Labuan Bajo was once a sleepy village in the regency of Mangarrai Barat in Flores, Indonesia. Tourism has exploded over the past decade and what was once a small fishing village is now the bustling capital. The town is home to about 200,000 people and serves as a launching pad for tourists who want to get to Komodo and Rinca Island to see the famed Komodo dragons as well as divers and snorkellers who want to enjoy the plentiful marine life on the reefs.
Diving excursions include shore dives, but the best experiences can be enjoyed on boat dives or even live-aboards. Some of the best locations for seeing all sorts of beautifully coloured tropical fish include Bidadari, Seraya, Sabolo, Kanawa and Sebayur islands.
This holiday destination is all about the wildlife and you can also take a boat trip out of the village to Kalong Island, which a huge colony of massive flying foxes call home. They can be seen flying in their thousands at dusk.
Labuan Bajo itself is small and the town can be explored in a day or two. Attractions include street markets, the local church and mosque and the world famous Komodo festival.
Labuan Bajo is all about the great outdoors and in particular underwater activities. A trip to this part of the world is also not complete without seeing the famous Komodo Dragons and the pristine beaches.
For the divers
Divers of any skill can have a great experience in this part of the world. If you have zero experience but want to learn to dive, there are plenty of schools and PADI-certified learning centres where you can kick-start your diving hobby. If you are experienced, you can enjoy various nature dives on the reefs or cave diving.
Wildlife lovers
Komodo National Park is where you can find the famed Komodo Dragons. You will need to purchase a day pass to enter and groups must also pitch in for a guide. A trip is easy to set up and many shops on the main street will be happy to set you up.
If you want to get away from it all, then look no further than Seraya Island. This tiny piece of rock is home to a few villagers, some beach-side tourist accommodation and one single restaurant. The beaches are stunning and snorkelling in the protected bay is excellent for seeing marine life.
The calendar of events in Labuan Bajo is also dominated by the wildlife theme, but Indonesian culture and history are also a big part of things.
Papagarang Traditional village. This village is set up during the summer every year so visitors can get a feel for traditional Indonesian life. Events include workshops on local arts, craft, clothes and fishing.
Caci whip fight. This event is a cornerstone of the Flores cultural identity. Events are organised regularly and involve male villagers engaging in a whip fight, where they attempt to outfox each other in a game of skill involving whips, shields, face masks and sticks.
Booking your cheap flights to Labuan Bajo with BudgetAir® Australia ensures a safe, reliable and easy way to plan your trip. With our easy to use website, safe booking system and a large selection of hotels to choose from, you won't have to worry about a thing when you choose to book your trip with BudgetAir® Australia.
Book your flight, right here, right now!