The 7.7-magnitude Flores earthquake on August 15, 2026, has raised questions among travelers planning to visit Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park.
Flores is a large island, and the impact of the earthquake has not been the same across every region. Several areas in central and eastern Flores have suffered serious damage, while tourism activities around Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park have continued under local monitoring.
For travelers planning a Komodo trip, the most important thing is to understand the current situation rather than assume that conditions across the entire island are the same.
What Happened in Flores?
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck north of Flores on August 15, 2026, at around 4:58 a.m. local time, according to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG).
The earthquake was located offshore, approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Mbay, Nagekeo, at a relatively shallow depth. It triggered an early tsunami warning, which was later ended after monitoring showed that the immediate tsunami threat had passed.
BMKG recorded hundreds of aftershocks following the main earthquake. The agency reported 235 aftershocks by the afternoon of August 15, including several earthquakes above magnitude 5.
The earthquake caused significant damage in several parts of Flores. Rescue operations and assessments have continued in affected areas, while landslides and damaged roads have made access more difficult in some locations.
As of August 19, reports from Indonesian authorities said the death toll had reached at least 68 people, with more than 200 people injured and thousands of homes damaged.
Was Labuan Bajo Affected by the Earthquake?
Labuan Bajo, the main tourism gateway to Komodo National Park, also experienced the earthquake and its aftershocks.
The situation in Labuan Bajo, however, is different from some of the more severely affected areas in central and eastern Flores.
Residents and visitors in Labuan Bajo felt the earthquake and some people temporarily moved outdoors because of concerns about further shaking. At the same time, the town’s tourism infrastructure and transport connections have continued to operate.
Authorities have been monitoring tourism facilities and infrastructure while emergency response activities continue elsewhere on Flores.
This distinction is important for travelers. An earthquake affecting Flores does not mean that every destination on the island has been affected in the same way.
Is Komodo National Park Open?
The latest information indicates that tourism activity around Komodo National Park has continued following the earthquake, although conditions can change depending on weather, sea conditions, safety assessments, and instructions from local authorities.
Indonesian authorities reported that tourism areas in the Nusa Tenggara Timur region remained under control after the earthquake. Nearly 1,000 tourists who were in the Komodo National Park area, including visitors on Padar Island, were evacuated back to Labuan Bajo as a precaution.
This is an important point for travelers: an evacuation or temporary change in boat operations does not necessarily mean that Komodo National Park has been permanently closed.
Boat operators and tour agencies should continue to follow instructions from the harbor authority, national park management, and other relevant authorities before departure.
What About Padar Island and Komodo Island?
Padar Island and Komodo Island are among the most popular destinations within the national park.
Following the earthquake, authorities prioritized the safety of visitors who were already in the park. Tourists were brought back toward Labuan Bajo while authorities assessed conditions.
This means travelers should not assume that a previously scheduled itinerary will operate exactly as planned.
Boat routes can be changed or delayed depending on:
- Sea conditions
- Weather forecasts
- Safety assessments
- Port instructions
- National park regulations
- Emergency conditions following earthquakes or aftershocks
For this reason, travelers should confirm their departure arrangements shortly before the trip.
Are Flights to Labuan Bajo Operating?
Labuan Bajo is served by Komodo International Airport, which is separate from the tourist areas inside the national park.
Reports following the earthquake indicated that the airport remained operational. This means the earthquake did not result in a general shutdown of air access to Labuan Bajo.
However, travelers should still check their airline directly before departure because flight schedules can change during emergency situations.
The condition of roads and transportation elsewhere on Flores can be very different from the situation in Labuan Bajo. Some roads have been affected by landslides and earthquake damage, particularly in areas farther east.
Therefore, travelers arriving by air directly into Labuan Bajo may have a different travel situation from those planning to cross Flores by road.
What About Other Tourist Destinations in Flores?
This is where travelers need to be particularly careful.
The earthquake has affected several tourism destinations outside Labuan Bajo. Authorities have temporarily closed some attractions while structural inspections and safety assessments are carried out.
Reports have identified destinations including Wae Rebo, Goa Rangko, and Kelimutu National Park among places affected by temporary closures or restrictions following the earthquake.
