Riung, Flores

Huts on the mud flats in Riung Flores

Riung makes for a pleasant stop along Flores’s north coast. The second time we passed through we took the time to walk further than the mud flats huts near the waterfront. Beyond there is a reasonable size lush township with restaurants, b&bs and a market giving you a chance to replenish stores. If you are near the mud flats at dusk it is a great spot to watch some local football and admire the huts built here.

We thought we’d take a good look around the 17 Islands National Park to see what they were all about so headed out with the dinghy and snorkel gear to explore. One day, we added a picnic to the mix including some fizz and set off to the further islands of Rutong, Tangil and Pampa for some swimming, snorkelling and celebrating. Celebrating nothing in particular! If you don’t want to take your own dinghy there are local operators willing to take you. You can choose to go to one place or do a day trip including a bbq lunch. You’ll need to negotiate.

We got caught up in the milk run of the local tour operators so after a few efforts to find some nice snorkelling we returned to Tangil where we all alone amongst the single serve water cups that had been discarded overboard by the latest tour boat.

That aside, we had a beautiful day dipping in the water, sipping champers and marvelling at a little sea urchin that had rolled over to join us.

Each night we dined ashore at a different restaurant and all were good. We were amused to see a motorbike start up every time an order was placed as one of the staff was sent off to get squid, fish or whatever. All venues were pretty busy which was great to see.

17 Island National Park beach

Things to do ashore in Riung

Riung is the gateway to the 17 Islands National Park, and in a good location for an overnighter as part of a tour around Flores.

A visit to some of the islands within the 17 Island National Park is worth doing as the beaches are very beautiful with white sand and clear water. There are many local touts that will take you for a day trip to visit the flying foxes then a few beaches, snorkelling and a beach bbq. Some tourists we spoke with said the snorkelling was great but we were disappointed. The rubbish left behind by the charter boats was bad too.

Beach camping is also on offer in the 17 Island National Park. Tourist numbers are quite low here so you’d enjoy a gorgeous beach to yourself camping under a starry sky.

We took our dinghy and visited the fruit bats on the north coast of Pulau Ontoloe then over to the islands Rutong, Tangil and Pampa.

Eat/drink

We enjoyed meals at:

Cafe del Mar – rasta vibes, local cuisine in a nicely established home stay/restaurant.
Pato Resto – local cuisine, coldest and cheapest beer in town with an english speaking owner.
Rico Rico – waterfront restaurant, local fare

Shop

Many little kiosks line the main street. About half a km up is a small market where you can get fruit and vegetables.