Labuan Bajo, located on the western tip of Flores, Indonesia, is the main gateway to Komodo National Park and the natural habitat of the famous Komodo dragon. Despite its prehistoric appearance, the Komodo dragon is not a direct descendant of the dinosaurs. However, they share a common ancestor that lived around 300 million years ago. Beyond encountering these fascinating creatures, visitors can explore dramatic islands, pink beaches, crystal-clear waters, and spectacular viewpoints. If you are searching for Labuan Bajo best places to visit, Komodo Island and the surrounding national park should definitely be at the top of your itinerary.
Labuan Bajo’s iconic “orange view,” which covers the surrounding islands and hills in warm golden-brown and rust hues, can only be seen during the dry season. Throughout this period, the landscape gradually transitions from lush green to earthy orange tones, creating the dramatic scenery often featured in travel photos. This is one reason many tourists choose to visit Labuan Bajo between April and October, when the weather is generally drier and the golden landscape is at its most striking.
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This three-day, two-night (3D2N) journey included the following destinations:
- Loh Buaya, Komodo National Park – Located on Rinca Island, Loh Buaya is one of the best places to observe Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. Visitors can also take photographs from a safe distance under the supervision of a local ranger.
- Rinca Island – Besides its Komodo dragons, Rinca Island offers scenic hiking trails. From the top of the hills, you can admire panoramic views of Komodo National Park and its surrounding waters.
- Padar Island – Like Rinca Island, Padar is famous for its scenic hiking trails. It is particularly beautiful at sunrise, when the view from the summit reveals a spectacular combination of rugged mountains, curved bays, and the open sea.
- Pink Beach – This beach is famous for its distinctive pink sand, created by tiny fragments of red coral mixed with white sand.
- Manta Point – If you are lucky, you may encounter manta rays swimming through the clear waters while snorkelling.
- Taka Makassar – A tiny sandbank located near Manta Point, surrounded by turquoise water and vibrant coral reefs. It is an excellent place for swimming and snorkelling.
- Kalong Island – The boat anchors near this island before continuing to Kanawa Island. It is a beautiful place to watch the sunset as thousands of flying foxes emerge from the mangroves and fly across the evening sky.
- Kanawa Island – Like Taka Makassar, Kanawa Island is surrounded by colourful marine life and coral reefs, making it another enjoyable snorkelling destination.
- Sebayur Island – This island offers scenic hiking trails and impressive views, particularly during the dry season when the surrounding hills turn golden brown.
- Kelor Island – Our final destination before returning to Labuan Bajo. Here, visitors can hike to the viewpoint or snorkel in the clear waters surrounding the island.
Day 1: From the Airport to the Hostel
Many accommodations in Labuan Bajo are conveniently located near the town’s main airport, Komodo International Airport. Since transportation options can be limited in this small town, it is a good idea to choose accommodation that provides an airport pick-up service. Fortunately, my hostel was so close to the airport that I could simply walk there.
Labuan Bajo is also famous for its breathtaking sunsets over the sea, so consider booking accommodation with a beautiful ocean view. Many hotels with scenic views cost around US$50 per night. If you prefer backpacking, there are also plenty of lively and affordable hostels offering activities such as movie nights, making it easy to meet and chat with travellers from around the world.
My hostel was also located close to the night market, where local vendors sell a wide variety of fresh seafood. It is a great place for travellers who want to try Labuan Bajo’s traditional dishes, interact with local residents, and experience the town’s lively evening atmosphere.
Day 2: The Komodo Island Adventure Begins!
Island hopping is one of the best ways to explore Komodo National Park and its surrounding islands. While you can rent a private boat directly from a local operator, I recommend joining an open-trip cruise for a more memorable experience. You will get to stay overnight on board, meet other travellers, and enjoy meals freshly prepared by the boat’s chef. The onboard chefs in Labuan Bajo are known for serving surprisingly delicious dishes, making the cruise experience even more enjoyable.
