Diving in Komodo — Complete Guide
Plan your Komodo dive trip with confidence: best dive sites, seasons & marine life, currents & safety, and how to choose between dive resort and liveaboard. Operated by a PADI 5★ IDC resort with the boutique Shenron liveaboard (max 8 guests).
PADI 5★ IDC
Professional dive training & standards
Small Groups
Max 4–5 divers per guide
Nitrox
Included on liveaboard, available on day trips
Great Reviews
Trusted by divers worldwide
📊 Komodo Diving Quick Summary
- Seasonality:
- Diveable year-round; north peaks Apr–Nov; south peaks Dec–Mar.
- Water & Visibility:
- Warm tropical water; visibility typically good in the north during dry season.
- Currents:
- From gentle to strong depending on site and tide; plans adapt daily.
- Experience:
- Beginner-friendly bays to advanced drifts — we match sites to level.
- Nitrox:
- EAN32 available; included on Shenron for certified divers.
- Group Size:
- Small groups with pro guides.
🗺 TL;DR — When & Where
- When to dive: Year-round. North/Central shine Apr–Nov; South/Padar peak Dec–Mar (cooler water, mantas).
- Top sites: Batu Bolong, Castle & Crystal Rock, Shotgun, Golden Passage, Manta Alley.
- Difficulty: From beginner bays to advanced drifts; choose sites to match experience.
- Visibility: Often clearest in the north during dry season.
- Marine life: Mantas, sharks, turtles, schooling fish, vibrant reefs, great macro in the south.
🚢 vs 🏨 TL;DR — Liveaboard or Resort?
- Liveaboard: Maximise time at remote sites; sunrise/sunset dives; Nitrox on board.
- Resort: Flexible for courses/families; pool training; easy logistics in Labuan Bajo.
- Best combo: 3–4 days resort + 3–6 days liveaboard for full coverage of North/Central/South.
- Park fees: Payable on arrival; not included in trip prices.
- Equipment: Full rental gear available; SMB & computer recommended for experienced divers.
Best Dive Sites in Komodo
Iconic pinnacles, exhilarating drifts, macro heavens and manta cleaning stations — matched to your experience level.
North Komodo Best: Apr–Nov
- • Castle Rock — grey reef sharks, pelagics
- • Crystal Rock — schooling fish, soft corals
- • Shotgun — thrilling channel ride
- • Golden Passage — long drifts
Central Komodo Good year-round
- • Batu Bolong — iconic pinnacle, vibrant reef
- • Siaba Besar — turtle heaven (beginner-friendly)
- • Mawan & Manta Point — mantas (seasonal)
- • Pengah — coral gardens & macro
South & Padar Peak: Dec–Mar
- • Manta Alley — oceanic mantas, cooler water
- • Nusa Kode — soft corals & critters
- • Cannibal Rock — legendary macro site
- • End of the World — wild seascapes
Seasons, Visibility & Currents
Komodo sits where the Indian and Pacific Oceans meet — currents drive biodiversity and seasonal shifts.
TL;DR: Apr–Nov is usually calmer in the north with great vis; Dec–Mar brings cooler, plankton-rich water south with frequent mantas. We adapt itineraries to daily conditions.
Water temps
Typically warm in north/central; can be cooler in the south (Dec–Mar).
Visibility
Often clearest in the north during dry season; more plankton down south can mean more action.
Currents
Range from gentle to strong. Guides time entries/exits and choose protected bays for training.
Nitrox
Helps manage multi-day profiles and can extend NDLs for certified divers.
Dec – Mar
Rainier, fewer boats. South & Padar shine; cooler temps; frequent mantas; rich soft corals & macro.
Apr – Jun
Transition to North & Central peak: calmer seas, blooming reefs, improving vis.
Jul – Aug
Dry-season peak. Stronger drifts up north, excellent vis. Mantas more elusive — luck helps.
Sep – Nov
Warm water, fewer crowds; mantas return south. One of the best windows to cover all regions.
We brief latest conditions daily and fine-tune the plan accordingly.
Dive Resort vs Liveaboard — How to Choose
Both are excellent in Komodo. Pick based on time, comfort preferences, and goals — or combine the two.
Liveaboard (Shenron)
Max time in water
3–4 dives/day including sunrise/sunset when possible.
Comfort
4 ensuite cabins, AC, chef, camera care; Nitrox included for certified divers.
Access
Remote sites with flexible timing for wildlife action.
Dive Resort (Labuan Bajo)
Perfect for courses
PADI 5★ IDC with pool + sheltered training sites.
Families & flexibility
Mix diving with land tours and relaxed logistics.
Comfort ashore
Deluxe rooms, on-site dive center; Nitrox available.
Safety & Training (PADI 5★ IDC)
We tailor dives to experience and daily conditions. Briefings cover currents, entries/exits, SMB use, depth/time limits, and communication. Ratios are kept low for comfort and control.
Learn to dive here
PADI Open Water with pool training + protected sites.
Go Pro in Komodo
Pool & Ocean Training
Practice skills in our pool, then explore world-class reefs with your instructor.
Frequently Asked Questions — Diving Komodo
When is the best time to dive Komodo?
All year. Apr–Nov usually offers calmer seas up north with clear water; Dec–Mar brings cooler, plankton-rich water to the south/Padar and frequent mantas. We adapt routes to daily conditions.
Can beginners dive here?
Yes — we choose sheltered sites and match instructor ratios accordingly. Training and refreshers available. Sites like Siaba Besar and Sebayur Kecil are ideal for first dives.
Is Nitrox available?
Nitrox (EAN32) is included on Shenron liveaboard for certified divers and available on day trips. Nitrox courses on request. Particularly useful for multiple dives per day.
Should I choose resort or liveaboard?
Liveaboards maximise water time and remote access. Resorts suit courses, families, and mixed activities. Many divers do both.
Are park fees included?
No — Komodo National Park fees are paid on arrival and vary by day/activity. We'll brief latest rates prior to your trip.
What gear do I need?
3mm wetsuit suits most of the year; consider 5mm for the south Dec–Mar. Full rental gear available. A reef hook can be helpful at certain sites; SMB and computer recommended for experienced divers.
Ready to Dive Komodo?
Plan your adventure with Dragon Dive Komodo — Shenron liveaboard and PADI 5★ IDC dive resort in Labuan Bajo.
