Komodo Island
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Komodo National Marine Park
Komodo Dragons
Diving in Komodo
Diving conditions and current
Dive sites (open in new page)
How to get to Komodo
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Komodo National Marine Park
The Komodo National Park is formed by three big islands: Komodo Island, Rinca Island and Padar Island, plus a few other islands, total of 2,321 Km2 of protected land and sea. On 1986, Komodo National Park was declared World Heritage Site and Man and Biosphere Reserve by Unesco. Only in this area we can find the Komodo dragon, the largest species of living lizard in the world. An estimated total of 5,700 dragons that call this stunning part of Indonesia as their home.
Komodo Dragons
The Komodo dragon, also known as the Komodo monitor lizard, is the largest living species of lizard. The Komodo dragon can grow up to maximum length of 3 metres and weighing up to approximately 70-90 kilograms.
Fossils very similar to V. komodoensis have been found in Australia dating to greater than 3.8 million years ago, and its body size remained stable on Flores, one of the handful of Indonesian islands where it is currently found, over the last 900,000 years.
As a result of their size, these lizards dominate the ecosystems in which they live. Komodo dragons hunt and ambush prey including invertebrates, birds, and mammals. It has been claimed that they have a venomous bite; there are two glands in the lower jaw which secrete several toxic proteins. Komodo dragon group behaviour in hunting is exceptional in the reptile world. The diet of big Komodo dragons mainly consists of deer, though they also eat considerable amounts of carrion.
The Komodo dragon has a tail as long as its body, as well as about 60 frequently replaced, serrated teeth that can measure up to 2.5 cm in length. Its saliva is frequently blood-tinged, because its teeth are almost completely covered by gingival tissue that is naturally lacerated during feeding. It also has a long, yellow, deeply forked tongue. Komodo dragon skin is reinforced by armoured scales, which contain tiny bones called osteoderms that function as a sort of natural chain-mail. This rugged hide makes Komodo dragon skin poorly suited for making into leather.
Mating begins between May and August, and the eggs are laid in September. About 20 eggs are deposited in abandoned megapode nests or in a self-dug nesting hole. The eggs are incubated for seven to eight months, hatching in April. Young Komodo dragons are vulnerable and therefore dwell in trees, safe from predators and cannibalistic adults. They take 8 to 9 years to mature, and are estimated to live up to 30 years.
Diving in Komodo
Scuba Diving in the Komodo marine Park is possible all year round.
Scuba Diving around the Komodo islands is most divers dream! Great variety of fish with fantastic and untouched coral reefs. You see big fish hunting actions, and pelagic at every dive site.
You will also see numerous of whitetip and blacktip reef sharks. If you are lucky you can spot bigger sharks like the Greyreef shark and also Hammerhead shark has been seen.
You are also very likely to dive with the magnificent peaceful Manta ray. You can spot them all year round but the best time to see them is during the rainy season when you can sometimes spot them schooling around you.
Liveaboard diving is a terrific and unforgettable way of exploring Komodo.
Diving conditions and current
Best diving conditions is from March to October (March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October).
Best season to see a lot of Manta rays is during the rainy season from December to February (December, January, February).
Visibility is best from November to January
From January to March the sea can be a bit choppy but nothing bad
Northern marine environment of Komodo National Park:
- Average water temperature: 27 – 28 degrees C (80 – 82 F)(Recommend Min 3 mm Short Suit)
- Visibility: 25-35 meters +
Southern marine environment of the Komodo National Park:
- Average water temperature: 23-24 degrees C (73 – 75 F)(Recommend Min 3+ mm full length suit and hood.)
- Visibility:7 – 18 meters
Currents are can be very strong on most dive site depending on what time of the month. You will find the strongest current around full moon. It is a good idea to have some dive experience if you are planing on diving Komodo during this time. It is also recommended to have yoru advanced certification.
There are also some quieter dive spots for those beginners but you may miss the incredible action of big fishes swimming into the current.
The current can sometimes reach 8 knots in some places. It is driven by tides so choose your dive site wiht this in mind which you can plan depending on the conditions.
This current is due to the Komodo and Rinca island acting like a bottleneck between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. This current is why Komodo waters are so full of fish and so clear.
Tho you dive from a liveaboard you will always have boat support to pick you up it the current takes you.
For dive sites click here… (open in new page)
How to get to Komodo
By Air
The nearest town to Komodo is Labuan Bajo. You reach Labuan Bajo via flights from Bali (Denpasar) or Jakarta. There are several of airlines flying that rout every day. The best one is Garuda Air. Garuda is most expensive but also has the most luggage allowance.
Airlines are:
Garuda Air
Nam Air
Wing Air (normally delayed)
Many backpackers choose to go to magic rout via the Gili Islands. From here it is possible to either go on one of the slow boats like the Perama boat or take the land option.
- The Perama boat take you from Lombok to Labuan Bajo in 4 days/ 4 nights. It is actually a sold as a snorkel trip where you live on the boat together with other backpackers. This trip costs from 1.750.000IDR.
- Go Gili – Lombok – Sumbawa – Labuan Bajo 24hrs. Simple (but long) bus ride through Sumbawa and then ferry from Bima to Labuan Bajo. This trip costs from 500.000IDR.
Coming from South Sulawesi / Bira
- Go direct from Bira to Labuan Bajo or via Bima. This is a 24hrs boat journey across the Flores sea. It is a very cheap option, price from 125.000IDR. Mind the boats departs only every Tuesday from Bira.