Labuan Bajo Tourism Reopens After Flores Earthquake: Can Travelers Still Visit Komodo?

Labuan Bajo, Indonesia | August 22, 2026
One week after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Flores, questions remain among travelers planning a holiday to Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park.

The good news is that Labuan Bajo and the main Komodo tourism circuit have reopened and tourism activities are operating again.

According to Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the port, tourist boats, and access to Komodo National Park have resumed operations. The government and local tourism authorities continue to monitor the situation and assess tourism facilities to ensure visitor safety.

For travelers who already have plans to visit Komodo, the current situation is therefore very different from the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.

Tourism in Labuan Bajo has resumed

The earthquake on August 15 was strongly felt in Labuan Bajo, and some hotels temporarily moved guests to safer areas as a precaution.

Tourism activities, however, resumed relatively quickly.

On August 16, the Labuan Bajo Harbor Authority recorded 308 tourist boats departing from the marina, carrying 3,651 passengers. This included 2,840 international visitors and 811 domestic travelers.

Tourist activities inside Komodo National Park also resumed.

On the same day, more than 1,300 visitors traveled to South Padar, while hundreds more visited Komodo Island, Rinca Island, and Gili Lawa. The visitors subsequently returned to Labuan Bajo and continued their activities normally around the waterfront area.

This is an important sign for travelers: the main tourism route between Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park is operating again.

What about Padar Island, Komodo Island and Rinca?

The main destinations that travelers usually visit from Labuan Bajo have reopened.

These include:

Padar Island
Komodo Island
Rinca Island
Gili Lawa

Recent reports indicate that tourism activities at these destinations have returned to normal, with visitor numbers already exceeding 2,000 in a single day by August 17.

This means travelers can still enjoy the experiences that make a Komodo trip special, including the Padar viewpoint, Komodo dragon trekking, beaches and snorkeling areas around the national park.

Of course, access to individual locations can change depending on weather, sea conditions, conservation management, or safety assessments. Travelers should always follow instructions from local authorities and park staff.

Flights to Labuan Bajo are operating

Another positive development is the reopening of Komodo Airport.

Following inspections after the earthquake, the airport was reported to be operating normally from August 17, while some other airports in Flores continued to experience cancellations or operational adjustments.

This distinction is important.

The earthquake affected several parts of Flores differently. Some inland destinations and transport connections remain disrupted, while Labuan Bajo, which serves as the main gateway to Komodo National Park, has recovered more quickly.

For travelers flying directly to Labuan Bajo and taking a boat trip around Komodo National Park, the situation is therefore different from traveling overland through the more heavily affected areas of Flores.

Is it safe to visit Komodo now?

Based on the latest information from Indonesian authorities, Labuan Bajo and the main Komodo National Park tourism circuit are currently operating and have been described as safe and conducive for tourism.

However, this does not mean that there is zero earthquake risk.

Flores remains an earthquake-prone region, and aftershocks have continued following the August 15 earthquake. Because of this, authorities are continuing to monitor conditions.

For visitors, the best approach is not to panic, but to stay informed.

Before and during your trip, travelers should:

Check the latest information from BMKG.
Follow instructions from local authorities and park officials.
Check with their boat operator before departure.
Pay attention to weather and sea conditions.
Follow safety instructions at hotels, ports and tourist sites.
Keep travel plans flexible in case conditions change.

These are sensible precautions for traveling in an earthquake-prone destination and do not necessarily mean that a Komodo holiday needs to be cancelled.

Labuan Bajo is welcoming travelers again

Perhaps one of the clearest indications of the current situation is what is happening on the ground.

Hotels are operating, the marina is active, tourist boats are sailing, and international visitors have continued their holidays in Labuan Bajo. Recent reports also indicate that major hotels have remained operational after utilities were restored.

The atmosphere is therefore not one of a closed tourism destination.

Instead, Labuan Bajo is in a recovery and monitoring phase, while the wider Flores region continues to deal with the effects of the earthquake.

This distinction matters because news about the earthquake can sometimes create the impression that the entire island, including Komodo National Park, has been closed to visitors. That is not the current situation.

What travelers should know about the rest of Flores

Travelers planning a longer Flores road trip should be more careful.

Several destinations outside the Labuan Bajo Komodo circuit remain temporarily closed or affected by infrastructure problems. Some roads and transport connections are also still being assessed or repaired.

For this reason, a holiday focused on Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park can currently be a simpler option than an extensive overland journey across Flores.

Travelers planning to visit places such as Wae Rebo, Kelimutu or other inland destinations should check the latest local conditions before including them in their itinerary.

A Komodo holiday is still possible

The earthquake has undoubtedly affected Flores, and recovery work is still underway in several areas.

But for travelers whose plans center on Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park, the latest situation is encouraging.

The main tourism circuit is open. Boats are sailing. The airport is operating. Major tourist attractions have reopened, and visitors are already returning to the national park.

For now, travelers do not need to assume that the earthquake has brought tourism in Komodo to a standstill.

Instead, the most sensible approach is to travel with awareness, monitor official updates, and follow local safety guidance.

Labuan Bajo is open, Komodo National Park is welcoming visitors again, and a holiday among the islands of Komodo remains possible.

The situation will continue to be monitored closely, but for travelers who have been wondering whether they can still visit Komodo after the Flores earthquake, the current answer is reassuring: yes, tourism has resumed, and visitors are already enjoying the islands again.

If you are planning your next adventure, explore unforgettable island experiences with Komodo Island Tour Indonesia at komodoislandtour.id.