Breathtaking snorkelling and diving spots, pristine beaches, hidden caves, and the largest dragons in the world — this Labuan Bajo itinerary offers all that, with a dash of culture infused in.
I love Bali for the authentic local experiences and natural landscapes it offers. So, for years, the adventurous island girl in me has dreamed of also visiting Labuan Bajo, a rather overlooked and untouched island destination in Indonesia.
But, I never got around to it because of the long travel time and added cost.
That was until I learned Jetstar Asia recently launched direct flights from Singapore! Now, I swell with excitement at how easy it is to dive in her pristine waters, see the Komodo Dragons — the world’s largest lizards — and explore the island’s many caves.
If you’ve also been dreaming of a short island getaway near Singapore, read on to steal my Labuan Bajo itinerary and find out where to eat, stay, and play when you visit! I bet you’ll find yourself wanting to return over and over again 😉.
Getting to (and around) Labuan Bajo
Safiah and Cedric with the Jetstar Asia crew en route to Labuan Bajo!
Getting to Labuan Bajo from Singapore used to involve multiple flights and ferry transfers, and would usually take ~6 hours. But with the newly-launched Jetstar flight, travel time is cut by half!
Did you know: Jetstar Asia is the only airline that flies direct from Singapore to Labuan Bajo. Prices start from S$99^ (one-way, taxes and fees included), with two flights weekly on Thursday and Sunday. Check out the website for bookings or more information!
Between the comfy seats and the in-flight meal, 3 hours flew by!
Our flight landed in the evening when the sun had set. So there wasn’t much to do upon arrival other than check into our accommodation (Komodo Suites Downtown), have dinner, and recharge before an early start!
*Pro-tip: Arrange with your hotel for a private hire car to pick you up at the Labuan Bajo airport arrival area, as ride-hailing vehicles like Grab and Gojek aren’t allowed to enter the area.
Map of Labuan Bajo
Labuan Bajo is the coastal region of Flores Island and the gateway to Komodo National Park, a massive UNESCO World Heritage Site spanning 1,733km². That’s where you’ll find Labuan Bajo’s iconic spots like Pink Beach and Padar Island!
Each time you cross coastal boundaries into the Komodo National Park area, a park fee applies. This is usually paid to your tour operator, costing Rp150,000 on weekdays and Rp250,000 on weekends.
*Pro-tip: Save this map of all the places mentioned in this Labuan Bajo itinerary!
Day 1: Komodo National Park Island-Hopping
We started the first official day strong with a full-day speedboat tour! The entire tour with Duta Wisata Komodo took us across six iconic spots around Labuan Bajo with enough time in between to lounge and take some pretty impressive pictures.
Padar Island
Our first stop of the day was the iconic Padar Island. The 40 minutes it took to get there via speedboat was well worth it because, guess what greeted us at the pier? Deers! Native to these Indonesian islands, Timur deer sometimes come down to the shoreline.
But they soon left after one too many tourists got too close 😢
Regardless, that was a good start before the tumultuous 800 steps to the peak, with the scorching sun intensifying the climb.
Challenging is an understatement.
Despite how difficult it was, everyone soldiered on for that iconic Padar Island picture.
There are some souvenir booths along the beach where you can grab a hat if you forgot to bring one along, but please have water on hand — Cedric was close to dehydration here!
Pink Beach
A short 10-minute boat ride later, we were at the Pink Beach. Frankly, I thought this could only be found in Australia, so I was blown away at the idea of one in Indonesia. There aren’t too many in the world, so visiting Labuan Bajo’s Pink Beach is one for the books!
I borrowed a mask and a snorkel from the operator, and spent the entire hour in the crystal clear waters before lounging on the beach, sipping on fresh coconut.
A local guide told me the beach isn’t as pink as before due to increased footfall. That being said, most photos online are vastly edited. So, although it’s never been a ‘bubblegum pink’ as what we see online, and might have been more intense in the past, I find the sand is still visibly pink.
Knowing this made me want to care for the lovely island even more. So please tread lightly and leave nothing behind!
Komodo Island
Easily the highlight of the island tour!
During the 20-minute trek through the forested areas of Komodo Island, we were pumped to see four ginormous Komodo dragons and five smaller ones.
