'''Labuanbajo''', also spelled '''Labuhanbajo''', is a city at the tip of Flores Island in Indonesia. It is the launching point for trips to Komodo Island and Rinca Island to see Komodo dragons and the surrounding sea is idyllic for diving and snorkeling. Nearby '''Seraya Island''' is a great opportunity to do some diving and snorkeling and every evening at '''Kalong Island''' thousands of flying fox bats put on an amazing display.

Get in

By plane

Several companies operates flights from (and to) Labuanbajo airport. Indonesia Air Transport (IAT) has flight every day to Denpasar (700,000Rp) and to Ende. Merpati Airlines flies 3 to 4 times a week to Denpasar (620,000Rp). TransNusa has flight daily from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo at ETD 09.30 ETA 10.52 and Labuan Bajo to Denpasar ETD 11.30 ETA 12.52 (971.000Rp) . All flights to Denpasar leaves between 11AM and 3PM. The Labuanbajo airport departure tax is 5000Rp.

By boat

Ferries to Sumbawa Island to the west (towards Bali) leave daily.

A number of companies organise 4 day sailing trips between Lombok or Bali and Flores for around Rp1,000,000 passengers should be aware that these trips can cross open waters and are on boats with no navigation or safety equipment other than some lifejackets (ie. no radio, flares or life rafts).

but one that has a better service to offer is by perama tour, they call it Hunting Komod by camera trip, it a trip started from lombok, it leaves every six day from lombok and also the other way around. with price for cabin is around Rp.2,600,000 or you can choose a deck class for Rp.2,000,000 where you get to sleep with a thin carpet, it is not realy an open water beacuse it coasting along the coastal line and the most importan it got the navigation and safety equipment. It take you to vistit some spots along the way to labuan bajo and komodo, so the price is pretty fair for the trip the offer, try to visit their web for more details [http://www.peramatour.com www.peramatour.com]

By bus

Very crowded public buses leave for Ende and Maumere. For those going on to points in the east of Flores another more expensive option is to hire a car.

Get around

The town is quite small and can easily be traversed on foot. Motorcycles and bemos are also options.

See

A beautiful view of the bay can be seen from any of the hilltop restaurants.

Do

'''Komodo National Park''' encompasses a lot of water and islands west of Labuanbajo. If you want to go to Rinca or Komodo islands, or dive in the park you will have to buy a 3 day park pass for US$15. Money from such user fees goes into conservation efforts.

'''Rinca Island ''' (Indonesian: Rinca Kecil or Rinca Pulau) is a more convenient place to see Komodo Dragons than Komodo island. Some dive operators might be convinced to combine a stop at the island with a days diving. There are big dragons that are often right in front of the pier when people arrive.

'''Scuba Diving''' within the park is excellent, probably one of the best in the world. Mostly because of higher biodiversity than any elsewhere in the world. There are three main dive operators that offer day dives as well as live aboard opportunities: Bajo Dive Club, Dive Komodo, and Reef Seekers.

'''Seraya Island ''' (Indonesian: Seraya Kecil or Seraya Pulau) is an idyllic island and a great opportunity to get away from civilization and do some snorkeling and diving. Seraya is little more than a small, arid island outside of the Komodo National Park with a few bamboo huts for tourist lodging, a restaurant, and some villagers who let their goats graze on vegetation. The island_fs cove is protected from the sea providing calm and clear water for snorkeling. At low tide the coral is exposed and local fishermen walk on the reef in search of prey. Rowboats can be rented and taken to nearby islands for snorkeling and diving. Make sure to run up to the top of the hill behind the resorts and check out the sunset. The lodges on the island do have showers, but running water is only available a few hours a day. The resort on Seraya is operated by Gardena hotel in Labuanbajo and a stay on the island can be booked at Gardena_fs front desk.[http://www.serayaisland.com/] This costs 120,000-140,000 for a bungalow and you are charged 20,000 pp each way.

One of the more spectacular displays of nature in the area is at '''Kalong Island''' (Indonesian: ''Pulau Kalong''; also spelt ''Kalung''), which literally means "Flying Fox Island." The name is quit appropriate as the island is home to thousands of Kalong, or giant flying fox bats. Boats to Kalong can be chartered from Labuanbajo for around $30 for a return ride, including a snorkeling stop at a nearby island before you reach Pulau Kalong. Your boat will situate itself next to the mangrove island and at dusk literally tens of thousands of flying foxes emerge from the mangrove island and move over your boat towards Rinca Island. For the entire colony to emerge will take roughly twenty minutes of continuous waves of bats passing over your boat. The boat ride to/from Labuanbajo will take roughly one hour.

Buy

Shops selling tourist trinkets, local fabric, and Komodo Dragon carvings are located in the center of town. Western products of varying quality are available in the toko or kiosk alongside the roads.

Consider taking a trip to the market early in the morning to purchase local coffee, spices, or just to look over a wealth of local produce and goods.

Internet can be accessed for Rp. 5,000 an hour on the third floor of the Telekom building on the south end of the main road. Access isn't 100% reliable but it seems to be better than the connection in Ende.

Eat

Choose from a variety of Indonesian, Chinese, and Western restaurants on the main road. There is quality seafood at The Gardena, The Lounge, and The Matahari. There are also many masakan padang places along the main road, which are worth checking out for an inexpensive and filling meal.

Drink

Paradise bar, which is a 10min walk north from the center of town is the only bar that is open until late and has a fantastic view of the sunset.

Sleep

Labuanbajo currently has a dearth of hotel space. Despite the poor service, the best place to stay, if there is a vacancy, is at the hillside resort of Gardena rooms - 70,000 to 100,000. Watch out for the giant lizards that enjoy hanging out in bathrooms. The rooms at the top of the hill are within range of an open wireless internet connection. The hotel also runs the resort on Seraya Island; a stay on the island can be booked at the front desk. If Gardena is full try Hostel Matahari a bit futher up the street. Remember to take the room from upstairs - 60,000.

To get away from the noise the Golo Hill Top Hotel is excellent with great views food comparable to the Gardena but great service. It is a five to 10min walk to town.

Get out

  • Komodo, where be dragons
  • West to Sape, Sumbawa
  • East to Ende, Maumere and the tricolored lake of Kelimutu