Diving in Komodo

    Diving in Komodo

    Indonesia
    109 dive sites
    30 dive centres

    Why dive here

    Komodo offers some of Indonesia's richest diving, with 203+ marine species recorded in the area - including manta rays, mobula rays (devil rays), pygmy seahorses, sea turtles and sperm whales. Water ranges 28-30°C, warmest April, May, November.

    Best timeYear-round
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeManta Rays, Mobula Rays (Devil Rays), Pygmy Seahorses, Sea Turtles and Sperm Whales · 203+ species recorded
    Water28-30°C · warmest April, May, November
    Dive sites123 sites · reef, wreck, wall
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Komodo. Just the name conjures images of dragons and, for us, some truly electrifying diving. We’ve logged more bottom time here than almost anywhere else, and it never gets old. Picture yourself dropping into a dive at Batu Bolong, where the current parts around a pinnacle, revealing a wall absolutely plastered in corals. We’re talking Montipora and corrugated corals in shades you didn’t know existed, and then a cloud of yellowstriped cardinalfish just hangs there. It’s glorious. What we really love about Komodo is the sheer energy of the place. You’ll be soaring along a drift dive at Manta Alley, feeling the water push you, and then a train of mantas glides by, their mouths open wide. It’s often a bit chilly down there, a good 24°C, but that’s what brings in all the good stuff. We’ve seen black comb-tooth blennies peering from their holes and even spotted a fringe-eye flathead tucked into the sand. For a change of pace, we always make time for a muck dive. You might find an Indian seahare inching along or a tiny Kankra crab scuttling past. The currents can be fierce, especially around the full and new moons, so don’t underestimate them. Go with an experienced operator who knows the tides. We always recommend hitting the southern sites like Manta Alley in the dry season, roughly April to October, for the best chances with the big pelagics. The visibility is usually excellent then too, easily 20 meters plus.

    Komodo Dive Site Map

    Dive sites and dive centres in Komodo

    Komodo Dive Sites

    123 dive sites in Komodo

    3 Sisters

    The 3 Sisters site in Komodo is a personal favourite of ours, a collection of three pinnacles that rise up from the depths near Gili Lawa Laut. We love it because it’s a site that rewards slow diving, often overlooked by those chasing pelagics, but honestly, it’s where you find the really interesting stuff. Drop down and find a comfortable spot to watch the show. Look closely at the cracks and crevices. This place is macro heaven. We’ve spent entire dives here within a few square metres, just observing. You’ll spot Yellow-fin flasher-wrasses doing their display, Comettailed wrasse flitting about, and if you have the patience, a Threespot Righteye Flounder doing its camouflage act. Mushroom corals dot the landscape, and we always find something new tucked into the folds. Keep an eye out for Marshall Dottybacks and the vibrant Blue-head Combtooth-Blenny. We find the shallower sections, around 10-15 metres, are particularly fruitful. It’s not a site for screaming currents, but a gentle drift keeps things interesting. This spot suits divers who appreciate the smaller details, those who can settle in and truly observe the intricate behaviour of reef life. It's a photographer's dream, especially for macro lenses.

    Amelia

    Amelia sits in the Komodo National Park, a spot we often visit for a quick second dive. It's a nice drift along a coral reef, with schools of fusiliers and snapper hanging out. We generally find a good number of reef sharks patrolling the deeper sections. It's a solid, undemanding dive, perfect for warming up or winding down your day in Komodo.

    ARDADELDALI

    Ardaledali is one of those sites that just feels right, a genuinely atmospheric wreck dive in Komodo. We love how the historical context adds another layer to the experience; knowing it was a WWII Japanese motor vessel just before it was scuttled in 1944 gives you a moment of pause. The wreck itself sits upright, mostly intact, starting around 18 metres down. You can still make out the superstructure, and the bow and stern are pretty well-defined. What really gets us about Ardaledali is the way the marine life has completely taken over. Big schools of snapper swirl around the mast, and we’ve seen some hefty groupers lurking in the cargo holds. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs on the deck plating, they’re surprisingly plentiful here. Our favourite bit is exploring the engine room – it’s tight, but the light filtering through the hull creates some fantastic visuals. Visibility can be a bit variable, so we’d suggest going in the morning before any currents stir things up too much. It’s a comfortable dive for anyone with some wreck experience; no major penetrations needed, but plenty to poke around in.

    Bahuluang Wall

    Bahuluang Wall, on Komodo’s southern edge, feels like a secret handshake. It’s a proper drift dive when the current picks up, a gentle glide past a sheer limestone face that drops well beyond recreational limits. We love how the wall itself is textured, not just a flat expanse, with pockets and ledges holding delicate feather corals and the occasional bowl coral. Keep an eye out for the Peacock-tail Anemone Shrimp – a tiny flash of colour if you can spot it in the nooks. This is a site for those who appreciate the subtle drama of a well-preserved wall. We've seen reef sharks patrolling the deeper sections and often catch groups of fusiliers swirling like a silver tornado in the blue. Visibility can vary, but even on an average day, the sheer scale of the wall is impressive. Our top tip: go early. The morning light really brings out the subtle hues in the coral and the chances of seeing a leatherback turtle or an eagle ray cruising by seem to increase then. The entry is typically a backwards roll, straight onto the wall, which always gets the heart pumping just a little.

