Island Hopping in Flores
2018 was about checking things off my travel-wish-list. I've lost count how many times I had to pack my bags and move from one city to another. From all places I visited last year, Flores has a special place in my heart. If you read my post "Indonesia's Hidden Gems", you probably already know that Flores was one of the travel destinations on my list.
Flores is a fishing island (now turned into a tourist island lol) in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Fun fact: the name "Flores" means flowers and it was given by the Portuguese when they first came to Indonesia. Well, before Indonesia or Dutch East Indies was even exist to be exact 😬. In this trip, I took the opportunity to explore the neighbouring island of Flores by hopping from one island to another. My trip to Flores and its neighbouring islands truly exceeded my expectation. If you have the chance to visit Indonesia and have extra time and cash to explore the eastern part of Indonesia, Flores is a must visit. So to equip your trip to Flores, here are some tips from me 😊.
Flores is a fishing island (now turned into a tourist island lol) in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Fun fact: the name "Flores" means flowers and it was given by the Portuguese when they first came to Indonesia. Well, before Indonesia or Dutch East Indies was even exist to be exact 😬. In this trip, I took the opportunity to explore the neighbouring island of Flores by hopping from one island to another. My trip to Flores and its neighbouring islands truly exceeded my expectation. If you have the chance to visit Indonesia and have extra time and cash to explore the eastern part of Indonesia, Flores is a must visit. So to equip your trip to Flores, here are some tips from me 😊.
1. How to get to Flores
The easiest and fastest way to go to Flores is through flights to Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo. The cheapest flight will probably be from Bali to Labuan Bajo instead of flying directly to Labuan Bajo from any cities in Indonesia. Prices can be expensive during peak season (July-August) so don't forget to book your flights in advance. For you who are feeling a bit more adventurous, you can opt for a boat ride to Labuan Bajo from Bali. The most common route would be from Padangbai Pier, Bali - Lombok - Labuan Bajo, Flores. There are ferries leaving every hour at the pier every day so don't worry about missing your ferry.
2. Stay in a boat
Staying on the main island is fun as there are more things to do like open air cinema, bars, restaurants (the list goes on) compared to staying in a boat. However, if you want a different experience, you should give boat/ boat hotel (boatel) a try. Being able to see the stars through the naked night-sky free from air pollution in the middle of the sea, laying under the sun on your day bed or waking up to a stunning view from your waterfront cabin is just another level of experience. Plus, you can swim/ snorkel anytime you want, you can do any other water sport activities provided by your boat/ boatel, or just simply enjoy the view from your cabin. For me, I stayed both on the mainland and on the boat to get the full experience. If you need a boatel reference, I would definitely recommend Le Pirate Boatel. I enjoyed my stay there and would definitely stay there again. Here’s a snippet of the view from the cabin:
Staying on the main island is fun as there are more things to do like open air cinema, bars, restaurants (the list goes on) compared to staying in a boat. However, if you want a different experience, you should give boat/ boat hotel (boatel) a try. Being able to see the stars through the naked night-sky free from air pollution in the middle of the sea, laying under the sun on your day bed or waking up to a stunning view from your waterfront cabin is just another level of experience. Plus, you can swim/ snorkel anytime you want, you can do any other water sport activities provided by your boat/ boatel, or just simply enjoy the view from your cabin. For me, I stayed both on the mainland and on the boat to get the full experience. If you need a boatel reference, I would definitely recommend Le Pirate Boatel. I enjoyed my stay there and would definitely stay there again. Here’s a snippet of the view from the cabin:
2. What to pack
Never underestimate Indonesian sun, so always have your sunscreen with you and reapply every couple hours. If you decided to stay both in hotel and boatel, it will be easier for you to bring backpack instead of suitcase because you'll be hopping on and off the boat. Bring light clothing and water because you're going to sweat (a lot). Your trip won't be complete without swimming, snorkeling and hiking so don't forget to bring sandal and comfortable shoes. Bring cash because 1) it's pretty difficult to find ATM there and 2) they don't take cards 😁.
3. Explore the main island (Labuan Bajo)
If you're sick of your boat life, it's time to hop on a scooter that you can rent for 70,000IDR (around 5EUR) per day and explore the main island. You can check out the beaches, caves, hike the hills, etc etc. If you're staying a bit long, you can also hike Mount Kelimutu (12h drive from Labuan Bajo 😅) and see the three volcanic crater lakes with different colours.
Never underestimate Indonesian sun, so always have your sunscreen with you and reapply every couple hours. If you decided to stay both in hotel and boatel, it will be easier for you to bring backpack instead of suitcase because you'll be hopping on and off the boat. Bring light clothing and water because you're going to sweat (a lot). Your trip won't be complete without swimming, snorkeling and hiking so don't forget to bring sandal and comfortable shoes. Bring cash because 1) it's pretty difficult to find ATM there and 2) they don't take cards 😁.
3. Explore the main island (Labuan Bajo)
4. Visit neighbouring islands
Island hopping is a must! There are plenty of islands in East Nusa Tenggara but Padar, Rinca, Kelor, Komodo island should not be missed. The easiest way is to book a day trip or two from a boat charter and they will take you to these islands. Careful with Komodo dragons though, when visiting Komodo island make sure to stay close with the ranger 😊.
-ONM
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