience and pack these essentials:

• 👟 Wear Sneakers Only: The stairs are incredibly steep, and it’s pitch-black on the way up. If you wear flip-flops, you’re practically volunteering to trip and roll all the way back down.
• 🔦 Keep Your Phone Flashlight Ready: Navigating the pier and climbing the stairs in the dead of night requires a reliable light source. Make sure your phone is fully charged!
• 🧥 Pack a Light Jacket or Long-Sleeve Shirt: The sea breeze can be quite chilly in the morning, but once you start climbing and the sun comes up, it gets hot fast. Layers are your best friend.
• 💧 Bring Water: There are absolutely no shops on the island. If you don’t bring water, you will be gasping for air.

📌 Note: This Padar Island excursion was part of my Labuan Bajo Liveaboard Trip (Check out the vibe here:Facebook Video Link). Drones aren’t allowed on Padar Island, which is why you didn’t see any aerial shots in my previous video!