Question 1

What is the best month to dive Komodo National Park from Labuan Bajo?

Accepted Answer

April to November is the prime diving window from Labuan Bajo, and June through October is most often cited for the calmest seas and 20–30 m visibility. Northern and central sites such as Castle Rock and Batu Bolong perform best across this dry-season stretch, crossings are more predictable, and day boats keep to schedule more reliably. Conditions still shift daily with tide and moon phase, so the final site order is set the evening before.

Question 2

When is peak manta ray season at Manta Point and Mawan?

Accepted Answer

Manta encounters peak roughly November to April at Karang Makassar (Manta Point) and Mawan, with December to March described by most operators as the absolute high point. Plankton-rich, slightly greener water draws reef mantas to cleaning stations and feeding lines. Sightings still happen outside those months because these mantas are largely resident rather than migratory, but density drops noticeably between June and September.

Question 3

Is January too rainy or rough to dive Komodo?

Accepted Answer

January sits in the wet season with choppier seas and more rain, yet diving operates normally and the month falls inside peak manta season. Boats favour sheltered central and southern sites and adjust departure times around tide and wind. Expect an occasional cancelled crossing to the far northern pinnacles rather than a lost trip. Motion-sensitive travellers should choose larger vessels and carry preventive medication.

Question 4

Is August a good time to dive Batu Bolong and Castle Rock?

Accepted Answer

August falls in the dry season and is prime for central and northern sites including Batu Bolong and Castle Rock. Visibility in the north commonly reaches 20–30 m and surface conditions are usually settled. The trade-off is crowding: July and August are the busiest months in Komodo National Park, so popular pinnacles can hold several boats at once. Book dive days several weeks ahead for these months.

Question 5

Which months balance manta encounters with clear visibility?

Accepted Answer

Transitional months — roughly March to April and September to November — give the best balance of manta activity and clear water. Plankton levels drop enough to lift visibility while mantas still visit cleaning stations regularly. November in particular is promoted by local operators for warm water, 30 m-plus visibility in the north, and moderate crowd levels compared with the July–August rush.

Question 6

What are water temperatures like in Komodo by month?

Accepted Answer

Northern and central Komodo sites typically sit at 27–29°C through most of the year, while southern sites such as Manta Alley and Cannibal Rock can drop toward 22–25°C. The southern chill is strongest around July to September, when Indian Ocean upwelling pushes cold water into Horseshoe Bay. A 3 mm wetsuit suits the north and centre; 5 mm or a hooded vest is sensible for southern legs.

Question 7

How much does visibility change between the dry and rainy seasons?

Accepted Answer

Dry-season visibility reaches 20–30 m at many northern sites, while rainy-season and southern dives more often run 10–20 m. Central sites such as Karang Makassar typically sit at 15–25 m and can drop further when plankton blooms arrive. Greener water is a trade rather than a fault: the same plankton that reduces clarity is what concentrates filter feeders like reef mantas.

Question 8

Does the full moon make currents too strong for safe diving?

Accepted Answer

Currents run strongest around full and new moon, when tidal exchange between the Flores Sea and Indian Ocean sides of the park is largest. Guides often schedule the most demanding pinnacles for days roughly halfway between lunar extremes and time entries near slack. Spring tides can rule out channel sites such as The Cauldron on certain phases, so site order is decided on the day.

Question 9

Is October a good compromise month for fewer crowds?

Accepted Answer

October is widely recommended as a sweet spot: good visibility, warm water in the north and central park, and noticeably fewer visitors than July and August. Sea conditions still belong to the dry season while peak-season pressure on boat space eases. Manta numbers also begin rising again toward the end of the month as the wet season approaches from the south.

Question 10

Is Komodo diving really year-round, or are there months to avoid?

Accepted Answer

Diving runs year-round in Komodo National Park; what changes is which part of the park works best. April to November favours the north and centre, while December to March shifts focus toward central and southern manta grounds. Mid-wet-season weeks around January and February bring the roughest surface conditions, and itineraries are adjusted rather than cancelled outright. No month is a complete write-off.

Question 11

What are the must-do dive sites if I only have three days?

