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Labuan Bajo, Indonesia | August 31, 2026
Labuan Bajo tourism is returning to normal following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Flores on August 15, 2026.
The earthquake affected several areas across Flores and temporarily disrupted tourism activities in some parts of the island. For travelers planning to visit Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park, the situation has raised questions about whether boat trips, flights, and tourist attractions are operating normally again.
The latest updates from the Ministry of Tourism and local authorities are reassuring. Tourism activities in Labuan Bajo have resumed, with boat departures, flights, and visits to Komodo National Park continuing after safety assessments.
Labuan Bajo is the main gateway to Komodo National Park and an important tourism hub in East Nusa Tenggara.
Following the earthquake, local authorities carried out safety checks and monitored tourism facilities and infrastructure around the area.
By the end of August, tourism activities had resumed and visitors were once again traveling through Labuan Bajo for trips to Komodo National Park.
According to the West Manggarai government, 2,854 boat departures and 32,692 tourist trips were recorded following the earthquake. Domestic and international flight activity has also remained stable.
These figures show that tourism activity in Labuan Bajo has continued to recover after the temporary disruption caused by the earthquake.
One of the main concerns for travelers has been the condition of Komodo National Park.
The latest updates confirm that the park and its main tourism areas have reopened following safety assessments.
Padar Island and Komodo Island are open to visitors, while boat trips from Labuan Bajo have resumed.
This means travelers can once again plan popular Komodo itineraries that include destinations such as:
The availability of individual destinations can still depend on weather, sea conditions, and local operational decisions, so travelers should always confirm the latest conditions before departure.
Air access is another important part of the recovery.
Labuan Bajo’s Komodo International Airport continues to serve travelers, with domestic and international flight activity remaining stable.
For visitors arriving from Jakarta, Bali, or other parts of Indonesia, this means Labuan Bajo remains accessible as a gateway to Komodo National Park.
International travelers can also connect through major Indonesian airports before continuing to Labuan Bajo.
The atmosphere in Labuan Bajo is gradually returning to its usual tourism rhythm.
Hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, guides, boat operators, and other tourism businesses are continuing their activities and welcoming visitors.
For travelers who may have delayed their plans because of the earthquake, the latest situation is different from the first days following the disaster.
Labuan Bajo is no longer experiencing the widespread tourism disruption seen immediately after the earthquake.
However, the wider Flores region is still recovering, and conditions can vary between different areas.
It is important to distinguish Labuan Bajo from other parts of Flores when reading reports about the earthquake.
Flores is a large island, and the impact of the earthquake has not been the same everywhere.
Some tourist destinations outside the Labuan Bajo and Komodo area were temporarily closed following the earthquake while authorities carried out inspections and assessed infrastructure.
For this reason, travelers planning a trip beyond Labuan Bajo should check the status of each destination separately.
A destination being temporarily closed elsewhere in Flores does not necessarily mean that tourism in Labuan Bajo or Komodo National Park is closed.
Although tourism has resumed, travelers should continue to pay attention to local updates.
The earthquake is a reminder that natural conditions can change quickly in Indonesia. Weather and sea conditions can also affect boat trips around Komodo National Park.
Before your trip, it is a good idea to:
These precautions are part of responsible travel and are useful regardless of the recent earthquake.
The recovery is not only about bringing tourism back to normal.
The Ministry of Tourism has also highlighted the importance of making Labuan Bajo more resilient and better prepared for future disasters.
Discussions with local tourism stakeholders have focused on disaster risk management, emergency procedures, evacuation routes, and communication during emergencies.
The government is also looking at developing more land-based tourism attractions around West Manggarai.
Destinations such as Kukusan Island, Kelor Island, and Rangko Cave have been mentioned as part of efforts to diversify tourism experiences in the area.
Developing more attractions outside the traditional marine tourism routes could also help create a more balanced tourism industry in Labuan Bajo.
The August 15 earthquake temporarily disrupted tourism across parts of Flores, but the situation in Labuan Bajo has continued to improve.
With boat trips operating again, flights continuing, and Komodo National Park and Padar Island reopened, travelers can once again plan trips to one of Indonesia’s most popular destinations.
The latest tourism figures also show that visitors are already returning to Labuan Bajo.
While travelers should continue to monitor official updates and remain aware of changing weather and local conditions, the current situation is a positive step in the recovery of Labuan Bajo’s tourism industry.
For those planning a Komodo adventure, Labuan Bajo is open and welcoming travelers again.
Last updated: August 31, 2026
