Komodo Dive Sites & FAQ
The complete guide to diving Komodo. Discover Central's reefs, North's sharks, and South's macro treasures. Includes season guides, difficulty ratings, and full FAQ.
When to Dive Komodo?
April - June
Post-rainy season. Lush green islands, calm seas. Great visibility and warming water. Perfect for photography.
July - September
High Season. Cooler water in the south, amazing visibility in the north. Big fish action and stronger currents.
Oct - November
Shoulder season. Warmer water returning to the south. High chance of whale sharks and migrating pelagics.
Dec - March
Manta Season. Rainy season means fewer boats but massive Manta aggregations in the South.
Central Komodo
World-Class Reefs & Mantas • Accessible Daily
Manta Point
Manta Cleaning StationA long drift over a rubble bottom where giant Mantas come to be cleaned. Shallow (10-15m) and accessible to most levels.
Batu Bolong
Top 10 World Dive SiteA legendary pinnacle descending to 85m. Incredible biodiversity ("Fish Soup"), turtles, and sharks. Strong currents.
Tatawa Besar
Orange Soft CoralsOne of the healthiest reefs. A colorful drift dive often ending in a calm bay. Great for turtles and sweetlips.
Siaba Besar
Turtle City & MacroKnown as "Turtle City" for its resident population. The sandy patches are also a haven for rare macro critters.
Pengah Kecil
Coral GardenRich marine life from pygmy seahorses to eagle rays. Beautiful shallow coral garden.
Tatawa Kecil
Anthias CloudsVibrant shallow coral gardens full of anthias, caves, and boulders harboring large groupers.
Mawan
Manta Station #2A prime spot to see dozens of mantas at cleaning stations. Shallow but can have strong current.
Police Corner
Dramatic OverhangsHuge overhangs from 22 to 35m provide shelter for massive schools of fish avoiding sharks.
Wainilu
Macro & Night DiveNear Rinca. A gentle sandy slope perfect for macro photographers. Look for bobtail squids and rare critters.
Sebayur
Closest to Labuan BajoEasy sloping reef suitable for all levels. Home to cuttlefish and ornate ghost pipefish.
Batu Tiga
Shark ChannelStrong currents attract white tip, black tip, and grey reef sharks. Experienced divers only.
North Komodo
Current City • Sharks • Adrenaline
Castle Rock
Shark ActionA submerged seamount with strong currents attracting Grey Reef Sharks, Giant Trevallies, and hunting action.
Crystal Rock
Colorful PinnacleBreaks the surface at low tide. Stunning soft corals, Eagle Rays, and schools of fusiliers.
The Cauldron (Shotgun)
Rollercoaster DriftFamous for the "Shotgun" effect where current shoots you through a channel. Unforgettable adrenaline rush.
Golden Passage
Premier Drift DiveFly between two healthy reefs. Spot passing reef sharks, giant trevally and manta rays drifting along.
GPS Point
Fish SoupSubmerged reef with strong currents attracting schools of jacks, rainbow runners and thousands of anthias.
Banta Wall
Gorgonian FansWall dive on North Gili Banta. Full of beautiful gorgonian fans and frequent manta sightings.
South Komodo
Remote • Cold Water • Macro & Mantas
Manta Alley
Mass Manta AggregationThe iconic South site. In season (Jan-March), you can see dozens of mantas feeding in cooler water.
Pink Beach
Colorful MacroThousands of colorful fish including regal angelfish. A great mix of reef and macro life.
Cannibal Rock
Macro World ClassA photographers dream. Invertebrates, nudibranchs, frogfish and rare critters cover every inch.
Torpedo Alley
Muck DivingNear Cannibal Rock. Black sand habitat perfect for ghost pipefishes, frogfishes, and nudibranchs.
Secret Garden
Mobula RaysNorth of Padar Bay. Amazing coral garden shallow, sandy slope deeper. Look up for mobula rays.
Pillarsteen
Caves & Swim-throughsSouth of Padar Kecil. A wall dive with fascinating topography, caves, and swim-throughs.
3 Sisters
PinnaclesThree submerged pinnacles near Padar (5m to 40m). Pristine corals, cooler water, mobula rays.
Yellow Wall
InvertebratesLoh Dasami Bay. Exceptional for day and night dives. Wall cracks shelter sleeping fish and lobsters.
Boulders
Coleman ShrimpReef sloping to dark sand. Soft coral forest. Search fire urchins for the elusive Coleman shrimp.
Langkoi Rock
HammerheadsExposed pinnacle. July-Sept chance for Hammerheads. Strong currents, experts only.
End of the World
Massive SchoolsSouthern tip of Tala Island. Steep walls, strong swell. Huge schools of surgeonfish and snappers.
Loh Sera
GiantsTanjung Loh Sera. Exceptional diving along the point. Dogtooth tuna, giant groupers, and bumpheads.
Dive Site Difficulty Guide
Safety is our priority. Use this matrix to plan your dives.
| Dive Site | Region | Min Level | Current | Key Attraction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sebayur / Siaba | Central | Beginner | Mild | Turtles & Check Dives |
| Manta Point | Central | All Levels | Moderate | Manta Rays |
| Batu Bolong | Central | Intermediate | Strong | Massive Schools |
| Castle Rock | North | Advanced | Very Strong | Sharks & Pelagics |
| The Shotgun | North | Advanced | Extreme | Drift & Adrenaline |
| Manta Alley | South | Intermediate | Variable | Oceanic Mantas |
Diving FAQ
What is the best time to dive in Komodo?
Peak visibility is June to September. For huge Manta aggregations in the South, December to March is best. Komodo is year-round, we just change the itinerary!
Is Komodo suitable for beginners?
Yes! Sites like Siaba Besar, Sebayur, and Wainilu are perfect. We always check current conditions and never take beginners to dangerous drift sites.
Do I need Advanced certification?
It is highly recommended for the North (Castle Rock, Crystal Rock) due to depth and currents. You can complete your Advanced course onboard with us!
Are currents really that strong?
They can be. Komodo is famous for its currents which bring the fish. However, our guides are experts at reading tides and we dive at "slack tide" whenever possible to minimize difficulty.
Ready to Dive Komodo?
Whether you are a beginner or an adrenaline junkie, we have the perfect schedule for you.
Plan My Dives Now