Accepted Answer

A three-day highlight route from Labuan Bajo usually covers Batu Bolong, Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, Karang Makassar (Manta Point), Siaba Besar and — tide permitting — The Cauldron/Shotgun. That mix gives you a current-swept pinnacle, a manta cleaning station, a calm turtle reef and a channel drift. The exact order depends on tide tables, weather and the certification level of everyone aboard.

Question 12

Is Batu Bolong suitable for intermediate divers?

Accepted Answer

Batu Bolong is a compact pinnacle running roughly 5–35 m with medium to strong swirling current and occasional down-currents on its edges. Operators generally require Advanced Open Water, prior drift experience and reliable buoyancy before booking it. Fish density is among the highest in Indonesia — anthias, fusiliers, surgeonfish, reef sharks and turtles over intact hard coral. Some operators prohibit snorkelling here entirely for safety reasons.

Question 13

Where do beginner-friendly day boats from Labuan Bajo go?

Accepted Answer

Beginner day trips focus on sheltered reefs such as Siaba Besar, Pengah and the easy sections of Karang Makassar. Siaba Besar runs about 5–18 m, is usually calm, holds a high turtle density and serves as the standard check-dive site for newly certified divers. Sebayur and similar coral gardens are substituted when the tide makes the central channels lively.

Question 14

Are Castle Rock and Crystal Rock too advanced with 20 logged dives?

Accepted Answer

Castle Rock and Crystal Rock are current-swept seamounts at roughly 15–40 m and 5–35 m, dived with negative entries and sometimes reef hooks. Most operators ask for Advanced Open Water plus 20–50 logged dives with genuine current experience. With exactly 20 dives you may be accepted on a slack-tide, settled day, or redirected to gentler reefs — the guide makes that call after watching a check dive.

Question 15

Which Komodo sites are best if I only want manta rays?

Accepted Answer

Karang Makassar (Manta Point), Mawan and Manta Alley are the three classic manta stations in Komodo National Park. Karang Makassar is a shallow rubble-and-sand reef at roughly 8–18 m with gentle to moderate drift, making it the most accessible to Open Water divers and snorkellers. Mawan sits in the central park; Manta Alley lies far south and carries more surge and colder water.

Question 16

How far are the main dive sites from Labuan Bajo harbour?

Accepted Answer

Central Komodo dive sites sit roughly 1.5–2.5 hours from Labuan Bajo harbour by speedboat, while far northern and southern sites can take three hours or more each way. That travel time is why day trips concentrate on the central park and why liveaboards are the practical route to Gili Lawa, Gili Banta and Horseshoe Bay. Day boats typically leave the jetty shortly after dawn.

Question 17

Are there wreck dives in Komodo National Park?

Accepted Answer

Komodo National Park has no famous large wreck comparable to Bali's Tulamben, and local wreck options are limited and operator-specific. The park's draw is topography and biomass: pinnacles, channels, coral gardens, muck sites and manta stations. Divers who want wreck penetration usually add a separate Bali leg to the itinerary. Ask your operator directly rather than assuming a wreck appears on the schedule.

Question 18

Which sites are best for photographing huge schools of fish?

Accepted Answer

Batu Bolong, Castle Rock, Crystal Rock and the current-swept channels around Gili Lawa are the standard choices for schooling fish and pelagic action. Expect trevallies, rainbow runners, fusiliers, sweetlips, and white-tip or grey reef sharks. These are also the strongest-current sites in the park, so a compact rig and confident one-handed camera control matter far more than ambitious lens choices.

Question 19

Are snorkelling stops included on the same itineraries as diving?

Accepted Answer

Many Labuan Bajo day trips combine diving with snorkelling stops at Pink Beach, Siaba Besar and the shallow sections near Karang Makassar, which suits mixed groups where not everyone dives. Batu Bolong is a common exception, since several operators ban snorkelling there because of current. Confirm the snorkel plan when booking so non-diving companions are not left sitting on the boat.

Question 20

Will a liveaboard cover both north and south Komodo in one trip?

Accepted Answer

A typical four to seven-night Komodo liveaboard aims to cover central sites, the northern pinnacles around Gili Lawa, and at least some southern manta or macro grounds, weather permitting. Southern legs such as Horseshoe Bay and Manta Alley are the first to be dropped when wind builds. Boats generally schedule three to four dives per day, including night dives when conditions allow.

