Freediving in Komodoe

Diving at Komodo attracts tourists from all over the world. This island, located in the center of Indonesia, is famous for the diversity of flora and fauna of the underwater world. Its main attraction is the huge monitor lizards inhabiting the island, but diving on Komodo is also very popular here. Therefore, every lover of the beauty of the underwater world would like to see at least one diving center on Komodo, but on the islands themselves there is simply no such thing. This land is distinguished by the absolute absence of civilization. That is why everything you need for relaxation and diving is available on the nearby island of Flores.

Among them, COMODO stands out especially, which, along with other land areas, is part of the national nature conservation park of the same name, which occupies not only 600 square kilometers of land, but also a significant part of the coastal waters, in which slightly less than half of the species of ocean inhabitants live. But the most important thing is that today the descendants of prehistoric lizards live on Komodo - huge monitor lizards who appeared here about 200 million years ago, in the Jurassic period.

A little help. On the island of Komodo, tourists do not stop, everyone lives in neighboring Flores, where the town (we would say the village) of Labuan Bajo is located, from the port of which yachts depart for a diving safari or daily. Dive near the large and small islands scattered around. All dives from the boat.

So, the Indonesian island from the Small Sunda Islands group is Flores, where we all stopped for our daily diving in Komodo National Park. The very name of the island of Flores ("Cape of Flowers") draws in his thoughts a blossoming paradise on earth, untouched by man the pristine nature and beauty of the Earth. Its area is 13 540 km and approximately 1.8 million people live in 8 districts. The length of the island is 425 km. Flores' western major neighbor is Sumbawa, closer to the smaller islands of Komodo and Rinka. To the south is the island of Sumba. In the east is the island of Timor. To the north of the island is the Flores Sea. Large cities: Maumere, Ende, Badzhava, Ruteng, Labuan Badzho.

A small town (but in fact it is a fishing village) on the western tip of the island of Flores - Labuan Bajo - completely dispelled our thoughts about a blossoming paradise. This is a rather dirty port city in which there is one right-hand street with a completely broken road and no sidewalk. But there are good restaurants of the “local spill”, where you can order fresh fish dishes (I really liked the barracuda, tuna, grouper, squid). A large selection of dive centers with their own dive bots. Many come here on their own, are located near the port in low-cost hotels to go diving with a guide every morning.

The islands of Komodo, Flores and Rinka are located in a unique place, on the border of two oceans. Experts say that the water area of the National Park is the only place near the equator where flora and fauna exchange between the Pacific and Indian oceans. In addition, the path of annual migrations of more than 14 species of whales and dolphins runs through the straits between the islands. These facts play a large role in the formation of the underwater world of these islands. The tremendous value of this ecosystem was recognized in 1986 when Komodo National Park was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

We have never seen such a variety of fish, corals, polyps. Already seen a lot of amazing places, we could not hide the delight from what we saw. The islands are surrounded by coral reefs, striking in a variety of shapes and colors: branches of corals and gorgonaria fans, thickets of soft corals and sea anemones, multi-colored sea lilies (from bright yellow and green to dark red and black).

There are many invertebrates at the bottom and among corals: sea urchins, on which the back of our video operator and part-time director of the dive center strove to get; bright nudibranch mollusks, which Lamontin proudly demonstrated to us on every dive, I apologize - Sardin; starfish, as you know, “falling by themselves” on our heads, balloons, and even “crawling” under the belts of balloons, octopuses and cuttlefish, for some reason not accustomed to a photo shoot, and they had to be taught this offhand; holothurians (egg capsules or cucumbers) and ophiura (serpent tail). Flocks of barracudas, tuna, reef sharks were found near the steep walls of reefs.

There are about 50 dive sites in Komodo National Park, the diving conditions on which are extremely diverse. The only type of dive you can not do here is wreck diving. In everything else, you can have complete freedom of choice: in the places of immersion there are grottoes and caves for fans of cave diving, coral gardens and magnificent in their beauty vertical reef walls for lovers of underwater photography. You can dive both in bays with calm water and in strong currents.

But they would not advise inexperienced novice divers to visit these places. This is primarily due to the rather difficult conditions of immersion: strong currents, upwelling (ascending deep currents), difficult conditions on the surface. The collision of the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean and the colder - the Indian - creates unpredictable local currents and whirlpools. Under these conditions, thermoclines are formed - sudden changes in temperature.

Accommodation

Most tourists who want to dive near Komodo live in Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores. The city provides a pretty good selection of hotels both elite and more affordable. There are several diving centers.

One of the best five-star hotels is Seraya Hotel and Resort. The rooms have a minibar, air conditioning, an electric kettle, a safety deposit box and a desk. It also has a shower, clean towels and linen. The price per room on average is from 17,000 rubles. up to 50 000 rub. per day.

Among the divers on Komodo, the Plataran Komodo Beach Resort, which has 5 stars, is no less popular. Its territory includes 8 separate cottages with air conditioning and a private terrace. The cottages include a minibar, safe, fridge, shower and bath. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant and bar. The price per night in a cottage varies from 23,000 rubles. up to 30 000 rub. per day.

Two-star and three-star hotels offer rooms at an average price of 3000 rubles. per day. In hotels with one star, the price per room ranges from 1000 to 2000 rubles.

In addition, here you can stay in specially equipped residential complexes. For example, Bajo View provides its guests with comfortable tents with two mattresses and a mosquito net. There is a shared shower and free Wi-Fi. Restaurants and cafes are located nearby. The cost of living here is from 400 to 500 rubles. per day.

