Labuan Bajo Tourism Gradually Returns to Normal After Flores Quake

Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara — Tourism activities in Labuan Bajo and the main gateway routes to Komodo National Park have largely returned to normal following the 15 August 2026 earthquake in Flores, with Indonesian authorities reporting steady visitor flows by mid-August and into September.

The Ministry of Tourism and the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority (BPOLBF) stated that, based on monitoring up to 16 August, tourism in Labuan Bajo was operating in a stable and orderly manner, including at Marina Labuan Bajo Port, after temporary safety checks on transport and destinations.

Port and park access

According to a 17 August update by the Ministry of Tourism and BPOLBF, the Labuan Bajo Class III Port Authority and Harbormaster Office (KSOP) recorded 308 tourist boats departing from Marina Labuan Bajo on 16 August, carrying a total of 3,651 passengers comprising 2,840 international tourists and 811 domestic visitors.

In the same update, officials said that access by sea to Komodo National Park had resumed after KSOP authorized sailing activities, with visitor flows again directed to principal sites inside the park.

Subsequent reports from national media at the end of August and early September described tourism in Labuan Bajo as recovering and then returning to normal, with boat trips once more serving Komodo Island, Padar Island and other popular destinations and local authorities confirming the reopening of park areas following safety assessments.

These accounts indicate that marine excursions and visits to the main park locations have restarted, even though operating conditions can still differ between vessels, routes and individual attractions depending on weather, harbour decisions or any further seismic activity.

Flights, boats and accommodation

In terms of air links, the Ministry of Tourism and BPOLBF reported that Komodo International Airport in Labuan Bajo was operating normally in accordance with its flight schedule as of 22 August, with no route deviations or requests for changes on monitored services to and from the town.

Later coverage in national media continued to describe Komodo International Airport as fully operational, with domestic and international flights reported as running stably and helping to sustain the flow of visitors into Labuan Bajo after the earthquake.

Sea transport from Marina Labuan Bajo also resumed under KSOP authorization, with hundreds of tourist boats recorded departing on 16 August and officials and local broadcasters subsequently describing cruise and excursion traffic as back to normal in early September.

BPOLBF stated that it was monitoring destinations, accessibility, accommodation and supporting tourism facilities in Labuan Bajo and West Manggarai, noting that many hotels, restaurants and cafes were again receiving guests, while some sites in more strongly affected areas of Flores remained under verification or temporarily closed.

Safety advice for visitors

Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said Labuan Bajo remained open to tourists and that tourism activities were generally proceeding as usual, while urging visitors and businesses to prioritize safety and follow instructions from relevant authorities because aftershocks were still occurring.

According to the Ministry of Tourism and BPOLBF, reopening decisions for Komodo National Park and other destinations were based on safety assessments carried out in coordination with local governments, destination managers, KSOP, airport operators, the National Disaster Management Agency and other agencies, with attractions only allowed to resume operations once declared safe.

National media reports did not identify specific new visitor restrictions for Komodo National Park or leading sites such as Puncak Waringin, Kelor Island and Rangko Cave after the mid-August reopening, but authorities and tourism officials continue to advise travellers to monitor official updates and remain alert to possible changes linked to weather or seismic conditions.

BPOLBF has opened a tourism information service to assist visitors and stakeholders seeking the latest details on destination status, transport and accommodation in Labuan Bajo and Flores, including a WhatsApp hotline at 0811-3879-4555 for enquiries and coordination.

Sources

• RRI - Labuan Bajo Tourism Activities Resume After Flores Earthquake
• VIVA - Kabar Terbaru Labuan Bajo Usai Diguncang Gempa, Kemenpar Ungkap Kondisi Destinasi Wisata Terkini
• Metro TV - Pariwisata Labuan Bajo Kembali Normal Pascagempa
• BPOLBF / Ministry of Tourism - Pariwisata Labuan Bajo Kembali Berjalan Normal, BPOLBF Lanjutkan Pendataan Dampak Gempa di Floratama