I joined a three-day, two-night open trip with Longlasting Trip and was picked up directly from my hostel by our guide. Before departure, the guide assigned rooms to each guest, with both shared rooms and more private rooms for couples available. The boat was also equipped with essential facilities, including showers, toilets, and a kitchen. One of my favourite spots throughout the journey was the boat deck, especially at sunrise and sunset, when we could relax and admire the spectacular views surrounding Komodo National Park.
On the first day, we explored Loh Buaya, part of Komodo National Park on Rinca Island, to encounter Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. Upon arriving on the island, we were welcomed by a ranger who shared fascinating facts about these remarkable creatures and explained what to do if one approached or attacked. Throughout the tour, the ranger carried a long, forked wooden stick to help keep the Komodo dragons at a safe distance and protect visitors during the walk.
Unfortunately, I visited during the Komodo dragons’ mating season, which typically lasts from June to August. Although these reptiles are generally solitary and territorial, they often roam beyond their usual territories during this period in search of a mate.
As a result, only a few Komodo dragons appeared along the usual visitor trails during our visit. Our Komodo dragon adventure concluded with a hike across Rinca Island, where we reached the top of a hill and enjoyed panoramic views of Komodo National Park.
Day 3: Chasing the Sunrise on Padar Island and Visiting Pink Beach
Our boat anchored near Padar Island, where we spent the night before beginning our sunrise hike. The sky above Labuan Bajo was filled with countless stars, so the other travellers and I stayed on the deck for hours, admiring the spectacular view.
Before dawn, we prepared to hike to the top of Padar Island. Since it was still dark, we brought flashlights to illuminate the trail. The climb was steep and challenging, and many visitors stopped at the viewpoints along the way. However, I highly recommend continuing all the way to the summit. The panoramic view of the rugged hills and curved bays was breathtaking—so beautiful that even a camera could not fully capture it.
After taking plenty of photographs and enjoying the breathtaking scenery, our tour guide signalled that it was time to gather and return to the boat. We then continued our island-hopping adventure to Pink Beach, Manta Point, and Taka Makassar.
At all three stops, we had the opportunity to go snorkelling, while some travellers chose to scuba dive. Visiting Taka Makassar felt particularly special because this tiny sandbar is most visible during low tide and may become partially submerged as the tide rises. Boats commonly stop nearby while visitors explore Manta Point, where, with a little luck, you can swim alongside majestic manta rays in their natural habitat. We spent another night aboard the boat, this time anchored near Kalong Island. Like Padar Island, the area offered a beautiful sunset, but the highlight was watching thousands of flying foxes emerge from the mangroves and soar across the evening sky.
Day 4: Encountering a Baby Shark near Kanawa Island
Our snorkelling adventure continued the following morning at Kanawa Island, which was extremely crowded when we arrived. To escape the crowds, our guide invited us to swim farther away from the shore. It was worth the effort—the water revealed healthy, colourful coral reefs teeming with marine life. We even encountered a curious baby shark that kept following us. At one point, it playfully nipped our guide’s foot, creating one of the trip’s most unexpected and memorable moments!
To wrap up our trip, we trekked through the hills of Sebayur Island. We had originally planned to visit Gili Lawa Darat, but a fire there that month meant our route had to change. Sebayur turned out to be just as beautiful, especially during the dry season, when its hills take on warm golden hues.
After the trek, we headed to Kelor Island for our final stop before returning to Labuan Bajo. Its proximity to town makes it a great option if you want to go snorkelling without joining a longer island-hopping trip. Our open trip came to an end on Kelor Island. Back in Labuan Bajo that evening, we visited SO Bajo Night Market for a seafood dinner, choosing from the fresh catch sold by local vendors. It was a lovely way to spend our final night in town.
For international travellers continuing to Bali, a direct flight from Labuan Bajo to Denpasar takes around one hour and ten minutes. One-way tickets can cost roughly US$60–US$100, although fares vary by travel date, airline, and how early you book.
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