Adonara Island
Eastern Flores has some well-known Flores dive sites such as Magic Log where ribbon eels and frogfish are common. The very rare weedy scorpionfish (Rhinopias) has been found here, as has the wonderpus octopus, making a dive at Adonara a macro photographer's dream. Headlands and channels dot the coastline of the island and these are gradually being explored by divers on visiting liveaboards but there is still a lot of unchartered territory to discover in this region, offering a sense of exploration for those seeking a true scuba diving adventure in Flores.
The island's varied underwater topography, featuring volcanic black sand slopes, coral rubble, and occasional rocky outcrops, creates a rich habitat for a wide array of marine life. Diving at Adonara is particularly rewarding for those interested in the unusual; the black sand muck sites are known for frogfish, various species of seahorses, and the elusive mimic and wonderpus octopuses. The coral-covered slopes and walls, meanwhile, are home to pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, and a vibrant assortment of reef fish. The area's isolation means that dives at Adonara are often a quiet, uncrowded experience, with the chance to encounter larger pelagic fish like tuna and trevally patrolling the deeper drop-offs, making it a must-visit location on any Flores liveaboard itinerary.
Babi Island
This is a surprisingly good Flores dive, considering that this island bore the brunt of the 1992 tsunami, when 1,000 inhabitants were killed as the wave swept over the island. Over a decade later, the reef wall is in very healthy condition, a testament to the resilience of nature. Dropping down to a depth of about 50 metres, it is sometimes possible to see the sea floor from the surface; however, a more usual visibility for diving here is about 15 metres.
Snappers, parrotfish, angelfish and damselfish all occupy the wall. Several a target="_blank" href="https://travel-the-world.blog/diving-with-moray-eels/" title="Review our creature feature article on moray eels">species of moray eel can be found, as well as ribbon eels. There is a good covering of soft corals and sponges all along the wall, and the brightly coloured crinoids like to jump off the wall to attach themselves to wetsuits of the unsuspecting scuba diver who gets too close. Numerous sea apples add splashes of blue and red colour. A testament to the reef regeneration is the high number of gorgonians along the wall, the biggest ones being found at depths of 35 metres and below. Currents can sometimes be strong here, making the right conditions for an excellent drift dive.
Komba
Komba Island, also known locally as Batu Tara, is one of the most extraordinary dive destinations in Indonesia's Flores Sea. This small island is formed by an active stratovolcano that rises some 600 to 748 metres from the sea. The volcano is almost perpetually active, with eruptions every 10 to 15 minutes, producing dramatic ash clouds, thundering booms, and, after dark, spectacular displays of glowing red lava and rocks tumbling down its slopes into the sea. Arriving at Komba, the smell of sulphur in the air is a constant reminder of the geothermal forces at work beneath the surface .
Diving at Komba offers a unique juxtaposition of volcanic intensity and vibrant marine life. The underwater topography is dramatic; the flanks of the volcano drop off to over 700 metres, creating spectacular wall dives. The western side of the island is noted for its clear waters, with visibility often exceeding 40 to 50 metres, and a rich profusion of marine life. Walls are draped in soft and hard corals, adorned with colourful sea fans, and teem with schools of reef fish, as well as more elusive barracuda and dogtooth tuna. The black sand slopes and volcanic rubble are home to a fascinating array of macro critters, including frogfish, mimic octopuses, and seahorses.
On the more exposed side of the island, divers can experience a unique feature: Bubble Reef. Here, volcanic gases and lava flows seep through the black and yellow sea bed, creating streams of bubbles that rise to the surface, while the sand itself is noticeably warm to the touch due to the volcanic activity. This otherworldly site is a testament to the island's active geology, where corals and fish are found amidst the evidence of the volcano's constant presence. The island also features a rare black sand beach, providing a dramatic entry or exit point for a dive.
Access to Komba Island is limited, making it a destination primarily for liveaboard diving cruises that explore Flores and the Alor archipelago. Experienced dive guides are essential to navigate the conditions and to time dives for the best marine life encounters against the backdrop of this unforgettable, active volcano.
Lambata Island
This island is also well worth diving exploration. The headland next to Lamalera Village is worth several days of your time alone. The distant shadows of reef sharks tempt you into the depths from where you can make your way back up through the boulders and coral reef slopes. Schools of fusiliers, angelfish and many different parrotish species are common. Gorgonian seafans host pygmy seahorses, a highlight for any Flores scuba diving adventure. Also, as Lamalera is one of the only 2 traditional whaling villages left in Flores (whatever happened to IWC protection?), the surrounding seas could also hold larger cetacean surprises.
The town of Lewoleba on Lambata offers access to several fantastic dive sites. Tanjung Klaka is a stunning wall dive with huge gorgonian fans and a chance for hammerhead sharks. Alor Alor is a sloping reef known for its superb coral gardens. These sites add depth to Flores diving by offering a mix of the macro and pelagic action available in the region.
Lomblen
Lomblen Island is a hidden gem for diving in Flores, offering a raw and less-visited environment. The dive sites here feature dramatic walls and slopes with excellent coral cover, and a significant chance of seeing schools of pelagics, including barracuda, tuna, and sharks. The area is also known for its great macro life, making it a well-rounded dive destination.
Maumere Bay
The very heart of Flores diving is found in Maumere Bay. This area offers a large variety of dive sites. Tanjung Duwa features a beautiful sloping reef with hard corals, ideal for all levels. Watulari is a steep slope known for its impressive gorgonians and barrel sponges at around 20-25 metres. Kapenta is a great macro site on a black sand slope. Nangalang is home to the wreck of the 50-metre freighter, 'Karang', sitting upright on the sandy slope. Suma is known for its healthy and colorful soft corals and for the frequent sightings of eagle rays. A dive in Maumere Bay offers a diverse and accessible experience for macro and coral enthusiasts.
Solor
Located east of Adonara, Solor Island offers a unique diving experience with a combination of pristine reefs and historical interest. Solor includes the challenging dive site The Passage, a strong drift dive through a channel between Solor and the mainland, which attracts a high concentration of fish and pelagics. The area is also known for critter diving on its slopes.
South Pangah Balang
You may have some current to deal with as you descend over the mass of large leather corals which are present in numbers along the sloping wall that plateaus at around 28 metres. Soft corals abound here too, in impressive sizes and spectacular colours, making this one of the most visually stunning dives in Flores. The sight is enough to take your breath away but faces competition in this regard from the finning you may be doing to combat the current.
Just above the sandy floor, divers may catch sight of any number of sharks and eagle rays lazily hanging in the current, and garden eels easing themselves into their bottom holes as you pass above. All the while colour will surround you in the shallows where you may find mantis shrimps, several leaffish and other small interesting animals. Bumphead parrotfish a metre in length are also often seen as they storm over the reef. When air dictates you will emerge, perhaps a little drained, but certainly energised by this excellent dive site.
Wai Terang
Just off the coast of mainland Flores, divers will find this Japanese World War II freighter lying on its side from a depth of 25 metres up to about 12 metres. The coral growth on this wreck has improved considerably over the years and now the old ship plays host to a fair number of hard and soft corals harbouring small fish life.
One thing you should try to avoid is kicking up the silt here since a careless hand or leg in poor visibility could bring your skin into contact with one of the many resident lionfish, a sensation worse than a nip. Eels, cuttlefish and anthias are among the other pleasures to be had on what is a very rewarding wreck dive, if not one that allows too much penetration.
