The BEST Things to do in Flores Indonesia
7 Things to Do in Flores, Indonesia
Flores, Indonesia, offers a world of rugged landscapes, pristine beaches, and turquoise waters, where you can hike active volcanoes, visit colour-changing crater lakes, or come face-to-face with the ancient Komodo Dragons.
In this blog post, we will explore the top things to do in Flores, Indonesia!
On top of that, give our top recommendations for where to stay and where to eat! So, if you’re searching for what to do in Flores, Indonesia – you’ve come to the right place, let’s get into it!
Flores, Indonesia Mini Guide
How to travel Flores, Indonesia in bite-sized form to help you plan less and travel more!
Want to watch instead of read? Watch our Flores Travel Guide Here
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
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More on Flores
Things to do in Flores Indonesia
This list will take you all over the island of Flores. It is important to note that most of the stops are from Labuan Bajo, the major stopping point for tourists on the island. We will also go over how to get there, where to eat and where to stay!
Also, a quick note on Flores, Indonesia – it is located in East Nusa Tenggara and is most known as the gateway to the Komodo Islands National Park.
So, let’s get into the list of 7 things to do in Flores Indonesia!
Flores Map Indonesia
Padar Island
After a short (but steep) hike to get to the top, you will be rewarded with a stunning viewpoint featuring three crescent-shaped beaches, located within Komodo National Park.
⛵ How to Get There: From Labuan Bajo, book onto a boat tour to reach the island. Both day trips (slow boat or speed boat), private or chartered, and a multi-day liveaboard tour.(book here!)
🥾 What To Do: Overall, the hike is moderately challenging and takes around 1-2 hours to complete (depending on how many photo breaks you take!)
⏰ When To Visit: To beat the heat we suggest visiting in the morning! Plus Golden Hour makes for beautiful photos.
📍Where To Stay: Labuan Bajo
Luxury: TA’AKTANA Resort has overwater bungalows – need I say more?
Mid-Range: Meruorah Komodo is centrally located with the best views in town.
Budget: The Seasta Hotel is swoon-worthy, a little outside of town but with EPIC views!
Unique: Le Pirate Island – Adults-only beachfront glamping on a private island!!
✨ Fun Fact: Padar Island’s beaches are different colours due to varying coral compositions—one beach is pink, another is black, and the third is white.
Pink Beach
There are only SEVEN pink beaches in the world. With stunning turquoise water, the beach gets its colour from red coral breaking up and mixing with the fine sand.
⛵ How to Get There: Get a boat tour from Labuan Bajo – you can do slow boats, speed boats or multi-day liveaboard! (book here!)
🤿 What To Do: Both snorkelling and swimming are the highlights here – jump in the clear water and keep an eye out for turtles!
⏰ When To Visit: The best time to visit is during mid-morning or late afternoon for optimal lighting and to avoid the hottest part of the day.
📍Where To Stay: Labuan Bajo
Luxury: TA’AKTANA Resort has overwater bungalows – need I say more?
Mid-Range: Meruorah Komodo is centrally located with the best views in town.
Budget: The Seasta Hotel is swoon-worthy, a little outside of town but with EPIC views!
Unique: Le Pirate Island – Adults-only beachfront glamping on a private island!!l
✨ Fun Fact: Did you now Greece & Indonesia both have two pink beaches? The others are in Italy, Bermuda and Bahamas!
Komodo Island
Obviously, famous for being home to the Komodo Dragons – the world’s largest lizard. (they can get up to 3m and weigh 70kgs!!)
Here you will go on a guided tour of Komodo National Park and see the dragons in their natural habitat.
⛵ How to Get There: Most boat tours depart from Labuan Bajo. Options include day trips (slow boat or speed boat), private/chartered or multi-day liveaboard. (book here!)
🐲 What To Do: Go on a tour, learn about the dragons and don’t forget your camera!
⏰ When To Visit: Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to see the Komodo Dragons at their most active, as they are more lethargic in the heat of midday.
📍Where To Stay: Labuan Bajo
Luxury: TA’AKTANA Resort has overwater bungalows – need I say more?
Mid-Range: Meruorah Komodo is centrally located with the best views in town.
Budget: The Seasta Hotel is swoon-worthy, a little outside of town but with EPIC views!
Unique: Le Pirate Island – Adults-only beachfront glamping on a private island!!
✨ Fun Fact: Komodo Dragons are the largest lizards in the world and can weigh over 150 pounds. Did you know they are also venomous?!
