Dive Komodo

Located in Labuan Bajo, Dive Komodo has been a fixture of the local diving community for decades. Having explored these waters since 1981, the centre has established itself as a specialist in the unique and often challenging conditions of the Komodo National Park.

The centre operates as a PADI 5 Star facility, catering to divers looking for everything from introductory dives to advanced professional training. Whether you are joining a day trip or embarking on a multi-day liveaboard, you are diving with a team that understands the local tides and topography intimately.

As a PADI 5 Star centre, Dive Komodo maintains a high standard of professional instruction and safety. The team is experienced in managing the dynamic environments of the park, focusing on detailed briefings and thorough current assessments to ensure every dive is well-managed.

The centre provides a full range of PADI training, from the Discover Scuba Diving programme through to Divemaster qualifications. Instruction is conducted in English, making it accessible to a wide range of international divers.

Dive Komodo offers a comprehensive curriculum of PADI courses. Beginners can start with the Discover Scuba Diving programme or the PADI Open Water Course, with progression available through the PADI Advanced Open Water and Specialty courses.

For those looking to advance their technical skills or professional career, the centre provides PADI Rescue Diver, PADI Divemaster, and specialised training such as Deep Diver and Drift Diver. They also offer Emergency First Response (EFR) training.

The centre operates the Tatawa Liveaboard and the Elang Laut Bajo for multi-day expeditions. These vessels allow you to access the more remote corners of the park, staying on-site to maximise your time in the water.

Onboard the liveaboards, you will find meals provided including breakfast, lunch, snacks, fresh fruit, and tea and coffee. These trips are designed to cover a variety of sites, ranging from shallow reefs to high-energy drift dives.

The waters around Komodo are a magnet for large pelagics. You will frequently encounter Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus), and Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus). Larger visitors including hammerhead sharks, eagle rays (Aetobatus), and manta rays (Mobula alfredi) are part of the local ecosystem, with manta sightings peaking between July and October.

The reef itself is a riot of colour, dominated by hard corals, soft corals, giant gorgonians (Gorgoniidae), and massive barrel sponges (Porifera). Large schools of fish including fusiliers (Caesio), snappers (Lutjanus), and trevallies move through the water, often accompanied by Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) and giant trevally.

For those with an eye for detail, the macro life is exceptional. You can find Pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti), various nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), and diverse crustaceans including shrimp (Caridea) and crabs (Brachyura). Other notable creatures include the octopus (Octopus vulgaris), frogfish (Antennarius), and various species of scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae).

Currents are the defining feature of Komodo diving and can range from mild to extremely strong. These currents are often unpredictable and can change rapidly, making buoyancy control and situational awareness essential.

The north sites are known for their strong currents, while the central region offers more variable conditions. The southern part of the park generally experiences more moderate currents.