15 Best Things To Do In Flores, Indonesia
FYI: Some links on my site are affiliate links that help support my site at no additional cost to you. Read more on my privacy policy page.
The best thing to do in Flores is to take a Komodo Islands Cruise, hands down.
Thousands of visitors every week come from all over the world to see the elusive Komodo Dragons in their natural habitat – But what most travelers don’t know is that Flores is so much more than just the Komodos!
I have been living in Indonesia for the past two years, and I spent a month living in Labuan Bajo, Flores, after taking a Komodo Boat Tour from Lombok.
Flores Island had me floored at the sheer amount of amazing and spectacular things you could do there – Keep reading for my list of the best things you can do in Flores.
15 Best Things to Do in Flores, Indonesia
1. Take A Boat Tour Of Komodo National Park
Taking a multi-day boat tour of Komodo Islands National Park is the #1 thing to do in East Nusa Tenggara & Flores Island.
Komodo National Park is home to 29 different islands, each with their own unique flora and fauna. By taking a multi-day Komodo Cruise, you get to go island hopping and see everything Komodo National Park has to offer!
👉 Note! There Are Two Different Types Of Komodo Boat Tours
1) 💵 Backpackers’ Boat: The 4-day/3-night tour from Lombok to Flores. This is known as the “Backpackers’ Komodo Cruise” or the “Budget Komodo Cruise”. These are only around 2,800,000 IDR per person ($185) and are no-frills.
2) 🍾 Luxury Cruise: All other Komodo Boat Tours I refer to as “Luxury Boat Tours” because, in comparison to the Backpackers’ Boat, they are the height of luxury!
The other main difference between the two boat tours is that the Backpackers’ Boat departs from Lombok and sails to Flores, while the standard Komodo Boat Tours departs and lands in Labuan Bajo, Flores.
On a Luxury Komodo Boat Tour, you can expect gorgeous accommodations, a personal photographer, AC in every cabin, and high-end meals.
The best part? The “Luxury” Komodo Cruises really don’t cost that much more than the Budget Backpackers’ option! ➡ This Luxury Cruise is the same price as the Backpacker’s Boat!
Explore The Different Komodo Boat Tours You Can Book Online ⤵
👉-> Click Here to Explore Komodo Sailing Trips! <-👈
2. Hike To The Padar Island Viewpoint
Padar Island is another one of the many stops you’ll make if you take a multi-day Komodo Boat Tour.
Padar Island is in Komodo National Park and is only reachable by boat. The 🚢 Multi-Day Komodo Boat Tours usually arrange it so you’re either climbing to the viewpoint at either sunrise or sunset.
I did both and both sunrise and sunset are equally as beautiful! Padar Island is a rare place that looks just as good in real life as it does on Instagram photos.
💪 Fitness – The trek to the Padar Island viewpoint is about 20-30 minutes depending on fitness level, but it’s all stairs straight up! I saw young children on the hike but I would recommend wearing some sturdy shoes and bringing a water bottle.
3. Swim At The Magical Pink Beach
The Pink Beach in Komodo National Park is one of those things you see on Instagram and think, “That can’t be real, it has to be photoshopped”.
Well – I’m here to tell you that I’ve been there (TWICE!) and it IS just as real and amazing as these photos make it look!
The pink beach gets its color from ground-up red coral from coral reefs that are mixed with the sand, giving the beach where the water meets the shore this gorgeous pink color.
🚢 On the Luxurious Komodo Islands cruise I took from Labuan Bajo, Flores, they included kayaks so we could paddle around on the Pink Beach – and it was amazing!
Not only is Pink Beach special because of its color, but it’s also just the nicest beach I have ever been to in my life.
You can only reach Pink Beach via a guided boat tour, which helps keep tourism down and keep the beach in pristine condition.
4. See The Komodo Dragons At Komodo & Rinca Island
Komodo Dragons are giant reptiles that can grow to be over 10 feet long and weigh 300 pounds! Komodo National Park is the only place in the world where you can naturally find the infamous Komodo Dragon.
