Tourists issued warning over travelling to popular destination despite it boasting pink sandy beaches
Holidaymakers are being warned to think twice before heading to one of the world's rarest and most eye-catching destinations this summer.
The pink sands of Komodo Island in Indonesia are a dream photo-op for many, but rising tourist numbers are putting pressure on the destination's natural wonders.
Part of the UNESCO-listed Komodo National Park, which comprises 29 islands, Komodo Island is already famous for its namesake resident, the Komodo dragon.
But in recent years, it's the bubblegum-hued beaches that have caught the internet's attention - and flooded travel bucket lists in the process.
The surge of visitors has sparked fresh concerns from local authorities and travel experts, who have highlighted a number of rules tourists must follow.
In order to visit the pink beaches or see the dragons up close, pre-registration is essential, as reported by the Mirror.
Visitors must take a boat trip to Komodo Island and provide passport details to the boat operator at least a day in advance or risk being denied entry to the park.
Timing is also crucial, with travellers urged to avoid arriving during certain periods to limit crowding.
Brits hoping to visit in the early part of the year should avoid January to March, when the rainy season makes boat travel unpredictable or outright impossible.
Holidaymakers are advised to avoid visiting during the warmer months too, as July and August are peak mating season for the dragons, and popular spots like the Padar Island viewpoint are often swamped with crowds.
Back in 2019, there were even plans to shut the island down entirely after reports surfaced that Komodo dragons were being stolen and smuggled off the island.
The closure was eventually cancelled, but restrictions still apply, and not all areas of the park are open to visitors.
Now, the beaches themselves under threat, as the soft pink sand - coloured by crushed red-shelled marine microorganisms - is fading due to tourists pocketing handfuls of it as souvenirs.
And it's not just Komodo experiencing the issue: in northern Sardinia, one of Italy's only pink sand beaches, Spiaggia Rosa, had to ban tourists completely after the sand colour faded due to years of theft.
For visitors who wish to stay overnight while visiting Komodo National Park, there's no accommodation allowed inside as this helps protect the ecosystem, so Brits planning a visit will need to stay in nearby Labuan Bajo or sleep onboard an overnight boat.
While the pink beaches of Komodo are still worth seeing - and have even been listed by Time Out as one of the most beautiful places on Earth - locals and experts have urged tourists to plan ahead, follow the rules, and respect the environment.
Meanwhile, British tourists on a popular Croatian island have been warned they'll need to stick to strict clothing rule s or face a fine.
Hvar, a beautiful island in Croatia's Adriatic Sea, is known for its nightclubs and beaches.
But tourists could face hefty fines if they're caught wearing swimwear away from designated areas.
Wearing speedos or a bikini away from the pool or beach in Hvar could see tourists fined €600/£513.
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