Komodo National Park – Surreal diving & dragons in Indonesia

Komodo National Park has it all! It is one of the most dreamy destinations in Indonesia combining stunning topside scenery with unique snorkeling and diving. The chain of volcanic islands is home to some of the most extraordinary terrestrial and marine creatures.

One of the absolute highlights on land are the gigantic Komodo dragons. These endemic lizards are the largest on earth! Here you can also see flying foxes, trek up to the most breathtaking sights, enjoy pink beaches and kayak to remote sandbanks. 

The diving in Komodo National Park is otherworldly. Here the Indian and Pacific oceans collide. They culminate in some of the strongest currents on Earth and bring up nutrient-rich waters from the deep. What a heaven for divers! You can jump in for one of the fastest drift dives of your life and be awed by the well-nourished coral reefs and rich biodiversity.

So let’s set a virtual sail through the park and see the best way to explore the marvels of Komodo, namely on a liveaboard.

 

Is scuba diving in Komodo National Park really out of this world?

I am sure you have heard that scuba diving in Komodo is just insane. It truly is one of the best places in Indonesia and also a world-famous scuba destination. But do you actually know why the diving is so exceptional here?

Let me tell you a bit about this phenomenal underwater world, so that you can have a solid base for comparison when you pick your next holiday destination. 

As with all the special dive spots – it’s all about the location. Komodo National Park is at the junction of two continental plates along what is known as the “Ring of Fire” and all the islands in the area have a volcanic origin. These volcanic eruptions, resulting from the friction of the two plates, created not only amazing landscapes, but also gave birth to the most brilliant coral reefs. 

One other factor that makes Komodo unique is that it lies right on the equatorial border of two oceans. It is the only area in Indonesia with natural water channels connecting the Pacific Ocean in the North and the Indian Ocean in the South. This makes Komodo National Park the most convenient migration route for numerous cetaceas. You can spot whales, dolphins, dugongs, five different species of turtles, six different species of sharks, manta rays and hundreds of schooling fish. 

The park comprises of many islands. The larger ones have dozens of bays, where you can enjoy exquisite muck dives close to shore. You will find massive pinnacles and striking walls densely covered in rare corals and sponges. As the channels between the islands are exposed daily to the entire tidal flow of an ocean, the waters in the Komodo National Park are very rich in plankton. This nourishes the coral reefs and fish and allows for a very diverse marine ecosystem to evolve. 

 

You can’t miss the famous Komodo dragons!

Komodo National Park is most famous for the giant lizards inhabiting the islands. These endemic carnivores can be found only on Komodo and Rinca islands. And as they will eat nearly everything, including humans, they are dubbed “Komodo dragons”. They reach up to 3m in length and are the biggest species of lizards alive. It’s quite exciting to encounter them in the wild!

You can take a ranger-guided walking tour through the savannah and encounter the Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. The dragons can be seen all year round and an excursion to Rinca island is on the itinerary of every boat operator. This prime encounter will make your trip to Indonesia surely unforgettable! 

Komodo National Park is a global conservation priority area. It has unparalleled terrestrial and marine ecosystems, for which it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also part of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Komodo was first declared a nature reserve and the park was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragons. Despite rumors of closure, Komodo National Park remains open for tourists in 2020.

 

So where exactly is Komodo National Park and how to get there?

Komodo itself lies between the islands of Flores and Sumbawa in South Indonesia. The Komodo National Park is just west of Flores. It consists of the three main islands – Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as 26 smaller islands scattered between the oceans. 

Getting to Komodo National Park from Bali (DPS) and Jakarta (CGK) is fairly easy. You can take one of many daily domestic flights to Komodo airport in Labuan Bajo (LBJ). 

Whether you are going on a liveaboard, doing daily tours or simply cruising between the islands, Labuan Bajo will be your most convenient point of entry to the park.

 

Diving Komodo from a liveaboard

As with most remote places, the best way to dive Komodo National Park is from a liveaboard as the top spots are scattered in a large area.

Even though many dive sites can be reached with day tours, the advantage of going on a liveaboard is that you will be the first divers in the water on your morning dives. Also, when you go with a reputable operator you have the highest chances of hitting each dive site at the desired tide and, trust me, in Komodo that makes the whole difference between having the best dive of your life or simply struggling in the current. 

