Kalong (Flying Foxes) Island
Kalong (Flying Foxes) Island
Kalong (Flying Foxes) Island
4.5
About
Pulau Koaba, which is also known as Kalong Island (Fruit Bat Island), is a low-lying circular island measuring 500 metres across and appearing to comprise a core of taller trees surrounded by dense mangrove. At dusk, the sight of thousands of bats leaving their roost and heading for their feeding grounds is a magnificent spectacle.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Kalong (Flying Foxes) Island
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
2 within 3 miles
Attractions
2 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
342 reviews
Excellent
236
Very good
84
Average
17
Poor
3
Terrible
2
Uphiet K
Pasuruan, Indonesia246 contributions
Sept 2020
just need a few minutes from Rinca Island.
waiting the sunset from the boat, it feels surreal. After amazing sunset, hundred or thousand bats flying away from the mangrove island. One of the best watching sunset experience ever.
waiting the sunset from the boat, it feels surreal. After amazing sunset, hundred or thousand bats flying away from the mangrove island. One of the best watching sunset experience ever.
Written 27 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonas Gunnarsson
Stockholm, Sweden677 contributions
Jul 2023
Watching the bats fly towards Flores to feed is an eerie experience. Soundlessly, they cover the entire sky and come in tens of thousands in a seemingly endless flow from Kalong island towards Flores and other islands nearby.
A moment to remember. Always.
A moment to remember. Always.
Written 17 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carmen J
2 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
We went to see the Flying Foxes with sunset during our tour with XP Flores adventure tours, it was an amazing experience, the bats just kept coming! It felt like we were seeing a nature documentary in real life.
Written 22 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Givemeaholiday
london262 contributions
Aug 2022
we enjoyed it, but really it is is a 10 minute sighting, and therefore do nto spend too much money on it
Written 30 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saulsgem
Sydney, Australia67 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
Millions of flying foxes take to the sky at dusk. It's a remarkable sight. It only lasts for about 30 minutes, so make sure to get there in time.
Written 23 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Wandering Reviewer
Melbourne, Australia12,190 contributions
Apr 2016 • Family
We didn't even know about these Flying Foxes but it was a special treat. Our boat moored off the island without us knowing what was about to happen. A couple of Canadians from a boat about 50m away swam over to our boat, with beers and we all celebrated our time off Komodo Island. Together we jumped off the roof of our boat and it was quite the party. Then the flying foxes started and we were all mesmerised.
The sunset was stunning and watching the 'bats' was quite the treat. A few months later I googled them and was surprised to find out how this is quite a special place to visit.
Make sure you get here, it is quite the treat.
The sunset was stunning and watching the 'bats' was quite the treat. A few months later I googled them and was surprised to find out how this is quite a special place to visit.
Make sure you get here, it is quite the treat.
Written 11 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr-Hendra-Yaputra
Depok, Indonesia181 contributions
May 2015 • Family
Very interesting to see all of the island is full with this kalong. Go there in the morning, so we can clearly see all of the population. If you go there in the afternoon, you will see nothing. All of them are flying somewhere to look for they food.
Written 25 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sallyvogel
Lacey, WA55 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
The experience was amazing...one of nature's wonders for sure. Lying on our backs on top of the boat and looking into the evening sky watching as what seemed like a million fruit bats poured from their roosts in the mangroves for over half an hour, was a highlight of our trip.
Written 31 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kaalika
Mumbai, India853 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
Everyday at 6pm thousands of giant fruit bats leave the Kalong island. First it starts as a trickle at about 5.30pm and by 6 it's an overwhelming site. You can combine Rinca with Kalong island and with the noon at the beach, it's a day well spent. You can pack a couple of beers and a snack with you to have while you watch this magnificent sight unfold. Carry something warm as the ride back late evening to Labuan Bajo gets chilly.
Written 16 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mingfatsai
Grand Island, NE4,446 contributions
Apr 2023
Arrive to the east of the island at dusk and prepare for the magnificent sight of 300,000 flying foxes taking wing over about 14-15 minutes. Unless you come quite early, you’ll likely see a dozen or more boats stationed/anchored waiting for the evening exodus. The bats’ path spans quite broadly so you needn’t be in an exact spot, their path begins narrow then fans out as the passage progresses. It’s an impressive natural wonder that I’ll never forget.
Written 14 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
is there a boat tour that just does this island for sunset and bat watching?
any recommendations on best tour best price for this area?
we are also doing pandar/komodo/pink beach and manta tour but have not booked yet, any recommendations?
thanks:)
Written 4 May 2018
Yes, perama tours (red and white logo) who have an office on the Main Street in LB (near the harbour) were able to sort us out with a boat and skipper - if you ask in the tour shops a few of them can also offer the same service
Written 2 August 2018
georgeskohout
Blenheim, New Zealand
which island is better for snorkelling Kalong or Kanawa ? thanks g
Written 11 August 2016
Kanawa....Need more info ? +6282237843979
Written 15 January 2019
Hi there how could I arrange this excursion? I'll be in Labuan Bajo in July hopefully. Is it better to take an excursion specifically for this or to include it as part of a longer excursion i.e. rinca island day tour? I'd love to see them overnight if possible as some reviews have mentioned the boat mooring o/n
many thanks
Written 14 May 2015
Hi,
I would suggest to go for a 2 days/ 1 night tour with sleeping on the boat. There are many tour operators in Labuan Bajo proposing such option. Unfortunately personally I can not give you a hint which one to choose. Going back to the tour. Flying foxes are great and if you want to see them flying to Flores in the afternoon as well as coming back to Kalong in the morning would be best to sleep on the boat next to the island. The day before and after just visit islands with Komodo (Rinca, Komodo) as well as some spots for snorkling f.e pink beach.
About one day tour, since you are going back to Labuan Bajo after sun set be prepared for a tour in the dark on the boat along the coast.
Written 18 May 2015
Showing results 1-3 of 3
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing