Komodo Dive sites : Best & Beyond
Discover and dive World-class dive sites in Komodo with experienced and knowledgeable guides.
Best Time to dive Komodo National Park
The diving season in Komodo National Park generally runs from April to November, with the best conditions typically from May to October. During this period, the water temperature is warm, the visibility is clear, and the currents are moderate, making for ideal diving conditions.
However, it’s important to note that Komodo’s waters can experience strong currents, making diving challenging in some areas of the National Park.
From April to June, the visibility is generally good and the water temperature is comfortable for most divers. From July to September, the water temperature is slightly cooler, but the visibility is typically at its best. From October to November, the visibility may decrease slightly due to the rainy season, but this is still a good time to dive.
It’s also worth noting that the timing of your trip may also depend on what you hope to see. For example, if you want to see manta rays, the best time to visit is typically from December to March, although sightings are possible year-round.
Central KOMODO NATIONAL PARK
The largest and most diverse area in Komodo National park is the centre — this region offers incredible diving all year round. From dives surrounded by manta rays to rare and beautiful macro, diving in central Komodo is incredibly diverse and will keep you delighted!
With the hotel being right on the doorstep of the Komodo National Park, we can access these sites all year round, with the closest dive site being less than sixty minutes away!
The north OF komodo national park
The North of the Komodo National Park holds some of the most famous dive sites of the park, such as The Cauldron aka ‘shotgun’, Castle, and Crystal Rock.
Generally, the North of Komodo is associated with more powerful currents, larger marine species, and outstanding schools of fish. The lesser-known sites such as Crystal Bay and the Chinese Shop have incredible macro and the chance to spot juvenile manta rays! The Golden passage is the place to spot whales drifting along a fantastic reef. The North of Komodo has exciting dives with various topographical characteristics.
Due to the two seasons that Komodo National parks have, it’s best to dive North of Komodo from April to November, with August & September having the best visibility.
*We require a minimum of 4 divers to head to the North of the park; if we have less, there is the option to pay a supplemental fee of 500,000 IDR split between the guests on the boat*
THE SOUTH OF KOMODO NATIONAL PARK
At Dragon Dive, when we are talking about the South of Komodo, we talk about Padar island, Nusa Kode ( South Rinca), and South Komodo. We are the only operator to offer the South daily with our new boat Smaug for a two-day trip or even three days.
The South of the National Park boasts great dive sites from Pillarsteen, Secret Garden, Canibal Rock, and Yellow Wall on South Rinca; Manta Alley, End of the World, and Tanjung Low Sera on Komodo.
Pinnacles, giant walls, a cave, oceanic manta rays, and a stunning coral reef are what you will spot while diving the South of Komodo with Dragon Dive. Trips to the South take longer, and departure will usually be around 5 am, but you will be fascinated by its stunning scenery and incredible sunrise.
*We require a minimum of 4 divers to head to the South of the park; if we have less, there is the option to pay a supplemental fee of 1,000,000 IDR split between the guests on the boat*
Komodo DIve Sites
Komodo National Park offers you a unique underwater environment. The geographical position and the mix between the Indian and the Pacific Oceans make the diving conditions absolutely perfect, and spectacular. You will dive into a unique environment ultra-rich in biodiversity in the heart of the Coral Triangle.
Here you’ll find everything you ever wanted to see from giant pelagic life to unbelievable macro creatures in tropical, pristine water. You can see more than a hundred different species of fish, and go diving whilst accompanied by manta rays, sharks, dolphins and schools of tuna etc…
Below you will find the most popular dive sites in Komodo National Park. There are more than 40 dive sites between the North and South of the park, and Dragon Dive Komodo offers 25+ all year round.
Central dive sites of Komodo
Manta point
This is the most wanted dive site for diving guests! This dive is the main location in Komodo to find manta rays – often as many as 10 or 20.
Batu Bolong
This world-famous dive site is a pinnacle that descends to more than 85 meters. Located in central Komodo between Tatawa Kecil island and Komodo island. This dive site is a real fish festival and one of the top 10 best dive sites in the world.
TAtawa besar
Tatawa Besar is 30 km east of Komodo and boasts one of the healthiest reefs. This is the home for many turtles, also watch out for the blacktip reef sharks, giant trevallies, and barracudas. Manta rays are also seen here occasionally.
Siaba Besar
Located near the dive site Batu Bolong, this dive site is turtle heaven. It is also an excellent spot for macro diving where you can spot some flamboyant cuttlefish, frogfish, hornet ghost pipe fish, sea moths, blue-spotted stingrays and stargazers.
PENGAH
Located in the midway between Flores and Komodo, Pengah Kecil is a small island that can be dive on the north or south side. It shelters a very rich marine life from the tiny pigmy seahorses to reef sharks and eagle rays and everything in-between. The shallow part of Pengah is one of the most beautiful coral gardens you will see in the Komodo National Park.
