What is Kalong Island and the bat watching like?

Kalong Island is a small mangrove island inside Komodo National Park that is home to thousands of giant fruit bats known as flying foxes. It looks quiet during the day, but at sunset the entire island suddenly comes alive.

The bat watching experience is amazing and truly once in a lifetime. As the sun drops behind the hills, you will see the first few bats take off, then suddenly thousands fill the sky in long black streams. They fly directly over the boats on their nightly journey to nearby forests. It is silent except for the wings and the soft sound of nature, and every traveller says it feels magical.

All Komodo cruises include a stop here for sunset, and it is always one of the highlights of the trip.