Labuan Bajo: Gateway to Komodo National Park
Labuan BajoFloresRest Day

Labuan Bajo: Gateway to Komodo National Park

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Labuan Bajo, Indonesia
David
Writer
Kro
Photographer
Published on
Thursday, January 11, 2018

After spending 2 days and one night on a boat exploring the Komodo Islands, we needed to rest and recover. We spent time in Labuan Bajo, a port town on the western tip of Flores Island that serves as the base for all trips to Komodo National Park.

Unfortunately, Labuan Bajo was a bit of a disappointment. The town was dirty, noisy, and not a particularly pleasant place to stay. The primary reason travelers come to Labuan Bajo is to see Komodo dragons and go diving in the spectacular waters of Komodo National Park - the town itself is just a transit point.

Having just completed our Komodo boat trip, we weren't missing out. We used our time here to rest, do laundry, and prepare for our next destination: Bali.

Have you visited Labuan Bajo? Did you use it as a base for Komodo trips? What did you think of the town itself? Any recommendations for making the most of a short stay? Share your Labuan Bajo experiences below!

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About Labuan Bajo

  • Labuan Bajo: Port town on western Flores Island, gateway to Komodo National Park. Main reason to visit is accessing Komodo dragon tours and world-class diving.
  • Komodo boat trips depart from here. Options range from day trips to multi-day live-aboard adventures exploring the Komodo archipelago.
  • Komodo Airport (LBJ) has daily flights to/from Bali and other Indonesian cities. Airport is close to town center.
  • The town itself is basic - a transit point rather than a destination. Come for Komodo National Park access, not for Labuan Bajo itself.

Note:

Labuan Bajo served its purpose as a recovery stop after our Komodo adventure. While the town wasn't impressive, it's the necessary gateway to one of Indonesia's most incredible natural attractions - Komodo National Park.