The Soul of Kalong Island
Kalong Island Labuan Bajo: Sunset Enchantment and the Flight of a Thousand Bats
Kalong Island (Pulau Kalong) is a unique natural destination within the Komodo National Park, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The island is world-famous for the phenomenon of thousands of giant fruit bats (flying foxes) emerging from the mangrove forests every evening at sunset. This breathtaking sight is one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Labuan Bajo.
Location and Access
Kalong Island is located near Rinca Island within the Komodo National Park boundaries. Access to the island typically starts from Labuan Bajo via tour boats or liveaboard vessels, with a travel time of approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
Visits to Kalong Island are almost exclusively scheduled for the late afternoon, often serving as the highlight of a Labuan Bajo sunset trip.
Top Highlights of Kalong Island
1. Thousands of Giant Fruit Bats
The primary draw of Kalong Island is the massive colony of giant bats (Kalong) that inhabit the mangroves. Every evening as dusk approaches, thousands of these bats take flight simultaneously toward neighboring islands to forage for food, creating a spectacular silhouette against the twilight sky.
2. Dramatic Sunset Views
The sight of the migrating bats coincides with the golden-orange Labuan Bajo sunset. This moment is a favorite for travelers and photographers due to its unique, raw, and visually stunning natural beauty.
3. Pristine Mangrove Forests
Kalong Island is encircled by well-preserved mangrove forests. This ecosystem plays a vital role as a wildlife habitat and a crucial buffer for the coastal environment.
The Art of Exploration
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Experience
Whispers of the Sea
Hear directly from those who have sailed with us. Discover why Sevenseas is the preferred choice for discerning travelers seeking the ultimate Indonesian maritime escape.
"Hi, I’m very satisfied about the trip. It was very beautiful the boat and in particular the whole crew of the boat that have been very kind with us and take care the needs of every guess of the boat. The places we visit was very beautiful and unique. I will keep this trip in my heart and it will be an experience that I will remember for many time ☺️ I recommend you this tour with this company !!!"
"Exceptional ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️we were a little wary at first to pay deposit over bank transfer but no problem at all, brilliant communication throughout process of booking and leading up to trip, bit crew and guide brilliant. We stayed in upper cabin which was nice having own space and balcony. Trip and stops all ran smoothly food what you would expect for price, don’t be expecting 5 stars dining but more than sufficient and tasty. Overall great experience and memories for price. Thank you"
"We had a perfect trip. Went from Labuan Bajo to Lombok. On the way we saw Turtles, sharks an many manta rays while snorkeling. Also many comodo dragons. And you can jump from the boat. Which was super fun. Haris was an amazing guide and gave great tours with lots of background information. Also he is a surf legend and tour guide in Senggigi and we went surfing on his local reef break after we arrived in Lombok. Was super fun. Food and the rooms (2 person private room) were also great especially considering the relativly cheap price. All in all we can highly recommend this tour. Thanks Haris and crew for all the great experiences 🙏"
"Our boat trip with the Elona Phinisi was a great experience. The crew and especially Mr. Harrison was a very good organiser and knew how to motivate and get the group excited. Always focussed on safety. Thank you. I also have some comments regarding the boat. Make sure the toilets are clean when new tourists arrive and have the taps secured in the bathroom. The crew should ensure better communication with the guests. One must communicate if a storm is expected and what the guests should do if they end up in that storm. Also make sure all guests are informed when food is served. I was surprised 2 times 1 time by a rainstorm and the next day by a strong wave. Both times we were not well prepared. Furthermore, we had a wonderful trip."
"A wonderful trip with stunning beautiful places and the boat experience was great too. The boat was big with a lot of nice places to relax in shadow or sun. The rooms were also very comfortable. What I didn’t expect was that the team was so kind and funny. And they cared much about you having a good time. And thank you for the spontaneous wakeboard speedboat session, it was a fun! The food was so good with all the good indonesian meals. I am glutenfree and it was easy for them to prepare food for me without gluten. Also there were some people vegeterian which was easy for them too. Last but not least our tourguide explained everything so good that we could learn a lot about these places we visited. Thank you very much for this pleasant stay on the boat trip. I will do it again! :)"