You can read more here about the glorious experience we had on a 7-day safari with Wisesa Liveaboard and check out prices and availability below.

 

Diving conditions from South to North Komodo

You can dive in Komodo National Park all year round and you will have a blast at any time. The northern part of the park can be quite different from the southern part. That is why liveaboards visit various areas depending on the season. But rest assured that wherever your cruise might take you, it’s going to be fantastic. 

North Komodo generally has crystal clear and warm water. The water temperature ranges from 27°C (81°F) between July and September to 29°C (84°F) between November and May.

South Komodo is characterised by the upwelling currents, coming deep from the Indian ocean. Unusual for the tropics, but the water here is actually chilly, with temperatures as low as 20°C (68°F). Make sure you take a 5-7mm wetsuit, diving boots and a hood if you plan to dive in the South. One thing to bear in mind is that diving gloves are no longer allowed in Komodo National Park. Though, who would go in the water without at 20°C (68°F)?!

Visibility also varies drastically between the north and the south. In north Komodo the water is sparkling blue and visibility can reach over 40m (130ft) between November and January. In south Komodo the plankton soup reduces the visibility to less than 20m (65ft). However, these nutrient rich waters cater for an extremely healthy and diverse ecosystem. This compensates tenfold for the poorer diving conditions. Because of the copious plankton supply, in the south of Komodo National Park everything is ample and bigger!

 

Biodiversity that attracts divers from all over the globe

Komodo National Park lies within the Coral Triangle, the most biodiverse marine area on Earth. Many species of the micro ecosystems are very rare or endangered. Others are in such high numbers that it is hard to grasp the immensity. 

The underwater topography of Komodo is quite diverse, making each dive site unique, with its own ecosystem. The currents also attract different species of marine life. 

The three main marine ecosystems of the Komodo National Park are coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds. They are home to more than 1000 species of fish, 260 species of reef-building corals and 70 species of sponges. No wonder marine biologists, underwater photographers and divers from all over the world come to Komodo to experience this remarkable biodiversity.

 

What marine life can you see in Komodo National Park?

Komodo National Park hosts a large number of pelagic fish. You can spot mantas, mobulas, dolphins, whales, sharks, dugongs and turtles. Big schools of giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, barracudas, Napoleon wrasse and hundreds of thousands of tropical fish inhabit the waters. 

But Komodo is not only about the big stuff! You will also encounter the coolest little critters here. Frogfish, pygmy seahorses, cuttlefish, leaffish, stargazers, bobtail squids, garden eels, skeleton shrimp, decorator crabs, nudibranchs and ladybugs are a common sight. 

For the most peculiar underwater critters, though, check out our post on the Lembeh Strait in North Sulawesi.

 

World-class dive sites and sterling topography

Pinnacles, drop-offs, shallow coral gardens, exhilarating drifts, colourful walls, black lava seabeds, you name it. Komodo National Park boasts over 50 outstanding dive sites. Amongst them the world-famous Crystal Rock, Castle Rock, The Cauldron (aka Shotgun), Makassar Reef, The Golden Passage, Batu Bolong, Pengah and Manta Alley.

 

The seascape and respectively the dive sites are so varied that if you want to make the most out of your trip to Indonesia, you should definitely consider diving from a liveaboard in Komodo. 

Because of the prevailing currents, not all dive sites are suitable for beginners. If you are not yet confident in your experience, be sure to talk to the dive operator before booking. Having said that, there are boats like Wisesa Liveaboard that also organise pure snorkelling trips in Komodo.

 

Seasons and best time to go

The climate in Komodo National Park is extremely dry with little or no showers from April to November. The remainder of the year is the rainy season (November to March). But that definitely does not make it low season for Komodo. 

Wind and sea conditions change, but those affect only certain areas of the park, allowing liveaboards to alter their routes easily and operate all year long. 

 

Excursions – savannah, pink beaches & breathtaking views

Cruising, dragon spotting, trekking, snorkeling, kayaking and chilling on coral beaches. Isn’t that a perfect holiday? 

Komodo National Park offers the most diverse land excursions and the best thing is that those would usually be part of your liveaboard package. If you want to have a glimpse of all the adventures that await you on shore read on here.

And be sure to check out our tested liveaboard packing list, so you are ready for your epic adventure!

 

Check out more liveaboards in Komodo National Park