Batu Bolong Reef
A diver’s dream in Komodo
One of the many islands that make up the Komodo National Park is an island that is tiny and seemingly insignificant at first glance, but has managed to become one of the most famous of all. Batu Bolong is nothing more than what its name implies — “the rock with a hole in it”, but what makes this rock special is the secrets it keeps hidden deep down in its surrounding waters.
Located in the northern part of the Komodo National Park, Batu Bolong is proclaimed as one of the best diving sites in the world. The small island hosts a world-class dive site with an underwater conical reef that offers sweeping underwater views.
The rock, situated vulnerably in the middle of the sea, is exposed to strong currents that help an independent ecosystem to thrive untouched by fishermen. Consequently, the volume of fish and many other species that gather around the reef is phenomenal. Even in shallow waters, all kinds of marine life swim above the corals, making the area equally exciting and fascinating even for experienced divers.
Diving in Batu Bolong
Visitors to Batu Bolong will be greeted by lovely amphibious creatures, the only locals on the shores of this small paradise. Depending on the time of year and water conditions, which may often be very harsh due to strong currents, diving is limited to certain parts of the reef. However, on rare occasions, it is possible to circumnavigate the entire cone of the rock.
Any dive in the Batu Bolong reef starts close to the island in the shallow waters, which then follows the lengthening of the conical reef deep into the blue ocean. Divers are constantly amazed by the volume and diversity of the fish present, and how the different species of friendly creatures co-exist peacefully with each other, creating a colorful scenery for the divers.
If one manages to dive all around the reef and view it in detail, they will find that it remains the same all the way around at any given depth. The mesmerizing sea playground hosts endless shoals of glistening fish that swim around mini coral gardens spread out across the sea bed. There is an unbelievable population of big pelagic fish, such as barracuda, giant trevallies, tuna, whitetip reef sharks, and napoleon wrasse. The luckiest of the visitors may even get the chance to spot a manta ray, or even come across a blue-ringed octopus on their excursion. Hawksbill turtles are also frequent visitors when they come to feed on the tunicates and sponges of the rock.
Batu Bolong is a stunning and convenient spot for diving that offers maximum opportunities for exploration without exposure to any level of danger. Divers need not exceed more than 25 meters in-depth, as the best sights remain on the reef. This divine place is home to a rich underwater community that will satisfy the curiosity of any diver, even at the shallow waters near the surface.
The rock topography of the small Batu Bolong beach makes it inaccessible for sunbathing or resting on-shore. Divers can join our twice daily diving excursions with our group of experienced divers onboard the Aqua Blu. Diving in Batu Bolong is possible year-round as the water temperature ranges from 23°C/71°F to 26°C/75°F.
Explore our Komodo National Park trip highlights to learn about other unique diving spots available in our itineraries. The diving sites offered will cater to the different levels of divers’ experience. Non-divers will not miss on the fun as Aqua Blu is equipped with snorkeling gear as well as kayaks and stand-up paddles, for an array of exciting water-based excursions and marine life encounters.
