Archipelago Dive Reserve

Located in Manggarai Barat, Archipelago Dive Reserve serves as the dedicated diving arm of Sundari Voyages. The operation is built around exploring the diverse marine ecosystems of the Komodo National Park, moving between the different islands to find the best conditions for each dive.

The centre is locally owned and managed, ensuring that the team possesses an intimate, first-hand understanding of the local waters and the complex current patterns that define this region. The management team remains on board during every voyage to provide personal supervision and ensure operational standards are met.

The crew is composed of a cruise director, a dive instructor, two divemasters, and eight crew members. To capture the experience, an internal photographer and videographer is also part of the team. Safety is managed through a strict ratio, with a maximum of four divers per guide, and detailed briefings are conducted before every descent.

The centre is an SSI affiliated dive centre offering a range of training from specialty adventures to advanced certifications. You can undertake the SSI Advanced Adventurer Course or participate in individual Adventure Dives, including Navigation, Buoyancy, and Currents.

For those looking to deepen their skills, the Adventure Deep Dive and Adventure Night Dive modules are available. If you have not been diving for over a year, a Scuba Refresh is included to ensure you are comfortable before heading out. The team also provides Fish ID training to help you identify the local species.

The Sundari Voyages is a 34-metre wooden phinisi, launched in 2025, specifically designed for diving and leisure cruising. It can accommodate up to 12 divers on shared trips, with the capacity to take up to 16 non-divers on private charters. The vessel is powered by Mitsubishi 6D22 and 6D15/185 PS engines, providing reliable transit between sites.

On board, you will find eight air-conditioned cabins with sea views, each featuring a private en-suite bathroom with a hot shower. The boat includes a dedicated dive deck equipped with a camera table, rinsing tanks, and freshwater showers. For those looking to stay connected, Starlink WiFi is available on board. The vessel also facilitates night dives and provides full meals three times a day, including BBQ dinners, with snacks provided after diving.

Full rental kit is available for those not bringing their own, including BCDs, regulators, masks, fins, booties, and weight belts. For divers requiring more volume, 15-litre cylinders can be provided if needed. The centre also provides towels for both bath and saltwater use, along with daily housekeeping services for those on board.

The waters of Komodo are famous for large schools of fish and significant pelagic presence. You can expect to encounter reef sharks (Carcharhinus), turtles, and various species of soft and hard corals across the reefs. During the months of December to March, the area becomes a prime location for seeing Manta rays.

Macro life enthusiasts will find plenty to observe among the reef structures, including Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), Cuttlefish (Sepiidae), and Frogfish (Antennarius).

The biodiversity is supported by a healthy ecosystem of corals and sponges that provide habitat for a wide array of marine life, from small crustaceans to larger predatory fish.

Komodo is renowned for its strong currents, which require experienced handling. The dive guides are specifically trained to manage these conditions, and dive sites are selected based on the prevailing tides and current strength to ensure safety.

During the wet season from December to March, the surface can be somewhat choppy for approximately one hour after departing the port due to exposure to the open sea and westerly winds, though the phinisi remains stable. The dry season from April to November offers more settled conditions for the centre and the northern parts of the park.