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KOMODO
ISLANDS - WORLD CLASS DIVING
Diving & Visit the Dragon The
islands of the Komodo Dragon: Rinca & Komodo Islands are part of the complex
of 175 islands (about 90% unhabitant), situated 200 nautical miles east of Bali,
between the islands of Flores and Sumbawa. Both above and below the sea Komodo
represents a unique range of geological and biological diversity. On shore it
is an amazing museum diorama of the Mesozoic era dry tundra and reptilian supremacy.
Komodo's symbol of international fame its dragons, the world's largest living
lizard. In the sea it's vibrant color and exotic life will
enchant divers and snorkelers alike as endless schools of fish ride the waterways
rushing up from deep sea vents, below them the seabed is covered with a thick
carpet of florescent corals and marine invertebrates - an underwater photographers
paradise. 
The waters that surround the island are turbulent and teeming with unparalled
marine life. A marine reserve has recently been established and this reserve is
largerly undocumented and remains unexplored. Komodo National Park was established
in 1980. It was declared as a Man and Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site
in 1986. KNP includes three major islands - Komodo, Rinca and Padar
and numerous smaller islands together totaling 41,000 ha of land contains 132,000
ha of marine waters.
The corals in Komodo National park are
pristine, with Mantas, sharks, turtles, dolphins, dugong, many pelagics, to the
tiny pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, frog fish, you name it we've got it. The sites
vary from gentle easy coral slopes to heart pounding adrenalin rides, from the
warm waters of the Flores Sea in the north to the chillier waters down south in
the Indian Ocean, the underwater terrain is so varied with sheer cliff walls,
pinnacles, sandy flat bottoms, underwater plateaus, slopes, caves, swim-throughs,
channels, all with varying colours, sizes and types of coral both hard and soft.  DIVE
SITES:
Bidadari Island
Angel Steps, huge towers
of stone, encrusted with hard and soft corals, covered in nudibranchs, small caves
and overhangs make this a very interesting and beautiful site, Dusky sharks, humphead
parrot fish are among the bigger creatures we see here. Cathedral Coral, a gentle
slope covered with table corals of every colour and schooling fish, a towering
spire of coral with a small cave at it's base is the home to some huge lobsters.
Sabolon
*Sabolon kecil a slope on the east side of this tiny
island, with two underwater mounds at the southern end with fields of garden eels
and sea pens, schools of round bat fish are often seen coming quite close for
some nice photography.
*Sabolon Besar steep slopes off the southern and western
sides of the bigger island, fabulous coral coverage and a good chance of spotting
Scorpion leaf fish.
*Sebayur kecil walls and slopes of every kind of coral
you can imagine, wide variety of marine life to be seen at this site, mantas often
seen.
*Tatawa Besar slope with soft coral garden changing to hard coral along
the slope, lots of shoaling fish, rainbow runners, fuseliers and often turtles
and black tip sharks.
*Tatawa Kecil (current city) as the name implies, this
site is washed by very strong currents, which is why this site is among the many
world class sites in the Komodo National Park, schools of pelagic fish patrol
the waters, best dived at slack tide.  Batu
Bolong
A little further west from current city a small rock outcrop with
a hole through it is the surface mark of another world class site, only to be
dived at slack tide or with a current not long from stopping or starting to run,
these giant slabs of rock which disappear into the depths are an amazing sight
to see, covered with every form of marine life and patrolled by giant trevally,
Napoleon Wrasse, sharks and turtles with schools of barracuda sweeping in to check
out the divers. We often see Manta Rays at many of the sites, whale sharks
also have their season here and whales and dolphins are often spotted from the
boat. Diving the Komodo National Park provides some fantastic conditions:
WATER TEMPERATURE: 20 - 28 Degrees Celsius (68-85 °F) , cooler
water is experienced on the southern sites. Full 3mm wetsuit & hood is recommended.
More active people will prefer a sports suit in northern sites.
VISIBILITY:
10 - 50M year round. Traditionally clearer water on northern sites.CURRENT: Komodo
experiences a strong tidal flow. Not all sites are affected by current. Drift
diving is excellent, however during spring tides some sites are impossible to
dive. Particular attention is placed on diving the correct sites at the most suitable
time to ensure optimum conditions, in accordance with the preferences of the group.
NIGHT DIVING: The night diving in Komodo is breathtaking. The sheer
beauty, color and diversity of life makes it a must see for all divers.
WALLS:
There are numerous walls to choose from. Both drift and static wall dives are
offered.
CANYONS: Huge chasms drop thousands of meters, fringed by
extraordinary coral gardens.
CRITTERS: Found in all locations, however
we do offer special sites for encountering unusual marine species.
OTHERS:
Seamounts, fringing reefs, gutters, muck, and sandy locations are also found in
the archipelago.
SNORKELING: Komodo has one of the world's most famous
snorkel sites (Pink Beach). Also a number of other first class locations.
OTHER ACTIVITIES: Most of the archipelago is uninhabited. This means great
fishing, dragon walks, nature walks, hiking, beach-combing, early morning excursions
or day trips can be arranged from the vessel at your convenience. How
To Get There?
By daily flights from: Bali - Labuan Bajo/Komodo Airport
- Bali (each 1.5 hours). |
