Scuba Diving in Komodo
The Ultimate Guide
Komodo National Park is a diver’s paradise full of marine diversity: expect healthy coral gardens, reef sharks, giant trevallies, countless schools of fish, and frequent manta ray sightings at sites like Manta Point and Batu Bolong. Drift dives and dramatic reef structures add excitement, while both macro lovers and big-fish fans will find plenty to love. Above water, the wild Komodo dragons roam, giving a touch of prehistoric wonder to the whole trip.
Difficulty
Moderate
Temperature
27-29°C
Visibility
20-30m
Diving Highlights
Best Months to Dive
Getting to Komodo for Diving
✈️Transportation
You’ll fly into Bali or Jakarta, then catch a domestic flight to Komodo Airport (LBJ).
After landing, just hop in a taxi outside the arrivals—you’ll be in Labuan Bajo town center in about 10 minutes.
Most dive shops and hotels are right in or very close to town.
Country
Indonesia
Currency
Indonesian Rupiah
Electricity
220V, 50Hz，Euro Plug
Cost of a Dive Trip in Komodo
Day Trip
Dive Resort
Liveaboard
Meal
Accommodation
Best Dive Sites in Komodo
🐠Batu Bolong
Batu Bolong is one of Komodo’s most legendary dive sites. Rising like a rock pinnacle in the middle of the channel, it features breathtaking coral gardens, swirling schools of anthias, reef sharks, and turtles. Strong currents mean diving is limited to the sheltered side, but the marine life density is unmatched.
🐢Crystal Rock
Crystal Rock offers clear waters and vibrant coral walls teeming with life. Divers can expect reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, and swirling schools of barracuda. The top of the rock is perfect for safety stops surrounded by reef fish.
🦈Manta Alley
Located in southern Komodo, Manta Alley is one of the world’s best manta ray dive sites. With colder waters and rich nutrients, this channel is a cleaning and feeding station for dozens of mantas, often circling above divers.
🐙Karang Makassar
Known as "Manta Point," Karang Makassar is a long, shallow drift dive where manta rays gather to feed and cruise. The sandy bottom and scattered coral bommies make it ideal for encounters with large pelagics.
🐚Tatawa Besar
Tatawa Besar is famous for its gentle drift dives along coral-covered slopes. It is home to turtles, sweetlips, cuttlefish, and occasional eagle rays. The site is suitable for divers of all levels.
🦑Siaba Besar
Nicknamed “Turtle City,” Siaba Besar is a sheltered bay with calm waters, making it perfect for beginners. Dozens of green turtles rest and feed here among coral gardens, providing relaxed dives full of encounters.
🐡Pink Beach
Located near Komodo Island, Pink Beach is famous both above and below water. The shallow reef is perfect for macro photography, with nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, and colorful reef fish.
🦀Sabolon
Sabolon is a calm site north of Labuan Bajo with crystal-clear water and healthy coral reefs. It is ideal for beginner divers and snorkelers, offering reef sharks, turtles, and schools of tropical fish.
🐋Sebayur Kecil
Sebayur Kecil offers easy diving with sloping reefs full of hard and soft corals. It’s a great introduction dive site near Labuan Bajo, often with cuttlefish, lionfish, and plenty of reef fish.
What Divers Say About Diving in Komodo
Earl Philip
Technical DiverKomodo honestly has it all. 🌊 The coral gardens here are insane—massive fields of soft corals with clouds of reef fish, all glowing under crystal-clear visibility. Pure magic. ✨ Drift diving is the real highlight—“Shotgun” lives up to the hype! Hanging in the current with water blasting across your mask is both intense and addictive. Other drifts are smoother, like you’re just flying through space. 🚀 Big animal lovers? You’re in luck. Mantas, reef sharks, endless schools of fish—Komodo delivers. 🐋🦈 And let’s not forget the boats: big decks, beanbags everywhere… after each dive, you strip off your wetsuit and melt into the cushions under the sun. Feels just like being on a liveaboard, but in day-trip comfort. 🛥️🌴
Frequently Asked Questions About Diving in Komodo
When is the best time to go scuba diving in Komodo?
Scuba diving in Komodo is possible year-round. The north offers warm, clear water and colorful coral reefs, while the south features cooler waters, soft corals, and famous manta ray dive sites.
What marine life can I see while diving in Komodo?
Komodo diving is famous for manta rays, reef sharks, turtles, pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, and huge schools of fish. From thrilling drift dives to macro critters, Komodo is one of the most biodiverse dive destinations in the world.
Can beginners go scuba diving in Komodo?
Many Komodo dive sites have strong currents and are ideal for advanced divers. However, beginners can still enjoy safe dives at sheltered sites with professional dive guides.
How many dive sites are there in Komodo National Park?
There are more than 50 dive sites around Komodo, Rinca, and Padar. Each site offers unique scuba diving experiences—from current-swept channels and caves to coral gardens and sandy muck dives.
Can I dive with manta rays in Komodo?
Yes! Manta Alley in the south and Karang Makassar in the north are the most famous Komodo diving spots for manta encounters.
What are the water temperatures and visibility in Komodo for diving?
Water temperatures range from about 24°C in the south to 29°C in the north. Visibility varies depending on the season and site, usually between 5–35 meters.
Is it better to do liveaboards or day trips for Komodo diving?
Both are popular choices. Liveaboard diving in Komodo allows access to remote dive sites, while day trips from Labuan Bajo are convenient and great for nearby reefs.
Can scuba diving trips also include seeing Komodo dragons?
Absolutely. Many Komodo dive trips include land excursions to Rinca or Komodo Island to see the famous Komodo dragons up close.