Question 21

How strong are the currents in Komodo really?

Accepted Answer

Currents at marquee Komodo sites can reach strong drift conditions, with reports of up to 5–7 knots at pinnacles such as Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, The Cauldron and Batu Bolong, plus down-currents and up-currents. Operators expect comfort with negative entries, immediate descent and reef-hook use. An Advanced Open Water diver with genuine drift experience copes well; a nervous diver should request gentler sites without apology.

Question 22

What minimum number of logged dives do the hardest sites require?

Accepted Answer

Many Komodo operators ask for 30–50 or more logged dives plus proven current experience before taking guests to Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, The Cauldron/Shotgun or Batu Bolong. Advanced Open Water certification alone is rarely treated as sufficient. Divers below that threshold are routed to Karang Makassar, Siaba Besar, Mawan and Tatawa, which still deliver mantas, turtles, reef sharks and healthy hard coral.

Question 23

Can Komodo be my first ocean dive after certification?

Accepted Answer

A newly certified diver should start on sheltered Komodo sites such as Siaba Besar, which runs about 5–18 m in generally calm water and is used as the standard check dive. Komodo as a destination is known for demanding currents rather than gentle training conditions, so a first-ever ocean dive is better placed on a protected reef with a small guide ratio and an unhurried briefing.

Question 24

How do guides manage down-currents during a dive?

Accepted Answer

Briefings in Komodo cover staying close to the reef, following the guide's line, and using controlled ascents or descents if vertical water movement is encountered. At sites like Batu Bolong, guides keep groups on the sheltered face and avoid the corners where down-currents form. Reef hooks are used selectively on the up-current side of northern pinnacles such as Castle Rock.

Question 25

Do Komodo dive boats carry oxygen and first aid?

Accepted Answer

Reputable Labuan Bajo operators carry emergency oxygen and a basic first-aid kit on every trip, and asking about it before booking is entirely normal. Also confirm radio or satellite communication, a written evacuation plan, life jackets for the full guest and crew count, and whether crew hold current first-aid and oxygen-provider training. Hesitation on these answers tells you something useful about the operator.

Question 26

Is there a hyperbaric chamber near Labuan Bajo?

Accepted Answer

A hyperbaric facility exists on Flores, but availability, staffing and access arrangements vary and should be verified close to your travel dates rather than assumed. Serious cases may still require evacuation to a larger centre. This is the main reason dive-specific travel insurance with emergency evacuation cover is strongly recommended for Komodo, and why conservative profiles matter on repetitive dive days.

Question 27

Are night dives in Komodo safe?

Accepted Answer

Night dives in Komodo are run at sheltered sites with careful tide timing rather than at the current-swept pinnacles, with Wainilu and similar muck sites among the common choices. Operators typically require Advanced Open Water, though some accept well-briefed Open Water divers at calm, shallow locations. A primary torch plus a backup and tight buddy discipline remain essential after dark.

Question 28

How risky is Manta Alley compared with Manta Point?

Accepted Answer

Manta Alley in southern Komodo carries more surge and stronger current than Karang Makassar in the central park, and is generally treated as the more advanced of the two manta sites. Southern water is also colder, often 22–25°C, with more variable visibility around 10–20 m. Karang Makassar's 8–18 m drift remains the accessible option for Open Water divers and mixed-experience groups.

Question 29

Do operators cancel dives when the current looks too strong?

Accepted Answer

Skippers and guides in Komodo assess conditions on arrival and can change site or cancel a dive when current, wind or tidal exchange looks unsafe. Spring tides in particular can rule out channel sites such as The Cauldron on specific phases. A swapped site is evidence of a working safety culture, not a failed trip — the tide table decides the plan, not the brochure.

Question 30

Is decompression sickness a real risk with three or four dives a day?

Accepted Answer

Most Komodo operators manage depth limits and surface intervals across a three to four-dive daily schedule, but aggressive profiles raise decompression risk on any multi-day trip. Conservative practice matters here: dive your own computer, extend safety stops, hydrate, and use nitrox where offered and certified. Because chamber access on Flores is limited, staying well inside limits is the practical safeguard.

