A Weekend Adventure: Exploring Flores & Komodo Island

If you’re looking for a weekend adventure, a trip to Flores and Komodo Island should be at the top of your list. It’s the perfect way to start exploring Indonesia beyond Bali.

A direct flight from Bali to Labuan Bajo, the main town on Flores, costs around IDR 900K round-trip per person. This port city serves as the gateway to the legendary Komodo archipelago, where boat tours to the islands begin.

Labuan Bajo feels different from other Indonesian destinations. As a port town with a European influence, it’s one of the few places where you can easily walk around and enjoy the atmosphere. The majority of the population here is Catholic, a legacy of Portuguese explorers, which adds to its unique cultural charm.

For a budget-friendly meal, check out the local seafood warungs near the port. If you’re in the mood for Italian, two excellent restaurants worth visiting are Baccala and MadeInItaly. Prices are comparable to Canggu or even higher, but the quality is authentic Italian.

For those who prefer a pub atmosphere, stop by Dockers Arms, the Labuan Bajo branch of Bali’s Plumbers Arms. It offers a wide selection of beers and great food.

Since this was my second trip to Flores (the first was two years ago), I decided to stay at the same place—Sunset Hill. It offers a stunning panoramic view of the bay from its hilltop location. The only downside was some construction work nearby, but it didn’t disrupt our stay.

The highlight of the trip is a one-day boat tour to Komodo National Park. You can find tour operators in the center of Labuan Bajo, with prices ranging from IDR 1M to 1.4M, depending on the boat size and number of passengers (larger boats with more people are cheaper). Always negotiate the price!

💰 Additional Cost: The Komodo National Park entrance fee is IDR 400K per person, which includes a ranger’s services.

🏝 Padar Island – A must-visit for its famous panoramic views. The hike to the top viewpoint is well worth it.

🌸 Pink Beach (Long Pink Beach) – A unique pink-sand beach formed by crushed coral particles. Two years ago, it wasn’t as pink, as the color varies depending on coral blooms. This time, we got lucky!

🐉 Komodo Island – Home to the majestic Komodo dragons, which locals call “Ora” or “Buaya Darat” (land crocodile).

🐠 Kanawa Island – A tiny island with crystal-clear water and white sand, ideal for snorkeling.

🦈 Manta Point – A famous snorkeling spot where you can swim with manta rays. Unfortunately, we weren’t lucky that day, but maybe you will be!

🐟 Siaba Island – One of the best snorkeling spots, teeming with marine life. I’ve never seen so many different fish species in one place!

The tour usually finishes an hour before sunset, making it perfect to watch the sunset from one of the portside seafood warungs serving freshly caught fish and seafood.

For those staying longer on Flores, 2-4 day boat tours are also popular. You can check with MyBaliTrips for pricing and bookings. They also offer multi-day land tours around Flores Island.

Before our 5 PM flight back to Bali, we took some time to explore Flores Island near Labuan Bajo. Here are the places we visited:

1️⃣ Batu Cermin Cave

A unique cave where sunlight reflects off the stone walls, creating a magical atmosphere. It’s located 20 minutes from town.

💰 Entrance fee: IDR 50K per person

💰 Ranger guide: IDR 50K per group (Highly recommended—guides share fascinating stories, including how this area was once underwater millions of years ago).

🚨 Not recommended for those with claustrophobia!

2️⃣ Melo Village

A traditional Manggarai village where you can experience local culture, traditional music, and ancient rituals.

💰 Entrance fee: IDR 100K (for walking around the village)

💰 Full cultural program: IDR 1M, including the Caci dance (a dramatic whip-fighting performance).

⏳ Unfortunately, the performances don’t run on a fixed schedule and depend on the season and number of visitors. Always check with your guide or driver!

3️⃣ Cunca Wulang Waterfall

A stunning waterfall, perfect for swimming and cliff jumping, similar to Bali’s Aling-Aling waterfall. A great place for nature lovers and photography.

4️⃣ Rangko Cave

A hidden cave accessible only by boat (IDR 300K per group of 4). Inside, you’ll find a natural pool with crystal-clear water, ideal for a refreshing dip.

✅ Highly recommended—perfect for escaping the heat!

Alternative Option: Cave & Snorkeling Combo

If you don’t want to spend half the day traveling between different locations, you can combine a visit to Rangko Cave with snorkeling. This allows for a relaxed morning, followed by a cave swim and snorkeling, before heading back to the airport.

🚗 Transport & Costs

A car with a driver for the full day costs around IDR 1.5M.

📌 Where to find a driver? Ask at your hotel reception or any restaurant—locals are always happy to help!

Final Thoughts

Flores & Komodo Island offer a perfect mix of adventure, nature, and culture. Whether you have just a weekend or plan a longer trip, this experience is unforgettable!