Full Disclosure, Seeing the Komodo Dragons is a little anti-climactic. They’re usually sleeping on the beach, and while they can run very fast (when they’re hunting) – as a traveler to the islands, you likely won’t see that.
This is because the Komodo Dragons today are fed on the beach of Komodo Island so they’re always readily available for tourists to take pictures with.
And that’s really all visiting Komodo Island is – a quick photo-op with a sleepy dragon. Afterward, you can visit a gift shop where locals sell hand-carved Komodo Dragons you can bring home, and t-shirts that say “I survived Komodo Island”.
🐉 Seeing the Komodo Dragons was a little too touristy for my taste, but since it was just one stop out of many on a Komodo Boat Tour, it’s still a worthwhile experience!
Most Boat tours visit Komodo Island, the first island in Komodo National Park that became famous for having a large population of dragons. But lately, since Komodo Island gets so many tourists, tourism has expanded to include Rinca Island as well as Komodo Island.
Rinca Island is supposed to be a little less touristy than Komodo and is another island in East Nusa Tenggara where you can see the Komodo Dragon in its natural habitat.
5. Trek To Wae Rebo Traditional Village
Wae Rebo is the craziest-looking spot I’ve ever been to! It’s another gorgeous spot in East Nusa Tenggara that lives up to the photos I saw of it on Instagram.
Indonesia is made up of thousands of different islands, and all of those islands have individual cultures, rituals, and languages.
On Flores Island alone, there are many different villages that carry on their traditions. Wae Rebo, being situated high up in the mountains of Flores, is the most picturesque.
How To Get To Wae Rebo From Labuan Bajo
Wae Rebo is located a 5-hour drive from Labuan Bajo town, and can only be visited by trekking 1.5-2 hours uphill.
Because of the distance, most travelers visit Wae Rebo via a 2-day/1-night guided tour.
Sleeping in Wae Rebo is a really cool experience – They have these large thatched-roof yurts set up for guests staying overnight in the village.
The Wae Rebo trek was a great way to meet people, as the communal rooms fit around 20 guests. When we were there they served coffee and tea all night for travelers to stay up chatting and we met a lot of cool people.
In the daytime, you can walk around and explore how the locals grow and process coffee, or just enjoy the village.
💪 Fitness: The hike to Wae Rebo starts out pretty steep, we were huffing and puffing the first half-hour. After that, it evens out and isn’t so steep for the second hour. Because it is uphill, I would make sure to pack sturdy shoes!
6. Ride Motor Scooters Around The Island
Some travelers love driving scooters in Bali, but I’m not one of them! The traffic is too hectic, and it makes me a little anxious – but in Flores, I loved driving my scooter!
The roads are wide and open with very little traffic on Flores Island, and it felt like almost every road we drove on had a GORGEOUS view whether it was of the sea or jungle.
If you’re not comfortable driving a scooter in Bali but want to learn or get better, I would recommend trying Flores! Just remember to always wear your helmet!
You should be able to rent a scooter through your Hotel or Resort in Labuan Bajo.
Safety Tip! Planning on driving motor scooters in Indonesia or doing other adventurous things in foreign countries? I never leave my home country without comprehensive travel insurance just in case. 👉 Check Out Safety Wing International Travel Insurance
7. Swim In Rangko Cave
Rangko Cave is a very special kinda-hidden spot that’s 1/2 hour’s drive outside of Labuan Bajo, on the island of Flores.
What makes Rangko Cave so special is that it has super-clear bright blue water that’s actually salt water – so anyone swimming in it naturally floats!
The saltwater makes swimming in Rangko Cave a much more pleasant experience than other famous swimming caves, like the cenotes in Mexico, because you don’t have to wear a life vest to be able to just float and hang out.
When we went to Rangko Cave there also was no current inside the cave. So we were able to just float and hang out!
👉 Safety Tip! You don’t really need snorkels, flippers, life vests, or any typical swimming things to visit Rangko Cave – but you DO need water shoes! The locals have built some lovely stone steps that descend to the cave pool to make it easy to access, but it hurts getting out of the water!
How To Visit Rangko Cave
While Rangko Cave is close to Labuan Bajo, the main port city on the island of Flores where most travelers end their Komodo Boat Tour, it’s a little difficult to get to independently.
Rangko Cave is located on a tiny island 20 minutes off the coast of Flores Island, which you can only get to by tiny boat.
The sea between Rangko Cave and mainland Flores is very shallow, often too shallow for the boats to go all the way to the shore – so you need to wade through the water about 10 meters offshore to get to the boats.
The boat drivers need to be hired independently if you don’t buy a package tour, and they’re a little expensive (200K-400K Indonesian Rupiah, or $10-20 per person, depending on your negotiation skills), so I recommend just taking a guided tour that includes all transportation.
This tour includes a trip to Rankgo Cave, as well as snorkeling at Sabolo Island and Seraya Island!
8. Snorkel With The Wild Whale Sharks
Swimming with the wild whale sharks in Komodo National Park was one of the stops my Budget Backpackers’ Komodo Cruise from Lombok to Flores took.
We woke up early on the second day, around 5 AM, to shouts of “whale shark spotted!!!” and everyone put on their snorkel sets and jumped in the water.
While Whale Sharks have the word “shark” in their name, whale sharks have very little in common with the Great White from Jaws. Swimming with Whale Sharks is a very safe activity because Whale Sharks actually don’t have teeth.
Instead, Whale Sharks are filter feeders. They can filter over 1,000 gallons of water per hour to find their food of choice, tiny fish like shrimp and plankton through their gills.
Swimming with the Whale Sharks in Komodo National Park was truly the most amazing experience I have ever had before 7 AM!
9. See The Traditional Ceremonies In Bajawa
Bajawa is another traditional village on the island of Flores. It’s a bit further from Labuan Bajo than Wae Rebo is, but it also has a reputation for being more authentic and less touristy.
Bajawa is about a 10-hour drive from Labuan Bajo, but it also has a small airport you can take a flight to if it’s within your travel budget. Because of the distance, budget at least 2 days for visiting Bajawa!
If you’re into cultural experiences, the main draw of Bajawa for tourists is the traditional ceremonies.
The ceremonies are for welcoming a new house, as their thatch houses are known for lasting for a century the ceremonies don’t happen that often (so you’d be lucky to catch one!).
The traditional ceremonies in Bajawa are a little gore-y – The village chieftains sacrifice many buffalos and pigs, and then the villagers cook the animals and put on a great feast.
The main Traditional village in Bajawa where you can watch these ceremonies is called Bena Village, and the other smaller villages are called Bla, Luba, Tololela, and Gurusina.
There are also two hot springs in Bajawa, the Malanage and Mangeruda Hot Springs, where you can soak in a naturally heated pool.
10. Go Scuba Diving On A LiveAboard Ship!
Along with Raja Ampat, Komodo National Park is considered the best place to scuba dive in the entire Indonesian Archipelago! You can see animals like sea turtles, manta rays, whale sharks, and more.
The diving liveaboard ships are usually multi-day tours, ranging from 3-7 days.
🤿 Don’t Have Your Diving Cert? You Can Get It In Flores! Check out getting Padi Certification in Labuan Bajo Here! ➡️ Get Scuba Certified!
11. Take A Sunset Cruise To Watch The Bat Migration Over Kalong Island
Every day at sunset thousands of Indonesian wild fruit bats called Flying Foxes, migrate from where they congregate on Kalong Island in Komodo National Park. The bats are nocturnal, so they leave the island as soon as the sun sets to hunt and forage for their food.
You can watch the sunset migration every day from the deck of your boat. We did this on our multi-day 🚢 Komodo Cruise, but you can also book it as a day trip from Labuan Bajo.
💡 Note: If you’re afraid of Bats, don’t worry! The boats are parked at a distance.
12. Swim With The Wild Manta Rays
Swimming with the wild Manta Rays in Komodo National Park was one of the most insane experiences of my life.
The Manta Rays congregate in Komodo National Park where there’s a natural ocean corridor where there’s a high current. Because they are wild animals, it’s not guaranteed you will see manta rays every time you swim there, but when I went there were over 10!
We were snorkeling about 10-15 feet above the giant manta rays, and it was surreal! They really are giants!
