Mawan - Komodo

Mawan is, hands down, one of our favourite Komodo sites for just... drifting. We're talking gentle, glorious drifts over slopes blanketed in healthy coral. You’ll be spotting more species of hard coral here than you’d think possible, from intricate branching and brain corals to huge bowl and cactus varieties. It’s an absolute dream for macro enthusiasts, too. Keep an eye out for those tiny Shimada's Pygmygobies and the vibrant Peacock-tail Anemone Shrimp doing their thing amongst the coral polyps. The real draw, though, often comes a bit later in the dive: the manta rays. We've had some incredible encounters here, watching them glide through the clear water, often feeding. They’re usually curious, sometimes passing close enough that you can almost feel the displacement of water. We’d suggest going early in the morning for the best chance to catch them before any boat traffic picks up. It’s generally a pretty relaxed dive, perfect for photographers or anyone who just wants to soak in the sheer beauty of Komodo without fighting a strong current.

Location
Komodo, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-8.558126, 119.636100

Marine Protected Area: Komodo

Best Time to Dive in Komodo

The warmest water temperatures in Komodo occur in November, averaging 30.3°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 27.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 29.2°C
  • February: 28.9°C
  • March: 29.4°C
  • April: 29.7°C
  • May: 29.4°C
  • June: 28.9°C
  • July: 28.1°C
  • August: 27.9°C
  • September: 28.2°C
  • October: 29.2°C
  • November: 30.3°C
  • December: 30.2°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Komodo

Nearest Dive Centres to Mawan

Marine Life in Komodo

Home to 220 recorded species including 95 reef fish, 92 hard corals, 13 seagrass & algae, 5 sharks & rays, 4 sea cucumbers, 3 clams & mussels.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Mawan

Based on average water temperature of 29.1°C, currents 5 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories