A Small Gem in Komodo National Park. The word “Gili”, meaning “small island” in Flores’ local language, perfectly describes Gili Laba, an island on the northern part of Komodo National Park, Eastern Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.

In terms of size, Gili Laba is smaller than the other famous islands in Komodo National Park. However, Gili Laba’s beauty can compete with Padar Island since its hills, landscape, and underwater ecosystem are similar to those of Padar. Its contour makes the place worth adventurous trekking. Meanwhile, the yellowish savannah scenery, the soft pearl-white beach, and the clear greenish-blue sea make it the perfect paradise for photography.

There are also various diving spots with diverse corals and sea creatures. At the end of the journey, witnessing the sunset may serve as the cherry on top before leaving the island. All in all, Gili Laba is a must-visit destination on the Labuan Bajo travel list. As Land Gili Lawa (Gili Lawa Darat), Gili Laba is located explicitly between Komodo Island and Sea Gili Lawa (Gili Lawa Laut). As of 2018, a local guide of the Komodo National Park claimed that Land Gili Lawa and Sea Gili Lawa lay close opposite to each other.

Tourists usually visit the Land Gili Lawa to trek and the Sea Gili Lawa to dive. Although the underwater ecosystem between the two has no apparent difference, you may still visit Sea Gili Lawa to maximise your trip experience and explore more diving spots. To make it easier for tourists, numerous tourist agencies have already put the Gili Lawas in their Labuan Bajo tour package.

For Tourists

Arriving on Gili Laba, the hills, savannah scenery, and maybe some wild deers will greet you. There are no Komodo dragons on Gili Laba, only wild deers, bugs, and birds. If you visit during the dry season (around July–September), the golden yellowish-brown savannah scenery will be your pictures’ main background. Meanwhile, it will be fresh green wild grass if you visit during the rainy season (around November –February). Gili Laba welcomes tourists all year round, so the time of your visit is up to you. However, it is essential to note that it will be harder to trek during the rainy season.

To start your journey on Gili Laba, you may trek the hills. This will need lots of stamina and a strong pair of shoes since there will be some steep slopes with sandy tracks. There are no specific trekking trails on Gili Laba, perfect for challenging your adventurous side. If you’re new to trekking, your tour guide may recommend the longer path with gentler slopes to reach the top. The trek will take around an hour, depending on your stamina.

Although the walk may be exhausting, each of your steps will be accompanied by the breathtaking view of the hills and savannah. You may encounter wild deers along the way or some wild birds flying above you, too. Arriving on top of the hill, you may see the other islands in Gili Laba’s vicinity, namely Komodo Island, Kanawa Island, and Sebayur Island. The view combines exotic hills, savannah, clear blue sky, and the turquoise sea, making the sweat all worth it. There is an iconic photo spot with the background of a strait between two islands. Other than that, this will be the perfect time to explore your creative photography side, experimenting with various angles of Gili Laba’s rustic landscape. After exploring on land, you may continue the journey to an unforgettable underwater experience on Gili Laba.

Some people refer to Gili Laba as the Komodo’s Fjord since the island directly faces the Flores Sea and the deep bay of Komodo Island, protecting it from strong wind and waves. Therefore, the island is perfect for diving, snorkelling, and various water sports, such as stand up paddling and kayaking. There is a well-known diving spot among the community of advanced divers named Castle Rock, perfect for practising the shotgun method. Meanwhile, you can already swim with various exotic fishes and enjoy the vibrant coral reefs without having to dive too deep. If you’re lucky, you may witness humpbacks, dolphins, or even blue whales while waiting for the sunset on the shore. Like the other islands in Komodo National Park, Gili Laba is uninhabited and has neither stores nor hotels. You may rent a private boat to live onboard and do island hopping or stay at a hotel in Labuan Bajo.

Sadly, as of 2018, Gili Laba has been in a conservation phase and minimised its tourism since it caught fire in August 2018. Allegedly, the cause was a prewedding photoshoot using fire. The disaster made Gili Laba’s savannah hills all-black charred. Thus, the Komodo National Park Officials currently prohibit trekking activities, giving Gili Laba some time to recover.