Things to Do in Labuan Bajo: Komodo, Diving & Pink Beach

Labuan Bajo is a small port town on the western tip of Flores that serves as the gateway to Komodo National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting Komodo dragons, manta rays, and some of the most biodiverse reef systems in the world. The town itself is compact; its purpose is almost entirely as a base for boat trips. Plan a minimum of three nights to cover the main highlights without rushing.

1. Komodo Island Dragon Tracking

Komodo Island is the main draw: a chance to observe Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) — the world’s largest living lizard species, reaching up to 3 metres in length — in their native habitat. A ranger accompanies every group; do not wander unescorted, and maintain a safe distance at all times.

National Park entry fee: IDR 250,000 on weekdays / IDR 600,000 on weekends as of 2026 Ranger fee: Approximately IDR 80,000 per group | Best time: Morning, before midday heat

The dragon-tracking path at Komodo Island takes 45–90 minutes. Dragons are most active in the morning and typically found near the canteen area where they gather, attracted by the smell of food. Rinca Island (closer to Labuan Bajo, 2 hours by boat) is an alternative with similarly reliable dragon sightings and slightly fewer visitors.

2. Padar Island Sunrise Hike

Padar Island’s ridgeline trail delivers the iconic three-bay panorama — the image most associated with Komodo National Park. The ascent takes 25–35 minutes on a stepped path; the summit view spans three differently coloured bays simultaneously.

Included in: National Park entry ticket | Depart Labuan Bajo: 4:30–5am for sunrise timing

Most organised tours combine Padar sunrise with Komodo dragons and Pink Beach in a single long day. If doing Padar independently via charter, bring water and sunscreen — there is no shade on the ridge and no facilities beyond a viewing platform.

3. Pink Beach (Pantai Merah)

One of only seven pink-sand beaches in the world, Pink Beach gets its colouring from microscopic red coral organisms (Foraminifera) mixed into the white sand. The result is a distinctive salmon-rose tint, most visible in bright midday light.

Entry: Covered by National Park ticket | Access: Boat only — approximately 45 minutes from Komodo Island

The water at Pink Beach is exceptionally clear with good snorkelling directly off the beach. Visibility often exceeds 15 metres. Reef fish, sea turtles, and the occasional reef shark pass through. Boat tours typically allow 45–75 minutes here; bring your own snorkel gear or rent from the tour operator.

4. Batu Bolong Dive Site

Batu Bolong is a rock pinnacle rising from deep water that concentrates an extraordinary density of marine life: giant trevally, Napoleon wrasse, schooling fusiliers, reef sharks, and manta rays. It is consistently rated among the top ten dive sites in Southeast Asia.

Dive with operators: Approximately IDR 450,000–600,000 per dive as of 2026, including equipment and guide Current: Strong — intermediate to advanced divers recommended

Multiple dive shops on the Labuan Bajo waterfront offer day trips to Batu Bolong. Komodo Dive Centre and Blue Marlin Komodo are established operators with consistent safety records. The site is inside the National Park, so park entry applies.

5. Manta Point

Manta rays aggregate at Manta Point year-round, though sightings are most reliable from November to April. Both snorkellers and divers enter the water; the mantas — often 3–4 metres wingspan — feed on plankton in the current, circling in slow arcs.

Access: Via boat tour, usually combined with other park sites | Snorkel or dive: Approximately IDR 400,000–700,000 per person

Do not chase or touch the mantas — they will leave. Stay still in the water column and let them approach. Sightings are essentially guaranteed during peak aggregation months; less reliable in the dry season (May–August) but still frequent.

6. Rinca Island

Rinca is the second island in Komodo National Park with a large dragon population and is closer to Labuan Bajo (approximately 2 hours by boat versus 3–4 hours to Komodo). It sees fewer day visitors and the dragons tend to be more scattered across the landscape rather than concentrated near a canteen.

Park entry: Same ticket as Komodo | Ranger-guided trek: IDR 80,000 per group

The Rinca trek covers savannah grassland, dry riverbeds, and dense forest depending on route chosen (short: 45 minutes, long: 2 hours). Water buffalo, deer, and wild boar — all dragon prey — are commonly sighted.

7. Kanawa Island Snorkelling

Kanawa is a small private island 30 minutes by boat from Labuan Bajo with a house reef accessible directly from the beach. Coral cover is excellent and the site receives far fewer visitors than the Komodo Park sites.

Day access: Approximately IDR 100,000/person | Snorkel gear rental: IDR 50,000/set

The island has a small resort (Kanawa Island Resort) with basic bungalows — an option for those wanting to sleep away from Labuan Bajo town. The beach faces west and is a reliable sunset spot.

8. Labuan Bajo Waterfront Sunset

The Labuan Bajo waterfront strip runs along the harbour with bars, restaurants, and viewpoints looking west over the bay. Sunset here — with dozens of traditional wooden phinisi boats moored in the harbour, the sky going orange — is one of the better town-level experiences.

Entry: Free | Best spot: Rooftop bars above the main strip — Sunset Terrace at Bintang Flores Hotel or Golo Hilltop viewpoint (5-minute drive from town centre, IDR 25,000 entry)

9. Flying Fox Colony at Kalong Island

At dusk, hundreds of thousands of large fruit bats (flying foxes) depart Kalong Island in a streaming black cloud that takes 30–40 minutes to disperse. Boat tours pass the island during the exodus at roughly 6pm.

Included in: Many sunset cruise packages — approximately IDR 200,000–400,000/person Best months: Year-round, but the colony is largest in the wet season

10. Multi-Day Liveaboard

For serious divers and those wanting unhurried access to the furthest park sites (Sangeang Api volcano, the Horseshoe Bay sites), a 2- or 3-day liveaboard allows diving three to four times per day and anchoring overnight in remote bays.

Cost: Approximately IDR 3,500,000–8,000,000/person per night depending on vessel and inclusions as of 2026

Budget liveaboards operate wooden phinisi boats with basic cabin bunks; premium vessels offer air-conditioned cabins, proper dive decks, and nitrox fills. Book at least three months ahead for July–August.

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Getting to Labuan Bajo

Komodo Airport (LBJ) receives daily flights from Bali (45 minutes), Jakarta (2 hours), and Lombok. Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, and Batik Air all operate the Bali–Labuan Bajo route. From the airport, taxis to town cost approximately IDR 50,000–80,000 (10 minutes).

Browse tours and activities in Labuan Bajo — a local guide makes a big difference for navigating temples, wildlife sites, and the less-visited corners of the island. Travel insurance for Indonesia is strongly recommended before any trip — emergency medical cover is especially important given the distances between islands.

More Labuan Bajo Guides

• Labuan Bajo travel guide — the full Labuan Bajo overview: orientation, hotels, restaurants, and planning your trip
• Where to stay in Labuan Bajo — harbour hotels, dive resorts, and budget guesthouses compared
• Labuan Bajo food guide — the best restaurants, warungs, and seafood in town
• Komodo Island guide — the national park: dragons, Pink Beach, Padar, and what to expect
• Komodo diving guide — the best dive sites, currents, and when to go in the national park