Bali Travel Safety is an important consideration for travellers planning a trip to Indonesia following the powerful M7.7 earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara on August 15, 2026. The earthquake occurred near Mbay in Nagekeo Regency, on the island of Flores, and triggered an early tsunami warning. However, the earthquake did not occur in Bali. Therefore, travellers planning a Bali holiday or a Bali-to-Labuan Bajo trip should understand which destinations were affected before changing their plans.
The earthquake disrupted several parts of Flores and temporarily affected tourism operations around Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park. Authorities responded by evacuating tourists, temporarily restricting maritime transportation, and conducting safety checks. Since then, tourism activity in Labuan Bajo has gradually resumed.
For travellers planning to visit Bali and continue to Labuan Bajo, this distinction is particularly important. Bali and Flores are separate islands, and conditions can vary significantly between destinations. Therefore, travellers should check the latest information for their specific route rather than assume that the entire region has been affected.
If you already have a Labuan Bajo tour booked, there is also no need to make a decision based solely on social media reports. Instead, check your flight, accommodation, boat schedule and planned destinations with your travel provider before departure.
Bali Travel Safety: Where Did the Earthquake Happen?
The earthquake struck near Mbay in Nagekeo Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, early on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
According to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.7 and occurred at a depth of around 15 kilometres. The epicentre was located northeast of Mbay, on Flores.
Because of the earthquake’s strength and location, BMKG issued an early tsunami warning. The event also generated tsunami waves at several locations in the region. Authorities therefore took immediate steps to protect local communities and tourists. However, one point is especially important for international travellers:
The earthquake was in East Nusa Tenggara, not Bali.
Bali is a separate island located west of Flores. Although Bali and Labuan Bajo are commonly combined in Indonesian holiday itineraries, they are not the same destination. This distinction matters because travellers searching for Bali Travel Safety may encounter broad headlines about an “Indonesia earthquake.” Such headlines can make the situation appear more widespread than it actually is.
Instead, travellers should look at their exact destination.
What Does the Earthquake Mean for Bali Travel Safety?
For visitors staying in Bali, the August 15 earthquake did not directly affect the island.
Popular destinations such as Ubud, Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur, Nusa Dua, and Uluwatu are located far from the earthquake’s epicentre in Flores. Nevertheless, Indonesia is located in a seismically active region. Travellers should therefore remain aware of standard safety procedures wherever they travel in the country.
For example, hotel guests should know their accommodation’s emergency procedures. They should also pay attention to evacuation signs and follow instructions from local authorities. Most importantly, travellers should use official information when making safety decisions.
Social media videos can show real events. However, videos are sometimes reposted without accurate locations or dates. Therefore, travellers should not use isolated social media posts as their only source of information.
What Happened to Tourists in Labuan Bajo?
Labuan Bajo received particular attention following the earthquake because it is the main gateway to Komodo National Park.
The earthquake temporarily affected maritime transportation. As a result, some visitors on nearby islands had to wait before returning to Labuan Bajo.
Authorities then worked to restore transportation services while continuing safety checks.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, 986 tourists who had been temporarily stranded on Padar Island were safely returned to Labuan Bajo after the harbour authority reopened sailing services.
This was an important step in restoring tourism activity in the area. At the same time, hotels in Labuan Bajo took precautionary measures.
Hotel guests were evacuated from buildings and moved to safer open areas, including Natas Parapuar and the field near Komodo Regional Hospital.
Hotel staff later allowed guests from Meruorah Hotel to return to their accommodation after evacuating them to Puncak Waringin.
These actions highlight an important point for travellers: evacuation does not necessarily mean that a destination has been permanently closed.
Instead, authorities may temporarily move visitors while they assess conditions and determine when it is appropriate to resume normal activities.
Is Labuan Bajo Open for Tourists?
Tourism activities in Labuan Bajo have gradually resumed following the earthquake.
According to the latest tourism updates available at the time of writing, maritime services were reopened in stages. In contrast, tourism activities in Labuan Bajo were reported to be operating normally and under conducive conditions.
Access to Komodo National Park also resumed following the reopening of maritime transportation. This means travellers with upcoming plans to visit Labuan Bajo should not automatically assume that all tours have been cancelled.
However, individual tour schedules can still change. Sea conditions, weather, port operations and local safety assessments may affect boat departures. Therefore, travellers should confirm their itinerary shortly before departure.
This is especially important for visitors travelling from Bali, as their journey typically involves several interconnected services. A delay to a flight from Bali can affect a boat departure from Labuan Bajo. Likewise, a change to a sailing schedule can affect hotel arrangements.
For that reason, flexibility remains important.
Which Komodo Destinations Can Travellers Visit?
As authorities restore access to Komodo National Park, travellers can once again visit several well-known destinations, subject to current operating conditions.
These destinations include:
- Padar Island
- Komodo Island
- Rinca Island
- Loh Liang
- Loh Buaya
- Gili Lawa
These locations are among the most popular attractions for visitors travelling to Labuan Bajo. However, travellers should remember that reopening does not guarantee that every route will operate exactly according to a previously published itinerary.
