Indonesia in depth ยท Flores, East Nusa Tenggara

Labuan Bajo & Komodo: 10 unmissable places and boat trips

Dragons on dry savanna islands, a ridge-top view over three-coloured beaches, manta rays and snorkelling, then a sunset over the harbour - everything you need to plan Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park, with a map and a free trip planner on WhatsApp.

๐Ÿ“ท YUS JULIADI ยท CC BY-SA 4.0 ยท Wikimedia Commons
10must-see placesDragons, islands, caves, waterfalls, villages
1991year of UNESCO World Heritage listingKomodo National Park, home of the Komodo dragon
50+hotels to choose fromFrom guesthouses to resorts
Freetrip planning on WhatsAppTell us your dates, we suggest a plan

Where everything is

Tap a number to see the place. Distances are rough driving times from the city centre.

  1. 1Komodo Island (Loh Liang)about 2-4 hrs by boat from Labuan Bajo
  2. 2Rinca Island (Loh Buaya)about 1.5-3 hrs by boat from Labuan Bajo
  3. 3Padar Island viewpointabout 2-4 hrs by boat from Labuan Bajo
  4. 4Pink Beach (Pantai Merah)about 2-4 hrs by boat from Labuan Bajo
  5. 5Manta Point (Karang Makassar)about 1.5-3 hrs by boat from Labuan Bajo
  6. 6Kanawa & Kelor islandsabout 30 min-1.5 hrs by boat
  7. 7Batu Cermin Caveabout 10-20 min from the town centre
  8. 8Cunca Wulang waterfallabout 1 hr by road from Labuan Bajo
  9. 9Waerebo villageabout 5-6 hrs by road to Denge, then a 2-4 hr trek

Map ยฉ OpenStreetMap contributors

The 10 places not to miss

Chosen for first-time and returning visitors. Add the ones you like to your trip - we turn them into a plan.

Komodo Island (Loh Liang)#01Komodo dragonsKomodo National Park

Komodo Island (Loh Liang)

Home of the Komodo dragon, the world's largest living lizard. From the Loh Liang station, rangers lead short walks through dry savanna and monsoon forest to look for dragons in the wild.

  • โฑ Half day
  • ๐Ÿš— about 2-4 hrs by boat from Labuan Bajo
  • ๐ŸŒ… Morning
Our tipDragons are wild and can be dangerous: always walk with a ranger and follow his distance instructions. Park rules can change, so we check the current rules for your dates.
๐Ÿ“ท Torbenbrinker ยท CC BY-SA 3.0 ยท Wikimedia Commons
Rinca Island (Loh Buaya)#02Komodo dragonsKomodo National Park

Rinca Island (Loh Buaya)

Closer to Labuan Bajo than Komodo Island, Rinca also has wild dragons. Ranger-led walks start at Loh Buaya and cross dry hills and savanna, with a hilltop viewpoint over the bay.

  • โฑ Half day
  • ๐Ÿš— about 1.5-3 hrs by boat from Labuan Bajo
  • ๐ŸŒ… Morning
Our tipRinca is a good choice if you have limited time. Stay with the ranger, never turn your back to a dragon and do not carry food on the trail.
๐Ÿ“ท Markofjohnson at English Wikipedia ยท Public domain ยท Wikimedia Commons
Padar Island viewpoint#03Iconic viewKomodo National Park

Padar Island viewpoint

A climb of about 30-45 minutes up a dry hillside leads to the best-known view in Komodo: a ridge looking over a bay with several curved beaches, each with its own sand colour.

  • โฑ 2-3 hours
  • ๐Ÿš— about 2-4 hrs by boat from Labuan Bajo
  • ๐ŸŒ… Sunrise or late afternoon
Our tipStart early or go late to avoid the heat. Wear shoes with good grip, bring water and a hat. Visitor permits are managed by the park, so we check current rules for your dates.
๐Ÿ“ท YUS JULIADI ยท CC BY-SA 4.0 ยท Wikimedia Commons
Pink Beach (Pantai Merah)#04Beach & snorkelKomodo Island

Pink Beach (Pantai Merah)

A beach whose sand has a pink tint from tiny pieces of red coral mixed with white sand. The water is clear, with coral just offshore that is good for snorkelling.

  • โฑ 1-2 hours
  • ๐Ÿš— about 2-4 hrs by boat from Labuan Bajo
  • ๐ŸŒ… Morning, calm seas
Our tipWear a life jacket and stay close to the boat when snorkelling, as currents can change. Never take sand or coral, and use reef-friendly sun cream.
๐Ÿ“ท Jakub Haล‚un ยท CC BY 4.0 ยท Wikimedia Commons
Manta Point (Karang Makassar)#05Snorkel with mantasKomodo National Park

Manta Point (Karang Makassar)

A shallow reef where manta rays often glide in to feed, so you can snorkel above them. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the reef itself is rich in fish and coral.

  • โฑ 1 hour
  • ๐Ÿš— about 1.5-3 hrs by boat from Labuan Bajo
  • ๐ŸŒ… Ask your skipper (depends on tides)
Our tipCurrents here can be strong. Wear a life jacket, stay with your guide, keep your distance and never touch the rays. Good swimmers get the most from this stop.
๐Ÿ“ท Daniel Sasse ยท CC BY-SA 4.0 ยท Wikimedia Commons
๐Ÿž๏ธ#06Island hopOff Labuan Bajo

Kanawa & Kelor islands

Small islands close to Labuan Bajo. Kanawa has white sand and coral reef for snorkelling, while Kelor is a little rocky island with a short hill walk and a lovely view over the bay.