Midway through the trek, our guide stopped at a manmade waterhole when he spotted two large Komodo Dragons. By luck, we saw another two right at the shoreline.
I was rather skeptical about the ‘wildness’ of the Komodo Dragons at first, but my perception changed after speaking to the guides and seeing how they had to ensure our safety at all times.
Although the waterhole is manmade — to the best of my knowledge — the Komodos are still wild, free to move, and hunt for themselves. So please keep a safe 3 to 5m distance, and stand behind your guide at all times!
Here’s also where we had a quick pre-packed lunch provided by the tour operator before jumping back onto the speedboat.
Taka Makassar Sandbar
En route to the last stop of the tour, the operator stopped by the Takar Makassar Sandbar, since time and tide permitted. Smaller than a football field, the tiny island only appears at low tide. Waters here are calm and shallow, making it a good spot to practice snorkelling.
Siaba Besar
After a day out in the sun, we couldn’t wait to snorkel around Siaba Besar.
The area is known for an expansive coral network, reef fishes, and a high chance of spotting sea turtles. I was pumped when Cedric tugged at my fin, ‘screaming’ underwater. He spotted a green turtle right before going back on the boat!
The operator usually goes past Manta Point to see if there’s a chance to spot Manta Rays!
However, the truth is, good operators will never ‘chase’ wildlife. Since the area around Manta Point gets rather crowded with too many boats, the Mantas get stressed or may suffer from propeller impacts — incidents that result in laceration or amputation of the Manta’s tail. So it’s best to give snorkelling at Manta Point a miss as wildlife welfare comes first!
Komodo Island-Hopping Tour
Cost: ~S$122/pax (excl. park fees)
Tour timing: 6AM – 5:30PM
Pick-up point: Hotel pick-up
Dinner at Labuan Bajo Pasar Malam (Seafood Market)
We got sambal prawns, kangkong, and barbequed pomfret with a side of rice and iced tea!
The fishing industry is a huge part of the livelihood of many locals in Labuan Bajo. So, of course, we had to drop by the Labuan Bajo Pasar Malam (night market) for dinner.
In the evening, all the stalls here light up with fresh catch-of-the-day laid out, ready to be grilled and topped off with sambal, black pepper sauce, sweet-and-sour dressing, or whatever tickles your fancy. The cooks here can whip up almost any style of seafood dish in under 15 minutes.
Can you believe this entire meal was just Rp150,000 or ~S$12 per person? Best believe we stuffed ourselves with seafood that night! And meals always taste better for me when I know it directly gives back to the locals.
Opening hours: No official hours
Address: Jl. Soekarno Hatta No.89, Labuan Bajo, Kec. Komodo, Kabupaten Manggarai Barat, Nusa Tenggara Tim., Indonesia
How to get there: 5min Gojek ride from Komodo Suites Downtown (Google Maps)
Day 2: Komodo Island Diving
A selfie with our Divemaster, Yanci!
Since yesterday was a whole day of touring the Komodo islands on a boat, today, we decided to go in the water with the professional team from Dragon Dive for a closer look!
Diving in Labuan Bajo is highly-raved because of the abundant marine life in these protected waters. It’s best suited for advanced certified divers due to the challenging currents. There are numerous dive spots in Komodo National Park, and every operator offers day trips, with some even boasting ‘secret spots’ known only to themselves 😂
Although I highly question those claims, there’s no denying that these islands harbour an underwater paradise. So, after lathering on reef-safe sunscreen and reminding ourselves of the dos and don’ts when in nature, we dove in!
The Cauldron (Shotgun Point)
An iconic spot known to thrill-seeking divers, The Cauldron goes viral on social media now and then due to its insanely strong currents that can send divers ‘flying’ off like a bullet out of a shotgun!
The name ‘Cauldron’ comes from the huge underwater crater at this site with an expansive coral landscape.
As nature would have it, there wasn’t any current at all during our dive.
So we spent a lovely 60 minutes underwater with the highlight being a hawksbill turtle chomping away on corals. Other notable finds were a shy bamboo shark that went into hiding the moment it spotted us, and schools of giant trevally — large fish that can easily get up to 2m in length.
