Komodo DIVE SITES

KOMODO NATIONAL PARK DIVE SITES

Komodo Dive Conditions

Komodo is famous for its strong currents as well as for having some of the most pristine reefs and marine biodiversity on the planet. The reason why Komodo gets strong currents is its distinct topography and location in Central Indonesia. The islands of Central Indonesia stretching from Java to Timor create a barrier between the Indian Ocean in the South and the Pacific Ocean in the North leading to vast bodies of water being pushed through the straits in between the islands every day.


During rising tide the currents flow from the South to the North, during falling tide from North to South. The strength of the currents in the park changes in accordance with the lunar cycle with the strongest currents usually occurring during new and full moons. In the Linteh Strait running between Komodo and Padar islands the currents can be especially strong as this area gets the strongest flow of water in the area.


There is an abundance of dive sites in Komodo where divers can explore colorful coral reefs, monumental seamounts and pinnacles, caves and vast sandy slopes. Due to the strong currents, Komodo is evidently also the perfect place for current dives and moderate drift dives. However, not all the dive sites have strong currents and most of the time strong currents can be avoided if necessary. When deciding where to dive, our experienced instructors and divemasters will help you assess which sites are best suited for your level of experience and certification.


Below you will find an overview of some of the most popular dive sites:

SEBAYUR KECIL

Sloping reef, usually amazing visibility, beautiful coral gardens and pinnacles

OK for beginners - little to no current

Lots of small stuff – Leaf Scorpionfish, Frogfish, Broadclub Cuttlefish,
Octopus, Garden Eels, Flathead Crocodile Fish, Nudibranchs

Siaba Besar

Combination of beautiful coral gardens and sandy bottom areas

OK for beginners - Sheltered bay, little to no current

White tip reef sharks, Green Turtles, Broadclub Cuttlefish, Frogfish, Thorny Seahorses, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Ghostpipefish, Blue Spotted Stingrays, schooling of Oriental Sweetlips & Big Eye Soldierfish

Mini Wall

Wall dive 

OK for beginners - little to no current

Lots of small stuff, Nudibranchs, Rumegans Pipehorse, Soft Coral Crabs, Orangutan Crabs, Fusiliers, Eagle Rays, Hawksbill Turtles

Siaba Kecil

Drift Dive / strong current

Intermediate level - advanced divers only

One of the fastest drift dives in the National Park, sloping reef with overhang areas

Schooling of Snappers, Sweetlips, Bumphead Parrotfish, Trevallies, Hawksbill Turtles

And if you are really lucky you might have the chance to see the beautiful Dugong!

tatawa besar

Drift dive / Varying strength of current

Intermediate level, advanced divers but also Open Water Divers depending on current and conditions

Beautiful variety of corals, massive sponges, Hawksbill Turtles, Schools of Batfish, White Tip and Black Tip Reef Sharks, Eagle Rays, potential for large pelagic surprises, lots of small stuff

mawan

Sloping reef / Varying strength of current / Drift Dive depending on current

Intermediate level, advanced divers but also Open Water Divers depending on the current.

Manta Rays, White tip and Black tip reef sharks, Hawksbill Turtles, Lots of small stuff,
beautiful shallow coral garden

manta point

Shallow rocky rubble plateau, shallow gradual slope 2-3km / Drift dive / Strong current

Intermediate level, advanced divers but also Open Water Divers depending on
the current

Reef Manta Rays, Marble Rays, Eagle Rays, White tip and Black tip reef sharks, Bamboo sharks, Hawksbill Turtles. Lots of macro life, shallow coral garden in the south, Broadclub Cuttlefish, Pharao Cuttlefish

Occasionally Oceanic Manta Rays 

batu bolong

Steep slope / Amazing variety in underwater topography / Diving in lee side of main current / exposure to back heading currents / Multilevel Dive

Intermediate to advanced level / experience with vertical currents and good bouyancy control required

Pristine pinnacle reef with White tip reef sharks, Napoleon Wrasse, Hawksbill Turtles, Giant Trevallies, Blue fin Trevallies, Marbled Groupers, Pretty Nudibranchs, Abundance of marine life in general

tatawa kecil

Steep Slope / Can only dive at certain times/tides / Strong horizontal and vertical currents / challenging dive

Advanced level, we do not bring here open water divers

White tip reef sharks, Hawksbill Turtles, Napoleon Wrasse, Snappers, Sweetlips, Pretty Nudibranchs

pengah kecil

Sloping reef / Pinnacle / Plateau / Diving the lee side, protected from main current

Intermediate level, Advanced Open Water Divers but also Open
Water Divers depepnding on the current

Amazing underwater topography, good for macro life, Hawksbill Turtles, Moray eels, Baby White tip reef sharks (falling tide), Reef Octopus, occasional Cownose Rays

wainilu

Sandy slope (Muck dive) – no strong current.

Ok for beginners but very good buoyancy control and alternate fin kicking techniques required (sandy bottom)

Great for small, rare and weird, camouflaged critters – Frogfish, Rhinopia, Pictured Dragonets, Blue Ringed Octopus, Wonderpus, Zebra Crabs, Coleman shrimp, Ribbon Eels, Harlequin Shrimps, Nudibranchs

castle rock

Submerged Pinnacle / Very strong current / not suitable for beginners. 

Negative Entry - must be able to equalize quickly and descend fast!

Advanced level - Only experienced divers 

Schools of White tip and Black tip reef sharks, Grey Reef Sharks, Giant Trevallies, Blue fin Trevallies, Batfish, Napoleon Wrasse, Hawksbill Turtles and sheer abundance of marine life in general.

crystal rock

Submerged Pinnacles / main pinnacle breaks the surface / Varying strength of current (can be strong so mostly not suitable for beginners)

Advanced level, we do not bring open water divers here.

White tip reef sharks, Eagle Rays, Pygmy Seahorse, Napoleon Wrasse, Giant Trevallies, Blue fin Trevallies, Batfish, Hawksbill Turtles, schooling of Surgeons, Sweetlips, Bannerfish

cauldron

Unique Dive Site – channel between two islands creating very fast current / Strength of current can vary / Shotgun!

Advanced level, we do not bring open water divers here.

White tip reef sharks, Manta Rays, Marbled Rays, Eagle Rays, Pygmy Seahorse, Giant Trevallies, Leaf Scorpionfish, Frogfish, sometimes pelagic surprises

Police Corner

Reef slopes into drop off / massive overhangs / deep dive / can only be done in falling tide 

Advanced level, we do not bring Open Water Divers here.

Amazing topography, deep dive, huge overhangs and chimney, mix of macro and pelagic, upside down swimming batfish due to extensive overhang, Morray Eels, Peacock Mantis, big schooling of surgeons, bigeye soldier, batfish and bannerfish.