A small fishing port turned gateway to Komodo National Park, with waterfront seafood restaurants and boats heading to nearby islands rich in marine life.
Labuan Bajo sits on the western tip of Flores island in Indonesia, where fishing boats once dominated the harbor and now share space with diving vessels and tour boats. From this gateway to Komodo National Park, you can watch Komodo dragons hunt on Rinca Island, swim alongside 4-meter-wide manta rays at Manta Point, or climb to Padar Island's summit for views of three crescent beaches - one white, one black, and one pink.
Getting to Labuan Bajo
Komodo Airport receives multiple daily flights from Jakarta, Bali, and Lombok. The airport sits just 2 kilometers from the town center, making it easy to reach your accommodation by taxi or motorbike taxi (ojek). Most hotels can arrange airport pickup, though you'll find plenty of transport options at the arrival terminal.
Exploring Komodo National Park
The national park spans several islands, with Komodo and Rinca hosting the largest populations of Komodo dragons. You can join single-day speedboat trips or multi-day sailing adventures. Park rangers guide walks through the dragons' territory, sharing insights about their hunting patterns and the savanna ecosystem. Visit in the morning hours (8-10 AM) when the dragons are most active, especially during mating season from May to August.
Marine Life and Diving
At Manta Point, you can swim within meters of manta rays as they glide through cleaning stations. The waters around Labuan Bajo contain over 50 dive sites, ranging from 5-meter-deep coral gardens to 30-meter channels with strong currents. Watch for dolphins swimming alongside boats and head to Kalong Island before sunset to see thousands of flying foxes leave their mangrove roosts.
Island Exploration
The trek to Padar Island's viewpoint takes about 40 minutes up steep stairs - start before 7 AM to avoid the heat. At Pink Beach, walk along sand colored by red coral fragments mixed with white shell particles. Kelor Island's 20-minute uphill trail leads to views of Komodo's mountain ranges, while its surrounding waters shelter parrotfish and sea turtles.
Natural Caves and Waterfalls
At Rangko Cave, swim in a saltwater pool where light streams through natural openings in the limestone ceiling. The water depth varies between 2-4 meters. Cunca Wulang waterfall creates 5-meter-high cascades and deep swimming pools. The 45-minute jungle walk to reach it crosses streams and passes coffee plantations.
Local Food Scene
Every evening after 5 PM, the waterfront fish market fills with grilling stations. Point to your choice of fresh fish, squid, or prawns, and watch as vendors grill it with Flores spices. Local warungs along Jalan Soekarno Hatta serve Flores coffee grown in nearby Ruteng, along with Indonesian dishes like mie goreng and ayam bakar throughout the day.
Best Time to Visit
Plan your trip between March and October for dry weather and calm seas. Water visibility reaches 30 meters in October, perfect for diving and snorkeling. Heavy rains from December to March can cancel boat trips and make hiking trails slippery. May through August coincides with both dragon mating season and peak tourist numbers.
