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Labuanbajo
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Labuan Bajo, also spelled Labuhanbajo, is a city at the tip of Flores Island in Indonesia. It is the launching point for trips to Komodo Island and Rinca Island to see Komodo dragons and the surrounding sea is idyllic for diving and snorkeling. Nearby Seraya Island is a great opportunity to do some diving and snorkeling and every evening at Kalong Island thousands of flying fox bats put on an amazing display.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By plane
Several companies operates flights from (and to) Labuan Bajo airport. Indonesia Air Transport (IAT) has flight twice a week to Denpasar (Rp 700,000) and to Ende. Merpati Airlines flies every day to Denpasar (Rp 620,000). TransNusa has flight daily from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo at ETD 09.30 ETA 10.52 and Labuan Bajo to Denpasar ETD 11.30 ETA 12.52 (Rp 971,000).
All flights to Denpasar leave between 11AM and 3PM. The Labuan Bajo airport departure tax is Rp 10,000.
[edit] By boat
Ferries to Sape on Sumbawa Island to the west (towards Bali) leave daily. It takes at least 6 hours to get there.
A number of companies organise 4 day sailing trips between Lombok or Bali and Flores for around Rp1,000,000 passengers should be aware that these trips can cross open waters and are on boats with no navigation or safety equipment other than some lifejackets (ie. no radio, flares or life rafts).
Perama tour [1] Hunting Komod by camera trip, it a trip started from Lombok, it leaves every six day from lombok and also the other way around. with price for cabin is around Rp.2,600,000 or you can choose a deck class for Rp.2,000,000 where you get to sleep with a thin carpet, it is not really an open water because it coasting along the coastal line and most importantly it has the navigation and safety equipment. It takes you to visit some spots along the way to Labuan Bajo and Komodo.
[edit] By bus
Very crowded public buses leave for Ende and Maumere. For those going on to points in the east of Flores another more expensive option is to hire a car.
[edit] Get around
The town is quite small and can easily be traversed on foot. Ojeks and bemos are also options. You can rent a motorcycle for around 75.000 Rp. a day.
[edit][add listing] See
A beautiful view of the bay can be seen from any of the hilltop restaurants.
[edit][add listing] Do
Komodo National Park encompasses a lot of water and islands west of Labuanbajo. If you want to go to Rinca or Komodo islands, or dive in the park you will have to buy a 3 day park pass for US$15. Money from such user fees goes into conservation efforts.
Rinca Island (Indonesian: Rinca Kecil or Rinca Pulau) is a more convenient place to see Komodo Dragons than Komodo island. Some dive operators might be convinced to combine a stop at the island with a days diving. There are big dragons that are often right in front of the pier when people arrive.
Scuba Diving within the park is excellent, probably one of the best in the world. Mostly because of higher biodiversity than any elsewhere in the world. There are three main dive operators that offer day dives as well as live aboard opportunities: Bajo Dive Club, Dive Komodo, and Reef Seekers. Be aware that the currents at some sites can be quite strong.
Seraya Island (Indonesian: Seraya Kecil or Seraya Pulau) is an idyllic island and a great opportunity to get away from civilization and do some snorkeling and diving. Seraya is little more than a small, arid island outside of the Komodo National Park with a few bamboo huts for tourist lodging, a restaurant, and some villagers who let their goats graze on vegetation. The island’s cove is protected from the sea providing calm and clear water for snorkeling. At low tide the coral is exposed and local fishermen walk on the reef in search of prey. Rowboats can be rented and taken to nearby islands for snorkeling and diving. Make sure to run up to the top of the hill behind the resorts and check out the sunset. The lodges on the island do have showers, but running water is only available a few hours a day. The resort on Seraya is operated by Gardena hotel in Labuanbajo and a stay on the island can be booked at Gardena’s front desk.[2] This costs 150,000-175,000 for a bungalow and you are charged 20,000 pp each way.
One of the more spectacular displays of nature in the area is at Kalong Island (Indonesian: Pulau Kalong; also spelt Kalung), which literally means "Flying Fox Island." The name is quit appropriate as the island is home to thousands of Kalong, or giant flying fox bats. Boats to Kalong can be chartered from Labuanbajo for around $30 for a return ride, including a snorkeling stop at a nearby island before you reach Pulau Kalong. Your boat will situate itself next to the mangrove island and at dusk literally tens of thousands of flying foxes emerge from the mangrove island and move over your boat towards Rinca Island. For the entire colony to emerge will take roughly twenty minutes of continuous waves of bats passing over your boat. The boat ride to/from Labuanbajo will take roughly one hour.
[edit][add listing] Buy
Shops selling tourist trinkets, local fabric, and Komodo Dragon carvings are located in the center of town. Western products of varying quality are available in the toko or kiosk alongside the roads.
Consider taking a trip to the market early in the morning to purchase local coffee, spices, or just to look over a wealth of local produce and goods.
If yo need internet connection there are three places but only one with a working headset, in case you want to skype. You find it opposite the Bajo hotel. Go down the stairs and turn left. If its still closed ask in the shop next to it. The two other places is E-Link just before on the other site and at the very end of the main road in the 3rd floor.
[edit][add listing] Eat
Choose from a variety of Indonesian, Chinese, and Western restaurants on the main road. There is quality seafood at The Corner, The Gardena, The Lounge (here you get the best pizza), and The Matahari. There are also many masakan padang places along the main road, which are worth checking out for an inexpensive and filling meal. Opposite the TransNusa office there is a Coto Makassar place.
[edit][add listing] Drink
Paradise bar, which is a 10min walk north from the center of town is the only bar that is open until late and has a fantastic view of the sunset. Every saturday there is live music till late night.
[edit][add listing] Sleep
Labuanbajo currently has a dearth of hotel space. Despite the poor service, the best place to stay, if there is a vacancy, is at the hillside resort of Gardena rooms - 70,000 to 100,000. Watch out for the giant lizards that enjoy hanging out in bathrooms. The rooms at the top of the hill are within range of an open wireless internet connection. The hotel also runs the resort on Seraya Island; a stay on the island can be booked at the front desk. If Gardena is full try Hostel Matahari a bit futher up the street. Remember to take the room from upstairs - 60,000.
To get away from the noise the Golo Hill Top Hotel is excellent with great views food comparable to the Gardena but great service. It is a five to 10min walk to town.
[edit] Other stuff
There is currently one ATM in town which belongs to the BNI bank and contains 50.000 Rp. notes, but also a few other banks and one money changer.
In Labuan Bajo you will find plenty of travel agencies. If you need just some advise contact the Perama Travel guys (peramabajo@yahoo.com / +62 (0) 385 42015).
TransNusa Airlines has an office a little bit further, but be aware the flights might be changed or even cancelled. Better doublecheck directly +62 (0) 385 41800. Their office normally closes at 5PM. There must be also a Merpati office.
[edit] Get out
- Komodo, where be dragons
- West to Sape, Sumbawa
- East to Ende, Maumere and the tricolored lake of Kelimutu