Crystal Rock
Back on the boat, we had some donuts and waffles with eggs while the captain brought us to the next dive site: Crystal Rock. Also known for its currents, this dive site is abundant with reef fishes and frequented by black-tip and white-tip sharks.
Manta rays may pass by sometimes. Often, divers pick a spot and ‘watch the show’ as tons of schooling fish swim all around.
Alas, nature is never predictable. Instead of schooling fish, we saw many sharks during this dive. But hey, we’re not complaining!
Castle Rock
Unofficially ranked as one of the ‘Top 3’ dive sites in the entire Komodo National Park by local divers, Castle Rock is thriving with marine life thanks to the strong currents.
Giant trevally, tuna, and mackerel are almost always seen schooling here in extremely large numbers. And we got to witness these firsthand.
Endless schools of fish were constantly all around us, and we didn’t even know where to look anymore. After a while, we just stayed in one spot and stared in awe. One thing’s for sure: no manmade aquarium can ever come close to the landscapes nature can create!
After the third dive, we returned to our hotel for a quick wash before heading out for dinner.
Komodo Diving Tour
Cost: ~S$256/pax (excl. park fees)
Tour timings: 7AM – 5:30PM
Meeting point: Dive centre reception
How to get there: 5min walk from Komodo Suites Downtown (Google Maps)
Dinner at Pizza Haus
Pizza Haus is the only one-of-its-kind, specialty pizza house in Labuan Bajo town proper. They only serve pizza and nothing else, with their half-and-half pizza well-loved by many.
We were even recommended to eat here by some of the divers at the dive shop. Being vegetarians — naturally — we went for the margherita and mushroom half-and-half pizza (Rp140,000).
Although the flavours aren’t extraordinary, you have to try topping a pizza slice with their house special jalapeno mayo or sambal sauce. It gave a spicy kick that the Singaporeans in us loved.
Opening hours: 11AM – 10PM
Address: Jl. Soekarno Hatta No.77a, Labuan Bajo, Kec. Komodo, Kabupaten Manggarai Barat, Nusa Tenggara Tim. 86700, Indonesia
How to get there: 4min Gojek ride from Komodo Suites Downtown (Google Maps)
Day 3: Labuan Bajo Cave-Exploring
Like Bali, Labuan Bajo has many caves because the land is rich in limestone. Over time, rain chips away at the limestone, creating these natural playgrounds.
Each natural attraction has a separate entrance fee, and for some places like Cunca Wulang, it’s mandatory to pay for a guide (Rp50,000/group). For convenience, we booked a tour with We Travel Inc., which took care of entrance fees and transport to all these natural attractions, which are far from the heart of Labuan Bajo.
Set aside an entire day for this tour, pack a towel, and bring a change of clothes because you’re bound to get wet!
Cunca Wulang Waterfall
Cunca Wulang translates to “Waterfall Moon”, so calling it Cunca Wulang Waterfall is the equivalent of saying “chai (tea) tea” 😅 But hey, that’s what the tourists always say!
As always, for waterfalls, be prepared for a hike. It took roughly 20 minutes one-way, and the tiny mozzies are merciless, so dress appropriately (Cedric didn’t and he was filled with regret).
Lucky for us, there wasn’t anyone around as we took turns jumping off from the 2m and 6m cliffs.
The water itself was chilly and refreshing, but the currents can get strong, so it’s best to stay clear of the plunge pool. There’s a little drink stand for some post-dip coffee, and washrooms to change into dry clothes.
Entrance fee: Rp70,000/pax (~S$6)
Opening hours: 6AM – 5PM
Address: FX3V+XH4, Pota Wangka, Boleng, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Batu Cermin Cave
Batu Cermin was discovered back in the 1950s when Labuan Bajo was colonised by the Dutch. Just 4km away from the city, the name of this cave translates to “Mirror Stone” after the mirror-like reflections cast onto its walls on a sunny morning.
I gave a quizzical look when our guide, Dedi, handed us hard hats and ushered us inside. I was under the impression that the cave was a photo-op spot that offered a gentle hike.
