Amare Divers Komodo

AMARE DIVERS KOMODO operates out of Labuan Bajo, providing access to the high-energy marine environments of the Komodo National Park. The centre focuses on personalised diving experiences, catering to those looking to explore the park via day excursions or more extensive liveaboard itineraries.

For those wanting to reach the more remote sites in the north and south of the park, the centre utilises its own vessel, the Maria Seascape. This allows for deeper exploration of the archipelago's most famous pinnacles and channels, far beyond the reach of standard day boats.

The team is led by co-founders with more than ten years of experience diving the Indonesian waters. This local expertise is central to their operation, particularly when navigating the complex tides and currents that define Komodo.

Operating as an SSI Certified Center, they maintain a strict professional standard with a maximum of four divers per guide. This small group size ensures that instruction and dive supervision remain attentive and safe, regardless of the site conditions.

Beyond technical instruction, the centre is involved in coral restoration programmes, reflecting a commitment to the local reef ecosystems. All communication and instruction are conducted in English.

The centre offers a comprehensive suite of SSI training programmes. Beginners can start with Try Scuba or work through the Open Water Diver certification to build their foundational skills.

For those looking to progress, they provide Advanced Diver and Rescue Diver courses, as well as Divemaster training. They also offer refresher courses for divers returning to the water after a break, ensuring your skills are sharp before heading into the currents.

The Maria Seascape is the centre's dedicated liveaboard, designed to accommodate a maximum of 10 guests. It features comfortable cabins for overnight stays and is equipped to handle multi-day itineraries of 2, 3, or 4 days.

On board, you will find full meal service, relaxation areas, showers, and toilets with flush systems. The vessel is set up to reach the more distant dive sites in both the northern and southern sectors of the park, providing a stable base for extended exploration.

The centre provides a complete range of equipment for hire, including wetsuits, regulators, and fins. All kit is kept in new condition to ensure reliability for every diver.

Nitrox is available for use, and the centre is equipped to support divers looking to extend their bottom times on multi-dive days. For those based in Labuan Bajo, the centre serves as a reliable hub for all your diving requirements.

The marine life in Komodo is defined by its massive schools of fish and frequent pelagic encounters. You will regularly see sharks, including Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus), and Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus), alongside large numbers of snappers (Lutjanus), jacks (Carangidae), and fusiliers (Caesio).

Large pelagics are a major draw, with sightings of hammerhead sharks, tuna (Thunnus), and various rays. Manta rays (Mobula alfredi) are frequently seen at Manta Point, particularly from December to May, while Manta Alley offers more unpredictable but larger group encounters in the stronger currents of the south.

For macro enthusiasts, the reef walls and sandy bottoms host an incredible array of life. Look for Ornate ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus), Pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti), and various Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani) species. You may also encounter the hairy frogfish, octopus (Octopus vulgaris), and various types of shrimp (Caridea) among the corals.

The reef structure itself is vibrant, composed of healthy hard corals and soft corals, including large gorgonian fans (Gorgoniidae) and various sponges (Porifera) that provide habitat for the diverse resident fish populations.

Currents are a defining characteristic of the Komodo National Park and can be very strong, particularly in the northern sites. The centre selects dive sites based on the prevailing tides to ensure the best possible experience for the group's skill level.

Seasonality plays a role in site selection; the dry season from April to November typically offers clearer water and stronger currents, which often brings more action. During the wetter months from December to March, increased plankton levels can lead to more frequent manta ray sightings, though visibility may be affected.