Kalong (“flying fox” in Indonesian) is a small mangrove island that is home to an estimated one to two million large fruit bats. Every evening at sunset they lift off in waves to fly to Flores Island for night feeding — a sky filled with bats for 30–45 minutes, all viewed from the deck of your anchored boat.
Kalong Island’s mangroves shelter a vast colony of large flying foxes — fruit bats with wingspans up to 1.5 metres. They roost through the day and lift off as the sun drops, fanning out in long ribbons across the sky on their nightly commute to Flores Island for food. The spectacle lasts 30–45 minutes, viewed from the boat deck with sundowner drinks in hand. It is included on every multi-day charter and one of the most-talked-about evenings of any Komodo trip.
You do not land on Kalong — the bats are sensitive to disturbance and ground visits are not permitted. The boat anchors 200–300 metres off the mangrove edge, the crew sets up drinks on the sun deck, and you watch the exodus directly. The captain times arrival to 30 minutes before sunset so you are settled when the first bats lift.
The bay at Kalong is sheltered and shallow — an ideal overnight anchorage on the first night of most charters (Day 1 boards in Labuan Bajo, anchors at Kalong for the sunset bat exodus, sleeps in the bay). The night sky is dark, and you wake the next morning ready for the short cruise south to Padar for sunrise.
Arrival 30 min before sunset. Bats begin lifting 5–10 min before sunset and continue for 30–45 min after.
70–200mm telephoto with high ISO. Shutter 1/250+ for sharp wings. Tripod from the sun deck helps.
Crew runs a quiet boat — engine off, music low. Bats are sensitive to noise.
Universal moment for a chilled drink on the sun deck while the bats lift across the sky.
Visible in all weather. Heavy rain can delay the exodus by 20–30 min but bats still fly.
Most charters sleep at the Kalong anchorage after the exodus — calm and dark.
Yes — nightly, year-round, regardless of season. Heavy weather can delay timing by 20–30 minutes but the exodus happens.
No — the colony is protected and ground visits are not permitted. All viewing is from the boat anchored offshore.
No — they are fruit-eating flying foxes, harmless to humans. They fly at 30–100 m above sea level, well above the boat.
Yes — on every 2D1N+ charter. Day-trip itineraries return to Labuan Bajo before sunset and miss it.