But after getting our hands and knees dirty crawling into the pitch-dark depths of Batu Cermin, we were rewarded with sights of turtles and fish fossils as we explored the different ‘rooms’ of the cave!
Entrance fee: Rp50,000/pax (~S$4)
Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM, opens 8AM on Sunday
Address: Labuan Bajo, Komodo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Lunch at Artomoro
Located inside the Green Hill Boutique Hotel, Artomoro serves mouthwatering local Indonesian cuisine in an elevated setting, yet with wallet-friendly prices.
Our guide brought us here mid-tour for a refuel break, with lunch already included in the tour package. Famished, we decided to add on a serving of deep-fried salted chilli prawn (Rp50,000) on top of the deep-fried fish set (Rp70,000) that was provided. ‘Cause with that kind of price for seafood, why not?
Opening hours: 6AM – 10PM
Address: Jl. Soekarno Hatta, Labuan Bajo, Kec. Komodo, Kabupaten Manggarai Barat, Nusa Tenggara Tim. 86754, Indonesia
How to get there: 5min Gojek ride from Komodo Suites Downtown (Google Maps)
Rangko Cave
The journey to Rangko Cave made it feel like a true hidden gem! 40 minutes away from Labuan Bajo was a fisherman’s village, where we hopped on a 10-minute boat ride to Rangko Beach.
From there, we got to the rather small cave after a quick hike. There were only 10 people then, and that already felt crowded!
But I was adamant on taking a dip to confirm an anecdote I heard: that the natural pool waters of Rangko Cave are salty because the water comes from the sea instead of the waterfall. I had to have a taste to be sure, and I can confirm — it’s saltwater! 😛
Besides swimming, you can also walk down the shoreline or sip on fresh coconut sold in the huts on Rangko Beach. Be wary of leaving your food unattended, macaques are always on the prowl for an easy snack.
Entrance fee: Rp50,000/pax (~S$4)
Opening hours: 6:30AM – 6PM
Address: Tanjung Boleng, Boleng, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Bukit Sylvia
After a 30-minute drive from the elevated parts of Flores, we were back in town to pop by Bukit Sylvia for sunset. Named after the land’s previous owner, it offers 360° sea views from any of its domed peaks.
Although the hike to the peak takes less than 15 minutes, it can feel demanding after a day of back-to-back activities! I, for one, was out of breath 🥵
It was cloudy when we were there so the sunset wasn’t spectacular, but I still recommend a visit to watch the sky get dark as planes fly overhead.
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 24hrs
Address: GVPG+M65, Labuan Bajo, Komodo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Komodo Cave Exploring Tour
Cost: ~S$117/pax
Tour timing: 8AM – 6PM
Pick-up point: Hotel pick-up
Dinner at Mugen
From what I know after hours poring over Google Maps, only three restaurants serve Japanese cuisine in Labuan Bajo. And Mugen has the largest variety of vegetarian options of them all!
The hot and creamy gravy of the vegan tantanmen (Rp65,000) was soothing after a whole day of non-stop activities, and it satisfied my craving for a different flavour profile since we’ve been having local food the past couple of days.
Besides vegetarian dishes, there are loads of options from beef aburasoba, chicken katsu curry, torikatsudon, and finger food like gyoza too.
*Pro-tip: Visit at sunset to have dinner with unblocked views of the harbour.
Opening hours: 11AM – 10PM
Address: Labuan Bajo, Komodo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara 86763, Indonesia
How to get there: 3min Gojek ride from Komodo Suites Downtown (Google Maps)
Day 4: Labuan Bajo Cultural Experiences
Labuan Bajo is only a small coastal part of Flores Island, with Flores itself rich in cultural diversity. Knowing that culture is often intertwined with handicrafts and food, we sought the best cultural experiences the island had to offer on our last day.
These places are far from Labuan Bajo town proper, so we got some help from the hotel reception to book us a private hire car.
Rumah Tenun Baku Peduli
Rumah Tenun Baku Peduli is a women-run traditional weaving heritage centre that preserves the local Manggarai craft of songket weaving. Presently, there are fewer than 70 women in Flores who have this skillset.
