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Diving in Komodo National Park

Beneath the stunning volcanic terrain of Komodo National Park lies a vast, incredibly biodiverse underwater world superb for both diving and snorkeling

Comprised of 29 islands, Komodo National Park in Indonesia is a UNESCO-inscribed World Heritage Site since 1991 with a sizeable Marine Protected Area (MPA) surrounding the islands. It is home to more than 1,000 species of tropical fish and 260 species of reef-building coral, and with its immense biodiversity has long been regarded as one of the best places for diving and snorkeling within the Coral Triangle.

 

Located in East Indonesia between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores in the middle of the Nusa Tenggara archipelago, Komodo National Park also lies within the Wallacea Region of Indonesia, identified by World Wildlife Fund and Conservation International as a global conservation priority area.

 

The Park’s three major islands — Rinca, Padar and Komodo island — and numerous smaller islands together totals 230 square miles (600 sq km) of land. The protected waters of Komodo National Park bring the Park’s total size to 702 square miles (1,817 sq km). Authorities have proposed extensions of protected land and water areas that would bring the total surface area up to 896 square miles (2,321 sq km).

 

Komodo National Park can be easily accessed from the city of Labuan Bajo and even from the popular tourist destination of Bali on a cruise ship such as the Aqua Blu.

 

Komodo National Park Facts:

  • One of the most diverse marine environments on Earth including coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, seamounts and semi-enclosed bays
  • A populate cetacean migration route
  • Marine area constitutes 67% of the Park’s area
  • More than 260 species of reef-building coral
  • More than 1,000 species of tropical fish, including Napoleon wrasse and groupers
  • Approximately 70 species of sponges
  • Seven known species of sharks, including hammerhead sharks and grey reef sharks, can be found in the area
  • Home to marine mammals such as whales and dolphins
  • Home to rare and endangered species such as the dugong and sea turtles
  • Other than sharks, this is home to large pelagic creatures such as manta rays and eagle rays
  • Dolphins and pilot whales are sometimes sighted

 

Why is Komodo National Park abundant in marine life?

Geography has a big part to play in Komodo’s vibrant marine ecosystem. Situated between the major landmasses of Sumbawa to the west and Flores to the east, the sea passages in Komodo National Parks have for millions of years been vital gateways for the exchange of marine flora and fauna between the Indian and Pacific oceans.

 

The topography of these sea passages matter. At just a couple of miles wide and 30 to 70 meters deep, these narrow and shallow characteristics of these marine gateways speed up the exchange of nutrient-rich water between the Indian Ocean to the south and the Pacific Ocean to the north of the Komodo National Park. Meanwhile, the park’s sheltered bays allow these nutrients to settle down while giving coral and fish life the opportunity to flourish.

 

Komodo National Park: An exciting marine showcase for divers and snorkelers

Komodo is a marine lover’s paradise. Healthy and colorful coral gardens surround the islands within the Park and rise to very shallow depths where the sun rays dapple the coral with light. The hard corals are generally located in in safe and sheltered bays appropriate for snorkelers and swimmers of all levels.

 

Because of the shallow habitats in certain areas, marine life such as turtles and reef sharks can be spotted even when just snorkeling. Drift snorkeling in gentle currents, guided by experienced instructors, is also a popular and relaxing activity as you glide over coral reefs without much effort!

 

In the prolific fringing and patch coral reefs along the northeast coast it is possible to find whale sharks, ocean sunfish, manta rays, eagle rays, pygmy seahorses, false pipefish, clown frogfish, nudibranchs, blue-ringed octopus, sponges, tunicates many species of coral.

 

For divers, the current in Komodo National Park away from the shore is known to be relatively strong. Before conducting a dive, our experienced dive instructors will consider tidal conditions that drive the area’s strong currents while taking each guests’ diving experience into account. Safety is the only priority!

 

Currents in certain Komodo dive sites can reach 8 knots, and it is in these conditions that some of the more memorable underwater scenes of big fishes (e.g. schools of sharks) swimming into the current can be witnessed here.

 

Komodo National Park: Dive Sites

Pink Beach

Known locally as Pantai Merah, Pink Beach is located on the eastern side of Komodo Island.

A great place for both divers and snorkelers, this is a great opportunity to spot the leaf scorpion fish, blue-ribbon eel, crocodile fish, and many species of nudibranch.

Snorkeling at Pink Beach is excellent over a healthy shallow reef. Diving is at the sloping reef edge where the bottom drops down to 82 feet (25 meters). Halfway along the beach front is the best spot, where the reef slope gives way to a more abrupt wall with lots of green branching cup corals and stinging hydroids.

This dive site also has several mooring buoys situated strategically to prevent anchor damage to delicate corals from dive boats.

