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Located 200 nautical miles east of Bali, the Komodo National Park is nestled between the large island of Sumbawa and Flores in Indonesia, all of which are part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Accepted under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme in January 1977, and officially declared a World Heritage Site in 1991, Komodo National Park encompasses 132,000 hectares of marine waters making it one of the largest protected zones in the world.
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Scuba diving in Komodo National Park is best done by liveaboard, which allows you to explore the area to its fullest.
The park and surrounding area boasts one of the world’s richest marine environments, with over 260 species of reef building coral, 70 species of sponge, marine worms, molluscs, echinoderms, crustaceans, over 1,000 species of cartilaginous and bony fish, marine reptiles, and marine mammals. Some notable marine species on this 10 night liveaboard itinerary include pygmy seahorses, anglerfish, nudibranchs, manta rays, dolphins, Napoleon wrasse and groupers.
As no visit to Komodo National Park would be complete without encountering the world-famous Komodo Dragons, our 10 night Komodo liveaboard itinerary also includes a land visit to observe these giant lizards in their natural habitat.
Following is a sample of dive sites we may visit during your time aboard Indo Master. Some locations may be excluded for any number of reasons, not least of which can be restrictions implemented at short notice by the National Park Authorities.
Gili Lawalaut
Currents sweep by this offshore pinnacle in Gili Lawa Laut where white-tip reef sharks and trevally can be seen corralling large numbers of neon fusiliers. Schools of surgeonfish swarm over the corals and large barrel sponges, while huge Napoleon wrasses may take an inquisitive look at the divers.
Crystal Rock
In the bay next to Castle Rock, this site comprises 2 pinnacles, both offering superb shark action. Eagle rays are frequent visitors and dolphins have been known to make an appearance. White-tip reef sharks are often found resting under table corals and common octopus put on superb displays allowing the cautious diver to approach. Currents are to be expected.
Shotgun!
Typically a fast-paced drift dive, we spend time in the coral garden with soft corals and sponges before reaching a deep ravine in the reef where schools of snapper are often found moving in ever tighter formations. From there, descend into the fish bowl where manta rays like to hang out, then enjoy the ride as the “shotgun” currents push you over the reef and through the channel to the waiting dinghies.
Komodo Island
Guests will have the opportunity to venture ashore on Komodo Island to take a guided walk with the rangers through “Komodo Dragon Territory”.
Manta Alley
Channels form in the rocky reef wall where we can watch graceful manta rays gliding in the current and being cleaned. They make it look so easy, however strong currents can persist at this site. Surgeonfish, triggerfish and schools of jacks can all be seen here too. Certainly, the mantas steal the show when they are in town, with up to 30 being seen, although groups of 5 or 6 are more common.
Pink Beach
A shallow sheltered reef that is perfect for a night dive with superb macro sightings from flamboyant cuttlefish, hairy frogfish, octopus and bobtail squid to the barely there skeleton shrimp, Pegasus sea moths, crocodile fish and snake eels.
Takat Makassar / Manta Point
The longest reef in Komodo National Park, Takat Makassar is one of the best locations for Manta Ray encounters. Strong currents bring plankton-rich water to the area which attracts large numbers of mantas who come to feed and visit the cleaning stations along the shallow, sandy-bottomed reef. Other marine life regularly seen here include turtles, sharks, eagle rays, giant trevallies, giant sweetlips, unicorn fish, huge clams, and cuttlefish.
Tattawa Besar
Boasting one of the healthiest, most stunning coral gardens in the Komodo archipelago, currents can sometimes be very strong making for an exhilarating, relatively shallow drift dive. The colourful reef, covered in hard and soft corals, stretches hundreds of metres and attracts a multitude of large and small creatures, including reef sharks, turtles, Napoleon wrasse and large numbers of schooling fish.
Batu Bolong
This little pinnacle to the east of Manta Point attracts an amazing amount of reef fish, but larger pelagic fish often stop by too. The corals are colourful and varied with hard coral formations and plenty of soft corals. Expect to see batfish, trevallies, green turtles and sweetlips.
Rinca Island
Wainilu
Considered one of the best ‘muck diving’ sites in the area, Wainilu is a sandy slope which plateaus at around 25 metres. First impressions may suggest that there is nothing to see but, for the eagle-eyed, and patient, an abundance of macro delights are waiting to be discovered. Mantis shrimps, frogfish, seahorses, pipefish, blue-ring and mimic octopus, a wide variety of nudibranchs and sea slugs, dragonets and even the elusive mandarin fish are just some of the wondrous creatures that are regularly found here.
Padar Bay
Tiga Dara / Three Sisters
This site is formed of 3 pinnacles very close to one another. Covered with soft corals, each pinnacle is a haven for macro creatures including frogfish and nudibranchs. The shallowest point is at 3m and is ideal for resting during safety stops.
Secret Garden
This sloping reef is a great spot for a relaxed sunset or night dive with plenty of crustaceans, molluscs and benthic fish.
Built in 2022, the 47m Indo Master liveaboard was built on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and is handcrafted from ironwood and teak (traditional to the area). You will find no other diving liveaboard as beautiful in Indonesian waters and, being built by divers for divers, you can be rest assured that every need has been thought of and addressed.