Kelimutu Volcano
This ACTIVE volcano has three colored crater lakes at the top! While the trek to the top is short, relatively easy and has plenty of shade, we took our time to soak in the views.
Depending on volcanic activity you will be treated to different colours at the top – from red, and white to bright blue and green, making this surreal landscape is a must for any nature lover.
🚌 How to Get There: Firstly, make your way to Ende (nearest airport) or Moni. From Moni it is a 45 minute drive to the starting point.
🌋 What To Do: Obviously, hike an active volcano!! Make sure to bring some water and spend time at the top. I would suggest this is a great spot for a picnic, BUT there are sneaky monkeys that will steal your delicious treats! (book here!)
⏰ When To Visit: Sunrise is the best time to visit the crater lakes, as the early morning light enhances their vibrant colours.
📍Where To Stay: Moni
Mid-Range: Kelimutu Crater Lakes EcoLodge – Peaceful accommodation in the perfect location.
Mid-Range: Geckos Homestay is a little out of town, but beautiful simple bungalows
Budget: Mahoni Guesthouse is great Value for money!
✨ Fun Fact: The colours of the crater lakes change due to chemical reactions caused by volcanic gases mixing with minerals in the water.
Wae Rebo Village
Tucked away in the mountains of Flores, Wae Rebo is a remote village famous for its unique cone-shaped houses.
Set back in time when you visit this traditional village in the highlands, stay overnight and get a glimpse into the local culture of the Manggarai people.
🚌 How to Get There: In truth, it’s best (and easiest) to base yourself in Labuan Bajo and book onto a group tour from there. Another option is to go from Ruteng.
🌋 What To Do: So, the trek to Wae Rebo is around 3-4 hours. Therefore, to make the most of the experience, spend the night in a traditional cone-shaped house and immerse yourself in village life. (book here!)
⏰ When To Visit: The dry season (April to October) is ideal for trekking to Wae Rebo, as the paths are easier to navigate.
📍Where To Stay: Labuan Bajo
Luxury: TA’AKTANA Resort has overwater bungalows – need I say more?
Mid-Range: Meruorah Komodo is centrally located with the best views in town.
Budget: The Seasta Hotel is swoon-worthy, a little outside of town but with EPIC views!
Unique: Le Pirate Island – Adults-only beachfront glamping on a private island!!
✨ Fun Fact: Wae Rebo Village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Manggarai people, who have lived in this remote area for generations.
Spider Web Rice Fields
Marvel at the fascinating rice fields in Flores that are uniquely designed in a spider web pattern. This centuries-old agricultural practice is best seen from a viewpoint (it’s only a short walk!)
🚌 How to Get There: Firstly, make your way to Ruteng – the closest town, you can get there by catching a local bus or organising a shared taxi Labuan Bajo. Once in Ruteng, book a tour from Ruteng or hire a private driver to get you to the viewpoint.
🌾 What To Do: Take a guided tour to learn about the unique design, which was created by dividing land equally among villagers. (book here!)
⏰ When To Visit: The fields are most stunning during the harvest season (April to September) when they are lush and green.
📍Where To Stay: Ruteng
Mid-Range: Ara Garden Inn is surrounded by nature in lush, green forest!
Mid-Range: Sindha Hotel spacious, clean and free breakfast!
Budget: Sun Rice Homestay features basic, simple accommodations.
✨ Fun Fact: The rice fields’ spider web pattern is a traditional way of dividing land among families, with the centre representing the ancestral hub.
Rangko Cave
A hidden gem in Flores, Rangko Cave is an otherworldly spot with crystal-clear blue water perfect for a refreshing dip. While the cave is often overlooked, we think this is what makes it a peaceful escape from the more crowded tourist areas.
So, why not escape the heat by taking a dip in the cool, crystal-clear waters of Rangko Cave? Surprisingly, this hidden gem feels like a private natural pool tucked away in a limestone cavern.
🚌 How to Get There: Since this is a day trip from Labuan Bajo, you could rent a scooter or take a tour. Rangko caves sit about a 1 hour car drive and 20-minute boat journey from Labuan Bajo.
🩵 What To Do: Swim in the crystal-clear waters inside the cave and cool off from the Flores heat.
⏰ When To Visit: Visit during midday when sunlight illuminates the clear blue water in the cave, creating a magical effect. (book here!)
📍Where To Stay: Labuan Bajo
Luxury: TA’AKTANA Resort has overwater bungalows – need I say more?
Mid-Range: Meruorah Komodo is centrally located with the best views in town.
Budget: The Seasta Hotel is swoon-worthy, a little outside of town but with EPIC views!
