Indonesian authorities are urging Australian travellers to ‘go beyond Bali’ and explore some of the country’s less discovered – but no less spectacular – islands in 2024 and Flores Island, the gorgeous gateway to Komodo National Park, should be at the top of the list.
Home to the stunning AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach luxury resort, Labuan Bajo on Flores Island has been called out as ‘the next big thing after Bali’. This idyllic destination is the perfect base from which to explore Indonesia’s hottest new destination, just an hour’s flight from Bali, and to enjoy sublime sunsets, seafood, scenery, snorkelling and more.
1. Labuan Bajo is the luxury launch pad to the natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and magnificent wildlife of Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to encounter the world’s largest living lizard, the Komodo Dragon, on a guided Komodo Dragon Quest onboard AYANA Lako Taka. Visit RINCA< Menjerite and Kelor Islands and enjoy a snorkelling experience on the way – all with an expert guide.
2. Stroll the photogenic pink beaches of Padar Island, an easy boat ride from AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach. Famous for its unique sand colour and turquoise water, this is one of only a handful of pink beaches worldwide – a photogenic opportunity that’s a must for any experience-seeker’s bucket list.
3. Take a guided day trip on board an AYANA vessel to snorkel with manta rays on the reef at TAKA Makassar, then relax and bask in the sun on a picture-perfect sandbank in the middle of the ocean.
4. Enjoy a sunset cruise and signature gourmet dinner on an AYANA cruise to mystical Kalong Island, where the onboard festivities will be enhanced with a National Geographic-style display of thousands of flying native bats.
5.Take a once-in-a-lifetime tour to hidden Rangko Cave, a limestone cave with a natural blue pool that’s ideal for a refreshing dip.
6. AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach is not only a luxurious haven but also a responsible one. The resort is committed to protecting the environment and supporting local communities through various initiatives to protect Komodo National Park, such as coral planting and beach cleaning programs coordinated by the resort’s in-house marine biologists.
7. There’s nothing like a remote tropical island to inspire romance and AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach offers a range of curated experiences to help create unforgettable memories with your loved one, including floating pontoon picnics and private candlelit 5-course dinners under starry skies.
8. Sublime seafood is a given in Labuan Bajo, and the resort offers seven unique dining experiences to sample just-caught fish and shellfish, such as grilled lobster on the beachfront at KISIK – with a sunset cocktail in hand.
9. AYANA Cruises: Embark on a journey of a lifetime with AYANA Cruises. Cruise into the sunset on a romantic dinner party cruise and be mesmerised by the sight of thousands of flying native bats at Kalong Island, float above tropical fish on a glass-bottomed boat or embark on a multi-day adventure with a group of friends and family on board AYANA’s opulent 54-metre yacht, AYANA Lako Di’a, to explore the region’s stunning landscapes and marine wonders.