Question 31

How much are Komodo National Park fees per diver per day?

Accepted Answer

Komodo National Park fees change periodically and vary by nationality, day of week and activity, so the current amount must be checked close to your travel dates rather than copied from an older article. Your dive operator collects the applicable figure and remits it to the park authority. Ask for the fee to be itemised in writing before you pay any deposit.

Question 32

What is actually included in the "Komodo park fee"?

Accepted Answer

The park fee charged by Labuan Bajo dive shops generally bundles the national park conservation fee, the diving or snorkelling activity ticket, ranger and trekking fees where a land visit applies, and sometimes camera charges. Because these are government-set and revisable, operators list them separately from their own boat, fuel and guiding costs. Request the breakdown line by line before confirming.

Question 33

Do foreigners pay different park fees than Indonesian citizens?

Accepted Answer

Foreign visitors pay higher conservation and entry fees than Indonesian citizens under Komodo National Park regulations, and the two tariffs are published separately. Bring your passport, since nationality determines the rate applied at registration. Mixed groups of domestic and international guests are charged accordingly, which is why operators ask for passport and identity details when a booking is confirmed rather than on the jetty.

Question 34

Are Komodo park fees higher on Sundays and national holidays?

Accepted Answer

Weekend and national-holiday surcharges have applied to Komodo National Park tickets in the past, but the fee structure has been revised several times and must be verified for your specific dates. If your itinerary is flexible, ask your operator whether a weekday departure lowers the ticket component. The diving price itself is normally unaffected by the day of the week.

Question 35

Do I pay park fees at the ranger office or through my dive operator?

Accepted Answer

Almost all Labuan Bajo dive shops collect park and conservation fees from guests and pay the authorities on your behalf, so you rarely queue at a ranger office yourself. You should still receive proof that a ticket was issued in your name for your date. Keep the receipt until the trip ends, since rangers can check registration at landing points.

Question 36

What are the camera and drone fees inside the park?

Accepted Answer

Camera and drone charges exist inside Komodo National Park, and drone flights often require specific prior permission — amounts and conditions change, so both must be confirmed before travel. Filming near wildlife is the most tightly controlled activity. Declare professional camera gear when your operator registers the group rather than at the ranger post, where it can delay a departure.

Question 37

Are there extra fees for landing on Rinca or Padar on a dive day?

Accepted Answer

Trekking and ranger fees are added on top of the diving ticket whenever your day includes a land visit to Rinca, Komodo Island or Padar. Guided treks require staying with a ranger and observing distance rules around Komodo dragons. Combined dive-and-trek days are common from Labuan Bajo, so ask for the land component to be priced as a separate line.

Question 38

Can park fees be paid by card, or is it cash only?

Accepted Answer

Payment method depends on the operator and the offices involved: many Labuan Bajo dive centres accept card for the combined package, while some fee components and onboard extras remain cash-only. Carry Indonesian rupiah for tips, small purchases and ranger-post items. ATMs and money changers operate in Labuan Bajo town, though queues and network outages do happen in peak season.

Question 39

Why do dive shops list park fees separately from the trip price?

Accepted Answer

Operators separate the Komodo National Park fee from trip prices because the government sets and revises that conservation charge independently of boat, fuel and guiding costs. Bundling them would force constant price rewrites and disguise what is in fact a conservation levy. A transparent quote shows the dive package, the park ticket, equipment extras and any fuel or seasonal surcharge as distinct, checkable lines.

Question 40

Is there a cheaper multi-day park ticket?

Accepted Answer

Multi-day ticket structures have existed for Komodo National Park, but availability and conditions vary and must be verified for your exact dates and activity mix. If you plan three or more dive days, ask your operator whether a multi-day ticket applies before each day is booked individually. Any saving is administrative rather than a discount on the diving itself.

Important: park fees, tickets, permits, drone rules and visitor regulations are set by Indonesian government and park authorities and change without notice. Nothing on this page is legal, immigration, medical or financial advice.

Question 41

How much does a typical Komodo day-trip dive package cost?