What we found most interesting is that each district in Flores has its own distinctive weaving patterns. So if someone from Manggarai were to meet someone from Ende — the Southern coast of Flores — they’d be able to recognise each other’s district just from the songket donned.
Cameras weren’t allowed in the weaving gallery where the local weavers were working on their songkets. Each piece takes 6 months to make on average, with 3 months just for the natural dyeing process!
The shop sells pieces made by weavers from all around Flores, with each purchase supporting the livelihood of these talented women.
After the heritage tour, we had the chance to taste local coffee made from beans in East Manggarai — the mountainous part of Flores, and roughly a 4-hour drive from Labuan Bajo.
We had a choice of Arabica, Ju’ria, and Yellow Catura beans. But our expert guide whipped out a house-blend of her own using a mix of the three, and made us the smoothest caramel latte I’ve ever had.
Cost: Rp100,000/pax (~S$8) for weaving tour and coffee tasting (by reservation only)
Opening hours: 8AM – 5PM, closes 2PM on Sat, closed on Sun
Address: Jl. Trans Flores KM 10 Watu Langkas Nggorang, Komodo, Labuan Bajo, Flores, Kabupaten Manggarai Barat, Nusa Tenggara Tim., Indonesia
How to get there: 20min drive from Komodo Suites Downtown (Google Maps)
Dapur Tara
Dapur Tara is the only forest-to-table dining experience in the forested area of Melo.
We made a booking for the “shared lunch dining”, where lunch is a shared buffet-style with other participants. Liz, the owner, prepares every dish from scratch with the help of two local cooks from Flores. All the dishes are made from locally grown ingredients, slowly cooked over an open fire.
The meal itself was hearty and I personally enjoyed the Laban (fried fermented milk), which was surprisingly crunchy and addictive. The sayur santan (vegetable curry) reminded me of a Malay dish back home called sayur lodeh.
Dapur Tara also offers retreats, cooking classes, and a cosy lodge where you can stay out in the lush greenery of Flores. But since we had to head back into town to catch our flight back to Singapore, we had our meal and went on our way.
Cost: Rp250,000/pax (~S$20) for shared lunch dining experience (by reservation only)
Opening hours: 12PM – 2PM (lunch), 6PM – 8PM (dinner)
Address: Melo, Flores, Liang Ndara, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara 86754, Indonesia
How to get there: 25min drive from Rumah Tenun Baku Peduli (Google Maps)
Where to stay in Labuan Bajo
From homestays to hotels to dive resorts, we realised that there are loads of places to stay in Labuan Bajo once we broadened our options.
Hotel for Great Views: Komodo Suites Downtown
Thankfully, hotels in Labuan Bajo come at varying price ranges — for under S$100/night, there are plenty of options to choose from. We were torn between Laprima Hotel and Komodo Suites Downtown because they both looked so airy and spacious.
Eventually, we chose the latter to save a little moolah, squirelling away ~S$75 in total. And we didn’t regret it one bit: it was a 5-minute walk to town, had views of the sea, and had floorspace large enough to leave our suitcases open without the need to fully unpack.
Also, the low footfall of a small hotel provided much-needed peace for restful nights after the long days.
Cost: From ~S$62/night (up to 2 pax)
Address: Jl. Mutiara, Labuan Bajo, Kec. Komodo, Kabupaten Manggarai Barat, Nusa Tenggara Tim. 86754, Indonesia
How to get there: 6min drive from Komodo International Airport
Homestay for a Local Experience: G-Rima Homestay
Photo credit: Booking.com
Book a homestay for a truly immersive cultural experience that directly and positively impacts locals. Plus, it doesn’t tug on the purse strings.
For example, G-Rima Homestay is a highly-rated homestay with rooms at only ~S$10/pax. The friendliest family and their pets will welcome you, making sure you have everything you need. There’s even an in-house food and drink menu, and laundry services provided at an affordable rate.
Cost: From ~S$20/night (up to 2 pax)
Address: Kaper, Golo Bilas, Labuan Bajo, Kec. Komodo, Kabupaten Manggarai Barat, Nusa Tenggara Tim. 87654, Indonesia
How to get there: 15min drive from Komodo International Airport
Dive Resort for Convenience: Dragon Dive
For divers and snorkellers looking for the convenience of taking ten steps from their bed to the harbour, dive resorts are a good choice.
