- Highlights:
- Snorkel the coral reefs of the 17 Islands Marine Park
- Tuck into a beach barbecue on a deserted island
- Explore a quiet fishing village off the tourist trail
Discover the unspoilt beauty of Riung, a fishing village where time seems to stand still. Visit the tropical paradise of the 17 Islands National Park, exploring deserted islands, snorkelling among vibrant coral reefs and spotting flying foxes in the mangroves. A slice of Flores few travellers ever see.
Day 1 - Arrival in Riung
After a scenic drive through the green, hilly interior of Flores, you’ll reach Riung on the north coast. This small fishing village is the gateway to the 17 Islands Marine Park, yet it sees few visitors and life here still moves at its own unhurried pace.
Check in to your small guesthouse and spend the rest of the day as you like. Stroll along the waterfront as the fishing boats come in, chat with locals in the village or try the catch of the day at a simple warung.
Day 2 - 17 Islands snorkelling tour
Today you’ll set sail into the 17 Islands Marine Park, a scattering of more than twenty uninhabited islands spread across the turquoise waters off Riung. As your boat glides past dense mangroves, look out for hundreds of flying foxes hanging from the branches, wings wrapped tight as they sleep through the day. Keep an eye on the water too, as sea turtles often surface nearby. You’ll hop between islands to snorkel over bright coral gardens, where shoals of tropical fish dart between the reefs, blue starfish dot the seabed and, if you’re lucky, a small reef shark glides past.
At lunchtime, you’ll pull up on a deserted stretch of white sand while your crew grills the morning’s catch over the coals. Spend the afternoon swimming in the warm, clear sea or stretched out in the shade before sailing back to Riung as the sun sets.
Day 3 – Departure from Riung
After a final breakfast by the sea, it’s time to leave Riung’s quiet shores behind and continue your journey through Indonesia.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Riung 17 Islands - in style accommodation
For something a little more special, upgrade to a small eco-lodge of just five bamboo bungalows, set between the mangroves and the sea. Each has its own veranda looking out over the turquoise water, perfect for a sundowner or stargazing after dark. Sustainability runs through everything here, from the open, breezy design (there’s no air conditioning) to plastic-free refills and locally sourced food.