Bajo Dive Club

Located in Labuan Bajo, Bajo Dive Club serves as a gateway to the diverse marine ecosystems of Komodo National Park. The centre is positioned to provide access to the region's famous drift dives and vibrant reef systems, catering to both day divers and those seeking longer expeditions.

Operating with a focus on individual service, the club offers a range of diving styles. You can opt for daily trips to explore the local reefs or join a multi-day liveaboard to reach more remote sites across the archipelago.

The team at Bajo Dive Club is composed of experienced instructors capable of guiding you through various PADI certifications. The centre maintains a guide ratio of one instructor or guide for every four divers, ensuring close supervision during your dives.

Communication is straightforward for international visitors, as the staff is proficient in English, German, and Indonesian. This multilingual approach helps ensure that safety briefings and course instructions are clearly understood by all divers.

Bajo Dive Club is a PADI affiliated centre offering a comprehensive curriculum for all levels. Beginners can start with the Open Water Diver course, while more experienced divers can progress through Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster certifications.

Specialised training is also available to refine specific skills. You can enrol in courses such as PADI Deep Diver, Underwater Navigation, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and Drift Diver. For those interested in the technical or creative side of the sport, they offer Digital Photography and Night Diver specialties.

The centre operates liveaboard vessels designed for extended stays in the park. These boats feature four air-conditioned double bed cabins and shared western-style bathrooms and showers. On board, you will find a shaded relaxation zone with bean bags, a dining room, and a dedicated wet area for rinsing your kit.

Meals are provided on the liveaboards, including breakfast, freshly cooked lunch, and fruit. The service includes water, coffee, tea, and snacks, with free-flow coffee, tea, and water available throughout the trip. For those looking for a social atmosphere, the 'Hafenblick' bar and restaurant offers various food and drink options.

For those not travelling with their own equipment, the centre provides a full range of rental kit. This includes everything required to get you in the water, from regulators to wetsuits and fins.

On the liveaboard vessels, there are dedicated facilities to manage your gear, including a specific area for rinsing equipment after each dive to ensure it remains in good condition.

The waters of Komodo are renowned for large pelagics and diverse reef life. You can expect to encounter Manta ray (Mobula alfredi), various species of sharks including Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus), Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), and Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus). Schools of tuna, trevallies, and barracuda are common, alongside sightings of eagle ray (Aetobatus) and various sea turtles.

The reef structures themselves are highly productive, covered in a variety of hard corals, soft corals, and sea fans (Gorgoniidae). You will see plenty of colourful reef fish, including snappers (Lutjanus), surgeonfish (Acanthuridae), and various species of sweetlips (Plectorhinchus). Large groupers (Epinephelus) and Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) are also frequently spotted among the coral formations.

For those with an interest in macro life, the area offers significant variety. Look closely for nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses (Hippocampus bargibanti), and various species of shrimp and crabs. You may also encounter octopus (Octopus vulgaris), flamboyant cuttlefish, and various species of pipefish and scorpionfish tucked into the reef crevices.

Divers should be prepared for strong currents, which are a characteristic feature of the region and often define the 'Drift Adventure Dive' experience. These currents can be significant, making drift diving a primary way to experience the park's sites.