Flores Island

Address: Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Flores is an island in East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia, located in the Lesser Sunda Islands east of Sumbawa and west of Timor. The island is known for its volcanic landscapes, distinct local cultures and as a gateway to nearby island parks.

The three-coloured crater lakes of Kelimutu, traditional highland villages, scenic coastal bays and boat access to Komodo National Park from the west coast. Visitors use Flores both for inland trekking and as a staging point for island-hopping, diving and wildlife tours.

Flores has been inhabited for millennia by Austronesian-speaking peoples and contains a mosaic of local languages and cultural traditions; island settlements and terraced landscapes reflect long-term human use. In recent decades the island has developed tourism infrastructure focused on nature and cultural attractions.

Geographically Flores stretches east-west across the Lesser Sunda chain; main towns include Maumere in the north, Ende on the central north coast, and Labuan Bajo at the western tip, which provides maritime and air connections to other islands.

• Visiting Kelimutu: Kelimutu’s three crater lakes are best visited at sunrise when light and atmospheric conditions make colour changes most pronounced.

What to See#

• Kelimutu lakes: Three crater lakes on Mount Kelimutu that famously display different colours at different times and are a prime visitor destination on Flores.
• Labuan Bajo: Labuan Bajo on the western tip of Flores serves as the main gateway port and air access point for boat trips to Komodo National Park and nearby islands.

Labuan Bajo (Komodo Airport, LBJ) is the main gateway to western Flores and Komodo National Park, with flights from Bali (Denpasar) and Jakarta. Overland travel from the eastern ports takes much longer; many visitors hire drivers for multi-day routes across the island.

• Fly into Komodo/Labuan Bajo (LBJ) for easiest access to western Flores and island-hopping itineraries.
• Visit Kelimutu early morning to watch the crater lakes change light and color; sunrise is dramatic.
• Rent a driver for multi-day exploration - public transport is possible but slow and limited for remote attractions.
• Try local labu (pumpkin) dishes and grilled fish in coastal villages for authentic regional flavors.