Three Flores sites stay closed as Labuan Bajo tourism resumes after quake

Labuan Bajo — Three tourism sites on Flores remain closed following severe damage from the magnitude 7.7 earthquake and tsunami that struck the island on 15 August 2026, while wider tourism activity around Labuan Bajo and Komodo continues to operate, according to local media and the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority (BPOLBF).

FloresPos reported on 10 September that Nuca Molas in Manggarai, the Bukit Nilo Bunda Maria religious tourism site in Ngada, and the Mount Ranaka hiking area in Manggarai were assessed as badly damaged or unsafe and were closed to visitors. The outlet said seven other destinations suffered lighter impacts, although it did not list all of them in detail.

FloresPos cited BPOLBF acting president director Andhy M.T. Marpaung as saying that reopening of the three heavily affected destinations would depend on further assessments by relevant authorities, with Mount Ranaka’s closure linked to landslide risks in the surrounding area. The report did not provide a timetable for reopening.

In contrast with the situation at these inland attractions, BPOLBF has repeatedly described tourism activity in Labuan Bajo and its wider mandate area as generally operating, with some site-specific closures. In an update issued shortly after the quake, BPOLBF said that Komodo National Park and popular attractions such as Batu Cermin, Goa Rangko and Puncak Waringin had resumed normal operations, while other destinations in more heavily affected districts were still closed.

Closed sites versus wider tourism operations

The three damaged destinations represent localised impacts rather than a complete picture of travel conditions across Flores. According to FloresPos, BPOLBF’s monitoring found that many tourism villages in West Manggarai, Manggarai, Ende, Sikka, East Flores and East Manggarai were operating, although some remained inactive due to damaged or difficult road access. BPOLBF stated that it oversees about 87 tourism villages across its broader area.

BPOLBF’s remit covers eight districts on Flores — East Flores, Sikka, Ende, Nagekeo, Ngada, East Manggarai, Manggarai and West Manggarai — as well as Alor and Lembata in East Nusa Tenggara and Sape and Lambu subdistricts in Bima, West Nusa Tenggara. That geography includes Labuan Bajo, the main gateway for trips to Komodo National Park, alongside inland mountain and village destinations.

In a separate interview with a regional news outlet, Marpaung said tourism in Labuan Bajo remained “normal” after the quake and the subsequent eruption of Anak Krakatau, noting that visitors were still travelling and that core marine tourism activities had not been paralysed. BPOLBF’s official updates similarly emphasised that Labuan Bajo and Komodo were open to visitors while data collection on earthquake impacts continued in other parts of the Floratama region.

Seismic and volcanic advisories

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that the M7.7 earthquake struck north of Flores at 04:58 WIB on 15 August 2026, generated a tsunami recorded at multiple locations and caused varying degrees of damage across Manggarai Barat, Manggarai, Manggarai Timur, Nagekeo, Sikka and other districts. BMKG has issued several advisories urging residents and visitors to remain cautious around damaged buildings and to stay alert for aftershocks.

FloresPos noted that air travel to Labuan Bajo was disrupted for several days by ash from Anak Krakatau, affecting flights on the Jakarta–Labuan Bajo route. The same report said visitors were prohibited from approaching Mount Ile Lewotolok in Lembata and Mount Lewotobi in East Flores within specified exclusion zones due to volcanic activity, reflecting ongoing hazards beyond the earthquake itself.

BPOLBF advised travellers to avoid panic, follow official information from BMKG and other authorities, and respect temporary closures while safety assessments are underway. The agency also urged local tourism offices and destination managers not to reopen damaged sites before they are declared safe, citing the potential for further seismic activity.

For visitors, the practical implication is that itineraries built around Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park largely continue to operate, but access to certain inland attractions on Flores — including Nuca Molas, Bukit Nilo and Mount Ranaka — remains restricted pending repairs and safety clearance. Conditions can vary significantly between districts and destinations, and BMKG’s ongoing earthquake and volcano bulletins remain a key reference for travel planning in the region.

Sources

• BMKG – "BMKG Catat 2.768 Gempa Susulan Pasca-Gempa M7,7 Flores, Masyarakat Diimbau Tetap Waspada"
• BPOLBF – "Aktivitas Pariwisata Flores Berangsur Pulih Pascagempa ..."
• Tribunnews Kupang regional NTT article "Gempa Flores dan Erupsi Krakatau Tak Lumpuhkan Pariwisata Labuan Bajo NTT"
• FloresPos.net