17 Islands

Visiting 17 Islands Marine Park in Riung, Flores was a last-minute decision spurred on by a group of equally adventurous travelers. Riung is well off the tourist track and is must do if you have the time (and patience) to explore this hidden gem on Flores Island in Indonesia. The village of Riung does not have a beach and you’ll need to hop on a small boat to reach the turquoise waters. These islands are all located near each other, so you don’t spend hours boating between them. Most itineraries take you on a full day island hopping tour. You’ll explore 4 or 5 spots including Bat Island, Rutong Island (with the viewpoint), Tembang Island and Tiga Island. Along the way, you’ll stop off at a few shallow reefs which offer great snorkeling opportunities. Lunch is a delicious fish BBQ prepared right on the water’s edge and at 4pm the boat will make its way back to Riung pier. The boats in Riung aren’t overcrowded and the beaches are empty. This was the main attraction for me and the reason I decided to go island hopping in Riung. #nationalpark#urbanexplorer