Labuan Bajo

Labuan Bajo is a fishing town at the western tip of Flores and the gateway to Komodo National Park, home of the Komodo dragon and good scuba diving.

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Labuan Bajo is a fishing town at the western tip of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia. It is the capital of West Manggarai Regency. The name comes from its harbor and the Bajo people who live along the coast. The town can be crossed on foot in about 15 minutes, and Komodo Airport is about 3 km from the center.

Most travelers come for Komodo National Park, a World Heritage Site around Komodo and Rinca islands. The park is home to Komodo dragons, and its waters offer good scuba diving. Kalong Island, on the east side of Komodo, hosts thousands of flying fox bats that leave the mangroves each evening. Mirror stone cave is about 5 km north-east of the marina, and Wae Rebo Village is about 5 hours by car from Labuan Bajo, then a 4.5 km walk. The dry season runs from April to November. Heavy rain falls from December to March. The area is also prone to earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides, so check conditions before you book.

Labuan Bajo in five

Decide on a day boat or a liveaboardA one-day boat covers Padar, a dragon trek and a snorkel stop. Two to three days on a liveaboard adds Pink Beach, manta sites and quiet bays. Compare itineraries, group size and safety gear, not just the price.Komodo and Rinca Islands
Check that park entry is bookedKomodo National Park tickets are limited each day, so arrange them before you sail. Your operator usually handles the booking, but confirm the date and the sites it covers before you pay.Komodo National Park
Add a half day inlandBatu Cermin cave and Cunca Wulang canyon are popular half-day trips from town by road, and fit well on the day before or after a boat trip.Flores
Watch sunset from the harbor hillsSunset spots on the hills above town face the islands and the bay, and bars along the waterfront fill early. Arrive before dusk, since the climb is steep.
Fly in, and build a buffer dayKomodo Airport (LBJ) is a short ride from town with flights from Bali, Jakarta and other cities. Bad weather can cancel boats and flights, so leave a spare day before an international connection.

Things to do in Labuan Bajo

See all attractions in Labuan Bajo

Forest · Labuan BajoMirror Stone Cave

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Need to know

Airport: Komodo Airport (LBJ), a short ride from the harbor
Getting there: Flights from Bali, Jakarta and Makassar; ferries across Flores
Getting around: Walking in town; taxis or a hired car for caves and canyons
Best base: The harbor area for boats and restaurants
Time needed: 2–3 days; 4–5 with a liveaboard

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Wet, rough sea
FebruaryRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Wet
MarchRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Wet, showers
AprilRain14 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Green, calm
MayPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Dry, calm
JuneClear5 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Dry, clear
JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Dry, windy
AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Dry, busy
SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Dry, calm
OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Hot, dry
NovemberRain18 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Rains start
DecemberRain24 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Wet, rough sea

Average daily high and low in Labuan Bajo, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Labuan Bajo

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 29°
Humidity: 88%
Wind: 5 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Labuan Bajo

04:40 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today31°24°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed31°24°100%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Thu31°24°100%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Fri32°24°100%Friday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sat32°24°100%Saturday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sun31°24°100%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Mon31°23°100%Monday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 01:45 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 18,144 IDR

Amount

Converted to

IDR · Indonesian Rupiah

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Komodo and Rincaabout 2–4 hours by boatDragon treks, Padar and Pink Beach on a day boat or liveaboard.Read the guide
Cunca Wulang canyonabout 1.5–2 hours by roadA river canyon with swimming pools, usually a half-day outing.Read the guide
Batu Cermin caveabout 15 min by roadA short walk through a limestone cave, easy to add to a free morning.

Before you go to Labuan Bajo

Komodo day boats and liveaboardsOne day to several days at seaCompare tours

Hotels by the harborTown stays and beach resortsCheck availability

eSIM for FloresConfirmations and weather before a boat dayRead the guide

Cover for boats and divingCancellations, rough seas and evacuationRead the guide

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Rules for Labuan Bajo, checked

Check Indonesia's entry rules for your nationality on the Directorate General of Immigration site (imigrasi.go.id) before you fly.
Komodo National Park is a World Heritage Site with its own rules. Check the current fees and conditions with the park before you book a boat.
On Komodo and Rinca islands, keep your distance from the Komodo dragons.
The park area produces around 13 tons of trash a day. Take your rubbish back on boats and hikes to reduce plastic waste.
Do not touch or stand on coral. Some fishermen still use explosives, which damages reefs, and currents at Batu Bolong can be dangerously strong.

Plan around Labuan Bajo

Komodo National Park

Tickets, boats and the calm months

Read the guide Komodo and Rinca Islands

Which dragon island fits your day

Read the guide Flores

Caves, canyons and villages overland

Read the guide Sumbawa

The island west of Flores

Read the guide Makassar

A connecting hub for flights

Read the guide All of Indonesia

Entry, money and where to go next

Read the guide

Labuan Bajo FAQ

How many days do you need in Labuan Bajo?

Two days is the minimum: one for a boat trip to Komodo, Padar and Pink Beach, and one for the town and a nearby cave or canyon. Add one or two nights if you take a liveaboard or want a dive trip.

Is Labuan Bajo worth visiting without a boat trip?

Not much. Most visitors come for Komodo National Park, with the town as a base. Inland caves, waterfalls and viewpoints are a nice extra but do not fill several days on their own.

Do you need to book Komodo tours in advance?

In the dry season, yes, especially for liveaboards and the best day boats. In the wet months you can often choose on arrival, but check weather and safety. Park tickets themselves are booked online.

Is the sea rough around Labuan Bajo?

It can be, especially in the wet months. April to June and September are usually calm, and July and August are windier. Ask your operator about conditions on the day, and carry travel insurance.

How do you get to Labuan Bajo?

Fly to Komodo Airport (LBJ), with connections from Bali and Jakarta, or travel overland across Flores for a longer trip. Book flights early in July and August.