Boat operators may adjust routes based on weather, sea conditions or instructions from local authorities. Therefore, travellers should always confirm the latest itinerary with their tour operator.
Are Flights From Bali to Labuan Bajo Operating?
For travellers planning a Bali-to-Labuan Bajo trip, flight information is one of the most important things to check. Authorities checked Komodo Airport before allowing normal operations to continue. Most airlines reported flights operating according to schedule.
However, some cancellations affected routes serving airports in areas directly affected by the earthquake, particularly Haji Hasan Aroeboesman Airport in Ende.
Therefore, travellers should check their own flight status rather than assume that every route to Flores has been cancelled.
Airline schedules can change after a natural disaster. Delays may also occur due to airport inspections, weather conditions, or operational adjustments.
If you are flying from Bali to Labuan Bajo, check your flight status shortly before departure. It is also a good idea to leave enough time between your flight and your boat trip.
For example, booking a boat departure shortly after your scheduled arrival time may cause unnecessary stress if the aircraft is delayed. A little extra time can make your itinerary much more comfortable.
Travelling From Bali to Labuan Bajo After the Earthquake
Many international travellers combine Bali with a visit to Labuan Bajo.
A typical itinerary begins with several days in Bali. Travellers then fly to Labuan Bajo before continuing to Komodo National Park by boat.
If you have a similar itinerary, you do not necessarily need to cancel your entire holiday because of the Flores earthquake. Instead, review each section separately.
First, check your Bali plans. Next, confirm your flight from Bali to Labuan Bajo. Then, check your hotel in Labuan Bajo. Finally, confirm your Komodo boat trip and planned destinations.
This approach provides a much clearer picture of the current situation. It also helps travellers identify any potential disruption before reaching Flores.
Bali Travel Safety Tips for Travellers Going to Labuan Bajo
Travellers continuing from Bali to Flores should take a few additional precautions.
Check Official Information Before Departure
Start with official sources such as BMKG and local authorities. BMKG provides earthquake and tsunami information for Indonesia. Therefore, travellers should check its updates when planning travel following a significant earthquake.
Avoid making important travel decisions based only on social media.
Contact Your Travel Provider
If you have already booked a Labuan Bajo tour, contact your travel provider before departure. Ask about the current sailing schedule and planned destinations. Also, ask whether any temporary restrictions remain in place. A professional travel provider can help you understand how current conditions may affect your itinerary.
Confirm Your Hotel
Contact your accommodation in Labuan Bajo before travelling. Ask whether the property is operating normally and whether any special procedures remain in place. You can also ask about the hotel’s emergency assembly point.
Keep Your Schedule Flexible
Avoid making your Bali-to-Labuan Bajo itinerary too tight. If possible, leave sufficient time between your flight arrival and your boat departure. This gives you more flexibility if a flight or sailing schedule changes.
Follow Local Instructions
If an earthquake occurs during your trip, follow instructions from local authorities and your accommodation. Move away from windows and objects that could fall.
If authorities issue an evacuation order, move to the designated safe area. If a tsunami warning is issued, follow official instructions and move to a safe location or higher ground when advised.
Wait for Official Clearance
If an evacuation occurs, do not return to a building or attraction simply because other people have started returning. Wait until officials confirm that it is appropriate to return. After a strong earthquake, authorities may need time to inspect buildings, roads, ports and tourist facilities.
Planning a Labuan Bajo Tour From Bali?
If you are planning to travel from Bali to Labuan Bajo in the coming days or weeks, the best approach is to stay informed and confirm your arrangements before departure.
A Labuan Bajo itinerary usually includes several services, such as flights, hotel accommodation, boat transportation, and visits to various islands. Because of this, even a small change to your schedule can affect other parts of your trip.
Our travel team recommends that travellers check their itinerary before leaving Bali. This includes confirming flight times, accommodation arrangements, boat departures and planned visits to Komodo National Park.
If conditions change, a travel provider can also help travellers understand their options and adjust the itinerary where possible. Rather than making a decision based on rumours, travellers should work with their tour operator to understand the current situation.
Bali Travel Safety: Our Advice for Travellers
For travellers planning a Bali and Labuan Bajo holiday, the most important advice is simple: stay informed, remain flexible and check your specific itinerary.
The August 15 earthquake happened in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. It did not occur in Bali; as a result, travellers staying in Bali should not automatically assume that the island has been affected by this earthquake.
Meanwhile, visitors continuing to Labuan Bajo should check their flights, hotels, boat schedules and planned attractions before departure. If you have already booked a Labuan Bajo tour, contact your travel provider for the latest information about your specific itinerary.
A local travel provider can help coordinate with hotels, boat operators and other service providers if changes become necessary.
Ultimately, Bali Travel Safety is not about reacting to headlines. It is about understanding the location, checking reliable information and making informed travel decisions.
With careful planning, travellers can better understand current conditions and decide how to proceed with their Bali and Labuan Bajo holiday.
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