Komodo Liveaboards

Natural Marine Park and World Heritage Site, Komodo has been also rated as a "New 7 Wonders of the World". Komodo Liveaboard diving is all about diversity! Located in between the Indian and the Pacific Oceans together with the Flores Sea, Komodo National Park features two completely different marine environments. From large pelagics to tiny macro creatures underwater, these islands also represent high interest with their endemic land inhabitants.

Reviews about Komodo Liveaboards

Empress Liveaboardhttps://media.divebooker.com/media/images/h128/1491984713a388a54acb77f5f39c3dedabcc5c72d4.jpgEmpress LiveaboardScuba Froggy, 4 reviews
7.75

First Liveaboard Experience

The boat was the perfect size for the 10 guests and crew onboard, the food was excellent, and we dived 13 different sites, which was great. However one of the guides always differed from the briefed dive plan. This would been fine, but there were some people in the group with much less experience, and when we were led into strong currents and close to strong down currents with no safe place to hook on, this ruined some dives. It is great that some people enjoyed these dives, they were helped by the dive master to hook on at the front of the group, but for the rest of us in the group it felt unsafe and at times like I was leading some of the less experienced members rather than getting to enjoy the dive holiday I had paid for - such a shame as the rest of the crew and trip were really good. This boat would really benefit from somewhere safe to store cameras between dives.
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2019-08-17

Questions and Answers

Why go diving on liveaboard in Komodo

The Komodo National Park is one of the richest and most diverse marine environments not just in Indonesia, but in the whole world. It encompasses over a thousand species of fish and 250 species of corals. The park is divided by divers into its northern and southern parts due to the distinctly different marine environments and their inhabitants. The north is famous for more luxury liveaboard Komodo itineraries due to the warmer water and better visibility, while the south is the home for large pelagic creatures, such as whales sharks, dugongs, and Manta rays.

Most itineraries here are regularly of 7 nights (8 days) long, yet many offers also come for 12 nights (11 days)  tours. Shorter trips 3-4  nights (4-5 days) are also popular in Komodo. On average you can make 3-4 dives per day, however Aggressor fleet offers a possibility of up to 5 dives per day.

 

Best itineraries and Diving Season

All offers for both luxury Komodo liveaboard and low budget Komodo liveaboard are based on two itineraries, namely North Komodo and South Komodo. Depending on the season, you may also find routes created for closer encounters with whales, sharks, the Sun fish, and Manta rays.

North Komodo

If you love warm water, then North Komodo itineraries are just what you wanted! The average water temperature here is between 27-28℃ (80-82℉), so a short-sleeved 3 mm suit would be absolutely enough here. The visibility is also better in the north than in the south and reaches 25-35 m (82-115 ft). The sea life is typical here for most tropical seas: colorful combinations of hard and soft corals, large schools of Anthias, the amazing Angel Fish, reef sharks and Giant Trevally.

South Komodo 

South Komodo is well-known for its cooler waters; the average temperature here is between 22-24℃ (71-75℉). For itineraries in this region full length suits with hoods are recommended. The visibility here is between 7-18 m (23-60 ft). The waters in the south are rich with plankton coming from the depth of the Indian Ocean. Due to the currents and plankton the underwater life is flourishing here at all times. You can find soft corals, large branching corals, and fans in plenty. The South is famous for its Makassar Reef & Manta Alley where Manta rays and Mola Mola can be spotted with the highest probability. Rinca Island is the best place to meet with the Komodo Dragons.

Diving Seasons and Conditions 
Diving conditions on Komodo Islands depend on the time of the year you get here. Dry season lasts from April and up till November; rainy season starts at the end of November and lasts until March. The highest season for Komodo liveaboard diving is between July and August, so if you’d like to avoid fuss and crowds, choose your dates wisely. In case you are interested in seeing the specialties of Komodo, then you need to be more picky. While Mantas can be seen here all year round, the peak of their activity is between December and February. Don’t be afraid of the wet season because generally even if it rains it happens when you are under the water. Mola Mola fish is mostly seen in August around Nusa Penida dive site. Whales and sharks can also be found all year round, yet September through November are considered the best months for whale sharks and sperm whales. The water temperature in Komodo region is generally between 20-25℃ (68-77℉) in the south and 25-28℃ (77-83℉) in the north. The visibility is also always high, but it gets over 30 m (98 ft) between November and January when the water cools down and the season drops a little.

Komodo liveaboards: read before you go

Upon arrival to Indonesia you will receive a free visa for 30 days, in case you plan to stay for longer time, make sure to get a Visa upon Arrival which costs $35 per month and can be extended later. In case you get a regular visa and stay longer than 30 days in Komodo, you’ll have to pay the fine of around $74. There is also an airport tax applicable for all passengers at check in. It must be paid in local currency, so make sure you have some. The Bali Airport Domestic Tax (DPS) is 40,000 Rupiahs (around $3); Bali Airport International Tax is 200,000 Rupiahs (around $15).

Remember to include special diving-related fees into your Komodo liveaboard budget: every guest must pay a park or a port fee which equals $150 for Komodo National Park, $180 for Forgotten Islands, and $180 Wakatobi. Besides the fees, take some extra money for crew tips that are paid at the end of your tour.

In terms of scuba gear, underwater computers are mandatory for each guest. Locals also advise taking reef hooks for some dive spots and signaling buoys for personal safety. The suit can be up to 5 mm, however 3 mm (full suit for south itineraries and short sleeve for north itineraries) is a recommended option.

 

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