Kalong Island

At a Glance

• Original name: Pulau Kalong ("Flying Fox Island")
• Where: Komodo National Park, off the coast of Flores
• What it is: a mangrove islet with a colony of thousands of flying foxes
• Famous for: the mass flight of flying foxes at sunset
• Best time: sunset
• Getting there: by boat only, as part of a Komodo cruise

Kalong Island (Pulau Kalong) is a small mangrove island in Komodo National Park, famous for its sunset spectacle: at dusk thousands of flying foxes (kalong) rise together from the mangroves and stream like a dark river toward Flores for the night's feeding. Komodo cruise boats anchor by the island specifically so guests can witness the moment.

Why Visit

Kalong is one of the most atmospheric scenes of a Komodo cruise: a pink sky, mountain silhouettes and an endless flow of flying foxes over the water. You don't sail here on its own — the island is part of the multi-day park itineraries.

What You'll See

• The flying-fox exodus at sunset — thousands of them over 20–30 minutes.
• The sunset over the park's waters from the boat.
• A quiet anchorage among the islands of the reserve.

When to Visit and What to Know

The point of the place is sunset only; by day there's little to see.

• It's part of a boat itinerary (2–4 days) around Komodo — there's no standalone trip.
• Bring repellent: mangroves can mean mosquitoes.
• Photos are better with a zoom — the foxes fly at a distance.

Combine Your Trip

• Komodo and Rinca islands — the Komodo dragons.
• Pink Beach — the pink-sand snorkeling beach.
• Labuan Bajo — the gateway port to the park.

FAQ

What is Kalong Island known for? Its sunset flight of thousands of flying foxes streaming from the mangroves toward Flores to feed.

Can you visit it on its own? No — the island is part of multi-day cruises in Komodo National Park.

When to watch? At sunset only — for the flying-fox flight.