By VMI Vinca Voyages | Labuan Bajo, Indonesia
Every evening at dusk, one of Southeast Asia's most spectacular natural phenomena unfolds above Kalong Island in Komodo National Park. Hundreds of thousands of large fruit bats — Pteropus vampyrus, commonly known as flying foxes — emerge from their roost in the island's mangrove trees and take to the sky in an extraordinary migration to their feeding grounds on the mainland. The spectacle of this vast colony darkening the sky above the brilliant colors of a tropical sunset is a wildlife experience that rivals any in Indonesia.
The Flying Fox Colony
Kalong Island — the name means 'bat' in Indonesian — hosts one of the largest flying fox colonies in the Komodo region. Flying foxes are megabats, the world's largest bat species, with wingspans reaching up to 1.5 metres. Despite their formidable size and somewhat dramatic appearance, they are entirely harmless fruit eaters, playing a crucial ecological role as pollinators and seed dispersers for the forest ecosystems of Flores and the surrounding islands.
During the day, the colony roosts in the island's mangrove trees — thousands of bats hanging upside down in clusters, fanning themselves with their wings in the heat. As the sun begins to descend and the temperature drops, the bats become increasingly restless, and as dusk approaches, the colony erupts into the sky in a mass departure that can last for more than an hour.
Visiting Kalong Island
Kalong Island is visited exclusively by boat — the island itself has no trail access and the bat colony is observed from the water. The best viewing position is in a small boat anchored or drifting in the channel to the west of the island, where the bats fly overhead as they depart toward the mainland. VMI Vinca Voyages includes Kalong Island as an optional sunset excursion on Phinisi liveaboard itineraries, combining the bat departure with the spectacular colors of a Komodo sunset over the islands.
Photography Tips
Photographing the flying fox migration requires a camera capable of good performance in low light, as the mass departure typically occurs after sunset when light levels drop quickly. A telephoto lens allows you to fill the frame with individual bats in flight. Wide-angle shots capture the extraordinary spectacle of thousands of bats silhouetted against the colorful sky. Video captures the sound and movement of the migration in a way that still photography cannot — the rushing sound of hundreds of thousands of wings is one of the most memorable aspects of the experience.
Explore Every Island with VMI Vinca Voyages
VMI Vinca Voyages takes you to the best islands, reefs, and hidden gems around Labuan Bajo aboard our traditional Phinisi boats and modern speed boats. Our local crew knows every anchorage, every snorkeling spot, and every island trail. Contact us to plan your perfect island-hopping adventure in Komodo National Park.