Diving in Komodo
The World Heritage Site
Approaching the islands of Komodo and Rinca you will feel like one of the voyagers of old who gave fame to the islands by marking on a map 'Here Be Dragons'! Few places enjoy Komodos reputation for being a remote and inspiring place and diving Komodo and the surrounding area evokes the same feelings. These small, brown scorched-earth islands fringed with sandy beaches are lapped by the clear waves of the national park, where you may even see the dragons patrolling the beach or viewing you from a high rocky outcrop.
Besides the sheer excitement of simply being somewhere like Komodo, you are also cruising over some of the most exciting dive sites in Indonesia. The water is not always warm, in fact it can be decidedly cool. The seas are not always calm, in fact the currents can rage. But the abundance of pelagics, more critters and interesting macro-action than you could imagine, the dazzling colours and diversity, make diving here truly the stuff of legend.
Highlights
There are a lot of excellent dive sites around the park, many of which would be the jewel in the crown of lesser dive destinations but if we have to limit the highlights then we could do no better than to recommend to you:
Cannibal Rock - Unlike many Komodo dive sites there is little heart-stopping action here but in terms of colour and activity there are few better spots. There is just so much going on around this sea mount: purple gorgonians, anemones, yellow and white spiral corals and sea apples that together create a riot of colour. In and around this vibrant sessile tableau live all sorts of sea-life making night diving here simply awesome. All the while rays, snappers, sweetlips and turtles cruise around the rock. Night or day Cannibal Rock inspires.
Yellow Wall of Texas - Another of Komodo National Park's signature dives, Yellow Wall is so called because of the proliferation of robust sea cucumbers - they are all over the place and their bright yellow hue dominates the vista. Not only does the wall itself promise much in the way of entertainment but sharks, manta rays and turtles are all frequent passers-by.
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How to Dive Komodo
Although there are a few resorts beginning to pop up around the area, the dive sites are well spaced out and the only way to truly see all of Komodo is by liveaboard. There are plenty of liveaboard options and there should be something for every budget.
Komodo Dancer - Peter Hughes' service and quality on this spacious schooner which is renowned for its fun atmosphere.
KLM Moana - a Phinisi sailing schooner that specialises in short, five-night cruises. Now everyone can enjoy Komodo diving!
Mermaid II - a great budget choice from which to see all the dive spots.
Diving Season
The season is year round with November to January seeing the best conditions as far as visibility is concerned. The seas can kick up a little in different areas, such as the northern sites during January to March and the southern sites during July and August, although these rarely interfere with the liveaboard schedules to any great extent.
Reef Summary
Great for: Large animals, small animals, wall dives, underwater photography, drift diving, reef life and health and advanced divers
Not so great for: Wrecks and beginner divers
Depth: 5 - >40m
Visibility: 5 - 30m
Currents: Can be very strong
Surface Conditions: Can be rough
Water Temperature: 20 - 28°C
Experience Level: Intermediate - advanced
Number of dive sites: ~25
Distance: ~490 km east of Bali (24 hours)
Access: Liveaboard cruises
Recommended length of stay: 6 - 11 days
Dive Site Descriptions
For more information on the detailed dive sites:
• Komodo tourist information
View a map of:
• Komodo - Indonesia
• Scuba diving vacation enquiries
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