Diving Blog
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If you have dived in Komodo Island before, please share your experiences: Dive spots you would recommend, which Dive Center you used, Fishes & Diving, Visibility, Currents, etc. Please post your comments in the section below, by doing so you will help fellow divers to plan their next trip 
Scuba Diving around the Komodo islands is just a dream come true! Great variety of fishes, superb and untouched coral reefs, big fishes hunting actions, and pelagic fishes at every dive site will make your dives unforgettable.
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonhanson/2784353743/
You will also see numerous whitetip and blacktip reef sharks. If you are lucky you can spot bigger sharks like the Grey Shark and even the Hammerhead Shark! Komodo is also a terrific liveaboard destination to dive with the magnificent peaceful Manta ray.
You can spot them all year round but the best time to see them in ballet is during the rainy season when you can sometimes literally speak of schooling Manta rays . You can watch this great video to see how it is underwater!
In this page you will find more detailed information about scuba diving in Komodo Island.
Table of contents
Photos Komodo Island
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Beautiful & Colorful Mandarin FishPhoto by Rich Guest -
Fishes EverywherePhoto by Jihye Lee -
Napoleon Wrasse FishPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Nudibranch Pink CoralPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Porcupine Fish WaitingPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Thousands Fish Swimming By Huge SchoolPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Crocodile Fish Komodo IslandPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Crocodile FishPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Bubbles DivingPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Clownfish Anemone NemoPhoto by Jihye Lee
Best time to dive in Komodo Island
Scuba Diving in the Komodo marine reserve is possible all year round.
- Best diving conditions run from March to October (March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October).
- Best season to see a lot of Manta rays is during the rainy season from December to February (December, January, February). Enquire to dive clubs about availability as not all clubs go out at sea during the rainy season.
- Visibility is best from November to January
- From January to March the sea can be a bit choppy but nothing bad.
Scuba Diving conditions
Currents are usually very strong on every dive site and diving in Komodo is mostly reserved to experienced divers with confidence in drift diving!
There are however some quieter dive spots for those beginners but you may miss the incredible action of big fishes swimming into the current.
The current can sometimes reach 8 knots in some places. It is driven by tides so choose your dive site carefully which you can plan depending on the conditions. This current is due to the Komodo and Rinca island acting like a bottleneck between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. This current is why Komodo waters are so full of fishes and so clear.
Never question the decision of your guide if they decide to cancel a trip for safety reasons; these waters can be a real roller coaster with the risk of being washed away in the open sea and these guys are professionals.
Pristine Reefs around Komodo Islands National Park (Photo Credit)
One of the best things about diving Komodo is that you will often feel as you are the only ones underwater as there are just so many dive sites. Also the local dive centres agree on not diving the same site at the same time.
Average Price of a dive: 30 US Dollars or 20 euros.
Best dive centers in Labuan Bajo
You can pick from the following dive centers in Labuan bajo to dive around the Komodo Islands.
- Reefseekers
- Dive Komodo
- Orca Dive Club
- Wicked Diving Center
Fishes and Coral
Fishes
The Komodo waters are incredibly rich in marine life.
Pelagic fishes: Dogtooth Tuna, Giant trevally, Barracuda, Manta rays
Sharks: Blacktip, Whitetip, Grey, Hammerhead sharks
Macro: All kinds and rare nudibranchs, pygmy sea horse, frog fish
The best place for macro diving is Cannibal Rock located in the south of the marine reserve.
There is also a teeming reef life with myriads of fishes. Be careful not to lose your buddy because of the “walls of fishes”
Coral
The coral all around the park is just amazing, some of the best around the world. There are many shallow coral gardens offering wonderful snorkelling opportunities.
Diving Safety
If you are planning an upcoming dive trip or travelling to Komodo Island, it is a really good idea to invest in travel insurance, because you never know what could happen and when you might need it (because accidents do happen!). I recommend this travel insurance as they offer worldwide coverage as they offer worldwide coverage and cover scuba diving up to 50 metres deep, as well as snorkelling and many more water activities.Liveaboards
Medium Budget Komodo Liveaboards
Where to stay?
I usually use this website to book in advance my hotels in Komodo Island as they usually have the lowest rates I find. I like it because it's free to cancel and change the dates.
Travel Guide
Now that you know all about the underwater world, you might want to start planning your scuba holiday! Check out our Komodo Island Travel Review for information about how to get there, activities and excursions, where to stay, and more.
Diving Reviews for this region
Dive spots in Komodo Island
Liveaboard Cruises in this region
WAOW
The WAOW is a 58 meter long full luxury liveaboard. All the suites are equipped with all the built-in comfort you can imagine. The WAOW also cruises around Raja Ampat Arc … Continue reading
MSY Damai 1
The MSY Damai 1 is a luxury diving liveaboard and one of the best in Indonesia. Only 10 guest are allowed on board to ensure maximum space and comfort for all, and plenty … Continue reading
The Seven Seas
The Seven Seas liveaboard is 45 meters long and can accommodate up to 16 divers. Hot water is available as well as AC. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYTnfJ3vToY The Seve … Continue reading
Cheng Ho
Cheng Ho is one of the most comfortable vessels for leisurely expeditions throughout Indonesia. This 49m-long Phinisi with a cruising speed of up to 8 knots, can accommod … Continue reading
MV Mermaid 1
The MV MERMAID 1 as well as the MV Mermaid 2 start their journey from the Benoa Harbor in Bali. The vessel measures in at 28 meters long. All the 7 cabins are equipped wi … Continue reading
S/Y Indo Siren
SY Indo Siren is a very beautiful boat that was constructed in Indonesia in recent years equipped with everything you may need while on board, all the comfort you will be … Continue reading
MV Mermaid 2
The MV Mermaid 2 boat is 32 meters long and is suitable for up tp 16 guests. There are 8 deluxe rooms as well as 2 budget rooms. NITROX is available onboard. It has a ver … Continue reading
KLM Moana
KLM Moana is a sturdy 24m-long Phinisi schooner focused on giving awesome short trips around Komodo Island. Cruisin’ at a speed of 8 knots, this liveaboard offers guests … Continue reading
SMY ONDINA
The SMY ONDINA is a 32m long typical Indonesian Pinisi. This liveaboard sails through the Komodo National Park or onto Raja Ampat as well as the Banda Sea, Maluku and Amb … Continue reading
Felicia
The Felicia is a 30meter Phinisi, mainly good for shorter trips around Komodo, particularly for touring around Komodo National Park, Raja Ampat and the Banda Islands. Thi … Continue reading
I have been diving with Reef Seekers Dive center in Labuan Bajo in 2010.
The diving was fantastic. I saw my first Manta Ray! Really good visibility, from 20m to 30m. We saw many whitetip reef sharks, turtles, schools of barracudas, Dogtooth Tuna and Giant trevallies! Awsome
.
The current was really strong on most of the dive sites and it can sometimes be quite impressive.
The Reef Seeker equipment was OK however there boat was quite slow and it took from 2 to 3 hours to reach the spots.
For the hotel, I stayed in the Gardena Hotel in Labuan Bajo, very basic bungalows but very cheap. Don’t forget to go to the sunset bar to share a beer with your buddies and watch the amazing sunset! They also have live bands sometimes.
I hope to come back soon to Komodo Islands!
Dieter, Open Water Advanced, 130 dives.
Awsome Diving but lots of current. Komodo Islands are a great place for Manta Rays and Reef Sharks!
Hi,
Is it possible to dive Komodo during the January/February period due to it being the rainy season? I have tried a few organistions but they do not operate because of the rain. Mnay thanks
Hello Pete,
I know it is possible to dive in December even if it is the rainy season. I think it might be the same in January / February. It is even recommended as it is the Manta Ray season
. Did you try to contact Reefseekers dive center in Labuan Bajo? They have been operating around Komodo for 20 years so they can for sure tell you.
Hi,
I made contact with reefseekers, they are closed during January as it is the rainy season.
Pete! The diving in Jan/ Feb is GREAT!! Your best bet is to go with an operator who is deeply familiar with the region and the sites. Please check out our website as we are offering two back to back trips at that time!
Sounds nice ! We’ll have some dives there next week. Thanks for informations !
Arnaud recently posted..Prenez-en pleins les yeux à Besakih
Enjoy! I am sure you will love it. Please give us your feedbacks when you are back.
Wow it was awesome ! I saw 2 Manta ray, so slow, graceful and fearless ! Very intense experience
Arnaud recently posted..Obtenez simplement le visa birman à Bangkok
Hi there, did you see the Komodo dragons while there? Am thinking of a trip there to dive and to check out the dragons at the same time!
Yes I saw the Komodo Dragons! It was awsome, they are so impressive. You can easily go to the see the Dragons between 2 dives during your surface interval on Rinca Island.
I will be with a group of non diver friends in Bali from 8/19-9/1.From 8/25-8/30 I will break away from them in search of the best possible diving, as I’ve been diving since ’83, but never in this part of the world (I’m from NYC). Initially, Lombok and Flores were recommended, but Komono might be calling!
Is this idea reasonable and doable given the short time allotted? Would a short flight or ferry, followed by modest accommodations be out of the question?
Thank you.
Hello Paul! I really think Komodo has the best Diving in Indonesia. You need at least one week to go to Komodo to enjoy the place. You can easily take a flight from Bali to Labuan Bajo. There is a ferry but it takes 2 or 3 days and comfort is really basic. You will easily find cheap basic rooms in Labuan Bajo. Don’t hesitate to ask if you need further details
. Julien
Hi – I have questions about diving in Komodo. My girlfriend and I have 50-75 dives each so we are inexperienced, but we have dived in varied conditions (eg Galapagos).
We are thinking of visiting in December and doing 1-3 days diving.
How are the conditions then? Are the seas rough?
Is that a good time to see pelagic species?
Is it necessary to do a liveaboard, or is it feasible to do a couple of days diving from Labaunbajo?
Thanks!
Tom
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You’re amazing! Thank you!
Komodo is the best diving site. The marinelife is various from small colorfull critters such as pygmy seahorse, nudibranch, frogfish, ghost pipefish to giant such as sea turtle, manta ray even whales and dolphins. Strong and fierce current are usually common so you need to dive with experienced and safety first based dive operator. CN Dive is one of local most experienced dive operator in this area. Enjoy your dive!
I dove at Komodo National Park at Christmas this year. I stayed at Angel Island Resort and dove with Reef Seekers. The dive master, Stan, is local and very knowledgeable about the sites and the area. I had two standout diving days. At Batu Bolong we saw reef sharks, tuna, moray eels, lion fish, octopus, napoleon wrasse, turtle, clown triggerfish and countless other fish. It was hard to take it all in. The next day we went diving with the Mantas. I just augured myself into the bottom and watched the show. The current was very strong and a reef hook is essential equipment here. The boat rides were about an hour but the weather was so fine and the scenery is stunningly beautiful so I didn’t mind. Diving here pushed me out of my comfort zone because of the strong currents but Reef Seekers and Stan made sure that I was looked after.