Welcoming a maximum of 18 guests per cruise ensures that there is ample space to relax. The 9 guest cabins consist of 4 fixed doubles, 4 fixed twins and 1 family suite (2 double beds), all with air-conditioning and private ensuite bathrooms with hot water.
The spacious air-conditioned saloon offers a great setting for your meals and dive briefings, a cocktail bar, comfortable seating, a charging station and a large flat-screen TV.
The dive deck has personal storage space for masks and other small equipment items and is likely to be one of the most spacious and comfortable you will have come across. Designated areas for charging and preparing camera and video equipment, as well as separate rinse tanks, make Indo Master a top choice for underwater photographers and videographers.
The vessel also benefits from 2 high-powered Zodiacs, kayaks, laundry and massage services.
Experience an unforgettable Scuba Adventure with Scuba Dive Adventures!
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, on a standard cabin. Upgrades are available.
The package includes 10 nights full board accommodation on vessel, internal transfers, all diving, single 12lt cylinder, lead weights, tea, coffee and water.
Please note that international flights, non-specified activities, and tips/gratuities are not included. Marine Park & Port Fees pyable onboard. Single supplement available at an additional cost.
Please be advised that all activities and launch times are subject to change due to local environmental conditions, and the order in which they are conducted may also change.
For more information or to book this fabulous Scuba Adventure, please contact the Scuba Dive Adventures team at 0113 4508606 or sales@scubadiveadventures.co.uk
What is the Komodo dragon?
Reaching up to 10 feet in length and more than 300 pounds, Komodo dragons are the heaviest lizards on Earth. They have long, flat heads with rounded snouts, scaly skin, bowed legs, and huge, muscular tails.
Habitat
Komodo dragons have thrived in the harsh climate of Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands for millions of years. They prefer the islands’ tropical forests but can be found across the islands. Though these athletic reptiles can walk up to seven miles per day, they prefer to stay close to home—rarely venturing far from the valleys in which they hatched.
Reproduction
Once a year, when they’re ready to mate, female Komodo dragons give off a scent in their feces for males to follow. When a male dragon locates a female, he scratches her back and llicks her body. If she licks him back, they mate. Males also sometimes wrestle one another to earn mating rights. Pregnant females then lay about 30 eggs, which they bury in the earth until they hatch eight months later.
When there aren’t any males around, female Komodo dragons have other means of reproducing: As they have both male and female sex chromosomes, female dragons can reproduce asexually in a process called parthenogenesis.
Diet
As the dominant predators on the handful of islands they inhabit, Komodo dragons will eat almost anything, including carrion, deer, pigs, smaller dragons, and even large water buffalo. When hunting, Komodo dragons rely on camouflage and patience, lying in wait for passing prey. When a victim ambles by, the dragon springs, using its sharp claws, and serrated, shark-like teeth to eviscerate its prey.
Feeding
The Komodo dragon has venom glands loaded with toxins that lower blood pressure, cause massive bleeding, prevent clotting, and induce shock. Dragons bite down with serrated teeth and pull back with powerful neck muscles, resulting in huge gaping wounds. The venom then quickens the loss of blood and sends the prey into shock.
Animals that escape the jaws of a Komodo will only feel lucky briefly. Dragons can calmly follow an escapee for miles as the venom takes effect, using their keen sense of smell to home in on the corpse. A dragon can eat a whopping 80 percent of its body weight in a single feeding.
Threats to survival
While asexual reproduction does allow female Komodo dragons to replenish their population—an evolutionary advantage—it has a significant drawback: This reproduction process only results in sons. The dearth of other females within a population has led to evidence of inbreeding. The reptile’s reluctance to stray far from home exacerbates the issue as the species’ population declines and fragments.
Humans have also posed a threat to the Komodo dragon’s survival. People have burned the Komodo dragon’s habitat to clear it for other uses, while poachers target this reptile and its prey. Tourists, too, offer food handouts and disrupt the dragons’ mating process—which led the government of Indonesia to consider a temporary closure of Komodo Island, one of several on which they’re found, to tourism. But tourists are also important to conservation efforts, as the economic boost they provide incentives to locals to help protect the Komodo dragon.
Conservation
In 1980, Indonesia established Komodo National Park to protect the Komodo dragon and its habitat. This 700-square-mile refuge is also home to species such as the orange-footed scrub fowl and Timor deer, as well as a rich marine environment supporting whales, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, corals, sponges, manta rays, and more than a thousand species of fish. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, Komodo National Park has established patrols to prevent poaching. It also works with local communities to build awareness of the species and the importance of protecting it.
Liveaboard diving is widely regarded as the ultimate way to experience an unforgettable diving vacation. For many seasoned divers, this type of adventure is essential for exploring remote destinations, such as Costa Rica’s Cocos Islands or The Galapagos Islands. Liveaboard charters offer the unique opportunity to explore vast areas and dive different parts of a country, such as the Maldives or Raja Ampat.
A liveaboard is a purpose-built scuba diving vessel or an existing boat that has been adapted to cater to divers. These trips typically last longer than one night, with the average duration being 7 nights. Liveaboard boats can host between 12 and 30 divers, although smaller and larger vessels are also available. Most liveaboard packages include diving, food, and drinks.
