Labuan Bajo–Komodo Tourism Recovers as Inland Flores Sites Stay Shut

Labuan Bajo — Tourism on the Labuan Bajo–Komodo marine circuit has resumed normal operations following the 7.7‑magnitude earthquake that struck Flores on 15 August 2026, while several inland routes and attractions across the island remain closed or restricted pending safety checks, according to government and industry reports.

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that the magnitude 7.7 earthquake occurred offshore north of Mbay in Nagekeo Regency at 04:58 local time on 15 August, triggering a tsunami advisory that was lifted after relatively small sea‑level changes were recorded along parts of East Nusa Tenggara and neighboring provinces.

The Ministry of Tourism, citing monitoring by the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority (BPOLBF), confirmed that Komodo National Park remained open and shipping to the park was operating as usual as of 22 August, with Komodo International Airport also running according to its flight schedule.

The ministry and BPOLBF have repeatedly advised that the situation in Labuan Bajo and Komodo cannot be taken as representative of tourism conditions across Flores, urging travelers heading inland to verify the latest information on roads, airports, telecommunications and specific destinations before departure.

Marine tourism back to normal under safety oversight

The main marine tourism gateway has returned to operation under reinforced safety protocols.

BPOLBF data cited in a Komodo tour operator’s travel update reported that on 16 August the Labuan Bajo harbor master recorded 308 tourist boats departing with 3,651 passengers, including 2,840 international visitors, headed to key Komodo National Park sites such as Padar, Komodo, Rinca and Gili Lawa.

Indonesia‑focused travel trade outlets reported that activities at Padar Island, Loh Liang on Komodo Island, Loh Buaya on Rinca Island and Gili Lawa had resumed, with daily visitor numbers exceeding 2,000 on 17 August, while Labuan Bajo Marina and most major hotels in the town remained operational with restored utilities.

The Ministry of Tourism and BPOLBF also reported that Rangko Cave was receiving visitors after its facilities were assessed as safe, and that several tourism villages and attractions in West Manggarai, including Wae Lolos and Liang Ndara, had reopened alongside other sites such as Batu Cermin and Kelor Island.

The ministry stressed that all openings followed safety assessments and that visitors and operators should continue to follow official directions while aftershocks persist.

Inland closures and uneven access across Flores

By contrast, tourism access inland across Flores remains patchy.

Analyses by regional travel companies and trade publications report that inland destinations such as Wae Rebo, Ruteng Pu’u and Kelimutu National Park were closed in the days after the quake for structural inspections and to assess landslide risks, with Teluk Maumere Marine Nature Tourism Park also shut.

International coverage citing the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) noted that temporarily closed sites included Wae Rebo, Kelimutu and Goa Rangko, while confirming that Komodo National Park and tourist attractions around Labuan Bajo continued to operate normally.

Industry reports indicate that air access across Flores was uneven in the week after the earthquake, with Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo, Frans Seda Airport in Maumere and Gewayantana Airport in Larantuka operating with some schedule adjustments, while smaller inland airports faced temporary suspensions and assessments.

Government and tourism authorities have urged travelers to confirm their specific route before departing, especially where itineraries depend on single road links, small airfields or local communications networks still subject to disruption.

Human impact and ongoing emergency response

The quake and its aftershocks caused significant casualties and displacement across affected districts.

National disaster officials reported in mid‑August that at least several dozen people were killed after the earthquake and its aftershocks struck eastern Indonesia, with thousands more displaced and emergency shelters activated across multiple regencies.

BNPB and regional disaster coordination centers stated that authorities temporarily closed selected inland sites, activated health centers and prioritized inspections and repairs of damaged tourism infrastructure before any reopening could proceed.

BMKG warned that aftershocks could continue for several weeks after the main event, and authorities have maintained a focus on both visitor safety and support for affected communities as recovery progresses.

Sources

• Traveltext – "LABUAN BAJO REMAINS OPEN, TOURISM CONTINUE WITH SAFETY ..."
• Indoneo – "Flores earthquake split tourism in two. Only the coast is open."
• Komodo Island tour operator – "Flores Earthquake 2026: Komodo & Labuan Bajo Travel Update"
• TTG Asia – "Flores tourism moves toward recovery despite ongoing overland disruptions"
• Expat Indonesia – "Labuan Bajo Tourism Gradually Recovers After East Nusa Tenggara Earthquake"
• RRI – "Labuan Bajo Tourism Activities Resume After Flores Earthquake"
• VietnamPlus – "Indonesia closes tourist sites after quake, activates nine health centres"
• Ocean Earth Travels – "The Flores Earthquake: Where Things Stand"
• Global Travel Post – "Flores Tourism Recovery Update: Labuan Bajo, Komodo Park"
• AHA Centre – "FLASH UPDATE: No. 1 – M7.7 Earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia"
• BMKG – "Gempa Bumi M7,7 – 30 km TimurLaut MBAY-NAGEKEO-NTT"
• Reuters – "Magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes off Indonesia, tsunami warning issued"
• Euronews – "Powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake strikes Indonesia, killing at least 40"