Labuan Bajo is on the island of Flores, part of the nation of Indonesia. It is a popular location for scuba divers and people interested in ancient megaliths. If you are looking for accommodation in Labuan Bajo, check here.
What are some activities to do during your visit?
Visiting Komodo Dragons at Komodo National Park
Komodo dragons are giant carnivorous reptiles endemic to several islands in eastern Indonesia. They can live in scrub forests, mangrove swamps, savanna grasslands, mountains, or coastal areas that support sufficient prey species. Some tour operators offer tours where you can see them around their habitat on Rinca Island (one of three currently inhabited by these animals).
Scuba diving around Labuan Bajo
Scuba diving in Labuan Bajo opens up the opportunity to see manta rays, barracuda, pods of dolphins and an extensive range of sea life. Many dive operators are both onshore and offshore, so arranging a tour is easy.
Fishing & snorkelling
You can hire a boat from any local resort, grab your fishing rod, spinner bait and fishing hooks, and take a few hours out to go fishing or snorkelling. The waters around Labuan Bajo have been voted as some of the best in the world for big game fish, making this activity popular with locals and tourists.
Finding Nemo?
Labuan Bajo is famous for being the site where divers found Nemo, one of Marlin’s children, in ‘Finding Nemo’. He was found on a small coral reef called Manta Point. There is a statue in Komodo National Park to commemorate when he is frozen in time, jumping from the water.
Visiting the Komodo interpretation centre
The Komodo Interpretation Centre is an excellent place to get information about the island and learn more about the reef, its inhabitants and the Komodo Dragons. It’s also an excellent spot to take some great photos of these giant lizards!
Renting a bike to explore Labuan Bajo
Labuan Bajo is relatively small, so it’s easy to explore on your own by renting a bicycle from one of the resorts or hotels around town. There are traditional houses that have been constructed into restaurants and cafes, which you can check out in between shopping.
Trying local cuisine at Dapur Ibu Kitchen
Dapur Ibu means ‘Moms kitchen’ in Bahasa Indonesian. The restaurant is in a traditional house owned by Mama Bu, who cooks the most delicious dishes in town!
Visiting Labuan Bajo is an opportunity to see Komodo Dragons, underwater reefs teeming with sea life and some of Indonesia’s best megaliths. There are plenty of activities around the area, such as scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing, cycling or dining at local restaurants.
Pink beach
Pink beach is located near Nangapanda village, about 8 km north of Labuan Bajo city centre. This beach is famous for its pinkish sands, which reflect throughout the day because of certain algae that grow here; water depth is only about 1-2 meters, making it unique and easy to swim. This area, also known as “Batu Karang” (Krai beach), has large karst rock formations that dominate the landscape.
Spinner baits are a type of fishing bait that are well suited to catching bass. You can use a spinnerbait in a variety of fishing scenarios, but they work best in clear, shallow water that is less than 10 feet (3.0 m) deep. The spinnerbait comprises a metal shaft and 2-3 spinning metal plates. When drawn through the water, the plates spin and catch the sunlight, drawing the attention of bass and other large freshwater fish.
Enjoy Sunset with fresh seafood at Miri Miri Restaurant
Miri-Miri restaurant provides one of the best views on Flores Island and some delicious seafood for dinner time. With a located right next to the sea, this place offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy sunsets without travelling any further. The restaurants are self-service, allowing you to pick out your seafood and place orders for drinks.
Trekking and camping at Mount Kelimutu
Located on Flores Island’s eastern edge, Mount Kelimutu is a popular destination for its breathtaking views and because it is home to three active volcanoes: Moncong Lompobattang, Tongkoko and Tretes. The ideal time to explore the summit is during December when it’s more relaxed than usual so that hikers can catch a glimpse of one of its famed ‘three-coloured lakes’. Depending on which side of the mountain you’re on, each lake has a different colour: blue, green and red. Many people believe that these colours represent the past, present, and future. The red is often referred to as the ‘fury of the gods’.
