Discover the famed Komodo dragons
These ancient animals are no doubt the main draw among the fauna one thinks of when visiting Flores. Famed as the world’s biggest lizards, these creatures can kill a man through infection from a single bite of their strong, deadly jaws. The experience of visiting Flores Komodo National Park left a lasting impression. The remoteness of the area makes both the Komodo and Rinca Islands isolated places, seemingly untouched by civilisation. It feels as if you’re brought back to prehistoric times.
Manta rays: swim with the oceans’ gentle giants
The mantas are consistently among the most popular marine creatures that divers from all corners of the world travel far to see. The seas of Flores are still pristine and undoubtedly rich in nutrients. Mantas live in tropical and subtropical waters, so Indonesia is among their favourite habitats. This creature has been described time and again as majestic, and the experience of swimming with it is absolutely wondrous. Find out for yourself by going on a Komodo liveaboard to dive and snorkel in areas that only boats can reach.
Meet the diverse and fascinating sea turtles of Flores
Famed for boasting the world’s largest marine biodiversity, it is no surprise that five of the world’s seven sea turtle species live and thrive in Indonesia. And you can encounter all five of those sea turtles in the Flores oceans. Discover the loggerhead turtle, the hawksbill turtle, the green turtle, the leatherback turtle, and the Olive Ridley turtle. Some of the species are classified as critically endangered by the IUCN, and conservation efforts rely on donations and volunteers. Help make a difference!
Catch sight of the reef sharks in the Flores Sea
Reef sharks prefer shallow waters rather than the deep sea, especially the younger ones. The reef sharks of Flores are not large, with a length of up to 5.2 feet (1.6 meters). They are active predators of the sea, and they feed on crustaceans, small fish, seabirds, and sea snakes. Flores is a place where the sighting of these sharks is certainly not rare, where you can encounter them near the coral reefs and shallower waters.
See the whales from afar if you’re in luck
Several species of whales live in the waters of Flores. Flores and the surrounding islands are home to one of the last living traditional whale-hunting communities, who continue to catch whales as a tradition dating back hundreds of years. One of the most well-known areas to catch a sight of these magical sea creatures is the Alor Sea. It’s recommended to have solid diving experience before diving in Alor, as the currents can be rather strong.
Meet the Dugongs: gorgeous marine mammals
The dugong is one of the few living species in the family Dugongidae, as its relative, the Steller’s Sea Cow, became extinct in the 18th century due to hunting. Today, this fascinating mammal lives and thrives in the nutrient-rich oceans of Flores. Being able to encounter a dugong is among divers’ great pride and joy. Did you know that the dugongs are the only strictly herbivorous mammals living in the sea? They primarily feed on seagrass, and the presence of supporting ecosystems, such as mangroves, is extremely important to their survival.
Glimpse of the ferocious barracuda fishes
The barracudas are predatory fish found in tropical and subtropical waters. They prefer the top areas of the waters as well as areas near beds of seagrasses and coral reefs. This fish is highly distinctive in appearance: long and almost snake-like, with a pointed head and sharp teeth. This creature is known to be ferocious and is sometimes likened to a piranha. Despite this, seeing the school of barracudas swim through the ocean is a fascinating sight.
Watch the dolphins freely swimming and playing in the open sea
The seas of Flores have been identified as an important migration route for numerous marine species moving between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Aside from several species of tuna (yellowfin, albacore, etc.), seabirds, and cetaceans, dolphins are among the marine inhabitants that pass through the route. Catch a playful group of dolphins—good news for you, they have been reported to be sighted quite regularly. The fabled underwater world of Komodo National Park and Flores is truly a fascinating experience in and of itself.
Flores terrestrial biodiversity: from buffalos to snakes
While talking about the marine biodiversity of the Flores and Komodo National Park is endless, the biodiversity on Flores’ rich lands is definitely noteworthy as well. Various species of snakes live on the island, as numerous areas of the island are barely untouched by civilisation. Catch the buffaloes taking a bath to cool off their body in a pool of mud. Watch out for monkeys, and if you’re lucky, catch sight of wild deer during one of your trekking adventures in Flores.