For a truly rewarding and exclusive experience, Aqua Blu’s itineraries include an anchorage at Pink Beach for the night, letting avid divers and snorkelers explore the area’s waters without the intrusion of day trippers.

Read more

 

GPS Point

Located off the north east point of Gili Banta Island, the famous GPS Point is often considered the best diving site in the northern Komodo region.

This place attracts lots and lots of fish and is often swarming with dogtooth tuna, and big schools of barracudas and surgeonfish.

The top of this small sea mount rises to just 16 feet (5 meters) beneath the surface and hosts snowflake morays, cowries, spider and hermit crabs, nudibranchs, scorpionfish and cuttlefish.

The soft coral growth at GPS Point is excellent, and the entire surface of the seamount is richly overgrown with invertebrates. In some areas there are dense fields of staghorn corals overflowing with gold and orange anthias.

The deep waters provide the opportunity for encounters with hammerhead sharks and Napoleon wrasse as well as the more common snappers, batfish, white-tips, grey reef sharks and nurse sharks.

Read more

 

Batu Bolong

Widely considered to be one of Komodo’s best dive sites, the 90-foot deep Batu Bolong is also one of the most challenging.

Located between Tatawa Kecil and Komodo Island, the powerful tidal currents and plunging slopes of this coral crusted cliff has made it nearly impossible for local fishermen to use illegal dynamite or cyanide fishing methods.

But the currents that protect this area also make this dive spot a haven for advanced divers. Highlights of this dive include sightings of turtles, sharks, mantas, Napoleon wrasse, giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, and shimmering schools of rainbow runners.

Read more

 

Makassar Reef

Famous for sightings of up to 50 manta rays, Makassar is a 1.2-mile (2km) drift dive sited in the middle of the Lintah Strait.

Due to strong currents, many corals find it hard to hold on and grow, resulting in a dive site greatly resembling a lunar landscape with vast craters and towering dunes. Mantas aren’t the only attraction; Makassar offers numerous species of sharks, schools of bumphead parrotfish, marble and eagle rays, and a surprising amount of macro life found in the rubble and sparse yet vibrant coral bommies.

Read more

 

Castle Rock

Known for its excellent visibility, Castle Rock frequently plays host to schools of barracuda glittering in the sunlight like a rack of polished knives, jacks, and mackerel.

Underwater macro photographers also prize chance of catching sight of a pygmy seahorse at Castle Rock.

Scuba divers visiting Castle Rock within Komodo National Park often make a blue water entry approximately 100 meters away from the shallower section of the reef. This is a dive site for advanced divers.

Read more

 

Cannibal Rock

A truly spectacular dive site a short distance from Horseshoe Bay.

Cannibal Rock lies in the channel just to the south of Rinca Island, east of Komodo, and 1 km off the northern coast of nearby Nusa Kode. You can just make out the top of the pinnacle, marked by breaking waves as you approach, but this belies the phenomenal marine life diversity once you enter the water.

Descend to the south to find the deepest section and where you’ll find enormous green and blue magnificent anemones swaying back and forth. Sea apples (Pseudocolchirus Violaceus) are abundant, their bodies decorated in amazing maroon, studded with golden beads with bright yellow or cream tentacles that they use to filter feed on plankton.

Out of the depths, you may be visited on your dive by curious black-blotched stingrays, out on a hunting foray. Black snappers are also prevalent here with many juveniles, conspicuous in their black and white striped colors.

Making your way east and north you’ll be astounded by the sizes of the purple gorgonian fans, some over 6’5” (2 meters) tall. These fans are home to the pygmy seahorse, which are always a thrill to spot. Dense thickets of lime green whip coral ferns and yellow and white spiral corals mark your trail.

Be on the look-out for yellow-ribbon sweetlips — endemic to Komodo — and sweeps of gold-striped fusiliers. Green turtles are also frequent visitors to this dive location to feed on the soft corals.

The shallows are loaded with featherstars of all hues, and blue tunicates add ultraviolet shades to the already colorful seascape.

Read more

 

Diving Information:

Komodo National Park is situated in between two seas in the Nusa Tenggara archipelago of East Indonesia. Hence, water conditions may vary depending on the location within the National Park. The northern region, which include the Gili Lawah islands, is warmer due to the flows from the Pacific Ocean, whereas the southern region, including Horseshoe Bay, experience constant cooler currents from the Indian Ocean. The central area, where Linta Straits and the Pink Beach is located, typically remains pleasantly warm.

 

Komodo Northern Region

Water Temperature: 27-28 °C (81-82 °F)
Water Visibility: 15-40m (average 25m)

 

Komodo Central Region

Water Temperature: 27-28 °C (81-82 °F)
Water Visibility: 7-30m (average 15m)

 

Komodo Southern Region

Water Temperature: 23-24 °C (73-74 °F)
Water Visibility: 7-20m (average 12m)

Find your Bali - Komodo National Park Cruise

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