Dragon Dive has been around for 10 years, which speaks to how reliable they are. We booked our epic diving day trip with them, which went by without a hiccup.
They cater to all kinds of travellers, offering shared dorms, deluxe rooms, and smaller rooms just for solo travellers. There’s also a swimming pool outside the rooms, where I saw other travellers having a dip while mingling after a long day out diving.
Cost: From ~S$232/pax for a 6-bed mixed dorm (for min. 2 nights, incl. food & dives)
Address: Jl. Mutiara, Labuan Bajo, Kec. Komodo, Kabupaten Manggarai Barat, Nusa Tenggara Tim., Indonesia (Google Maps)
How to get there: 8min drive from Komodo International Airport
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the best time to visit Labuan Bajo?
Although you can dive in Komodo National Park year-round, the best months are arguably from April to November when there’s better visibility underwater before the monsoon season starts.
Between December to March, Labuan Bajo gets a lot of rainfall, which might affect certain weather-dependent activities like cave-exploring.
2) Should I book a Labuan Bajo tour?
Booking a guided tour is the most hassle-free, affordable, and comprehensive way to make the most out of your time and money while in Labuan Bajo.
Also, many places we visited while cave-exploring require an understanding of the area, so having a local guide is the safest bet.
For diving, booking a dive tour with a 5-star PADI dive centre is highly recommended. I can personally recommend Blue Marlin Dive Komodo and Dragon Dive.
3) Is it safe to dive in Komodo National Park?
Diving in Komodo National Park is known to be challenging due to the strong currents, so it’s best to be very aware of your capability and inform your instructor of your certification and comfort levels before jumping in.
Many dive sites are only suited for those with an advanced certification.
4) Is it safe to be near wildlife in Labuan Bajo?
In many places in Labuan Bajo, wildlife roams freely. For example: manta rays at Manta Point, Timur deer on Padar Island, and Komodo dragons at Komodo National Park.
As a rule of thumb, always keep a minimum 3m distance between you and a wild animal. Also, never feed or touch them. This keeps you safe and prevents wildlife from getting stressed by human disturbance.
Planning the Perfect Labuan Bajo Itinerary
Just 4 days on an island getaway in Labuan Bajo offered the mental reset we needed. From the exciting activities to spending time in nature and refuelling with good food, we had no complaints. And for wildlife enthusiasts like us, we were thrilled about all the animal encounters, both on land and underwater. Now with a direct flight from Singapore to Labuan Bajo, there’s a high chance I’ll come back on a long weekend.
Psst… Jetstar Asia is the first — and only — airline in Singapore to fly directly to Labuan Bajo. Prices start from ~S$99^ (one-way, taxes and fees included). Check the website to book your flights!
When planning your Labuan Bajo itinerary, keep in mind that there are two flights a week: on Thursdays and Sundays. And if you’re a frequent flyer, signing up for Club Jetstar* gets you member-only prices, 20% off bags and seats, plus discounted prices for up to four others on your flight booking so you can jio your friends and family!
Cherry on top? Jetstar guarantees the lowest fares on jetstar.com, but if you find a cheaper fare elsewhere, they’ll beat the price by 10%# (T&Cs Apply).
And if you need a little more help, I’ve got you: save this map of all the places in Labuan Bajo that I’ve mentioned here, and more!
Which of these activities in Labuan Bajo has been on your must-visit list? Let us know in the comment section below!
This post was brought to you by Jetstar Asia.
^ Fares are accurate as at time of publishing of this article. Fares are one-way economy starter fares, come with 7kg carry-on baggage only, includes airfare-related surcharges and taxes. Fares are based on booking on jetstar.com using fee-free payment options such as SingPost offline payment mode and Jetstar vouchers. A booking and service fee per passenger, per flight will apply. Payment options and fees may differ by currency. Other T&Cs apply.
*Club Jetstar has an ongoing annual membership fee of SGD$48. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply
#On eligible and compatible third party sites. Price Beat Guarantee is not available on Jetstar’s South Korea, Philippines, Vietnam or Sri Lanka websites. Other T&Cs apply.
