TOP 10 BEST DIVE SITES OF KOMODO
It’s impossible to scale a dive site. Some people prefer the big actions with big animals such as Manta or sharks, some love drifting, some like going down and doing a “deep” dive, others love macro photos, and some are just fascinated by the topography.
It was very hard to select just 10 so we decided to ask our instructors, dive guide and we arrived with a selection of the 10 best dive sites in Komodo. You’ve heard about some of them, and you will discover some not dive by other diving operators. Don’t forget we have been here for 6 years with two liveaboards and two daily dives and we are proud to dive nearly everywhere even discover some dive sites that remain exclusive to Dragon Dive.
Let’s check our top 10 best dive sites of Komodo National Park.
Batu Bolong :
– the most known tiny rock on the planet. It is one of the most famous dive sites in the Komodo National Park, with high currents that attract a myriad of unique marine life and is rated as one of the best dive sites in the world.
It is a summit/pinnacle that descends to 85 meters, between Tatawa and the east of the main island of Komodo to the west. Located north of Komodo, this dive site is an actual fish festival.
Manta Point
– we must include Manta Point for two reasons. First, it’s the most extended dive site in Komodo and probably in the world, nearly 2.5 km long. Second, you will find nearly 17 cleaning stations and one of the most impressive reefs in Komodo National Park.
Pengah aka Little Batu Bolong
Pengah is a marvel of marine life and topography. From Slopes to cracks to walls, you will be able to discover a unique marine world. Not often dived by others because of its poor visibility (15/20m), Pengah is also a very tricky dive site with currents. It’s one of the favourite dive sites of the managers, so let’s enjoy it and discover the unique yellow pigmy and grey reef sharks.
Police Corner
This dive site is the favourite of the dragon dive team. It’s a super tricky one, for experienced divers who are ready to enjoy a unique and incredible topography. At 40 m you will find a huge school of white tips and black tips sharks. Along the cracks, small caverns full of corals are waiting for you.
This dive site is super tricky, and few people want to go there too. There are only a few ways to take it, and only experienced guides can take you there.
Tatawa Kecil
One of the trickiest dive sites of Komodo. We are not bringing many people over there as you must do a negative entry, drifting along a super complicated slope and leaving an enjoyable time to avoid the down current. Why is it on the list? Because this dive site can also be down an effortless way with controlled descent and gentle drift. The end of the dive site is a massive slope full of life where you can spot manta and even dugong. The topography is so unique that this dive site must be on a severe listing.
Castle Rock
The north of Komodo has 3 famous dive sites. Cauldron, Castle Rock, and Crystal Rock. The winner here is Castle rock due to the abundance of predators like napoleons, giant trevally mackerel, tuna, and reef sharks who came for the batfish and fusiliers. Thanks to the strong currents which split around the dive site.
Tanjung Loh Sera
This dive site is probably dived only by Dragon Dive during a liveaboard. Life there is so unique that we can’t describe it. There is only one way to do it, requiring only experienced divers who love super-strong drift. Sharks, trevally, and barracuda by thousands are on the corner waiting for the current to bring some little food. Alongside an untouched wall, you will drift nearly over 600 m.
Secret Garden
The secret garden is a paradise dive site for macro lovers. It’s where you can spot the cow noise rays and mobula going from South to North. The variety of corals there is home to incredible species like the giant pinky frogfish and other seahorses.
Yellow Wall
This dive site is located south of Komodo. As we dive there for 3 years on every south trip, we know every corner. This dive site is yellow thanks to all the unbelievable coral formations along the wall. This dive site is huge and has even been cut in two. It’s an easy drift, not too deep, that is perfect for the last dive of the day.
The final fight where many dive sites arrived with the same number of points. We are talking about Manta Alley in South Komodo and the End of the world.
Manta Alley is the coldest and quite tricky dive site of South Komodo where you can’t find manta there. It’s the place to go if you want to see the giant manta ray circling around you. Local dive guides have prepared this dive site to respect marine life and not disturb it. We love it, and not only for the manta or the whale sharks, but it’s also a place where you will dive on a special topography.
End of the World – This one can’t be described as the most unique feeling you can get during a dive. First, the color of it and the disparate way of the coral seems that you are diving on the moon. grey sand is gently going over, and the wall is astonishing. Few marine species live here. It could be one of the most dangerous dive sites if you don’t know it.
Warning:
We must make a warning on the dive sites and all comments you can read on the internet.
Some people, bloggers, or dive centres who are offering BATU 3 , Payung, or even Banana Split are just not aware of the destination. It’s proof that they have never been there or just once. Komodo National Park boasts a lot of currents that we (daily operators) know, manage, and understand since we work every day. Even if we know the dive sites, it could be tricky anywhere.
Please follow your guide, don’t blindly trust bloggers who came once, and select your dive centre/liveaboard accordingly. Select the ones diving there and use a competent and permanent (no freelancer) certified dive guide who KNOWS the area.
Hope you enjoyed our TOP 10 BEST DIVE SITES OF KOMODO listing.
Enjoy Komodo and Dive safely. Book your dive with us in here