Flores Quake Closes Three Key Sites as Labuan Bajo Tourism Resumes

Labuan Bajo — Authorities have temporarily closed three flagship tourist attractions on Flores Island following last month’s magnitude-7.7 earthquake, while tourism activities around Komodo National Park and in Labuan Bajo are reported to be operating normally according to official statements.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that the quake, which struck on 15 August 2026, prompted the temporary closure of Goa Rangko in West Manggarai, Wae Rebo Traditional Village in Manggarai and Kelimutu National Park in Ende to allow safety inspections and repairs. BNPB said the closures were aimed at protecting visitors and enabling checks on infrastructure before the sites can reopen.

As of 18 August, BNPB confirmed 68 deaths and 213 injuries across several districts in East Nusa Tenggara, with search and assessment operations continuing. Casualties were recorded in Manggarai, Manggarai Timur, Nagekeo, Sikka, Ende, Manggarai Barat and Ngada regencies, according to BNPB data cited by local media.

What is closed and what remains open

BNPB’s assessment identified three tourist destinations that were explicitly closed pending verification.

• Goa Rangko, West Manggarai: temporarily closed for safety checks, according to BNPB.
• Wae Rebo Traditional Village, Manggarai: temporarily closed for safety checks, according to BNPB.
• Kelimutu National Park, Ende: temporarily closed for safety checks, according to BNPB.

At the same time, tourism activities in Labuan Bajo, including access to the port and marine-based tours, have been reported as running normally and safely in official updates from the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority (BPOLBF) and the Ministry of Tourism. A BPOLBF statement said tourism in Labuan Bajo had returned to normal conditions by 17 August, with activities at Marina Labuan Bajo and wider tourism services described as “normal, smooth and conducive.”

BPOLBF has not reported any major operational disruption at Komodo National Park in its post-quake updates, while emphasizing that Labuan Bajo remains open to visitors. However, tourists are urged to confirm the status of specific destinations elsewhere on Flores before travelling.

Safety guidance for visitors

The Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority has repeatedly advised travelers to prioritize safety, follow official instructions and avoid destinations that remain closed or have not been declared safe. Acting president director Andhy MT Marpaung said tourism activities were gradually resuming in affected areas but that the safety of tourists, local communities and businesses remains the top priority during recovery.

BPOLBF encourages tourists to verify the status of destinations and transport access, including roads, ports, flights and accommodation, before departure. For marine activities and water sports, visitors are advised to monitor weather, wave and wind conditions and comply with guidance from port authorities and on-site officials.

To support travelers and tourism operators, BPOLBF has opened an information service via its public information hotline. The authority states that visitors and stakeholders can contact BPOLBF through WhatsApp at +62 811-3879-4555 to obtain updates on destination conditions and tourism activities in Labuan Bajo Flores. BPOLBF’s office is located on Jalan Soekarno-Hatta No. 88 in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai.

Volcanic alerts and ongoing monitoring

In addition to earthquake impacts, authorities have raised the alert level for Mount Anak Ranaka in Manggarai to Level II, or “Waspada,” effective from 1 September 2026 at 23.00 WITA, due to increased volcanic activity. The Geological Agency’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has urged residents, visitors, hikers and tourists not to carry out activities within a one-kilometer radius of the volcano’s active center.

BPOLBF and local media have noted that Flores continues to experience numerous aftershocks and ongoing geological activity, reinforcing calls for visitors to rely on updates from BPOLBF, local governments, BNPB, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), port authorities and airport operators when planning trips to Flores and surrounding areas.

Sources

• BPOLBF – Aktivitas Pariwisata Flores Berangsur Pulih Pascagempa, Keselamatan Wisatawan Tetap Jadi Prioritas
• VietnamPlus – Indonesia closes tourist sites after quake, activates nine health centres
• SuaraBali – Gempa M7,7 Guncang Flores: Wae Rebo, Kelimutu, dan Goa Rangko Ditutup Sementara
• Netralnews – Flores Tourism Begins to Recover, Tourists Urged to Put Safety First After Earthquake
• VoxNTT – Aktivitas Gunung Api Anak Ranaka Meningkat, PVMBG Naikkan Status ke Level Waspada
• TribunFlores – Gunung Anak Ranakah NTT Level II Waspada, PVMBG Catat Ratusan Gempa
• Metro TV News