Last updated: August 2026 · Prices & availability verified for the 2026/2027 season
Last updated: August 16, 2026 · Written from Labuan Bajo
Quick answer: As of August 16, 2026, Labuan Bajo is open and operating. The M7.7 earthquake on August 15 struck roughly 200 km northeast of the town; the tsunami warning was lifted about three hours later, Komodo Airport is operating, the Harbormaster officially reopened sailing the same day (Maklumat Pelayaran No. 05/MP-VIII/2026), and Komodo National Park was never closed. Our boats returned to the water the same afternoon, and trips are running normally so far.
- Earthquake: M7.7 (initially estimated at M7.0 by BMKG, later revised), Saturday, August 15, 2026, 05:58 WITA, in the sea north of Flores near Mbay — about 200 km northeast of Labuan Bajo, roughly 15 km deep.
- Tsunami: BMKG issued an early warning, but no destructive tsunami formed; the warning was lifted about three hours later.
- Komodo Airport: runway and apron declared safe; flights operating.
- Sailing: officially reopened the same day by the Harbormaster (KSOP Labuan Bajo) under Maklumat Pelayaran No. 05/MP-VIII/2026.
- Komodo National Park: open — it was never closed.
- Our operations: all guests and crew safe and accounted for; our fleet sailed again the afternoon of August 15, and trips are running normally as of August 16.
This page is written from Labuan Bajo by the Komodo Luxury team. Our crews were at sea with guests when the earthquake struck, and our boats returned to the water the same afternoon. What follows is first-hand status, updated as the situation develops.
What happened in the August 15 earthquake?
At 05:58 WITA on Saturday, August 15, 2026, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the sea north of Flores near Mbay, Nagekeo, at a shallow depth of around 15 km. BMKG issued a tsunami early warning for NTT and neighbouring provinces. No destructive tsunami formed: the Labuan Bajo tide gauge recorded a wave of about 0.36 m, and the warning was lifted around three hours after the quake. Our full timeline is here: what actually happened with the Labuan Bajo tsunami warning.
| Status item | As of August 16, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Earthquake | M7.7 · Aug 15, 05:58 WITA · ~200 km northeast of Labuan Bajo · ~15 km deep |
| Tsunami | No destructive tsunami; warning lifted about three hours after the quake |
| Komodo Airport | Open — runway and apron declared safe |
| Sailing from Labuan Bajo | Officially reopened same day (Maklumat Pelayaran No. 05/MP-VIII/2026) |
| Komodo National Park | Open — never closed |
| Komodo Luxury trips | Operating normally; all guests and crew safe and accounted for |
How far was the earthquake from Labuan Bajo?
About 200 km. Flores is a long island, and the epicentre sat off its north-central coast. The serious impact is concentrated in central and eastern Flores (Nagekeo, Sikka, Manggarai, and Manggarai Timur), which is where coverage from outlets such as Antara and Reuters has rightly focused. Labuan Bajo, at the far western tip, saw limited moderate damage and the town has kept functioning. We map this out in how far the earthquake was from Labuan Bajo.
Dozens of lives were lost in central and eastern Flores, and our thoughts are with the families and communities of NTT. This is our home province — our crews come from these islands, and we stand with our neighbours as they grieve and rebuild.
Is Labuan Bajo open and operating right now?
Yes — so far, on every measure that matters to travellers:
- Airport: the airport authority declared the runway and apron safe; some flights were adjusted on August 15, but operations were normal again that evening. Details: Komodo Airport status after the earthquake.
- Harbor: the Harbormaster (KSOP Labuan Bajo) reopened sailing the same day, after BMKG declared the tsunami potential over — see how Labuan Bajo sailing reopened the same day.
- The park: Komodo National Park was never closed; see is Komodo National Park open after the earthquake.
- The town: hotels, restaurants, and Labuan Bajo tours are running; daily life looks normal so far.