    Batu Bolong

    Batu Bolong, or 'Hollow Rock,' is a pinnacle that truly delivers on its reputation in Komodo. We drop in on the sheltered side, usually the south, where the rock offers a momentary break from the channels’ infamous currents. The walls are a tapestry of hard corals and sponges, surprisingly untouched, likely due to the sheer force of water that sweeps through here. What really gets us, though, is the fish: schools of fusiliers and snapper form shimmering curtains, and often we’ll spot reef sharks cruising the blue. It’s a lively, exhilarating dive, best suited for those comfortable with drift diving and keeping an eye on their buoyancy.

    Batu Bolong Dive Site

    Batu Bolong in Komodo. Now that's a site we always make time for. It’s this small, volcanic rock pinnacle, barely breaking the surface, and it drops straight down into a kaleidoscope. Seriously, the sheer density of soft corals here is something else. You descend into a wall draped in purples, pinks, and oranges, all swaying gently in the current. We love dropping in on the sheltered side, letting the gentle down current carry us along the wall. Look for the yellow-fin flasher-wrasses doing their mating dances near the coral heads; they’re spectacular. And the blennies! So many little blue-head combtooth-blennies peeking out from every crevice. Visibility is usually superb, 20-30 metres, so the scale of the place really hits you. You’ll see schools of fusiliers, bannerfish, and snapper, thick enough to momentarily block out the sun. Keep an eye out for greenfish darting amongst the staghorn corals and the colossal small giant clams tucked into the reef. Currents can be tricky on the exposed side, sometimes ripping, so it’s one for experienced divers, or at least those comfortable with a bit of drift. Our favourite time to dive it is mid-morning, just after the sun has warmed the water, bringing out the smaller reef fish. It’s an absolute showstopper.

    Batu Bolong Komodo

    Batu Bolong is a site we’ll always make time for in Komodo, despite its reputation for serious current. It's really two submerged pinnacles, a large one and a smaller one, with a deep channel between them. We’re talking about a site that demands respect and good briefing, but the payoff is huge. You’ll experience that exhilarating drop down the reef face, often tucked in close to the rock to avoid the main current. What we love here is the sheer density of fish. Schools of fusiliers are so thick they often block out the light, creating a shimmering wall of silver. Look into the blue for chances of reef manta rays gliding by, or perhaps a cruising reef shark. The coral health on the sheltered sides is spectacular too – vibrant Montipora and brain corals thriving in the nutrient-rich water. We’d suggest going in the morning if you can, before boat traffic picks up. This dive is best suited for experienced divers comfortable with drift diving and managing strong, sometimes unpredictable, currents. Trust us, it’s worth the effort.

    Batu Bolong Komodo

    Batu Bolong is a site we’ll always make time for in Komodo, despite its reputation for serious current. It's really two submerged pinnacles, a large one and a smaller one, with a deep channel between them. We’re talking about a site that demands respect and good briefing, but the payoff is huge. You’ll experience that exhilarating drop down the reef face, often tucked in close to the rock to avoid the main current. What we love here is the sheer density of fish. Schools of fusiliers are so thick they often block out the light, creating a shimmering wall of silver. Look into the blue for chances of reef manta rays gliding by, or perhaps a cruising reef shark. The coral health on the sheltered sides is spectacular too – vibrant Montipora and brain corals thriving in the nutrient-rich water. We’d suggest going in the morning if you can, before boat traffic picks up. This dive is best suited for experienced divers comfortable with drift diving and managing strong, sometimes unpredictable, currents. Trust us, it’s worth the effort.

    Batu Tiga

    Batu Tiga is one of those Komodo sites where you just hold on and enjoy the ride. It’s a proper drift, often with a ripping current, making it an advanced dive for those comfortable moving with the water. We usually drop in, descend quickly, and watch the reef fly by. The sheer volume of fish here is what keeps us coming back – we've seen schools of giant trevally so thick they momentarily block out the sun, and barracuda walls that stretch into the blue. Mantas are a frequent sight, gliding in the current, sometimes just cruising past, sometimes stopping for a clean. We’ve also had fantastic encounters with Napoleon wrasse and bumphead parrotfish cruising the deeper sections. Our pick for timing? Mid-morning, if the tides are right. The light penetration really makes the corals pop, though honestly, with the speed you’re often moving, it's more about the pelagics. Visibility averages around 15 metres, which is plenty when you're watching the big stuff. It’s not a site for macro, it’s all about the wide-angle thrills and the rush of being part of the ocean's flow.

