Komodo Diving FAQ

Komodo has many world-class sites. Some of our favourites are Batu Bolong, Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, Shotgun, Golden Passage, Mawan, Siaba Besar (great for turtles and beginners), Manta Point and Manta Alley. North & Central Komodo offer pinnacles, sharks and schooling fish; the South is famous for mantas, soft corals and macro.

Komodo is diveable all year. April–November usually brings calmer seas and clearer water in the north and central regions. December–March is the season for the south and Padar, with cooler, nutrient-rich water and more plankton – perfect for mantas and macro. We adapt the day’s sites and routes to the actual conditions.

No. Komodo has sheltered bays that are ideal for beginners and training dives, as well as current-exposed pinnacles and channels for advanced divers. If you are new or rusty, we can start with a refresher or PADI course at the resort and then slowly introduce more challenging dives as your confidence grows.

Komodo’s currents are what make the marine life so rich – and they deserve respect. Always listen carefully to the briefing, follow your guide, stay close to the reef and keep good buoyancy. A DSMB/SMB and dive computer are strongly recommended for experienced divers. At Dragon Dive Komodo, we keep small groups per guide, match sites to experience and brief currents, entries/exits, depth limits and emergency procedures on every trip.

Look for a licensed boat with experienced cruise directors, clear safety protocols, small dive groups and Nitrox on board. Check maximum guest numbers, cabin layout, dive deck space and reviews focused on safety and guiding (not just food and decor). Our boutique liveaboard Shenron takes a maximum of 8 guests, includes Nitrox for certified divers and is operated by the same PADI 5★ IDC team as the resort.

For diving, most guests are happy in a 3 mm wetsuit; bring a 5 mm if you get cold easily or plan to dive the South Dec–Mar. Add mask, snorkel and fins if you prefer your own, plus a dive computer and SMB if certified. For land and boat days, pack light clothing, a windbreaker, hat, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses and closed shoes for dragon trekking. Don’t worry if you don’t own gear – we provide full rental equipment on site.

Absolutely. A classic combo is 2–4 days of diving from the resort or liveaboard plus a full-day speedboat tour to Padar viewpoint, Komodo Island (or Rinca) for dragons, Pink Beach and Manta Point. Around Labuan Bajo you can also visit Batu Cermin Cave, Rangko Cave or Cunca Wulang canyon and waterfalls. We can organise all land and sea activities for you.

The most popular option is a private full-day speedboat (max 10 guests) visiting Padar, Komodo Island, Pink Beach and Manta Point, with snorkelling stops and lunch on board. For dive groups, you can also charter our dive boats or the Shenron liveaboard exclusively for your friends, family or club, with a tailored itinerary combining diving, snorkelling and trekking.

Choose a locally based operator with proper park permits, safety equipment, trained guides and recent positive reviews. Dragon Dive Komodo operates a PADI 5★ IDC resort, daily dive trips, private speedboat tours and the Shenron liveaboard, so we can manage your entire stay from airport pickup to last dive.

Right now, most travellers reach Labuan Bajo (LBJ) via Bali, Jakarta or Surabaya with a short domestic flight. From December 2025, direct international routes from Singapore are expected to make access even easier. When you contact us, we’ll share the latest flight options that fit your dates and country of origin.

For peak season (July–September, Easter, Christmas/New Year), we suggest booking 3–6 months in advance, especially for Shenron liveaboard and private charters. For shoulder and low season, 4–8 weeks is usually enough. Instructor-level courses and big groups should reserve as early as possible to secure dates and rooms.

Yes. Tell us your dates, number of guests, dive experience, budget range and what you’d like to do (diving, dragons, trekking, snorkelling, land tours). We’ll suggest options that combine our resort, Shenron liveaboard, private tours and activities so you can build your perfect Komodo adventure.