Labuan Bajo tourism stabilises after August quake as wider Flores recovery continues

Labuan Bajo — Tourism activities in Labuan Bajo have largely returned to normal following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, on 15 August 2026, even as recovery work continues across Manggarai Barat and other parts of the island, according to government and media reports.

The Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority (BPOLBF) and the Ministry of Tourism reported that tourism activities in Labuan Bajo were operating normally as early as 16–17 August, including boat services and operations at Marina Labuan Bajo Port. National disaster agency BNPB also stated that tourism and shipping activities to Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park were generally safe and had resumed within four days of the quake.

Metro TV reported on 2–3 September that Labuan Bajo’s tourism industry was gradually recovering, with destinations such as Komodo National Park, Puncak Waringin and Pulau Kelor reopened and receiving domestic and international visitors. The broadcaster noted that key tourism services, including marine excursions, had returned to normal, while local health facilities, including the Komodo Regional General Hospital, were undergoing recovery efforts.

What travellers can expect in Labuan Bajo

According to an English-language report by RRI (Voice of Indonesia), Labuan Bajo had resumed normal tourism activities after the earthquake, although authorities continued to urge tourists and operators to prioritise safety amid ongoing aftershocks. Based on BPOLBF monitoring as of Saturday, 22 August at 7 p.m. local time, Komodo National Park remained open and tourism activities as well as boat trips were proceeding normally.

The same monitoring and subsequent media reports listed a number of destinations in and around Labuan Bajo that had reopened and were receiving visitors, including Rangko Cave, Puncak Waringin, Batu Cermin, Pulau Kelor, Compang Liang Ndara Tourism Village and Wae Lolos Tourism Village. Beritasatu and other outlets citing BPOLBF data reported that Komodo International Airport and inter-island shipping services were operating according to schedule as of 22 August.

BPOLBF announced that it was continuing to monitor tourism facilities and had opened an information service for travellers and tourism stakeholders seeking updated conditions and safety information across the broader Floratama area. Travellers are advised by officials and local media to confirm the latest information directly with operators or the BPOLBF information centre before departure, particularly for marine excursions.

Conditions beyond the tourism hub

Government statements and local media have stressed that Labuan Bajo’s relatively rapid tourism recovery does not reflect conditions across all of Flores. National and regional reports describe ongoing recovery efforts, including repairs to public facilities and assessments of damage to homes and community infrastructure in Manggarai Barat and other affected districts.

Transport authorities and the tourism ministry have urged visitors travelling from Labuan Bajo to other parts of Flores to check the latest status of destinations, roads, airports and telecommunications services, as some land routes and facilities are still subject to repair or detailed inspection. Officials also highlight weather and navigation conditions as an important factor for trips at sea, particularly in waters south of the Sape Strait, where strong winds and high waves have been reported during the post-earthquake period.

Reports from BPOLBF and national outlets indicate that while Labuan Bajo’s main attractions, boat trips and gateway infrastructure are operating, recovery work in education, health and housing continues, and detailed information on the status of individual hotels and inland attractions is best obtained directly from operators. Travellers planning to venture beyond Labuan Bajo’s immediate tourism circuit are therefore encouraged to treat accommodation availability and onward travel times as items requiring direct confirmation, rather than assuming uniform conditions across Flores.

Sources

• Metro TV – Pariwisata Labuan Bajo Kembali Normal Pascagempa
• RRI – Labuan Bajo Tourism Resumes as Govt Calls for Caution
• BPOLBF – Pariwisata Labuan Bajo Kembali Berjalan Normal, BPOLBF Lanjutkan Pendataan Dampak Gempa di Floratama
• Liputan6 – Aktivitas Wisata Labuan Bajo Kembali Normal Usai Gempa M 7,7 NTT
• Beritasatu – Pascagempa Magnitudo 7,7, Labuan Bajo Sudah Dibuka
• Medcom – Aman Buat Liburan! Pariwisata Labuan Bajo Tetap Gas Terus tapi Tetap Waspada
• Viva – Pariwisata Labuan Bajo Mulai Pulih Pascagempa NTT, 11 Destinasi Ini Kembali Dibuka
• Wikipedia – 2026 Flores earthquake
• Business Times BD – Magnitude-7.7 Earthquake Kills 51 in Indonesia's Flores Island