The Komodo National Park is made up of the Komodo Island as well as many small and medium sized islands including Rinja, Padar,Tatawa and Sabayor. The water surrounding these islands abounds with marine life,make it ideal for diving. Strong currents surge between the islands on a daily basis. These currents bring with them the rich nutrients vital to this thriving marine eco system.
These currents can make diving “tricky” but for more experienced divers, exciting and great fun. There are dive sites suitable for all levels of diver, from experienced open water diver and above. However there is no doubt that the largest shoals, the biggest fish, the most sharks and generally the most exhilarating dives are where the currents are at the strongest. Therefore I would suggest to get the best out of the area; the diving is not for newly qualified or inexperienced divers or for divers who are not capable of a bit of hard fining on some occasions.
So what’s the diving like? Many of the dive sites such as Castle Rock, Crystal Boomi, Batu Bolong, the Cauldron and the passage are truly “world class” dives, when dived under the right conditions. Other sites rate as excellent diving.
During our dives we have encountered amazing marine life, large amounts of white tip reef sharks and grey reef sharks. Large shoals of jacks, snapper, surgeon fish, giant trevally and fusiliers. Large groupers can be seen on most dives and we have lately been encountering some of the biggest Napolean wrasse in years. Diving with manta rays within the komodo national park is a common occurrence as well as turtles and eagle rays.
The corals here are spectacular and the reefs in many cases can be considered “pristine”. Completely alive with all the usual reef dwelling creatures. Some sites offer excellent “macro” life, with the possibility of seeing sea horses, frog fish, scorpion leaf fish and a large variety of nudibranches.
From April to November the surface water conditions are best and on many days, flat and completely calm. Visibility is great, anything from 15 – 40 meters. Water temperature varies from 27 – 31 degrees C, depending on the tide.In October and November Duyung Baru offers special MACRO CRUISES to south (Nusa Kode)here the water Temperature could be less then 24 degrees ( 5 mm Wetsuit ).
All other cruises a 3mm wet-suit is enough.
For maximum comfort in the water we would suggest that you wear a quality 3mm thick wetsuit. Wetsuit boots and open heeled fins are also preferable. We would also recommended you bring a reef hook, D.S.M.B., whistle, torch and all the usual extra accessories for diving in remote locations.
All of our dives will be guided by the knowledgeable, experienced and enthusiastic PADI Dive-instructor, ably assisted by his boatman and Komodo currents “guru”, Merajap, who has been navigating these waters since he was a child. He seems to be able to read the oceans like a book.
The diving takes place from a 6 meter long aluminum boat powered by a 40 hp outboard, the tender is equipped with a VHF radio communication system and all the recommended safety equipment. The speedboat journey times from the Duyung out to the dive sites take between 10 – 20 minutes. Whilst the divers are out diving, the Duyung anchors up in a calm secluded bay, so non divers can relax in a peaceful and tranquil environment. Up to 3 guided dives per day are offered and with conditions permitting a self guided night dive can be taken.
The Duyung operates from Labuan Bajo, the garden city on the island of Flores, which can be reached by a one hour flight from Bali (or a four day boat journey from Lombok.
Your time on the Duyung and diving in the Komodo National Park will be wonderful. It is truly up there, if not THE best diving in the world!
