Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned not only for its legendary Komodo dragons but also for its extraordinary underwater world. Located between Sumbawa and Flores, the park sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle, one of the most biologically diverse marine regions on Earth. With nutrient-rich currents flowing through narrow straits, Komodo’s diving experience offers adrenaline-pumping drift dives, colourful coral gardens, and encounters with everything from tiny nudibranchs to majestic manta rays. For divers, it is a destination that balances excitement, challenge, and beauty.
The park’s unique geography funnels powerful currents between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. These currents fuel the coral reefs and attract a staggering variety of marine life. More than 260 species of reef-building corals, over 1,000 species of fish, and 70 species of sponges have been documented here. The southern sites are generally cooler, with temperatures between 20–25℃ (68–77℉), while the northern and central regions tend to be warmer at 26–29℃ (79–84℉). Visibility ranges from 10m (32 ft) in plankton-rich southern waters to 30m (98 ft) in the north. These conditions make Komodo a diving destination for both seasoned adventurers and those looking for gentler introductions to drift diving.
For visitors, Dive The World offers both short and longer duration liveaboard expeditions, ensuring flexible options to explore the park’s highlights. Extended liveaboards are ideal for covering northern and southern extremes, while short duration trips suit travellers who want shorter excursions.
Few sites encapsulate the magic of Komodo’s diving better than Batu Bolong. Rising steeply from deep waters, this pinnacle is famed for its swirling currents that create the effect divers call ‘fish soup’. The sheltered side of the rock is where most diving takes place, allowing safe access to dense schools of anthias, fusiliers, trevallies, and Napoleon wrasse. Turtles graze on sponges, while reef sharks patrol nearby. The walls are carpeted with vivid soft and hard corals, creating a scene so photogenic it often leaves divers in awe.
Because of its strong currents, Batu Bolong requires careful timing. Divers typically stay close to the rock’s protected side, zig-zagging along its slopes. Case studies from monitoring efforts in the park show that coral cover here remains among the healthiest in Indonesia, thanks to strict conservation measures.
Just north of Komodo Island, Gili Lawa is a hub for exhilarating drift dives. The highlight is the ‘Shotgun’ drift, where divers are propelled through a narrow channel, gliding past manta rays, reef sharks, and swarming trevallies. It is a thrilling experience that many describe as flying underwater. The island also offers calmer coral gardens, particularly on Gili Lawa Darat, which makes it versatile for both advanced and intermediate divers. Dive The World itineraries often include Gili Lawa to balance excitement with relaxed dives.
Located in open water, GPS Point is reserved for advanced divers due to unpredictable currents. It is one of the best places in Komodo to encounter pelagic species. Grey reef sharks, dogtooth tuna, eagle rays, and occasionally hammerhead sharks patrol the area. Currents can change quickly, so precision in timing and drift management is essential. For scuba divers seeking an adrenaline-fuelled dive, GPS Point delivers unforgettable experiences.
Tatawa Besar offers one of Komodo’s most colourful drift dives. Divers drift past vibrant soft corals, clouds of anthias, reef sharks, and grazing turtles. In contrast, Tatawa Kecil is more exposed, with rocky pinnacles and stronger currents. Both islands are rewarding for underwater photographers, offering wide-angle and macro opportunities. Dive The World frequently includes Tatawa as part of central Komodo itineraries, giving divers the chance to experience the park’s classic coral gardens.
Located off the northwest point of Gili Banta, northeast of Komodo, White Angels is a dive site best explored in the early morning when pelagic fish feed in the swift currents. From a sheltered shallow bay, the reef drops steeply to about 115 feet and beyond. Divers initially swim against a short stretch of current to reach the corner of the bay, but once past it, the currents provide a smooth drift along the reef, where queen mackerel, yellowtail tuna, and gray reef sharks are commonly seen.
After roughly 15 minutes, you’ll reach a shallower, calmer section of the reef, perfect for observing a vibrant array of corals and sponges. Here, lionfish, batfish, and oval-spot butterflyfish abound, alongside countless colorful nudibranchs, making it a paradise for both macro and wide-angle photography.
On the surface, Pantai Merah is famous for its pink-hued sand, caused by red foraminifera mixing with white coral fragments. Beneath the water, the house reef is equally mesmerising. Shallow corals near shore are perfect for snorkellers, while divers can explore deeper coral gardens inhabited by cuttlefish, reef sharks, and colourful macro life. Its gentle conditions make it one of the best beginner-friendly Komodo sites for diving.
This dramatic site is defined by its topography: towering pillars, caverns, swim-throughs, and overhangs. Soft corals and sponges cover the walls, while turtles, reef sharks, and schools of fish add life to the scene. For photographers, the interplay of light and shadow creates stunning compositions. Pillarsteen exemplifies Komodo’s geological and ecological diversity.
Located in the southern region, Cannibal Rock is widely considered one of the richest single dive sites in the world. Nutrient-rich currents fuel an astonishing diversity of life, from nudibranchs and pygmy seahorses to rhinopias and frogfish. Larger animals like turtles and reef sharks are also regular visitors. Studies of Komodo’s benthic habitats highlight Cannibal Rock as a biodiversity hotspot. Divers interested in macro photography will find endless subjects here.
True to its name, End of the World offers dramatic scenery with towering walls and massive boulders. Strong currents often bring pelagic fish such as trevallies and reef sharks. At the same time, macro enthusiasts will find colourful nudibranchs and crustaceans tucked into crevices. Its raw, remote atmosphere appeals to divers who enjoy wild and less-frequented sites.
In Komodo’s cooler southern waters lies Manta Alley, one of the park’s premier manta aggregation sites. Cleaning stations attract dozens of manta rays, particularly during the plankton-rich months. While visibility can be lower, this is exactly what brings mantas in such large numbers. Divers frequently describe the experience as one of the most moving encounters in their underwater careers. Dive The World itineraries often highlight Manta Alley as a must-see.
This southern site is named for the vibrant yellow soft corals that blanket its vertical wall. Daytime dives reveal nudibranchs, sea apples, pygmy seahorses, and the occasional reef shark. At night, the wall comes alive with basket stars, shrimps, and crabs. It is both a macro and wide-angle site, appealing to divers with varied photographic interests. The visual spectacle of the glowing yellow corals makes it a standout in Komodo diving trips.
The Komodo diving experience is a journey through some of the richest and most exhilarating underwater landscapes in the world. From the fish-soup frenzy of Batu Bolong to the manta-filled waters of Manta Alley, each site offers something unforgettable. Whether drifting through channels at Gili Lawa, photographing pygmy seahorses at Cannibal Rock, or enjoying the pink sands of Pantai Merah, divers can expect extraordinary diversity and beauty.
With Dive The World, you can experience the park through carefully selected liveaboards, ensuring you explore both iconic and hidden gems. If you are ready to discover Komodo’s signature dive sites with us, get in touch today to plan your next adventure.
