Labuan Bajo on Flores is the most touristic place on the island. Here you will find a huge number of diving schools, cozy bars and nice restaurants. Discover the 10 best things to do in Labuan Bajo and all the highlights of Komodo National Park in this comprehensive article.
Content of this blog:
1. Diving, diving and some more diving at Komodo National Park
Labuan Bajo is the base for your visit to Komodo National Park. So a day of diving or a few days on a liverboard are one the best things do in Labuan Bajo for Divers. The Komodo National park is a protected nature reserve has some of the most beautiful diving spots in the world. If you have your diving license then you really must go diving here. Prices are a lot higher than other places in Indonesia. Expect to pay an average of 2.5 million Rupiah (€140) for 3 dives. The national park fees for Komodo National Park are very high, but then you can be sure that the underwater world is well protected.
What makes diving in Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park so special? The beautiful, brightly colored coral and thousands of fish everywhere you look. You also regularly encounter sharks (black tips, white tips and tiger sharks), manta rays, stingrays, octopus, seahorses and turtles, which is just amazing to see.
We dived with Dragon Dive Komodo and Uber Scuba Komodo, and these dive schools are both recommended. There are many more in Labuan Bajo, so feel free to walk into a few dive schools and check how it feels for you.
2. Go for ultimate relaxation at Le Pirate Island
Le Pirate Island is a beautiful white sand island, about an hour from Labuan Bajo by boat. There is 1 “resort” here, which owns the island. So you can also only come here if you stay overnight on Le Pirate Island. We can only recommend this, because it is so beautiful and so relaxed, you really come to rest. Read more information on our blog about Le Pirate Island, or book your stay here. It is definitely one of the best things you can do in Labuan Bajo for relaxation and unwinding.
3. Explore the crazy environment at Komodo National Park
So diving is one of the reasons to come to Labuan Bajo, but Komodo National Park has much to offer above the water as well.
Komodo dragon spotting on Rinca Island
For example, you will find Rinca Island, also called Komodo Island, where you can see komodo dragons in real life. Unfortunately, some komodo dragons are drugged so tourists can take pictures with them, which of course we really advise against. You can book a tour from Labuan Bajo to Rinca island to spot komodo dragons, but you will also pass here if you do the four-day boat tour from Lombok to Flores. If you are not going on the Komodo Tour from or to Lombok, add a tour to your list of things to do in Labuan Bajo and don’t miss out.
Pink beach
Pink beach is characterized by its beautiful pink beach. You have to be lucky with the weather and currents, because some times it looks much more pink than others. Still, pink beach remains a gem to visit.
Padar Island
The popular sunset spot, padar island. You’ve probably seen this beautiful vantage point in photos before, and we can tell you: it’s at least as beautiful in real life! To get here, you have to make a short but hot climb of about 20 minutes. Definitely a thing to do in Labuan Bajo!
4. Take a multi-day boat trip in Komodo National Park
Because there are so many beautiful places in Komodo National Park, you can also take wonderful boat trips here. You can choose a one-day, or even multi-day boat trips. For example, Wonderpus has a Liveaboard, where you can snorkel and dive every day, while staying overnight on the boat. A super cozy atmosphere and an amazing experience! Furthermore, this one-day Komodo tour is also highly recommended.
5. From Lombok to Flores with the 4-day Komodo tour
It is also possible to travel from Lombok to Flores (or vice versa) on a 4-day boat tour. You will then also pass through Komodo National Park and visit Rinca Island, Pink beach and Padar Island. Read here our experiences with this fantastic tour from Lombok to Flores with Travelwise.
If you do the boat tour from Flores to Lombok you take a different route, where you do not see the whale sharks, but you do visit 2 beautiful islands, where you can see thousands of flying foxes during sunset. In retrospect, we would have preferred this tour, because the visit to the whale sharks was not ethical and we would rather see these beautiful animals in the wild.
6. Drive towards the peninsula of Labuan Bajo on your motorbike
Just above Labuan Bajo is a small peninsula. Here you can drive beautifully, walk early in the morning, have a delicious breakfast or lunch at one of the many quaint cafes and enjoy the peace and quiet. You can get here within 20 minutes from Labuan Bajo and it really is a beautiful, untouched environment. For example, you can choose to navigate towards Sylvia Resort Komodo Restoran, which is right on the beach.
7. Rangko Cave
Rangko Cave is a beautiful cave, approximately an hour drive from Labuan Bajo. To get here navigate to this Google Maps point, where you will also see signs ‘Rangko Cave’. Here you can always find a local with a boat, who will take you to Rangko Cave for IDR 200 – 400K. You walk a short distance before you are inside the cave. In the afternoon, the sun is right above the cave and you will be able to take the most beautiful pictures. Enjoy the cool water and this fun activity in Labuan Bajo.
8. Seaesta in Labuan Bajo
This is easily one of the nicest hostels we have ever stayed at. Everything is clean, the pool is lovely, the food is fantastic, there is live music every night and the dorms are beautiful. Truly a gem. Book your stay soon though, as Seaesta is almost always fully booked 2 weeks in advance, check here for current availability.
Even if you are not staying at Seaesta, you can enjoy the pool here and live music in the evening. You can just walk in and order some food and drinks. Tip: we found the Smashed Avo and Vegan brekky really insanely delicious.
9. Take a road trip through Flores
Labuan Bajo is the perfect base if you want to explore more of the beautiful island of Flores. You can rent a car or motorbike in Labuan Bajo and drive all the way to Maumere in the east of Flores. Often you can also return your verhicle there, check with the rental company. During your road trip through Flores you will pass Ruteng, Bajawa and the Kelimutu volcano.
10. Stroll through the quaint town of Labuan Bajo
Finally, Labuan Bajo is also just a really nice town to stroll through. There are some nice stores, tasty restaurants and cozy coffee shops. Relax for a few days in Labuan Bajo. Hopefully, you’re now full of inspiration and have a good idea of things to do in Labuan Bajo. Secure your accommodation in Labuan Bajo with our handpicked options below.
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