Kalong Island is a small island around Komodo
National Park. The location is between Rinca Island and Papagarang Island.
Local resident name the island as Kalong Island because it is surrounded by
mangrove forest and million of bats. The total area of the island is not more
than five hectares. Every day, domestic and international tourists come here to
see groups of bats, especially before sunset.
Location
Kalong Island lies around
eight km from Labuan Bajo Port by speedboat. It can be reached less than an
hour. This is one of popular spot that becomes a main entrance for tourists to
visit Komodo Island and Rinca Island.
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| Picture Labuanbajoflores |
Accommodations
To make your vacation become
more comfortable and well-organized, you are suggested to take a travel sailing
trip that offers you an overnight stay in Kalong Island. The rate is ranging
from IDR1,000,000 – IDR2,000,000 or US$100 – US$200. The rate is fixed if you
start your trip from Labuan Bajo or around Komodo National Park. But, if you
start your journey from Lombok, the rate is around IDR3,000,000 or US$300.
If you want to do something
different, you can rent a speedboat in the port by paying IDR750,000 –
IDR1,500,000 or US$75 – US$150 per day. The rate depends on your destinations
and numbers of passengers. If you want to explore Kalong Island or the islands
around Komodo Island, there are many hotels in Labuhan Bajo. You can spend the
night here to continue your adventure for the next day.
Activities
Kalong Island is the
mangrove forest area and it has an important role to balance to nature,
especially the sea. As original habitat for bats, you are suggested to come
when the day almost dark because at the day, they sleep or just hanging on the
tree over the island. Usually, the participants that join in the sailing trip,
they will be there around 18.00 local time.
The ship will go along the
side where the sunset can be seen clearly. The rest of light from the sun
becomes the background of millions of bats. They fly energetically by making a
noise and thundering toward Labuhan Bajo. This moment is scheduled to make the
participants able to see the rite of bats when they come out from the island.
That is why the area of the
island becoming crowded at sunset. You will stay there and continue your
journey to other islands around Kalong Island. Kalong Island is an unpopulated
island and you can go inside because the topography around the island is
dominated by dense mangrove forest and you cannot go through it. Besides that,
the island is also occupied by big snakes.
With this uniqueness, that
makes Kalong Island become one of tourist destinations for visitors who want to
go to Komodo National Park. The beauty of the island and clear water will
accompany you along the journey. If you arrive at the day, you still can have fun
by snorkeling or diving. These activities become alternative ways you can do
while waiting sunset. While diving, you can enjoy natural coral reefs that
still well-maintained.
And if you still have time,
you can visit Loh Buaya in Rinca Island or Komodo Island to see gigantic
reptile.