  • โฑ Half day
  • ๐Ÿš— about 30 min-1.5 hrs by boat
  • ๐ŸŒ… Morning
Our tipA good short trip if you do not have a full day. The Kelor path is dry and rocky, so wear sturdy sandals or shoes and bring water.
๐Ÿž๏ธ#07CaveLabuan Bajo

Batu Cermin Cave

A limestone cave a short drive from town. Narrow passages lead past rock formations, and sunlight entering through a gap in the roof reflects off the walls like a mirror.

  • โฑ 1-1.5 hours
  • ๐Ÿš— about 10-20 min from the town centre
  • ๐ŸŒ… Late morning (sunlight inside)
Our tipSome passages are low and narrow, so mind your head, wear closed shoes and go with the local guide. It stays accessible in wet weather, which makes it a good rainy-day stop.
๐Ÿž๏ธ#08WaterfallWest Manggarai

Cunca Wulang waterfall

A forest canyon with turquoise pools and small waterfalls, reached by a 45-60 minute walk through village rice fields and trees. A cool escape from the heat of the coast.

  • โฑ Half day
  • ๐Ÿš— about 1 hr by road from Labuan Bajo
  • ๐ŸŒ… Morning, dry season
Our tipGo with a local guide. Do not jump from the rocks - it has caused serious accidents - and skip the canyon after heavy rain, when the water rises quickly.
Waerebo village#09Mountain villageManggarai

Waerebo village

A remote mountain village of tall, cone-shaped Mbaru Niang houses, where visitors are welcomed with a short ceremony and can sleep in a traditional house surrounded by forest and cloud.

  • โฑ Overnight (2-3 days)
  • ๐Ÿš— about 5-6 hrs by road to Denge, then a 2-4 hr trek
  • ๐ŸŒ… Dry season
Our tipNights are cold, so pack warm layers and a rain jacket. Follow the villagers' rules, ask before taking photos of people and arrange the visit in advance - it is a long trip.
๐Ÿ“ท Mahmur marganti ยท CC BY-SA 4.0 ยท Wikimedia Commons
Sunset at Kampung Ujung & Bukit Cinta#10SunsetLabuan Bajo town

Sunset at Kampung Ujung & Bukit Cinta

Watch the sun set over the islands from Bukit Cinta, a small hill above the town, or from Kampung Ujung, a quieter spot by the harbour where fishing boats and ferries move across the water.

  • โฑ 1-2 hours
  • ๐Ÿš— in town, about 5-10 min from the harbour
  • ๐ŸŒ… Late afternoon (arrive an hour early)
Our tipArrive about an hour before sunset for the best colours. A light jacket helps when the sea breeze comes in, and the dry season gives the clearest skies.
๐Ÿ“ท Paul Arps ยท CC BY 2.0 ยท Wikimedia Commons

Sample trips

Starting points we adjust to your dates, budget and hotel choice. Prices depend on the hotel and season, so we quote them for you.

Komodo classic3 days / 2 nights

Dragons, Padar & Pink Beach

๐Ÿ‘ฅ First visit, couples, families with older children

  • Komodo Island ranger walk
  • Padar Island viewpoint
  • Pink Beach and Manta Point snorkelling
  • Sunset at Bukit Cinta

๐Ÿจ 3-4 star hotel in Labuan Bajo

PriceOn requestWe quote today's hotel rates for your dates
Most popular
Land & sea adventure4 days / 3 nights

Rinca, caves, waterfall & island hopping

๐Ÿ‘ฅ Friends, couples, active travellers

  • Rinca Island dragon trek
  • Batu Cermin Cave
  • Cunca Wulang waterfall walk
  • Kanawa and Kelor island hopping

๐Ÿจ 3-4 star hotel in Labuan Bajo

PriceOn requestWe quote today's hotel rates for your dates
Luxury retreat4 days / 3 nights

Slow luxury by the Flores Sea

๐Ÿ‘ฅ Honeymoons, special occasions

  • Sea-view resort in Labuan Bajo
  • Private boat day to Padar and Pink Beach
  • Sunset at Kampung Ujung
  • Time to relax: spa, pool, seafood dinner

๐Ÿจ 5-star resort or boutique hotel

PriceOn requestWe quote today's hotel rates for your dates
Free trip planner

Plan your Labuan Bajo & Komodo trip

Pick the places, your dates and the kind of hotel you like. We reply on WhatsApp with a suggested plan and today's prices - no obligation.

  • Real hotel rates for your dates
  • Car with driver and guides arranged on request
  • English or Bahasa Indonesia
Places to include

Opens WhatsApp with your plan as a message - nothing is sent until you press send there.

Practical tips

Getting there

Komodo Airport (LBJ) is only a few kilometres from Labuan Bajo - about 10 minutes by road - with flights from Bali, Jakarta and other cities. Boat trips leave from the harbour in town.

Best time

The dry season (roughly April to October) is best for boat trips, with July and August the busiest. Seas can be rough from about January to March; caves and villages still work in wet weather.

Respect & dress

Dress modestly in villages such as Waerebo and ask before photographing people. Do not feed or touch wildlife, take coral or leave rubbish. Mosques are in town and halal food is easy to find - we can check near your hotel.

Getting around

The town is small: use ride-hailing, taxis or motorbike taxis. For Cunca Wulang and Waerebo hire a car with driver; the roads are long and winding. Choose boats that carry life jackets and safety gear, and listen to the crew.

Opening hours, tickets, access and rules change (for example visitor quotas, volcano or sea conditions and closures) - we check them for your dates. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each picture; map: OpenStreetMap. Last checked 10 October 2026.

WhatsApp