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

Blue Manta Liveaboardhttps://media.divebooker.com/media/images/h128/1586351535d13faba9249e4fc5be57ded2ada07303.jpgBlue Manta LiveaboardWhite Manta (Indonesia), 3 reviews
10

Perfect Trip: World Class Service

This was my first liveaboard and I wasn’t sure about what to expect. From the moment I was picked up at the hotel in Labuan Bajo I was impressed. The Blue Manta is a large, comfortable boat. My cabin was nicer than the two different cruise ships I’ve been on, with a full bathroom, plenty of space for clothing and lots of outlets—even USB ports. Didn’t need to use the outlets, though, as a fully equipped camera room had plenty of outlets for battery recharging. The dive deck is exceptional—each diver has their own station for the week and gear is returned there after each dive. Nitrox fills were great and divers analyzed each tank before diving. The diving was wonderful—diving with mantas was magical. The end of each dive was also a treat—step off the speedboat onto the dive platform to one of six hot showers. Crew help divers take off their wet suits (even pulling off booties and socks) and while divers shower, crew rinse and hang wetsuits and gear and have everything back at your diving station for your next dive. Fresh towel is ready at the end of every dive as well as hot tea or hot chocolate. As if that wasn’t enough, the food was exceptional —special requests (like vegan) were easily catered too with tasty options. The boat does travel to some remote areas so Internet access via onboard Wi-Fi and cellular service were not always reliable—that was the only challenge: having to wait to upload pictures and videos for friends at home to see. Overall a great experience. I would definitely recommend Blue Manta to others considering a trip to one of the areas they serve.
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Pavlescak Rik2022-06-12
Empress Liveaboardhttps://media.divebooker.com/media/images/h128/1491984713a388a54acb77f5f39c3dedabcc5c72d4.jpgEmpress LiveaboardScuba Froggy, 5 reviews
5.5

Noisey, dirty, cramped.

Do not rent the single cabin. The noise level could potentially cause permanent hearing loss. I tried to sleep on deck when possible. This was impossible in the rain. There was really no where else to go. Four bunks mid deck were either taken by other passengers or the crew! Only one toilet for passengers and crew. This boat was not designed to be a dive liveaboard. I have been on a dozen liveaboards of all stripes and this was by far the worst. The crew, cook, divemasters and captain were fine. The diving was good and we did several beach trips, which was great. It was so nice to get off this boat. Now you know.
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Wenc Steven2020-03-19

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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