Flores
Komodo boat trips from Labuan Bajo, crater lakes that change color at Kelimutu and villages in the highlands make Flores a trip for travelers who don't mind long road days.
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Flores is a long, mountainous island in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, lying east of Lombok and Sumbawa. It stretches east to west, so the two ends of the island are many hours apart by road. Labuan Bajo, on the western tip, is the main gateway, and boats from there reach Komodo National Park, where the Komodo dragon lives. Inland, the Kelimutu crater lakes near Moni are known for water that changes color over time, and villages such as Bena, with its traditional thatched houses and stone monuments, sit in the highlands.
Flores suits travelers who like boats, hikes and slow overland travel more than resort stays. Distances are long and mountain roads are winding, so a single road journey can take most of a day. A week or more lets you cover Labuan Bajo, a Komodo boat trip and the crater lakes without rushing. The dry season, roughly April to October, is the usual pick for boat trips and hiking, while the wet months from about November to March bring more rain and rougher seas.
Flores in five
- Treat Labuan Bajo as the gateway, not the islandMost visitors fly into Komodo Airport and stay in Labuan Bajo for boat trips. The rest of Flores is slower, so decide whether you want a short Komodo break or a week overland.Labuan Bajo
- Book Komodo trips with a licensed operatorDay boats and overnight trips visit Rinca, Komodo, Padar and snorkeling stops. Check that the boat is registered, carries life jackets and follows ranger rules, and book a cancellable trip.Komodo National Park
- Split the Trans-Flores road into stagesMost legs between Labuan Bajo, Ruteng, Bajawa and Moni take 4 to 7 hours on winding roads. Hire a driver, overnight in the highlands and avoid planning night drives.
- Reach Kelimutu at dawnThe three crater lakes near Moni sit at altitude and change color over time. Start before sunrise, bring a jacket and do not count on a specific color or clear sky.
- Carry cash and a rain layer outside Labuan BajoATMs are in towns, not villages, and card use is patchy. Highland nights are cool and wet from December to March, so pack a light jacket and keep your phone in a dry bag.
Things to do in Flores
See all attractions in Flores
Need to know
- Airport
- Komodo (LBJ) at Labuan Bajo; Maumere (MOF) and Ende serve the east
- Getting there
- Flights from Bali and Jakarta; slow ferries from Sumbawa
- Getting around
- Driver and car; buses are slow; scooters only in towns
- Best base
- Labuan Bajo for Komodo; Bajawa or Moni for the highlands
- Time needed
- 3–4 days for Komodo; 8–10 for the overland route
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryWet, rough sea
- FebruaryWet, rough sea
- MarchShowers
- AprilDrying out
- MayDry, calm
- JuneDry, clear
- JulyDry, busy
- AugustDry, busy
- SeptemberDry, hot
- OctoberHot, dry
- NovemberShowers
- DecemberWet
Right now in Flores
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 97%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 69%
Flores
04:37 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today32°23°69%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Wed31°23°90%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Thu31°24°39%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Fri32°23°48%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 48%.
- Sat32°23°80%Saturday: Rain. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Sun31°23°49%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Mon30°22°78%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 78%.
Updated 01:27 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 18,144 IDR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Komodo National Parkabout 2–3 hours by boatDragons on Rinca or Komodo, plus Padar and snorkeling stops.Read the guide
- Rinca Islandabout 1.5–2 hours by boatThe closest dragon site for a half-day trip.Read the guide
- Batu Cermin caveabout 15 min by carA short stop for light beams in a limestone cave near town.
Before you go to Flores
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Rules for Flores, checked
- Check whether your passport qualifies for a visa on arrival or e-VOA on the Immigration site before you fly.Source
- Komodo National Park charges entry fees that change. Confirm the current rate with the park authority and book boats through a licensed operator.
- Indonesia enforces strict drug laws, and trafficking can carry the death penalty. Carry prescription medicines with a doctor's letter.
- Many guesthouses and warungs outside Labuan Bajo take only cash. Carry rupiah and check where the ATMs are before you leave town.
Plan around Flores
Harbor town for Komodo boats
Read the guideKomodo National ParkRangers, dragons and boat rules
Read the guideKomodo & Rinca IslandsThe islands as day or overnight trips
Read the guideSumbaNext island south with beaches and villages
Read the guideBanda IslandsFar east spice islands and diving
Read the guideAll of IndonesiaEntry rules, money and islands
Read the guideFlores FAQ
Is Flores worth visiting?
Yes for Komodo boat trips, volcanic crater lakes and highland villages. It is not an easy island, so plan for slow roads and basic stays. Stay in Labuan Bajo only if you have three or four days.
How many days do you need in Flores?
Three or four days for Labuan Bajo and Komodo. Eight to ten for the road to Ruteng, Bajawa and Moni. Add buffer days for flights and bad weather.
Do you need a guide for Kelimutu?
Not strictly, but a driver helps with the dawn start and the road. The climb to the viewpoint is short, so go early and bring a jacket. Check conditions locally, since mist can hide the lakes.
Is the Trans-Flores road safe?
It is paved but winding, with landslides in the wet season. Use a licensed driver, avoid night driving and allow extra time. Check conditions and insurance cover before heading far from Labuan Bajo.
When is the best time to visit Flores?
May to September, in the dry season, for calm seas and clear roads. The wet season runs from roughly December to March, with rough seas and slower travel. Check the forecast before booking boat trips.