If you travel in the next 14 days
Trips are departing normally as of August 16. Every departure follows BMKG guidance and Harbormaster clearance, and our crews run full safety procedures at sea — the same procedures that kept every guest safe on August 15, explained in our liveaboard earthquake safety protocols. A few aftershocks were felt in the first hours; conditions have been calm since, and we will tell you honestly if that changes. If you are weighing your options, read should I cancel my Komodo trip — and if you would rather move your dates, our Sail Again Guarantee protects 100% of your payment as travel credit, so nothing is lost by choosing a later departure.
If you are booked September–December 2026
So far, nothing about the earthquake affects trips in this window. The harbor is open, the airport is operating, the park never closed, and the fleet — including every luxury phinisi in our care — is sailing on schedule. We have written a dedicated outlook in Komodo travel in September–December 2026. If your plans shift, our flexible rebooking guarantee travels with your booking; you will never be pressured to decide early.
If you are planning 2027
Plan with confidence — and with realism. Indonesia sits on the Ring of Fire, which is exactly why choosing an operator with proven, drilled safety procedures matters more than choosing a date. We set out the long view in is it safe to visit Komodo in 2027. Whether you are considering a private yacht charter in Komodo or a Komodo tour from Bali, 2027 bookings are proceeding normally.
If someone you know is there now
The most reliable way to check on a traveller is directly through their tour operator, who keeps guest manifests for every departure. All Komodo Luxury guests and crew were accounted for within hours of the earthquake — our guides and captains reported in from sea and from shore. If your family member or friend is travelling with us, message us on WhatsApp at +62 811-3823-875 or through our contact page and we will verify their status. For official updates, BMKG is the authoritative source.
What would change this answer?
We will revise this page immediately — and say so plainly at the top — if any of the following happens:
- BMKG issues a new tsunami warning or raises the alert level for the Flores Sea.
- The Harbormaster (KSOP Labuan Bajo) suspends sailing again.
- Komodo Airport closes or materially restricts flights.
- Komodo National Park announces a closure.
- We suspend our own departures for any safety reason.
None applies as of August 16, 2026; we are reviewing this page regularly during the first 72 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Real questions our guests have asked over the past 48 hours.
Are there still aftershocks? Is it safe to come, or should we cancel?
Several aftershocks were felt in the first hours; as of August 16, conditions in Labuan Bajo are calm. We will not promise anyone absolute safety — no honest operator can — but sailing is officially reopened, authorities are monitoring continuously, and our safety procedures are active on every departure. If you prefer to move your dates, your payment is fully protected as travel credit.
Is my boat trip still confirmed?
Yes — trips are running normally as of August 16, following the Harbormaster’s same-day reopening of sailing. If any authority decision ever affects your specific departure, we will contact you directly before pickup time.
Was there a tsunami in Labuan Bajo?
No destructive tsunami formed. A BMKG early warning was issued as a precaution; the Labuan Bajo tide gauge recorded a wave of about 0.36 m, and the warning was lifted roughly three hours later.
What happens to my payment if I decide not to travel?
Nothing is lost. Under our Sail Again Guarantee, 100% of what you have paid is protected as travel credit, and you can rebook when you feel ready — no pressure to decide immediately.
My flight to Labuan Bajo is in a few days — is the airport open?
Yes, so far. The airport authority declared the runway and apron safe, and flights have been operating normally since the evening of August 15. Check your airline for your specific flight.
Is the rest of Flores affected? Should I avoid the region?
The damage is concentrated in central and eastern Flores, about 200 km away. Labuan Bajo and the park are functioning normally so far. If your itinerary includes overland Flores touring further east, ask us and we will advise route by route.
Ready when you are
Our boats are sailing, the dragons are exactly where they have always been, and Labuan Bajo is open — so far, exactly as the authorities have declared it. When you are ready, explore our private Komodo sailing trips or shared open trips, or message us on WhatsApp at +62 811-3823-875 — a real person in Labuan Bajo will answer, because we are here, on the water, where we have always been.