    Batu Tiga

    Batu Tiga is one of those Komodo sites where you just hold on and enjoy the ride. It’s a proper drift, often with a ripping current, making it an advanced dive for those comfortable moving with the water. We usually drop in, descend quickly, and watch the reef fly by. The sheer volume of fish here is what keeps us coming back – we've seen schools of giant trevally so thick they momentarily block out the sun, and barracuda walls that stretch into the blue. Mantas are a frequent sight, gliding in the current, sometimes just cruising past, sometimes stopping for a clean. We’ve also had fantastic encounters with Napoleon wrasse and bumphead parrotfish cruising the deeper sections. Our pick for timing? Mid-morning, if the tides are right. The light penetration really makes the corals pop, though honestly, with the speed you’re often moving, it's more about the pelagics. Visibility averages around 15 metres, which is plenty when you're watching the big stuff. It’s not a site for macro, it’s all about the wide-angle thrills and the rush of being part of the ocean's flow.

    15-30m

    Batu Tiga Dive Site

    Batu Tiga, for us, is all about the little things. You won’t get the roaring current here that defines some of Komodo’s more famous drift dives, and that's precisely why we love it. Instead, we’d suggest taking your time, really slowing down your fin kicks, and getting properly acquainted with the reef. It’s a gentler experience, perfect for macro lovers or anyone who just wants to soak it all in without being swept away. We’ve spent whole dives just watching the intricate dance of Black-headed Leatherjackets, or trying to spot the elusive Alligator Pipefish tucked into the seagrass. Keep an eye out for Bennett’s Pufferfish, they’re surprisingly endearing. And those Black-spotted Garden Eels? Absolutely mesmerising, swaying in unison, then vanishing in a blink. The diversity of Blennies, from the bright Sapphire Demoiselle to the more reclusive Black Blenny, makes it a spot we return to again and again.

    Bhayangkara

    Bhayangkara, a quick 20-minute run from Benteng Harbour, offers a mellow dive perfect for an easy afternoon. The site gently slopes to about 15 metres, a nice mix of white sand and coral patches. We often spot green and hawksbill turtles gliding past, and the blue-spotted stingrays usually hang out on the sandy bottom. Keep an eye out for pink anemonefish in their homes and the occasional leaf scorpionfish camouflaged amongst the reef. It's a relaxed dive, good for beginners or anyone looking for a chill underwater cruise, though we’ve seen the surface get a bit choppy in certain seasons.

    10-25m
    Show all 123 dive sites in Komodo

    Ocean Wildlife in Komodo

    203 species recorded in Komodo

    Komodo Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset

    Sunrise and sunset times for Komodo, calculated from coordinates

    Today - Sunday 11 October

    Sunrise

    05:41

    Sunset

    17:55

    Daylight

    12h 14m

    Golden Hour

    17:28

    First light (dawn) at 05:20 · Last light (dusk) at 18:16

    Monthly Averages

    Month
    Jan05:5518:2612h 31m
    Feb06:0518:2612h 21m
    Mar06:0618:1512h 9m
    Apr06:0318:0011h 56m
    May06:0517:5111h 46m
    JunShortest06:1217:5211h 41m
    Jul06:1617:5911h 43m
    Aug06:1118:0211h 51m
    Sep05:5617:5912h 3m
    OctNow05:3917:5512h 16m
    Nov05:3218:0012h 28m
    DecLongest05:4018:1312h 34m

    Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Komodo.

    Where to Stay near Komodo

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    Marine Protected Areas near Komodo

    13 protected areas near Komodo - please respect local regulations when diving

    Take Bone Rate

    Marine National Park
    IUCN II
    Part
    5,592 km²

    KK Liukang Tangaya

    Marine Park
    IUCN VI
    5,052 km²

    Komodo

    National Park
    IUCN II
    Part
    1,201 km²

    Parc national de Komodo

    World Heritage Site (natural or mixed)
    IUCN Not Applicable
    1,193 km²

    Komodo

    UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve
    IUCN Not Applicable
    1,142 km²

    KK Gili Banta

    Marine Park
    IUCN VI
    402 km²

    KK Teluk Cempi

    Sanctuary
    IUCN Ia
    221 km²

    KK Labuhan Bajo Timur Laut

    Marine Protected Area
    219 km²

    KK Pulau Kelapa

    Marine Protected Area
    69 km²

    KK di Perairan di Wilayah Kayuadi

    Marine Park
    IUCN VI
    69 km²

    Tujuh Belas Pulau

    Nature Recreation Park
    IUCN V
    Part
    67 km²

    KAWASAN KONSERVASI PERAIRAN DAERAH PULO PASI GUSUNG KABUPATEN SELAYAR

    Locally Managed Marine Area
    IUCN VI
    27 km²

    Showing 12 largest of 13

    Getting to Komodo

    Bima

    BMU
    157 km~3.1 hrs

    Makassar

    UPG
    291 km~5.6 hrs

    Mataram (Pujut, Lombok Tengah)

    LOP
    408 km~7.7 hrs

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