Swimming with the giant manta rays was one stop out of many we made on a Komodo Boat Tour.
🚨 NOTE!!! This activity is best for strong swimmers! You’re given fins and a life vest, but the current is very rough where the Manta Rays swim. It’s not dangerous, but if you’re not a strong swimmer you might only get a glimpse of them.
💡 Tip! If you don’t want to deal with crazy traffic and congestion during your trip to Ubud, I recommend staying 10 minutes outside of the city center, among the rice fields. You’ll have a much more peaceful trip!
🚩 Ethical Issues – The Manta Rays at Manta Point in Komodo National Park aren’t fed, and you’re observing them from a good 10-20 foot distance, so swimming with the Manta Rays was an ethical animal encounter!
13. Trek To The Three-Colored Lake At Kelimutu National Park
Mount Kelimutu in Kelimutu National Park is famous for having a volcano with three lakes in its’ crater, each a different color.
The Red, Green, & Blue lakes have a legend surrounding them. The locals believe that the god of the afterlife, Mae, sat at the foot of the lake and stored all the souls of the deceased there.
The lakes at Kelimutu are named for where the god sorted them, with one being for the souls of the old, another lake for those who died young, and the third for shamen or soothsayers.
The three lakes are called Tiwu ata Mbupu (Lake of Old People), Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai (Lake of Young Men & Women), and Tiwu Ata Polo (Enchanted Lake).
Do know it’s a bit of a trek up, as the craters are located at 1690m altitude.
How To Get To Kelimutu
Kelimutu 3-Color Crater Lakes is most typically visited via a 2-day / 1-night guided tour.
The tours usually start from Ende Airport in Flores, where you can take a short flight from Labuan Bajo Airport. Kelimutu is located on the far side of Flores from Labuan Bajo, and very few travelers choose to drive the distance, instead opting to fly.
14. Visit Some Of The Amazing Waterfalls In Flores: Cunca Wulang, Oenesu
Flores isn’t as known for its waterfalls as Bali is, but that can be a good thing! When I visited Cunca Wulang waterfall in Flores we were the only ones there and had it all to ourselves!
How To Get To Cunca Wulang Waterfall
Cunca Wulang is only about a 1-hour drive outside of the town of Labuan Bajo, Flores. But, once you leave the main road there are no signs (and no lights!) so I recommend taking a tour or going with a local guide.
15. Take In The View At Kelor Island
Kelor Island is only 15 minutes by boat outside of Labuan Bajo, Flores. It’s usually the first stop you’ll take on any Komodo Boat Tour.
Kelor Island doesn’t look like much from the dock, but it has an amazing viewpoint you can reach via a 10-minute trek to the top!
The view from the top of Kelor Island honestly looks like a screensaver – it’s perfect.
There’s also a nice coral reef you can visit right off Kelor Island by snorkeling. While snorkeling there I spotted a pufferfish! The first I had ever seen in the wild.
Where Is Flores Island Located?
This is a little confusing – Many of the main attractions in Flores are technically in the Komodos, which are part of the East Nusa Tenggara Indonesian province.
East Nusa Tenggara is a Province of Indonesia (kinda like a State in the USA), and Flores is an island within that province. So, when people talk about East Nusa Tenggara, they’re talking about the 566 islands that compromise that province including the main island of Flores.
The other islands in East Nusa Tenggara include all of the islands in Komodo National Park, like Rinca, Kelor, Kanawa, Komodo, etc, as well as the larger island of Sumba, and part of the island Timor.
East Nusa Tenggara lies far east of the island of Bali, where most international travelers start their journey through Indonesia.
In between East Nusa Tenggara and Bali are the islands of Sumbawa, Lombok, and the Gili Islands.
How to Get To Flores From Bali
Since there are multiple other islands in between them, the only direct way to get from Bali to Flores is by flying.
Direct flights run multiple times a day from Denpasar Airport in Bali and Labuan Bajo Airport in Flores and are only around $50 each way.
The flight takes 1 hour and you get an amazing view of the islands from the plane!