TAtawa kecil
It’s best to dive the west coast of this island to explore its vibrant shallow coral gardens full of anthias. Its caves and boulders are perfect harbors for larger groupers.
MAWAN
South-east of Manta point lies the island of Mawan. It is the second manta spot in the Komodo national park and could be the highlight of your trip. Although shallow, the dive site is prone to very strong currents that attract dozens of mantas looking for cleaning stations. You are guaranteed to do a beautiful drift dive, flying above the bed of corals and the thousands of reef fishes.
Police corner
At the southern tip of Siaba Besar, Police corner can only be dived when the tide is right. The underwater topography is magical and you can find three huge overhangs from 22 to 35m. Huge schools of fish live there as it provides a natural protection from the sharks patrolling the reef. On the top reef, it is common to see dugongs either from the boat or at the beginning of the dive.
WAINILU
Just next to Rinca Island, where you can observe the Komodo dragons, Waenilu is an easy and shallow dive site suitable for all divers. Protected from the currents, it is a gentle sandy slope, perfect for macro and night dives. You can find many bobtail squids and other critters hiding in the algae and in the sand.
SEBAYUR
On the eastern side of the Komodo National Park, Sebayur is one of the closest dive sites to Labuan Bajo. It is easy and suitable for all levels. The sloping reef is covered by corals, and you can find cuttlefish and ornate ghost pipefish hiding in the feather stars. Schools of mobula rays also like to swim on top of the reef.
batu tiga
This site is east of the pink beach, in the channel between the islands of Komodo and Padar. Only accessible with a mild current, Batu Tiga is only for experienced divers who are used to currents. Lots of sharks are usually seen during this dive from white and black tips to grey reef sharks and the giant trevallies will also join the show. Divers will find themselves swimming in a cloud of anthias.
North dive sites of Komodo
Castle Rock
One of the top sites in the Komodo National Park. Schools of fish as far as you can see. Giant and big eye trevallies hunt in big numbers, grey and white tip reef sharks in between. Also a spot where dolphins appear regularly!
CrYstal Rock
Crystal Rock is a pinnacle that just breaks the surface not far from Castle Rock. Due to strong currents guests are treated to large marine life such as napoleon fish, a variety of reef sharks, giant sweetlips, grey reef sharks and from time to time eagle rays.
The Cauldron
The Shotgun aka Cauldron is one of the most exhilarating dives in Komodo National Park. Come and feel the power of Komodo’s currents with this roller coaster dive. Enjoy the covered Chinese Shop to relax after this amazing experience.
Golden Passage
This is one of the best drift dives we have in Komodo National Park. Fly between two healthy reefs and try to spot passing reef sharks and manta rays.
GPS point
This submerged reef with strong currents attracts a good number of fish such as schools of jacks, rainbow runners and thousands of anthias. Grey and white tip reef sharks patrol the deeper part of this magnificent reef.
Banta Wall
This wall dive is located on the North side of Gili Banta. It’s full of beautiful gorgonian fans and hard corals, and a lot of fish life in all varieties along the wall. Often Manta rays can be seen around this dive site.
South dive sites of Komodo
Pink Beach
It is located just in front of the old dragon feeding station in the eastern part of Komodo Island, directly across the bay from Komodo Village. Thousands of fish of every color and shape are here including yellow damsels, regal angelfish, checkerboard wrasse, masked unicorn fish and schooling reef fish such as striped fusiliers. Frogfish also hang around the wall, blending in colorfully with their host sponge and surroundings.
Torpedo Alley
Near Cannibal Rock, this dive site is an excellent spot for macro diving. Black sand and reef patches are a perfect habitat for ghost pipefishes, frogfishes, nudibranchs and a huge variety of crustaceans and octopus.
Cannibal rock
This is a must see dive site for trips around South Rinca. Beautiful corals all around on this submerged reef with plenty of cute nudibranchs, frogfish, and pygmy seahorses. It also offers amazing fish action, as this reef sits in the middle of a channel where plankton is present.
secret garden
North of Padar Bay lies a huge split rock. The shallow part of the Secret Garden is an amazing coral garden where all kind of nudibranchs live. The deeper part of this dive can be divided into two parts. First, the sandy slope will amaze the most avid critter hunters and huge schools of mobula rays will swim above you. Second, the wall is home to many fishes and giant frogfish are common there.
pillarsteen
Located on the south side of Padar Kecil, this wall dive offers a lot of variety. The many swim-throughs and caves always bring something special. It is also the last southernmost dive site around Padar and pelagic fish can be spotted there. There is also a special wild atmosphere here because of the more secluded location compared to other areas of the park.
3 sisters
Located near Pulau Padar Island, this dive site has a magnificent topography including three pinnacles from 5 m to 40 m with a very gentle current. You will find schools of mobula rays, white and black tip reef sharks and schools of blue surgeons.
