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.

• 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

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 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 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.