Taking A Boat Tour From Bali To Flores (Komodo)
If you’re okay with being a little bit uncomfortable, the “Backpackers Komodo Cruise” runs between the islands of Lombok & Flores, after sailing through Komodo National Park, twice a week on Sundays and Wednesdays.
The Backpackers’ Komodo Cruise is the perfect add-on to a Bali itinerary because you take a 🚢 Fast Boat from Bali to the Gili Islands and spend a few days there, and then the cruise tour guide arranges your transport from the Gilis to the departure port in Lombok for the cruise.
This being said, the Backpackers’ Komodo Cruise is NOT luxurious – you’re sleeping on a mat with 30 other people, there’s no AC, and the food is rough. But while it’s not for everyone, it is a lot of fun!
At the end of the tour, the Budget Komodo Cruise still drops you off in Labuan Bajo, Flores, so you still need to make at least one flight regardless.
Tours I Recommend For Flores Island
Flores Island & East Nusa Tenggara Province aren’t necessarily easy-to-travel areas if you’re doing it yourself. In most cases, it’s a lot easier to take a guided tour.
Here Are The Top Tours I Recommend For Travel In East Nusa Tenggara! ⤵️
👉 Check All Tour Rates & Availability Here! 👈
Labuan Bajo Guide
Labuan Bajo is a port city on Flores Island, and it is the gateway to Komodo National Park. Labuan Bajo is where you will most likely be starting or finishing your trip before flying back to Bali.
Labuan Bajo is a sleepy port city, but it’s a great break from the hustle of larger cities in Bali – plus there’s a ton to do from sailing Komodo to exploring the island of Flores overland.
🏨 Where to Stay In Labuan Bajo
RELATED ARTICLE 🏨 Best Hotels In Labuan Bajo, Flores
Labuan Bajo has become famous in recent years for having these gorgeous all-white Santorini-Inspired hotels. The best hotel in Labuan Bajo is Loccal Collection, but if you’re on a budget Seaesta Hotel & Hostel is also amazing!
Where To Eat In Labuan Bajo
After a lot of trial and error, my favorite cafe in Labuan Bajo (where I’m sitting and writing this post right now) is Bacarita Cafe. It’s in the center of town, kind of hidden above the Starbucks.
They do great coffee, western, and Indonesian food, there’s wifi, and the prices are really good!
I also loved eating at the Labuan Bajo fish market come nightfall. Lots of fish vendors line up their stalls and you order whole fish, which they then grill or fry fresh to order and serve with rice and sambal. My favorite was the grilled squid!
Conclusion: Best Things To Do In Flores, Indonesia
I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best things to do in Flores!
Flores’s port city is Labuan Bajo, which is considered the gateway to Komodo National Park. Most travelers reach Flores by taking a short flight from Bali to Labuan Bajo.
Taking a multi-day boat cruise of Komodo National Park is the #1 main thing to do in East Nusa Tenggara province. There’s a Komodo boat tour for every budget, with prices ranging from $180 per person to $2,000 for ultra-luxury cruises.
There are a ton of other amazing things to do in East Nusa Tenggara outside of the Komodo Islands, like Trekking to 🛖 Wae Rebo Traditional Village, Snorkeling in 🏊♀️ Rangko Saltwater Cave, going on a 🤿 Diving Liveaboard, and trekking to 🏕 Kelimutu’s 3-Color Lake.
Looking for more information on Indonesia?
I fell in love with Indonesia in 2019 and I’ve been traveling back ever since! If you’re planning a trip to Bali & Indonesia and looking for more information, consider reading some of my other posts:
- Guide To Taking a Komodo Boat Tour From Bali
- Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Day Trip From Malang
- Travel Guide to Sulawesi – Indonesia’s Hidden Gem Island
- How To Hike Mount Ijen Volcano
- All the Best Volcanos in Indonesia You Can Visit from Bali
- Complete Guide To Renting & Driving A scooter In Bali
- All About Wae Rebo Traditional Village In Flores
- Travel Guide to Kuta Lombok – Surfer’s Paradise!
- Best Things To Do In Flores, Indonesia
- Gili Trawangan Travel Guide: What to Do, Where to Stay & Eat
