Indonesia · East Nusa Tenggara
Flores Island &
Komodo National Park
The complete guide to Indonesia's most spectacular island — from Komodo dragons and colored crater lakes to 670 km of volcanic coastline.
Flores is a 670 km island in eastern Indonesia, stretching from Labuan Bajo — gateway to Komodo National Park — to Larantuka in the east. It combines world-class diving, volcanic hikes, colored crater lakes, traditional villages, and some of the least-visited landscapes in Southeast Asia.
Map of Flores & Komodo
Click any marker to open the full destination or experience guide.
Destinations
Complete guide to Bajawa, Flores. Base for Ngada traditional villages (Bena, Gurusina), Inerie Volcano, and the Soa hot …
Complete guide to Ende, Flores. A port city with deep history — Sukarno's exile home 1934–1938 — and the closest city to…
Complete guide to Komodo Island. Home of the Komodo dragon, Pink Beach, world-class diving at Manta Point, and some of I…
Complete travel guide to Labuan Bajo, the fishing-town-turned-tourist-hub on the western tip of Flores. Base for Komodo …
Complete guide to Larantuka, East Flores. Indonesia's most famous Catholic city, home of the extraordinary Semana Santa …
Complete guide to Maumere, East Flores. Indonesia's underrated dive destination, home to Wuring fishing village, and the…
Everything you need to know about staying in Moni — the small village at the foot of Kelimutu volcano. Guesthouses, tran…
Complete guide to Padar Island, Komodo National Park. The three-bay viewpoint is the most photographed landscape in Indo…
Complete guide to Rinca Island in Komodo National Park. Closer to Labuan Bajo than Komodo Island, equal dragon sightings…
Complete guide to Ruteng, Flores. Home of the spider web rice fields (Lingko), the highest town on the Trans-Flores High…
Experiences
Complete guide to visiting Bena, the best-preserved Ngada traditional village near Bajawa. What to see, how to behave, w…
Complete guide to diving Komodo National Park. The best dive sites, current conditions, manta ray season, water temperat…
Everything you need to plan your Kelimutu sunrise visit. The three crater lakes that change color, how to get there from…
Complete guide to trekking with Komodo dragons in Komodo National Park. Which island is best, what the trek is like, saf…
Everything about the Lombok–Komodo liveaboard route. What's included, what to expect day by day, costs, operators, how t…
Complete guide to Pink Beach (Pantai Merah) on Komodo Island. Why the sand is pink, how to get there, snorkeling conditi…
Complete guide to Riung and the 17 Islands Marine Park on the north coast of Flores. Snorkeling, flying foxes, white san…
Complete guide to the Lingko spider web rice fields near Ruteng. Why they look like a web, how to get to the Cara viewpo…
Complete guide to trekking to Wae Rebo — the remote Manggarai village of cone-shaped Mbaru Niang houses in the mountains…
The Flores Overland
Most visitors fly into Labuan Bajo, see Komodo, and leave. They miss the rest of the island. The Trans-Flores Highway runs 670 km east through eight distinct regions, each with its own volcano, culture, and character. It is one of the great road trips of Southeast Asia.
The route: Labuan Bajo → Ruteng (spider-web rice fields) → Bajawa (Ngada culture, Inerie volcano) → Riung (17 islands) → Ende → Moni (Kelimutu base) → Maumere (diving) → Larantuka (Easter procession, ferry east).
Frequently asked questions
What is Flores Island in Indonesia?
Flores is a 14,300 km² island in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. It stretches 670 km from Labuan Bajo in the west — the gateway to Komodo National Park — to Larantuka in the east. The island is known for its volcanic landscapes, colored crater lakes at Kelimutu, traditional villages, world-class diving, and rich Catholic-influenced culture.
Is Flores part of Komodo National Park?
No — Komodo National Park sits just west of Flores, across the Sape Strait, on the islands of Komodo, Rinca, and Padar. Labuan Bajo, on the western tip of Flores, is the main gateway town for visiting the park. Most visitors base themselves in Labuan Bajo and take day trips or liveaboard cruises into the park.
How long does it take to travel across Flores?
Driving the Trans-Flores Highway from Labuan Bajo to Larantuka takes 2–3 days non-stop, but most travelers take 10–14 days to properly explore the highlights. The road connects all major towns: Labuan Bajo → Ruteng → Bajawa → Ende → Moni → Maumere → Larantuka.
What is the best time to visit Flores?
The dry season runs from May to October, with July–September being the most reliable. This is also peak season for Komodo diving. The wet season (November–April) brings heavy rain and rough seas, making liveaboard cruises and some mountain treks difficult. Kelimutu can be visited year-round but is clearest in the dry season.
Do I need a visa to visit Flores, Indonesia?
Citizens of most countries can enter Indonesia visa-free for 30 days or obtain a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at major airports including Labuan Bajo (LBJ) and Maumere (MOF). The VOA costs USD 35 and can be extended once for another 30 days.
What is the Lombok to Komodo liveaboard route?
The Lombok–Komodo liveaboard is one of Southeast Asia's most popular backpacker routes. Boats depart from Bangsal or Senggigi (Lombok), spend 3–4 days crossing via the Gili Islands, Sumbawa, and the Komodo Archipelago, and end in Labuan Bajo (Flores). It includes stops at Komodo Island (dragons), Padar (viewpoint), Pink Beach, and snorkeling sites.
Is Flores safe to travel?
Flores is generally very safe for travelers. Petty crime is rare. The main risks are traffic on mountain roads (drive cautiously at night), strong currents at some dive sites, and altitude sickness if ascending volcanoes quickly. Medical facilities are limited outside Labuan Bajo and Maumere — travel insurance with evacuation cover is strongly recommended.
What language do people speak in Flores?
Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) is the national language and widely understood. Flores has over 20 local languages — the main ones are Manggarai (west), Ngada (central-west), Ende-Lio (central), and Sikka (east). English is spoken in tourist areas of Labuan Bajo, less so in smaller towns.