Kelor & Kalong Island: The Two Stops Everyone Underrates
Kelor and Kalong sit on most Komodo boat routes but get overshadowed by Padar and the dragon islands. Kelor offers a short, quiet hill climb with a wide-open view; Kalong is watched from the boat at dusk as thousands of flying foxes stream out from its mangroves.
If Padar is the postcard shot and Rinca is the dragon encounter, Kelor and Kalong are the stops that reward travelers who slow down between the headline attractions. Neither takes long, and both are easy to underrate on a printed itinerary until you’re actually there.
What makes Kelor Island worth a stop?
Kelor is a small island with a compact hill that climbs to a lookout point in well under an hour round trip — noticeably shorter and quieter than Padar’s climb, without the crowds that build around Padar’s more famous viewpoint. The reward is a genuinely wide panorama of the surrounding water and neighboring islands, taken in a fraction of the time. It’s a good option on itineraries where Padar’s timing doesn’t line up, or simply as a second, quieter viewpoint stop on a longer sailing trip.
What’s the story with Kalong Island’s bats?
Kalong is ringed with mangroves that host a large colony of flying foxes (fruit bats), and the standard way to experience it is from the boat at dusk, watching the colony stream out in long dark ribbons against the evening sky as they head out to feed. It’s not a landing stop in the way Kelor or Padar are — most itineraries pass by or anchor nearby specifically timed for this dusk flight, making it a natural way to end a sailing day rather than a dedicated excursion requiring its own time slot.
How do these fit into a typical Komodo itinerary?
Kelor works well slotted alongside a dragon-trekking stop earlier in the day, since it’s a shorter physical commitment than Padar. Kalong, by its nature, fits naturally at the end of a sailing day as boats reposition toward the next anchorage — see our broader what to see and do in Komodo National Park guide for how these two slot in among the bigger-name stops on a multi-day trip.
Adding Melo Village and Siaba Island to the same day
If your Komodo boat day already includes Kelor Island and sunset at Kalong, you can still fit in Melo Village or Siaba Island with a bit of planning. Both add a different flavour to the trip: Melo for culture, Siaba for turtles and relaxed snorkelling.
Best time to see the Caci dance in Melo Village
The Caci whip dance is usually arranged for groups by advance request, not as a daily scheduled show. Performances are most often set for late morning or mid-afternoon, when visitors can comfortably drive up from Labuan Bajo and back before dark.
If you want Melo on the same day as Kelor and Kalong, aim for an early road departure, watch Caci around late morning, then continue to the harbour for a midday boat departure. Ask your trip organiser to confirm the Caci time before you book flights or hotels.
What to expect at Siaba Island for turtle watching
Siaba Island is a relaxed snorkel stop, usually combined with Kelor or another island on a Komodo day trip. Boats anchor in a shallow bay and you drift over coral where green turtles and hawksbills often feed. You stay in the water; there is no need to land.
The turtles are wild and move around, so no one can guarantee numbers, but patient, calm snorkellers often see several in a single stop. Stay horizontal, give turtles space as they surface to breathe, and follow your guide’s briefing so you do not disturb the animals or the reef.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to land on Kalong Island to see the bats?
No — the standard way to experience Kalong is from the boat at dusk, watching the colony’s mass evening flight from the water rather than landing.
Is Kelor Island hike difficult?
It’s shorter and generally easier than Padar’s climb, making it a good alternative or addition for travelers wanting a quicker panoramic view.
What time of day should you visit Kalong Island?
Dusk, timed to the colony’s evening flight out to feed — this is when the sighting is most dramatic and reliable.
Can I visit Melo Village and still catch sunset at Kalong Island?
Yes, if your schedule is tight but organised. Many travellers visit Melo in the morning or early afternoon, then board a boat for Kelor and finish at Kalong for sunset. You need an early start from Labuan Bajo and a boat charter that agrees to a slightly later harbour departure.
Do I need to land on Siaba Island to see turtles?
No. Turtle watching at Siaba is done while snorkelling from your boat. The crew usually anchors in a calm bay and you enter the water directly from the boat. You float above the reef and watch turtles as they feed or rise to breathe, keeping a respectful distance at all times.
Is Caci dance at Melo Village available every day?
Caci is not performed on a fixed daily schedule. It is usually arranged in advance for visiting groups, often timed for late morning or mid-afternoon. If you want to see it, ask your trip organiser to request a performance and confirm the time before you finalise your day-by-day itinerary.
Do you need a guide to visit Komodo Island?
Yes, a mandatory ranger-guide is required for all visitors trekking on Komodo Island. This ensures your safety and provides expert insights into the Komodo dragons and their habitat. The ranger-guide fee is approximately IDR 150,000 per group, covering 1 to 5 people. This fee is separate from the Komodo National Park entrance fee.
Is sunset at Kalong Island with the flying foxes worth including in my itinerary?
Yes, witnessing the sunset at Kalong Island as thousands of flying foxes emerge from the mangroves is a truly memorable experience often cited as a highlight of Komodo National Park trips. As dusk settles, these magnificent creatures take flight in vast numbers, creating a spectacular natural display against the twilight sky. It’s a unique and captivating end to a day of exploration.
Add these stops to your itinerary
Book it with a local operator. Komodo Luxury’s boat tours — Komodo Luxury arranges the vessel and the park logistics from Labuan Bajo; this desk publishes the reasoning.
Ask specifically about routing through Kelor and Kalong — not every fixed-departure itinerary includes both by default.
Questions before you book: WhatsApp +62 811-3823-875 or email sales@komodoluxury.com.
Related reading: What to See & Do in Komodo National Park · Padar Island hike guide.
Source pass completed 26 August 2026. Unverified claims are labelled rather than quietly promoted to fact.
