Indonesia is perhaps the top country in the world to go diving, and Komodo National Park is one of the top diving spots in the entire region. The number and variety of aquatic life are incredible, and the fish come in all colors, shapes, and sizes.
As you dive, you will see sharks and pelagic fish hunting in the pristine waters. Still, the climax of diving in Komodo National Park, for the most part, is seeing the huge manta rays gliding in the water. Also, on the surface, you can see Komodo dragons walking around the park.
Komodo National Park is primarily about big animals, but there are also plenty of small animals in the ocean, such as sea horses and blue-ringed octopuses. In addition, the park is well known for its strong tides and is recommended for expert divers.
Komodo has an array of diving sites, but there are limited options on how you can dive. Basically, you only have two options, book a dive resort in Komodo or charter a liveaboard cruise. Let’s look at these options as well as the diving season in Komodo National Park.
What Is the Best Time to Go Diving in Komodo National Park?
April to November is regarded as the dry season when the weather is okay. On the other hand, November to March is the rainy season hence not ideal for diving.
Ideally, the water is calmer in the south (about 20 to 25°Celsius), and it’s more transparent and warmer in the north (about 25 to 28° Celsius). However, this can vary, and the absolute best time for diving is November to January. July to August is a period to consider because the ocean is rich in nutrients, and therefore the marine life is burgeoning.
January to March can be a bit rough on the northern side of the park. July to August is also a bit rough but only applies to the south. Liveaboard cruise schedules usually are not affected by such minor occurrences.
As for the periodic patterns for spotting huge marine life such as manta rays, the best time is December to February. However, for the ocean sunfish, the best time to spot them is in August.
The Diving Options in Komodo National Park Include:
Chartering A Liveaboard Cruise
A liveaboard cruise is where you are on a boat or cruise ship for several days or weeks as you tour the finest and most challenging diving spots in Komodo National Park. In addition, some of the liveaboard cruises offer schedules that visit islands adjacent to Komodo.
Liveaboard cruises vary because some of them are affordable, whereas others are incredibly luxe and pricey. The pricey cruises include spas and private decks aboard the ship. But most of these cruises include activities such as beach visits and trekking on the island.
Booking A Diving Resort
The animals within Komodo National Park are endangered and you can’t stay on this island, which is good if you think about it. In addition, the lack of infrastructure on the islands helps to protect marine biodiversity.
If you opt to enroll in a diving resort, you will need to reside in Labuan Bajo. This town was once a small fishing settlement, but today, it’s a burgeoning tourist center because of diving activities. In the town, there are good viewpoints and restaurants to dine in.
Many dive resorts have a range of prices. It takes a few hours to travel to the diving spots from Labuan Bajo, meaning there is more than one trip scheduled to the sites. That said, it’s still possible to tour and have a good time in these diving spots regardless of the distance.
Final Thought
All in all, diving in Komodo National park is a worthy experience for anyone, whether amateur or professional. However, the weather in some diving sites can be pretty hostile, as illustrated above hence why it’s sensible to have a diving instructor.
About The Author
Dan Taylor
Dan is responsible for content marketing and branding at GuestPostBlogging. He writes about topics related to startup naming, branding and entrepreneurship.
