NK Jaya
NK Jaya phinisi fleet
Kalong Island sunset: the bat flight on the NK Jaya routes
Updated 20 October 2026
Kalong is a mangrove islet between Komodo and Rinca where thousands of flying foxes roost. They leave in a long stream about 15 minutes after sunset, over about 30 minutes. You watch from the boat. It is the sunset stop on the 2 days, 3 days and 4 days NK Jaya routes.
What happens at Kalong
The boat arrives before sunset and the sun goes down over the water. Dinner and free time come with this stop. Then the show starts.
Thousands of flying foxes roost in the mangroves. At dusk they leave in a long stream, about 15 minutes after sunset, and the stream runs for about 30 minutes. Arrive early, because the bats don't wait for latecomers.
You don't land here. The show is watched from the boat, which is why a charged camera and a long lens help more than good shoes.
- Kalong, evening stop. Sunset first, then the bats, watched from deck.
On NK Jaya 2 the foredeck lounge sits under a yellow awning in the photos, which gives you shade before the sun drops.
| Month | Sunset | Bats fly from about |
|---|---|---|
| January | 18:27 | 18:42 |
| February | 18:26 | 18:41 |
| March | 18:15 | 18:30 |
| April | 17:58 | 18:13 |
| May | 17:49 | 18:04 |
| June | 17:50 | 18:05 |
| July | 17:57 | 18:12 |
| August | 18:00 | 18:15 |
| September | 17:58 | 18:13 |
| October | 17:55 | 18:10 |
| November | 18:01 | 18:16 |
| December | 18:14 | 18:29 |
Computed for the location and accurate to a few minutes. The crew shifts wake-up with the actual swell.
Which day it falls on
On the 2 days 1 night route Kalong is stop 3 on day 1, after Kelor and Manjarite. On the 3 days 2 nights route it is also stop 3 on day 1. On the 4 days 3 nights route it moves to day 3, stop 11, after Strawberry Rock.
The one-day tour does not reach it.
Where the boat spends the night depends on the weather and the captain's decision that day.
Dinner and free time follow the sunset on all three routes, so the evening has no fixed bedtime.
Check the weather on your date. A rain squall can move the whole evening, and the captain decides the stop.
- Best window
- Sunset
- Difficulty
- easy
- Tide
- Not tide-dependent
- Busiest months
- July, August, December
What it is not: bats leave at dusk, about 15 minutes after sunset: arrive early · not a landing stop: the show is watched from the boat
Real photo from a KEXI trip · 5 photos
Sunset times and a short kit list
Sunset falls between about 17:35 and 18:55 across the year. The table above lists it month by month. The later the sunset, the later the bats.
Kit is simple. A charged phone or camera with a spare battery. A layer, because the breeze picks up when the sun drops.
Insect repellent, since you are beside a mangrove. A seat before the flight starts.
Binoculars are a good idea if someone in your group owns a pair. The stream of bats is wide, and details are small at a distance.
Conditions vary by month and weather. A cloudy sunset can still have a good bat flight, and a clear sunset can have a thin one. Nature sets both.
Watching bats without bothering them
Flying foxes are wild animals and the mangroves are their home. Keep your voice low on deck as the stream starts. Keep flashes off, because a flash is useless at that distance and unkind up close.
Point the camera at the sky, not at the trees. The stream is the shot. It runs for about 30 minutes, so you don't need to catch the first wing.
Sit down. A crowd of lit phone screens ruins the dark for everyone beside you. Turn the brightness down and hold still.
Repellent goes on before dusk, since you are beside a mangrove. Wash your hands before dinner, and bring a layer, because the breeze picks up when the sun drops.
FAQ
When do the bats fly out at Kalong?
About 15 minutes after sunset, in a long stream that runs for about 30 minutes. Arrive before the sun goes down so you don't miss the start. Sunset falls between about 17:35 and 18:55, depending on the month. Keep your voice low and your flash off once the first bats lift.
Do we land on Kalong Island?
No. Kalong is a mangrove islet and the show is watched from the boat. You stay on deck, which is why camera gear matters more than shoes. The stop is sunset watching, with dinner and free time after.
Should I bring a long lens to Kalong?
If you have one, yes. The bats are far and the light drops quickly. A phone gets the sunset and a rough impression of the stream. A long lens and a charged battery get the detail. Set the camera before the stream starts, since the first bats arrive quickly and the sky goes dark fast.
Which day is Kalong on the 4 days 3 nights route?
Day 3, stop 11, after Padar, Long Beach and Strawberry Rock. On the 2 days 1 night and 3 days 2 nights routes it is stop 3 on day 1. The one-day tour does not reach Kalong. Watch it from the boat, since Kalong is never a landing stop. Sunset times shift through the year, so be on deck early.
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