Flores Island in Indonesia

Flores Island In Indonesia | Travel Guide

Flores Island is an exotic island located in the southern part of Indonesia, forming part of the Lesser Sunda Islands archipelago. Covering an area of approximately 13,540 square kilometers, Flores is administratively part of the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province. The island boasts strategic natural boundaries; it is bordered by the Sawu Sea to the south and the Flores Sea to the north. Based on the 2020 Population Census, Flores has a population of roughly 1.8 million people, spread across various regencies. The majority of Flores’ inhabitants depend on the agricultural sector for their livelihood, producing high-quality commodities that are exported to various countries.

Religion & Tradition on Flores Island, Indonesia

Flores Island in IndonesiaFlores Island in Indonesia is known for its unique cultural and religious diversity. The majority of the population is Catholic, a religion whose spread was significantly influenced by the arrival of the Portuguese in the past. In addition to Catholicism, there are also adherents of Islam, Protestantism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, whose presence is a result of interactions with the Bima Sultanate, the Gowa Kingdom, and trading activities from various Indonesian islands.

​Despite this, indigenous beliefs such as Animism remain strongly practiced by the indigenous communities in Flores. This belief system teaches that all elements of nature—including inanimate objects, animals, and plants—possess a spiritual essence or soul that must be respected.

​Based on this cultural heritage and these beliefs, the people of Flores Island are divided into several ethnic groups (tribes). The main tribes on Flores include the Manggarai, Ngada, Nage-Keo, Lio, Sikka, and Lamaholot, each with their own distinct traditions and customs.

Things to Do on Flores Island, Indonesia

Flores Island Indonesia Travel GuideFlores Island has recently become one of Indonesia’s favorite tourist destinations, especially for adventure seekers. This is not only due to its unique cultural diversity, but also because of its natural beauty that is a must to explore, including mountains, beaches, agricultural forests, as well as its unique flora and fauna. Flores Island offers engaging activities such as mountain climbing, exploring forests and farmlands, cultural tours, beach tourism or island hopping, and various other exciting adventures.

​Moreover, in my opinion, this island is perfect for those who enjoy road trips, as the natural scenery throughout the journey is a feast for the eyes and soul. The friendliness of the local people is an added value for tourists, as it guarantees safety during your travels and provides a glimpse into the authentic life of the community. Currently, the primary highlight destinations on Flores include the Komodo National Park, Kelimutu Lake, the 17 Islands of Riung National Park area, the traditional villages of Bena and Waerebo, and the unique spiderweb rice fields. Other interesting destinations can be found in our previous post titled ‘Things to Do on Flores Island.‘

How to Travel to Flores Island

Flores Island, Indonesia, has several airports that can be accessed from Bali and Kupang. However, as the main gateway to the Komodo National Park area, Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo provides services from several major cities in Indonesia, such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, and Kupang. In addition to travel by airplane, Flores also serves sea crossings using ferry boats from various cities in Indonesia that you can find the information on PT Pelni Indonesia.

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