My amazing experience of diving in the Komodo Islands

Diving full of emotions in the Komodo Islands!

To dive in the Komodo National Park has always been a dream of mine. Many divers have told me their stories from previous trips and still speak with such excitement and passion when they talk about their adventures in the Sunda Islands.

On my own journey to the Komodo Islands, I was NOT at all disappointed!!! So here is my story of my experience, in what I personally consider to be one of the most amazing and best dive destinations in the world which is still relatively wild and preserved from mass tourism.

Where are the Komodo Islands?

The Komodo Islands are part of the Sunda Islands archipelago in Indonesia nestled in between Bali and Lombok which [to the West] and Flores [to the East].

How do you get there?

The easiest way is to get there from Bali and to take a plane to the (teeny tiny) airport of Labuan Bajo in Flores.

The scenery during the 1h30 flight is just stunning! So many islands and coves and uninhabited islands.
From Labuan Bajo you can then catch a boat for a dive cruise around the Komodo Islands where you will visit all of the best sites as well. Otherwise it is also possible to dive every day directly from Labuan Bajo and there are a few diving clubs on the island. I decided to go with the company Reefseekers on advice from my good friend Amre.

What is diving like at Komodo?!

It’s BIG, it’s BEAUTIFUL, it’s INCREDIBLE!

• It’s amazing because I don’t think I have ever seen so many big fishes per m3 of water! There are pelagic fishes at all sites, all the time, hunting in the water which is so full of life! The major stars of the show were the Ignobilis Trevally (giant trevally), long solitary barracuda and huge dogtooth tuna erupting among the shoals of sardines! There is too much to feast my eyes on! To add to this spectacle, a group of white tip sharks stayed sleeping on the bottom, and we were very lucky to see a rare Black Grey Reef Shark. A highlight of komodo has to be the magnificent huge Manta Rays which glide along in the water so gracefully … I, a diver who loves big fish, with the Sharks and Manta Ray frenzy around me, was one happy man!

• It’s beautiful because the ocean water is super clear, without many particles and really good visibility (between 20m and 30m depending on the site). I don’t think I have ever seen such beautiful coral, as varied and as vibrant and colorful. Also, the coral there is luckily very healthy and given the small number of divers during the year, has not suffered any damage, as with other dive sites.

• What also makes this spot unique is that the current is VERY strong which makes for impressive diving and I must say can be quite technical. You get used to it after a few days but I definitely felt adrenalin rushes through my body during these dives! I think you need to be aware of the elements surrounding you and be able to hide behind boulders if need be to beat the current. In this respect, I completely understand that diving in Komodo is great but it’s not for everyone. I recommend at least a good level 2. Note there are still sites available that are easy dives but the fauna is less rich.

In conclusion my thoughts on diving in the Komodo Islands:

What I liked:

• The HUGE pelagic fishes which come and hunt around the divers.
• Meeting huge and magnificent Manta Rays, always something magic!
• The clearness and visibility of the water!
• The impression of being a bit of a pioneer, being all alone in the water discovering things for the first time.
• The knowledgeable and lovely guides and team at Reefseekers (thank you guys!).
• The stunning landscapes of the Sunda Islands.
• Seeing Komodo dragons for the first time!

What I liked less:

• Uh?…………………..
• I am trying to think of something but can’t think of anything. Ah, maybe the fact that the dive sites are quite far from Labuan Bajo (count on spending between 1h and 3h by boat) so therefore a bit of time was spent on the boat. But hey, with the beautiful beaches to discover, the untouched islands, and of course seeing the famous Komodo dragons, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I will never forget!

What about you? Have you ever (or hope to one day) dive the magical Komodo Islands? Feel free to leave your comments below on this superb region! I lived in Indonesia for three years recently so this country has a special place in my heart

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