Day 1 – Arrival & Check-in at Sudamala Resort

We touched down and headed straight to Sudamala Resort for our first night. Here’s a look at our room setup:

More information on Sudamala Resort can be found Link

Checking out Labuan Bajo Fish Market

Many locals recommended we visit the Labuan Bajo fish market, where you’ll find stalls selling live seafood like mantis shrimp, crabs, and lobsters. While it’s an interesting experience, do note that prices are on the higher side and clearly geared towards tourists. It’s worth checking out at least once for the experience, but personally, it wasn’t a highlight of the trip for me.

Day 2 – Boarding the Liveaboard (3D2N with Seek Sophie)

We booked a 3-day, 2-night liveaboard through Seek Sophie, and here’s a peek at the cabin we stayed in.

The photo on the left shows the actual room I stayed in with my son, while the one on the right are from the official listing. To be honest, they were quite similar — what you see is pretty much what you get! you can check seek sophie out over here

What to Expect on the Liveaboard

Activities on the liveaboard include trekking, snorkelling, and island hopping — a great mix of adventure and relaxation.

Here’s the sample itinerary from the official website to give you an idea of what’s planned each day:

Alternative Accomodation – Escape Bajo

While exploring Labuan Bajo, I came across a more budget-friendly option near the pier called Escape Bajo.

If you’re only staying for a night and don’t need resort-style amenities, this makes a convenient and more affordable alternative.
You can find more information Link

Staying Connected – Using Eskimo eSIM

For data during the trip, we relied on Eskimo’s eSIM, and it worked really well — strong coverage in town areas and even between islands. While there were some expected dead zones out at sea, I could still check maps, stay connected, and even upload IG stories most of the time.

We got 30GB of data for USD 90, and one of the best features is its 2-year validity and data sharing across family members. For example, I purchased 30GB and passed 20GB to my wife since she needed more data than I did.

If you’re new to Eskimo, use my referral code 1GFREE for 1GB of free global data.

I’ve also created a quick video review of my experience with Eskimo – check it out here

Day 4 – Sudamala Resort – Flores Island

After wrapping up our liveaboard adventure, we took a speedboat to Sudamala Resort, located on Flores Island.

Here’s a look at the room we stayed in:

More information on the resort can be found link

The moment we arrived, we were blown away by how clear the water was — this was hands down the most beautiful beach I’ve seen so far. The water had a crystal-blue hue, and the setting felt almost untouched.

My kids spent hours snorkelling and playing along the beach. The resort provides free snorkelling gear at the dive counter, and you can also borrow a kayak to explore the calm shoreline.

When I went out with my children, the waters were calm, visibility was excellent, and we managed to spot plenty of colourful fish swimming just beneath us.

Day 6 – Katamaran Hotel, Labuan Bajo

For the final leg of our holiday, we returned to Labuan Bajo and checked into the Katamaran Hotel — a relatively new property, so everything still felt fresh and modern.

Here’s a look at our room:

It was beautifully done up and very comfortable.

Each morning, the hotel offers sunrise hikes and yoga sessions by the pier. We woke up early the next day to join the sunrise yoga, and it turned out to be such a peaceful and refreshing experience — stretching with the sound of waves and the first light of day was a perfect way to start the morning.

You can find more details about the hotel Link

We spent 2 nights at Katamaran Hotel, and on our second day, after our sunrise yoga session, we decided to explore more of what Labuan Bajo had to offer.

We rented a car and made our way to Cunca Plias Waterfall, about a 1.5-hour drive away. A quick heads-up: the roads are quite winding, so if you’re prone to motion sickness, it’s a good idea to bring some medication along.

The walk to the waterfall isn’t too long, but parts of the trail can be slippery, so do wear proper footwear. Along the way, our guide pointed out local crops and vegetables grown by the villagers — a nice cultural touch.

Here are some photos of the waterfall:

We also stopped by a traditional village nearby, where we had the chance to try on traditional outfits and take some fun photos.

It’s a light cultural experience that some may find interesting, especially for families with kids — though if that’s not quite your thing, you can consider giving it a pass.

Another Hotel to Consider – Ayana Resort

During our trip, we visited a friend who was staying at Ayana Resort, one of the more established hotels in Labuan Bajo.

The resort has a polished, resort-like vibe — it reminded me of Rasa Sentosa in Singapore, with its spacious layout and full suite of amenities. The pool area, in particular, had a lively and energetic atmosphere, filled with tourists enjoying the sun.

It was clearly more popular and bustling compared to where we stayed — and to be honest, I really liked the vibe. For my next trip, Ayana is definitely on my list.

You can check it out over Link

Useful Contacts

If you’re planning your own trip, here are some local contacts that might come in handy:
Local Guide
Fansi (Speaks English & French) +62 822-3683-1292

Drivers in Labuan Bajo
Antonios +62 822-3777-1101
Liberty +62 812-3964-3554
Ardi +62 858-4711-5634

Note: I do not earn any commission or benefit from sharing these contacts. I’m simply listing them here because I found them professional and reliable during our trip.