Your travel guide to Flores, a place of beauty like its name, which means flower in Portuguese. As part of the Lesser Sunda Islands, it is home to the last dragon on Earth, the Komodo Dragon in the Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Flores has a population of 1.8 million, with people mainly from Austronesian families and other indigenous tribes. Myriads of languages are spoken here. People are mainly Roman Catholic Christians, with some Muslims.
Flores is another off-the-beaten track for traveling in Indonesia, largely unexplored and mainly for the divers and adventurous. Here you can find untouched, pristine islands, magical tri-colored volcanic lakes, hiking up volcano mountains like Mount Kelimutu, swim in waterfalls in lush jungles, and enjoy the scene of paddy fields with smoking volcanoes as a backdrop. The best diving sites also surround Flores; even snorkeling will bring lots of underwater delight, rich in marine life and corals.
Flores Travel Map
Flores, Sumba and Sumbawa Travel Map
Popular Route
Labuan Bajo -> Komodo National Park ->Rinca Islands -> Labuan Bajo -> Ruteng -> Ende -> Tri-colored Kelimutu Lakes -> Maumere
Where is it
Flores is located on the Island of Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, east of Sumbawa and west of the Solor Archipelago. To the southeast is Timor, to the south is Sumba and to the north is Sulawesi.
Why go
Volcano MountainVisit Flores for the almost untouched island, where you can trek to see Tri-colored lakes in Kelimutu of acid volcanic water, Komodo Dragon, swim in the calm pool with a waterfall backdrop, enjoy your meal, and mingle with locals amidst the view of lush paddy fields and smoking volcanic mountain. You can even dive or snorkel off various fantastic dive sites.
When is the best time to go
Go during the dry season to enjoy the full marvel of the place from June to October, but if you must, the rainy season is possible to be prepared for muddy roads and cloudy skies that might dampen your views.
Places to Visit
Visit Flores for the almost untouched island, where you can trek to see Tri-colored lakes in Kelimutu of acid volcanic water, Komodo Dragon, swim in the calm pool with a waterfall backdrop, enjoy your meal, and mingle with locals amidst the view of lush paddy fields and smoking volcanic mountain. You can even dive or snorkel off various fantastic dive sites.
Labuan Bajo is the capital and the gateway to Flores. While Komodo Island is one of the UNESCO World Heritage of Indonesia and home to the famous Komodo Dragon.
There is Maumere for exploration of local living, fishing villages, hot springs, caves, and beaches for off-the-beaten-path. Mount Kelimutu is one of the famous attractions in Flores; Kelimutu lake is at the summit of the craters and consists of three lakes of varying colors from each other and at different times.
Komodo National Park, Flores – Diving, Pink Beach and Accommodations
Tri-colored Lakes at Mount Kelimutu, Flores
Komodo Boat Trip from Lombok to Flores
Flores, Nusa Tenggara
Maumere, Flores
Activities in Flores
Diving – there are several dive sites here in Flores, the most popular is the Komodo Islands which is one of the top diving sites in Indonesia. Diving Komodo islands are also known to many world-class divers due to the Komodo National Park’s reserve that offers every tropical diving paradise.
Surfing – many hotspots around Flores allow surfing from beginner level to advance. This is an up-and-coming surfing place in Indonesia.
Island hopping – take a trip to Komodo Islands and check out the many islands, such as Padar Island, Rinca Island, and Bat Island, and the beautiful beaches, such as Pink Beach and Manta Point.
Visit traditional villages, and stay with the local families while doing eco-friendly activities like bird watching, trekking, and local dances. Also, swim in the waterfall pool.
Tourist Attractions in Flores
Komodo National Park, Flores – Diving, Pink Beach and Accommodations
Tri-colored Lakes at Mount Kelimutu, Flores
What and where to eat
If you are in Ende, remember to try out the Kopi Ende, they are coffee beans roasted with ginger and then brewed as the usual coffee drink.
How to get there
By flights
Maumere AirportFly into the main airport at Maumere, with daily flights from Bali and Kupang.
There are also daily flights to Labuanbajo from Bali and Lombok.
By Boat
You can also get in by Pelni boats to Labuanbajo or Maumere and other parts of Indonesia. There are also other boats, like the ASDP ferry from Labuanbajo to Sape. Or you may just take a sailing trip from tour companies between Lombok, Bali, and Flores.
By land
Suppose you are into adventure riding and photography. In that case, you may take the long, tedious way overland, a bus from Bali to Lombok to Bima and then Sape, and then end with a Ferry to Labuanbajo. This journey will take more than 24 hours.
How to get around
Take the ubiquitous Bemo (minibus or minivans) around the island, it will guarantee an experience.
