Best Diving in Komodo

An island with some strong currents. Currents permitting, you can swim right round the walls of Batu Bolong. There are some massive shoals of fish - extremely beautiful. Bigger fish include Black Giant Trevally and Giant Sweetlips. Many of the fish you see in Komodo you will have seen elsewhere, but they grow much bigger here in this marine reserve. This is a world-class dive.

When the currents are too strong to dive much of Batu Bolong, you will still be able to dive the North side which is in the Lee. Be careful though. I have never before seen a diver's bubbles going downwards but the down current at one end of the north wall was so strong it did just that. This was at the east where large pinnacles sit away from the main wall. The southern side is covered in hard corals. This dive is covered is encrusted in life with sharks and Napoleon fish hanging around nearby.

Napoleon wrasse, Cheilinus undulatus. Grows to 2 m long and 190 kg in weight. Lives for over 30 years. Photo: Rudy and Peter Skitterians, Pixabay

Batu Bolong is a famous site and can get crowded. If too many boats are there you can always divert to Tatawa Kecil which is also a splendid dive but not as well known.

Reviews: (5)

"Vertical cone rising from the deep covered in coral with crystal clear waters and both big and little life covering it "
Brian Frost, 2018.

"Like an aquarium, make sure you jump in to the chimney which is on the left hand side of the dive site. Currents are strong but loads of GT, sharks and reef fish make this my favourite dive site! "
Pippa Goodridge, 2015.

"Intense and gnarly. Up and down currents and whirlpools result in a wall that has a lot of everything from that region. "
Matt Herrmann.

"Awesome! The current is unbelievable. !"
Himura, Singapore

Reviews: (1)

Near to Batu Bolong, Tatawa Kecil is a small rocky island. Drop down to a small cave which as it is open at both ends you can swim through. Outside the cave look for sharks - White Tip Reef sharks are often around. Large boulders are scattered on the seafloor at 14-26 m. You will also probably see a Hawksbill turtle. A very curious porcupine fish may come up to inspect you. Huge shoals of fish. Later in the day the reef gets very noisy - a good sign of healthiness. Not only does the dive feature sharks, turtles, massses of fish and lovely reef, it often finishes with a great drift with the current. A lovely dive.

Reviews: (1)

Another dive site with strong currents. Swim through a split to the corner where you will probably need to hook into the reef to watch the sharks at around 28 m. White tip reef sharks abound plus masses of other fish. Once you've finished watching the sharks carry on around the pinnacle. Big painted spiny lobsters live here under ledges. You may need to hook into a shallow part of the reef for you safety stop. Look up to see what might be passing, eagle rays are often seen here.

Crystal Boomi means Crystal Rock.

Reviews: (1)

This dive is best with some current - you get better vis and more fish. There are very pretty coral bommies with brown glass fish, seafans and table coral. From here go out to shallow outcrops on white sand. Here, near full moon, you might see spawning damselfish. The fish quiver, changing colour from light to dark to light. Look for pretty Cirrhitihchthys hawkfish in the green tube coral. The Cauldren itself is around 30 m across and 27 m at its deepest point. You will sometimes see manta rays here.

Reviews: (1)

Quickly drift down the passage then you can hook into the reef in the current to see huge shoals of fish plus maybe white tip reef shark and tuna. You then speed along the shallow reef flats on a wild drift. This dive has a terrible profile but is fantastic fun. After the plateau go down over the edge - you may see a turtle in the rocks there. At dusk there also sometimes lurks an absolutely enormous grouper.

Reviews: (6)

How much do I love this dive. Minimal swimming - just stay still and watch the fish. Drop off the boat with a negative entry and descend, looking down for sharks. Cross up the reef slope of the castle and up into the giant shoals of fish. The sharks only get off the bottom when there is a current running but there are lots of them. Some have shoals of fusiliers swimming alongside - the shark's head pokes out at the front with the fusilier trailing back by its sides. As well as fusiliers there are schools of Elongate Surgeonfish - Acanthurus mata - some dark and some light in colour. Giant trevallies, schooling bannerfish plus the possibility of an eagle ray and grey sharks.

The top of the rock is at just 5 m.

"Just insane! Sharks literally EVERYWHERE! We dropped down to 28 meters and there were a pack of hunting Grey Sharks, amazing and they are huge! There is a bowl at 5 m where we did our safety stop as the current whirled around us - it was the perfect shelter and end to a perfect dive. My favourite so far. "
Pippa Goodridge, 2015

"Amazing high-energy dive in strong current with abundant large fish in full activity. Advanced dive site not for the beginner when the current is running."
Alexander Jenner, 2013

"Unbelievable dive with fish everywhere, sharks, turtles, dolphins, and the possibility anything could show up."
Hike, 2012.