This does not mean that every tourist destination in Flores is closed.
Instead, the situation varies by location.
Travelers planning a longer Flores itinerary should therefore check each destination separately instead of relying on information about Labuan Bajo or Komodo National Park.
What Should Travelers Do Before a Komodo Trip?
If you already have a trip planned, there is no need to make assumptions based solely on the earthquake.
Instead, check the latest information before departure.
1. Confirm your flight
Check directly with your airline for the latest status of your flight to Komodo International Airport.
2. Contact your accommodation
Hotels and other accommodation providers in Labuan Bajo can provide the latest information about their property and local conditions.
3. Confirm your boat trip
Speak with your tour operator or boat provider before departure.
Boat trips are particularly dependent on weather, sea conditions, port regulations, and safety instructions.
4. Check official earthquake information
BMKG continues to monitor seismic activity and publishes updates about earthquakes and aftershocks.
Travelers should rely on official information rather than social media rumors.
5. Follow local instructions
If authorities or park officials temporarily change access to an island or tourist attraction, travelers should follow those instructions.
A change to an itinerary is preferable to taking unnecessary risks.
What About Safety at Sea?
The earthquake also highlights why sea conditions should be taken seriously when visiting Komodo National Park.
The national park is reached primarily by boat, and many popular destinations are located several hours from Labuan Bajo.
Following a major earthquake, travelers should pay attention to official maritime and weather information before leaving the harbor.
The tsunami warning issued after the August 15 earthquake was later ended by BMKG. However, the agency has continued monitoring aftershocks and seismic activity in the region.
Travelers should therefore avoid treating the end of a tsunami warning as a guarantee that all marine conditions are automatically normal.
Boat operators, harbor authorities, and local officials remain responsible for assessing whether a particular voyage can safely proceed.
Why Labuan Bajo Remains Important for Komodo Tourism
Labuan Bajo is the main gateway to Komodo National Park and has become one of Indonesia’s major tourism destinations.
The town provides access to Komodo Island, Rinca Island, Padar Island, and other destinations throughout the national park.
Tourism in the area includes day trips, snorkeling and diving excursions, private boat charters, and multi-day liveaboard journeys.
Komodo National Park itself is much more than a destination for seeing Komodo dragons. Its islands contain savanna landscapes, forests, beaches, coral reefs, mangroves, and important marine habitats.
The park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is internationally recognized for its unique biodiversity.
What Is the Tourism Situation in Labuan Bajo Right Now?
As of August 19, 2026, tourism in Labuan Bajo has not simply stopped because of the Flores earthquake.
Tourism activity has continued, while authorities have been assessing conditions and prioritizing visitor safety.
At the same time, it would be inaccurate to describe the entire Flores tourism sector as operating normally.
Several communities and destinations have experienced serious damage, and some tourist attractions have been temporarily closed for safety inspections.
For this reason, the most accurate description of the current situation is:
Labuan Bajo and Komodo tourism are continuing, but travelers should check the latest local conditions and remain flexible with their itinerary.
Should You Cancel a Komodo Trip?
There is no single answer for every traveler.
Someone traveling directly to Labuan Bajo for a Komodo National Park trip may face a different situation from someone planning to travel across Flores by road and visit several destinations affected by the earthquake.
The safest approach is to evaluate the specific itinerary.
If your trip includes only Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park, confirm the latest status of your accommodation, flights, boat trip, and national park access before departure.
If your itinerary includes central or eastern Flores, check each destination individually because some areas remain affected by earthquake damage, landslides, infrastructure problems, and recovery operations.
The Situation Can Still Change
The August 15 earthquake is a major disaster, and recovery across Flores is still underway.
Even though tourism activities around Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park have continued, conditions can change as authorities inspect infrastructure and monitor aftershocks.
Travelers should therefore treat this article as a current update rather than a permanent statement about access.
Before traveling, check the latest information from BMKG, local authorities, your airline, accommodation, and tour operator.
For visitors planning to explore Komodo National Park, staying informed and following local safety instructions is the best way to approach travel while Flores continues its recovery.
