One of Flores’ most important connection hubs, the city of Maumere does not have much to offer aside from its strategic location. You will most likely pass by it on your way in or out of Flores, so you may as well make the most of your stay and discover some interesting attractions in the surrounding area. Head about 30 km east of Maumere for snorkelling and diving. Although destructive fishing methods and coral bleaching have extensively damaged the reef, the marine world teems with biodiversity. Just off the beautiful semi-deserted beaches lined with coconut trees around Waiara and Wodon, the reef offers excellent underwater photography opportunities. Especially around Babi island, muck divers will appreciate the incredible diversity of nudibranchs and critters, spot colourful cuttlefish, many swimming flatworms and ribbon eels, as well as spectacular gorgonian fans and large table corals. Laid-back bungalows on the beach and relaxed yet equipped dive resorts make this the perfect snorkelling and diving destination if you want to avoid the crowds and appreciate marine life at your pace.
Maumere is also a good excursion starting point if you come to Indonesia for its magnificent trekking opportunities, and after Kelimutu, you want to keep hunting for volcanoes. A one hour drive east of Maumere is Mount Egon, a lesser-known volcano that offers an impressive and unexpected landscape. A three-hour walk brings you to the volcano’s expansive crater, a 350m wide and 200m deep caldera in which you can walk! Depending on the season, you will also find a lake in the crater. In any case, you will enjoy the shade of eucalyptus trees as you go up and around the rim.