Diving Center

The Freedive Nusa Center, founded by Russian travellers, offers a wide selection of diving sites. Equipment rental and training by experienced instructors with the issuance of a certificate is also possible here.

In general, the city of Labuan Bajo is well developed and is a kind of center of local importance. A variety of diving clubs and a good selection of hotels of different price categories will please anyone who wants to dive into the ocean waters.

Popular diving spots near the island

South Komodo

Top diving sites along the southern coast of the Komodo area are located in Manta Ale, located in the southwest of Komodo called Toro Langra; Diving in this place gives you the opportunity to have a great wide view, since the topography of the island is such that it is turned “facing” the Indian Ocean. Three rocks between the deep gulf are all full of colorful, coral garden, leather coral, sharks, the number of large fish: tuna, Napoleon, baracuda, and many other fish. Continuing west, the island is called RINCA and Nusa Kode, probably the most famous place for diving in Komodo, is a place called “Cannibal Rock,” every centimeter of this 3-meter high stone tower located in a deep bay between the two islands is covered fantastic representatives of the animal and plant world, coral thickets. A real home for real sea monsters. Around this bay there are many other diving sites that can satisfy the most demanding diver.

Gili Lawa Island

Gili lawa is located on the north coast of Komodo Island. The underwater world in this place for diving is very beautiful. In each part of the reef you will find the best representatives of the underwater animal and plant. This area is known as the place where the pygmy tribe was first discovered. It is also a great place for panoramic views for large fish such as sharks, groupers, as well as octopuses, manta rays, and many others that often swim around divers during each dive.

The bay next to the white sandy shore is also a great vacation for tourists, since the crystal clear small sea reefs in the bay provide an opportunity for great relaxation and entertainment for vacationers who are not diving. During night diving, you can also see many attractive inhabitants of the underwater world, a large number of varieties of various crabs and shrimps .. We could also go on a diving hunt for Mandarin fish in the bay, where it can often be found. This is another exciting diving option.

Banta Island

The island is located in the northern part between the east and northwest of Komodo Island. It is also a favorite place for diving, rich in underwater life, such as hard and soft corals, sponges, big tuna, sharks, manta rays, they can often be found here. Another good place to dive around the island is the GPS point. This rock rises from a depth of seven meters below the surface of the water, and to find this area for diving, we need either a GPS device or an experienced guide. Night dives are also very beautiful, starting with the fine white sand of the bottom with lots of amazing monsters such as leaf-shaped scorpion fish, ornamental ghost fish, octopuses, and many others.

Sangeang Island

This hilly island, located north of the eastern large island of Sumbawa, two and a half hours from the port of Bima, is a grassy island that looks very green in the rainy season and is like a desert in the summer. According to our underwater exploration for the whole year, according to a wonderful weather forecast, diving around the island is magnificent. Some of the diving sites are accessible to all levels.

Pros and cons of diving in this area

This island is rightfully considered one of the most favorite places for divers. One of its undoubted advantages is the availability of dives for both experienced divers and beginner explorers of the deep sea. In addition, diving trips can be made almost all year round. Only the windy weather of July and August can cause some inconvenience. And the diversity of the sea landscape and nature representatives of the oceanic depths will amaze everyone who decides to turn their eyes to Indonesia and visit the shores of this amazing place.

Before traveling it will be useful to know:

Take repellents, insect bites, and antihistamines. Insects like mosquitoes or midges like to “chew” our lower limbs, usually open. Places of bites do not heal for a long time and cause irritation if not treated;
from shoes only comfortable slates are needed here, in which you can enter the water. Light clothing is recommended, covering all arms and, if possible, legs. Save all your fashionable shoes and outfits for other resort towns;
mandatory sunblock;
if you have an excursion, take a lot of water with you and always a hat;
in Labuan Bajo, all medical care is antibiotics, so grab them just in case with you, and, accordingly, all the necessary first-aid kit and do not ignore some part of it with you on the boat;
for those who can not do without bread - there is no bread here, it is replaced by rice. We took Borodinsky with us, stored in a minibar, and also sausage, bacon and our other “goodies”;
do not leave your personal belongings, especially in transport, they are unlikely to be returned to you;
If you decide to ride a bike, be sure to wear a helmet, otherwise problems with the police may arise.

You can dive at Komodo year-round. But bear in mind that here, as in the rest of Indonesia, there are 2 seasons: rainy (November / December - February) and dry (March - October / November).

The best time for diving on Komodo is from March to October. Along with this, the time from December to February is the best to see the mantle.

Komodo is also famous for its currents, which can be strong. The currents should be taken seriously and always follow the instructions of your dive guide. Currents are the reason why Komodo's waters are so clear and rich in fish.

Komodo is washed from the north by the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, and from the south by the cold water masses of the Indian Ocean. Collision of ocean masses leads to strong currents and whirlpools.

Depths for diving: 5–40 meters, which will suit both professionals and beginners.
Water temperature: surface layers + 20º ... + 24º C (at a depth of 30 meters it drops to + 10º C).
Air temperature: + 25º ... + 29º C.
Visibility in November – December: 5–30 meters (in January – March, sea waves increase in the northern regions, which leads to poor visibility; in July – August, sea waves are moderate in the southern regions).
Currents: strong currents (individually for each dive area).
Bottom structure: corals, sand.
The presence of thermal wedges and depths: found at depths of 10 meters or more.
Diving season: year-round.
Off-season for diving: no