Labuan Bajo, located on the western tip of Flores Island in Indonesia, is the gateway to one of the country’s most spectacular gems: Komodo National Park. With its breathtaking landscapes, crystal clear waters and unique biodiversity, this region has become a popular destination for travelers and diving enthusiasts. Here’s a detailed immersion into this corner of paradise.
Once a simple fishing village, Labuan Bajo has transformed into a vibrant tourist city thanks to its proximity to Komodo National Park. Today, it’s an essential starting point for exploring the neighboring islands and experiencing adventures in the great outdoors. The city of Labuan Bajo itself is not very beautiful. I went there for the first time in 2016 and it was a disaster. The bay is beautiful but the constructions were totally anarchic. And the port was not at all developed.
Since then, many investments have been made, especially to develop the port. Many luxury hotels have also opened recently or are under construction. Labuan Bajo will probably only be your starting point for other activities, but here are some ideas of things to do there.
Many boats, yachts and cruises leave daily from the port to explore the park. There is also a kind of night market along the port where you can have dinner, but be careful, the prices are not displayed. And their reputation is not good in terms of cleanliness or freshness of fish.
There is actually only one street in Labuan Bajo that forms a kind of loop. On the lower part, at the port level you will find most of the diving centers. On the upper part some restaurants and hotels have a beautiful view of the bay for the sunset.
This hill offers a spectacular panoramic view of Labuan Bajo and the surrounding islands, especially at sunset.
A few kilometers from the city, this cave is home to stalactites, bats, and a unique play of light when the sun penetrates through a crack.
A little further, Goa Rangko is a hidden cave housing a natural saltwater pool. The cave is accessible by boat from the village of Tanjung Boleng. For 2 people a private boat will cost 250 kIDR per person. The boat trip lasts 20 minutes. You will be asked to pay 50 kIDR for the entrance ticket to the cave. A small path then takes you in 5 minutes to the entrance of the cave. It is very nice to swim in the natural pool, inside the cave. Even more in the afternoon when the sun illuminates the cave.
Created in 1980 and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Komodo National Park includes the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Padar, and many islets. This park is home not only to the famous Komodo dragon, but also an incredible marine and terrestrial biodiversity.
The Komodo dragon, the largest lizard in the world, can reach up to 3 meters long and weigh 90 kg. These predators are mainly found on the islands of Komodo and Rinca. Although fascinating, they are dangerous because of their venomous bite and unpredictable behavior. Experienced guides accompany visitors on hikes to observe these animals in their natural habitat.
The park is a must-see destination for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. Its waters are home to one of the richest marine biodiversity in the world. And there are about forty dive sites in the national park. It is possible to dive on the sites of Komodo North or Komodo Central from Labuan Bajo. But to dive on the sites of Komodo South, further away, you have to spend a few days on a liveaboard. For all these reasons, Komodo is among the top 10 places to dive in Southeast Asia.
The Batu Bolong site offers a spectacular dive around a submerged rock. Thanks to its nutrient-rich currents, Batu Bolong guarantees an exceptional biodiversity, ideal for divers of all levels.
An iconic spot where divers can observe the majestic manta rays in their natural habitat. These marine giants frequent this cleaning station to have their parasites rid of them by small fish.
Located in the open sea, this seamount attracts exceptional wildlife, including jacks, reef sharks, rays and schools of colorful fish. The strong currents make the experience exhilarating, ideal for experienced divers.
Also for experienced divers, the Chaudron site, also called Shotgun, is known for its very strong currents. As soon as you enter the water, the current will carry you towards the famous “Cauldron”. The closer you get, the faster the current becomes. By hanging above this Cauldron, you will witness a real show of marine life.
In addition to diving and discovering Komodo dragons, the park offers other unforgettable experiences:
Padar Island is famous for its spectacular panorama. After a short hike to the top, visitors are rewarded with an incredible view of several bays with beaches of various colors: white, black and pink sand.
Rinca is another island where it is possible to encounter Komodo dragons, often more easily accessible than on Komodo Island. It also offers beautiful hiking opportunities with arid and wild landscapes.
One of the most famous beaches in the region, Pink Beach owes its color to tiny fragments of red coral mixed with white sand. This is an ideal place to enjoy a beautiful beach and relax. This beach was voted the 7th most beautiful beach in the world in 2024 by The World’s 50 Best Beaches.
Kalong Island, in Komodo National Park, is famous for its incredible spectacle of giant bats, called flying foxes. Every evening at sunset, thousands of these bats leave the island’s mangroves to look for food on neighboring islands. This magical moment, when the sky fills with black silhouettes flying in sync, attracts many visitors. Accessible by boat from Labuan Bajo, the observation of flying foxes is often combined with a sunset excursion.
Many small bays and uninhabited islands offer quiet spots for swimming, picnicking or just enjoying the peace and quiet away from the crowds.
Labuan Bajo is accessible daily by plane from several major cities in Indonesia, including Denpasar (Bali), Jakarta, and Surabaya. It is also possible to reach the region by ferry or boat from Lombok or other nearby islands, but this will take much longer. Labuan Bajo airport has also recently started welcoming international flights. For now only from Kuala Lumpur but other routes should open soon from Singapore and Australia.
Several airports have been temporarily closed following the eruption of Mount Lewotobi in East Nusa Tenggara on November 8th. A very dense column of ash rose into the sky up to 6 kilometers high. If the airport is closed, you still have the option of taking a boat.
The Pelni cruise ship company connects the port of Labuan Bajo to Bima in Sumbawa. From there you can take an internal flight or at worst cross Sumbawa to Sumbawa Besar airport. The ticket costs 100,000 rupiah.
The best time to visit the park is from April to November, during the dry season, when sailing and diving conditions are at their best. Between December and March, rains can make some excursions more difficult, although the area remains accessible.
Labuan Bajo offers a wide range of accommodation, from youth hostels to luxury hotels and cruise ships. Liveaboards (diving cruises) are particularly popular for those who want to explore the park in depth and dive for several days.
The Triple A suites hotel is very well located, about 300 m from the port. The prices are very affordable and the rooms very spacious. Another option, a little further up the hill is the Seaesta Komodo Hostel & Hotel which offers hotel rooms but also dormitories. There is a very nice swimming pool with a superb view of the bay. It’s also a nice place to watch the sunset or have dinner. Seaesta also offers day passes to enjoy the pool. It’s a good option to spend the afternoon before your flight.
I slept at Blue Parrot. It’s a small hotel with only 3 rooms, one of which has a very nice view of the bay. The welcome is really very warm.
Here are 3 nice places to eat in Labuan Bajo:
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