"Current central. A rock castle under the water, and the challenging swim around it is half the fun. A lot of unspoiled everything from the region. "
Matt Herrmann.

"Thousands of fish, including 3 shark species and dolphins all in one dive."
Jan De Clerck, Belgium

Reviews: (1)

You can only really dive the Lighthouse without current. If there is a current you are limited to the lee of one rock. Look out for whitetip reef sharks and manta rays.

Reviews: (2)

This is a large area with wide channels running down a rubbly bottom. Quite shallow - maximum depth of around 30 m but you will normally be shallower than this. Here is the place to see mantas but there are also nudibranchs and a massive turtle. Black tip reef sharks also visit. The reef mantas here are the same ones as those on Manta Point at Nusa Penida in Bali - they have distinctive markings.

When looking for mantas don't hover over the small coral outcrops as some of these are their cleaning stations. Mantas are curious and if you stay fairly still they may well come over to have a look at you.

"Incredible - we saw Manta Rays! The dive site is shallow, at 15 m maximum depth. So much macro to see too! Nudibranches, Octopus and Mantis Shrimp were spotted as we made our way to the Manta cleaning station. The guides say that they see Manta's all year round on this dive site. "
Pippa Goodridge, 2015

Reviews: (1)

"Diving around Komodo 'Hot Rocks' striking colourful corals against black sand with nudibranchs and pygmy sea horses, the sea bed bubbling because of an active volcano - beautiful. "
Ivan Maddocks, February 2017

This dive site is jsut 15 minutes boat ride from Labuan Bajo in Flores. This is not a dramatic dive but look out for interesting nudibranchs such as Chelyonotus semperi, and many many blue Redtooth Triggerfish in holes in the reef. Also lovely to see are the Fire Dartfish. Good as a test dive to get used to the "safety sausage" needed at lots of sites. Depth 30 m.

Fire Dartfish, Nemateleotris magnifica. Photo: Yuki/Pixabay

Reviews: (1)

"One of the best in Komodo, fantastic coral with no single broken, Current is dangerous."
Rudy, Netherlands

Reviews: (1)

Named after the many torpedo rays which live here. A good macro dive, different to most dives in Komodo. The black sand gives a good contrasting background for photographers. Sea pens, tiny crabs, nudibranchs, cuttlefish, corals. Frogfish gdand harlequin ghost pipefish amongst the rocks. Normally only a gentle current.

"One of the best in Komodo, fantastic coral with no single broken, Current is dangerous."
Rudy, Netherlands

Highly recommended. For a start this liveaboard takes just six divers in three cabins. With the co-owner and dive guide Vovo Korth taking a dim view of crowded dive sites, often the seven of you will be the only people in the water.

Book the Duyung Baru liveaboard now, pay later

Vovo's wife Yani is the captain and cook. Her food is delicious, created with care and love. She gets up at three in the morning to make fresh bread for breakfast - from loaves to croissants. Not only a great cook, she is most friendly and welcoming.

Yani Korth, Cook and Captain, Duyung Baru, Photo credit: Vovo Korth

Vovo bought his first boat in 1998 and called it the Duyung - Indonesian for mermaid. He has been sailing Indonesian waters ever since. When he and Yani started the liveaboard operation around Komodo only one other boat was operating, and Vovo made many exploratory dives. He has an intimate knowledge of the dive sites of Komodo with their wild currents, including a couple of "secret sites".

The couple commissioned their current boat in 2011, calling it the Duyung Baru or New Mermaid.

Two double cabins and one twin cabin house the divers. There is plenty of storage space and ensuite shower and toilet. The beds are extremely comfortable. On the canopied deck are a sofa and chairs around a coffee table plus a sun terrace upstairs.

Big Hawksbill Turtle in Manta Alley, Photo credit: Vovo Korth

The boat is 27 m long with two masts - a beautiful looking craft. Nitrox is available.

Finally to the diving. This is world-class. Sharks and turtles on nearly every dive. Eagle and manta rays. Many huge shoals of fish. Corals in excellent condition. There are also dive sites for those liking the smaller stuff - seahorses and frog fish. The boat doesn't have a set routine of dives - it depends on the type of dives that the divers on board want to do. If you really want to see that seahorse and not another manta ray, then you'll have to sell it to your fellow divers.

Nembrotha kubaryana nudibranch, Photo credit: Vovo Korth

The boat is only for experienced divers. Vovo likes you to have at least 75 dives. I would go further and say that you need to have experience of currents. The diving in many sites is not easy - the currents are fierce, especially at full and new moon (which is why there are so many large fish there). It is assumed you know what you are doing. At the beginning of the trip is an easy dive or two to practice using a SMB (surface marker buoy or "safety sausage"). Not until Vovo is satisfied that you can use the SMB will he take you on one of the the more challenging dives. That way if you should get separated from the group the tender will easily see you and pick you up.

