Is Labuan Bajo Safe to Visit After the 2026 Flores Earthquake?

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the Flores region of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at around 4:58 AM WIB (5:58 AM WITA). The epicenter was located offshore, roughly 30–38 kilometers northeast of Mbay, Nagekeo Regency, at a depth of 15 kilometers. The event immediately raised concerns among travelers planning trips to Labuan Bajo, one of Indonesia’s top-priority tourist destinations and the main gateway to Komodo National Park.

If you’re one of the many considering a trip to Labuan Bajo in the near future, here’s the good news: Labuan Bajo has been declared safe to visit. Still, there are a few important things you should know before you go.

Official Statement from Local Government

Shortly after the earthquake, the Manggarai Barat Regency government carried out a thorough inspection of critical facilities in the Labuan Bajo area. Regent Edistasius Endi confirmed that the port, airport, and other public facilities suffered no damage that would disrupt tourist activity. This confirmation came within hours of the quake, reflecting a swift response aimed at easing public concern.

Sea levels briefly rose by about 0.3 meters a few minutes after the quake, but this did not develop into a major tsunami. A tsunami early warning issued by Indonesia’s meteorological agency (BMKG) was lifted at 7:31 AM WIB once it was confirmed no significant wave had reached shore.

Condition of Tourism Infrastructure

Based on joint monitoring by local government, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority (BPOLBF), here’s the current status of tourism infrastructure in Labuan Bajo:

Komodo Airport and the Port: Both critical facilities reported no structural damage. Flights continued on schedule, and port activity, including Marina Labuan Bajo and the Wae Kelambu multipurpose terminal, operated normally.

Hotels: Most hotels in Labuan Bajo remained operational. Some did report minor damage to certain sections of their buildings, including Ayana, Ta’aktana Marriott, Crown, Meurorah, Luwansa, and Sudamala. One of the more significantly affected properties was Hotel Jayakarta, which suffered structural damage with part of the building collapsing. Even so, electricity and internet access were restored quickly at most hotels in the affected area.

Restaurants and Other Public Facilities: A few restaurants, such as La Moringa and Escape Bajo, also reported minor damage, but tourism services and dining activity broadly continued as usual.

Evacuation Went Smoothly, No Tourist Casualties

One of the most reassuring pieces of news is that no tourist deaths were reported as a result of the earthquake. Immediately after the quake, all hotel guests in the Labuan Bajo area were evacuated to safe outdoor points, including the Natas Parapuar area and the field at Komodo Regional Hospital. Once conditions were deemed safe, guests who had been evacuated — including those moved from Meurorah Hotel to Puncak Waringin — returned to their accommodations.

Meanwhile, around 986 tourists who had been temporarily stranded on Padar Island due to a precautionary shipping shutdown were safely returned to Labuan Bajo the same day, after port authorities cleared tour boats to resume operations.

Komodo National Park: Reopened

If you’re worried about the fate of Komodo National Park, here’s more good news this iconic destination has already reopened and is seeing steady visitor traffic. As of data updated on August 16, 2026, tourism activity was running normally and smoothly, with hundreds of tour boats back in operation carrying thousands of domestic and international visitors to popular spots such as Padar Island, Loh Liang, Rinca Island, and Gili Lawa.

It’s worth noting that not every destination in Flores shares the same status. Several land-based attractions in other regencies such as Wae Rebo, Kampung Todo, and Kelimutu Lake remain temporarily closed as a precaution, given their greater vulnerability to landslides triggered by aftershocks. So if your itinerary includes areas beyond Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park, it’s worth checking the status of each destination separately.

Aftershocks Continue, But Tourists Keep Arriving

Since the main quake, thousands of aftershocks have been recorded by BMKG, though most have been small to moderate in magnitude. This is a normal pattern following a major earthquake and is expected to continue for some time, so residents and visitors are advised to stay calm but alert.

Notably, this hasn’t discouraged travelers from visiting. A number of foreign tourists have reportedly continued with their travel plans to Labuan Bajo, while keeping an eye on developments through official information sources before and during their trips.

Practical Tips Before Visiting Labuan Bajo

If you’re planning to go ahead with your trip to Labuan Bajo soon, here are a few things worth keeping in mind:

Follow official updates. The Ministry of Tourism and BPOLBF are actively updating information on destination conditions. You can contact BPOLBF’s official hotline at 0811-3879-4555 for the latest information.
Confirm your accommodation’s status. Since some hotels sustained minor damage, it’s a good idea to contact your hotel directly to confirm conditions before you travel.
Check tour boat schedules. Make sure the boat operator you use is officially registered with the Labuan Bajo Port Authority (KSOP) and follows current safety procedures.
Stay alert to aftershocks. While their intensity is decreasing, follow local officials’ guidance if you feel any tremors during your visit.
Stay flexible with your itinerary. If your plans include destinations outside Labuan Bajo, prepare backup options, as some land-based attractions remain under recovery.

Conclusion

The magnitude-7.7 earthquake that struck Flores understandably caused alarm, but a swift response from local authorities and efficient infrastructure recovery meant Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park were back to being safe and welcoming to tourists within just days. Rising visitor numbers since the earthquake are clear evidence that traveler confidence in the destination remains strong.

If you already have a trip to Labuan Bajo planned, there’s no need to cancel — just make sure to stay updated through official sources and remain cautious as the region continues its post-earthquake recovery.