Unique: Le Pirate Island – Adults-only beachfront glamping on a private island!!
✨ Fun Fact: Rangko Cave is filled with refreshing saltwater and is a hidden gem in Flores, often less crowded than other tourist spots.
Where to Stay in Flores, Indonesia
While there are lots of lovely accommodations across the island – from budget friendly hotels to unique stays on a private island, there is something for everyone on Flores!
Unfortunately, you can’t stay on Komodo Island or Padar Island BUT you can go on a liveaboard boat trip 😉
Overall, our most memorable stays were at Le Pirate Island (read more here), a private island a short boat trip from Labuan Bajo. (book here)
Similarly, Coconut Garden Beach Resort – where we switched out travelling for relaxing, and enjoyed fresh cooked meals on-site and beautifully simple beach huts. (book here)
The Best Restaurants & Bars in Labuan Bajo
You’ll mostly be based in Labuan Bajo and there is nothing worse than wasting a meal when travelling. Here is a list of some places to try while your in Labuan Bajo
Our favourite was the Nasi Goreng at Senja Eatery!
How to get to Flores, Indonesia
How to get from Bali to Flores
✈️ By Plane: Generally, the most common way to get to Flores, Indonesia is by flying into Bali and transfering to a domestic flight to Labuan Bajo. Moreover, there are multiple daily departures from Bali Airport and the flight only takes around an hour.
⛵️ By Boat: While there are no direct ferries from Lombok to Flores, you can also book multi-day trips (like this one). Do your research before booking because not all tours have good reviews.
How to get from Jakarta to Flores
✈️ By Plane: Basically, the easiest way to get here is by flying into Labuan Bajo (LBJ) on Flores Island. Flights from Jakarta are pretty frequent and usually take around 2.5 hours.
⛵️ By Boat: If your heart is set on catching a boat, then you will need to make your way to Lombok/Bali first! (book here!)
note: in the rainy season it is not uncommon for flights to be cancelled, we had two cancelled during our trip.
The Best time to Visit Flores, Indonesia
Keep in mind that the local weather can vary significantly, so it’s wise to check forecasts leading up to your trip. Also, remember that travel times between islands can change based on sea conditions, so factor in some flexibility in your itinerary.
⏰ April to June: Ideal weather right after the rainy season, you’ll get clear skies and fewer crowds.
🌤️ July to August: High season means more tourists, so you’ll need to book tours in advance.
☀️ September to December: It’s hot, but if you can handle the heat, the crowds will be thinner.
🌦️ Shoulder Months (April, May, October, November): If you’re like me and prefer fewer people, these months are golden. You might get a little rain, but it’s nothing a light jacket can’t handle.
FAQ: Things to do In Flores Indonesia
How many days should you spend in Flores?
Obviously, this is very dependent on what you want to do. But, we would suggest a 7-10 day itinerary! If you want to spend some time hiking or scuba diving you may want some additional days!
Is it worth going to Flores, Indonesia?
Well, this is a tough question. Specifically, we had mixed thoughts about our time on Komodo Island (read here). That being said, I am SO GLAD we have been to this unique island.
What is the best time of year to visit?
The best time to visit Flores is during the dry season, from April to October when the weather is ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and diving
How Much Does Komodo National Park Cost?
At the time of writing it is 150,000 IDR per person. However, the price is subject to change.
What about Blue Stone Beach?
When visiting Ende, you may want to call in to see this unique beach with blue-coloured stones – that makes for fantastic photos.
What about Marine Life?
Of course, there is plenty of amazing marine life in Flores, Indonesia. Specifically, scuba diving is a must for those with a licence, you can dive with Manta Rays, turtles and even sharks!
Are there Komodo Dragons on Flores?
Technically no, but it is the jumping off point to visit them, they only live naturally on Komodo and Rinca Island.
Other places to visit in Flores Indonesia?
Top things to do in Flores Indonesia include:
- Manta Point (read more here!)
- Kaylong (flying foxes) Island
- Taka Makassar Island
- Kelor Island
- Bena Traditional Village
- Koka Beach
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Final Thoughts on Things to do in Flores, Indonesia
So, from hiking volcanoes to spotting Komodo Dragons, Flores offers a mix of adventure, nature, and culture that makes it a must-visit destination in Indonesia.
Whether you’re chasing panoramic views on Padar Island, diving into the turquoise waters of Pink Beach, or hiking to the colourful crater lakes of Kelimutu, Flores will leave you with memories that feel like they’re straight out of a movie.
Also, check out our Komodo National Park guide for more tips, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive travel itineraries!
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