Komodo scuba diving features

Cannibal Rock

Pygmy seahorses

Colman's shrimp

Sea apples

DESTINATION OVERVIEW

A century ago, Komodo was only known to those who followed the travels of British naturalist and explorer, Alfred Wallace. He recognised an invisible line that lies to the east of Bali: the 'Wallace Line' now refers to the two totally different environments that are on either side. While Bali is green and lush Komodo to the east, is far drier yet it is a haven for many unusual creatures both on land and in the sea.

Most people visit to see the famous Komodo dragon, but the surrounding marine park is regarded as one of the most important in Indonesia. In the north, warm waters flow from the Banda Sea. Below the surface, reefs are extensive and in good condition. To the south, cooler waters flow from the Indian Ocean and deep water up-wellings bring masses of plankton towards the surface. These conditions are perfect for exceptional marine bio-diversity and outstanding scuba diving.

Dive sites vary from famous muck sites like Copycat Copycat where all the creatures mimic their surroundings to big open water sites like Pilarsteen. Most famous beyond a shadow of doubt is Cannibal Rock, where there is a wealth of small creatures: pygmy seahorses, rhinopias, Colman's shrimp are seen here regularly as is the little known sea apple, a type of sea cucumber.

Seasons
Year round
Visibility:
10 – 30 metres
Water temperature:
25 – 29º C.
Deco chambers:
Bali

Flight to Bali then join a liveaboard in Bali or take an internal flight to Bima here some trips start.

Accommodation and dive centres
numbers of liveaboards are increasing every season.

PROS AND CONS
Komodo used to be a really unique dive trip – just a couple of liveaboards travelled this way and you were guaranteed almost total solitude. Now there are masses and masses of boats of all types and standards. There is no other sensible way to see it, land accommodation on nearby Flores is too far from the best dive sites to be a viable option. Yet, it is still a great destination – you just won't be the only person diving these waters.

SCUBA DIVING
Dive conditions aren't exactly typical of the tropics – the water can be cool and washing machine currents are common. However, by the time you get into to the swing of things you'll quickly discover why the diving is so good. If you're up for the challenge, you won't find much better.

OPINION
We have dived this area more times than we care to count and it is some of the best we have ever done. There is just so much to see, no two dives on a single site are ever the same. The variety of species is incredible – manta rays compete with Colman's shrimp, pygmy seahorses with giant tuna. Fish everywhere, unusual critters hiding in nooks and crannies, pelagics overhead... it is quite amazing.