Vovo is also a freediving instructor and there is an opportunity to take a freediving course if you wish. Although we dived with Vovo, on many trips one of his two experienced divemasters takes his place.

German, English and Indonesian spoken.

Review by Jill Studholme, SCUBA Travel

If you have any questions about this liveaboard, Komodo or Labuan Bajo please email Jill.

Reviews: (1)

BOOK NOW, PAY LATER…

Built in 2014 and refurbished annually, the 30 m vessel takes 10 divers.

BOOK NOW, PAY LATER…

One of the cheaper liveaboard boats - built in 2018 and welcoming just 8 divers. Prices start at just £948 (USD 1249).

BOOK NOW, PAY LATER…

Day trips, liveaboards and PADI courses.

Jalan Soekarno Hatta RT 010 RW 005 (on the main drag, across the road of Surya Jaya supermarket)
Labuan Bajo
Nusa Tenggara Timur 86554
Indonesia
+62 (0) 81236303644
+62 (0) 8113897007
info@komododivecenter.com

Reviews: (1)

"I dove with Komodo Dive. I would highly recommend them! They were incredible! Very knowledgeable, professional and fun! I love that their company also focuses on hiring locals as well. The equipment was well maintained and their boat was new! "
Bio on the Go, Canada, 2018

Day trips, liveaboards and PADI courses. Also provide accommodation.

Jalan Soekarno Hatta (on the main drag)
Labuan Bajo
Nusa Tenggara Timur 86554
Indonesia
+62 (0) 81236303644
+62 (0) 8113897007
info@bluemarlinkomodo.com

Reviews: (1)

" I've been diving with Blue Marlin Dive for over a month whilst doing courses and my DMT, incredibly knowledgable crew and wonderful banter - plus a speedboat for 3 dives and back before 4!! "
Wander Deeper, 2018

Uber Scuba Komodo Diving Center
Jl. Soekarno Hatta
Komodo National Park
Labuan Bajo
East Nusa Tenggara 86554
Tel: +62 (0)81236536749
E-mail: dive@uberscubakomodo.com

Reviews: (1)

"I think you should list Uber Scuba Dive Center in Komodo, they were really great. Excellent value for money as the owners put so much attention to detail. Their boat is brand new with a 6 cylinder engine, and it's huge! There are 3 areas to relax on, plus a big bench for dinner. The food was exceptional - I understand they are the only operator to have a kitchen on board. WE had an amazing lemongrass curry with herbed rice plus guacamole nachos and they even cooked us pancakes in the shape of Manta Rays. Really special. The equipment is brand new and I felt very safe and in the hands of very experienced guides. Uber Scuba is located on the main street of Labuan Bajo in Flores - Labuan Bajo is easily reached via flight from Bali. This is where all the dive operators start from as in Komodo National Park there is a building ban. The boat ride is just 40 minutes from the first dive site so plenty of time to be briefed on our skills and to relax - we even saw a pod of dolphins! We did our advanced open water course plus an extra day of diving. The Advanced course was $350 which I thought to be incredible value. We saw a Manta Ray, countless turtles, sharks and ghost pipefish among many others. The dive sites are amazing and the best I have ever seen, rich coral and plenty of marine life. "
Pippa Goodridge, UK, 2015

Jalan Kakatua 8
Ngencung Ruteng 86511
Flores
East Nusa Tenggara
Indonesia
Tel: +62 385 270 50 22
info@floresexotictours.com

" Komodo and Maumere Diving."
Owner.

Dive Komodo and Indonesia's remote eastern islands.
Mob. +62 8155701393
Ph/Fax. +62 361 TBA
E-mail: info@divekomodo.com

"Two brothers run this show and it's amazing. Talk about pristine or abudance of marine life...that's your ticket. Trying to plan another trip with them to Irian Jaya-Raja Empat. One of the best places I have dived. Mantas galore!! Lotsa small stuff too...simply amazing. "
Jeannee Irvine, USA, 2007

tour@komodoindonesiatours.com

" Please join us for Komodo Tours and Diving around Komodo National Park
We have so many dive sites around Komodo National Park."
Owner,2008.

E-mail: ed@kanawaislanddiving.com

"We are PADI divecentre on a small island, called Kanawa, at the edge of Komodo marine park. The island has an amazing house reef to explore day and night. We offer a full range of PADI courses, daily trips into Komodo for 2 or 3 dives and have a small resort of 14 bungalows "
Ed Statham (Kanawa Island Diving), 2011.