Accepted Answer

Day-trip dive package prices from Labuan Bajo vary by boat type, group size and inclusions, so any figure is indicative only and must be confirmed for your dates. Packages usually cover two or three dives, lunch, drinking water, tanks and weights, with park fees quoted separately. Fast boats able to reach northern sites cost more than standard wooden day boats. Always request a written quote.

Question 42

What is the price range for a 3-night Komodo liveaboard?

Accepted Answer

Budget and mid-range Komodo liveaboards typically run from the low to mid-hundreds of US dollars per night per guest, with luxury vessels priced considerably higher; all figures are indicative and move with season and cabin category. A three-night trip usually includes nine to twelve dives, meals and your cabin. Park fees, nitrox, gear rental and crew tips normally sit outside the package.

Question 43

Is it cheaper to book in Labuan Bajo instead of online?

Accepted Answer

Walk-in bookings in Labuan Bajo can occasionally undercut online rates, but the saving is unreliable and vanishes in July, August and holiday periods when boats fill weeks ahead. Pre-booking also secures the guide ratio, cabin type and nitrox supply you want. On a short trip, certainty is usually worth more than the possibility of a modest discount.

Question 44

Are meals and equipment rental included in day-trip prices?

Accepted Answer

Most Labuan Bajo day-trip packages include lunch, drinking water, tanks and weights, plus basic rental gear on many boats. Dive computers, nitrox fills, torches and underwater camera hire are commonly charged extra, and park fees sit outside the package almost everywhere. Ask for a written inclusions-and-exclusions list before paying, and confirm whether any fuel or seasonal surcharge applies.

Question 45

How much do I save by bringing all my own gear?

Accepted Answer

Per-dive rates in Labuan Bajo are lower when you bring your own BCD, regulator and computer, though the exact reduction differs widely between operators and is quoted on request. Bringing personal kit also removes rental sizing problems and improves familiarity in current. Tanks, weights, boat, guide and park fees are still charged regardless of how much equipment you carry from home.

Question 46

Is nitrox available in Komodo and what does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Nitrox is available on many Komodo liveaboards and some day boats, usually as a daily surcharge quoted on request rather than a fixed published rate. It is genuinely useful on a three-to-four-dive daily schedule, extending no-decompression limits and easing surface intervals. You must hold a nitrox certification and analyse your own cylinder before every dive regardless of who filled it.

Question 47

Do liveaboard prices include hotels in Labuan Bajo?

Accepted Answer

Komodo liveaboard packages commonly include airport-to-boat transfers in Labuan Bajo but rarely include hotel nights before or after the trip. Most itineraries assume you arrive the previous day, since flights from Denpasar can be delayed. Budget one or two town nights on either side, and plan a no-fly interval of at least 18–24 hours after your final dive.

Question 48

Are budget Komodo liveaboards safe?

Accepted Answer

Boat safety in Komodo depends on maintenance, crew training and management rather than price alone, though very cheap options warrant closer scrutiny. Ask about life rafts, life jackets for the full guest and crew count, emergency oxygen, radio or satellite communication, and the vessel's most recent inspection. Read recent guest reports rather than relying on brochure photography and rendered cabin images.

Question 49

Is Komodo diving worth the extra cost over Bali or Nusa Penida?

Accepted Answer

Komodo generally offers higher fish biomass, more reliable reef manta encounters and healthier hard coral than most Bali or Nusa Penida sites, which is why many divers accept the higher total cost. Nusa Penida's manta dives are quicker and cheaper to reach from Bali, but Komodo adds reef sharks, current-swept pinnacles and remote topography. It is a different trip, not simply a pricier one.

Question 50

Are multi-day discounts and tipping expected?

Accepted Answer

Multi-day packages with the same Labuan Bajo dive centre commonly attract a lower per-day rate, especially outside July and August; amounts are quoted on request. Tipping guides and crew is customary but never mandatory, with typical practice being a modest per-day amount or a small percentage of the trip price, handed over at the end of the trip.

Question 51

Is a Komodo liveaboard much better than day trips?

Accepted Answer

A liveaboard reaches northern and southern Komodo sites that day boats cannot practically service, and delivers three to four dives per day instead of two or three. Day trips from Labuan Bajo suit shorter budgets, tighter schedules and divers who prefer a hotel bed. If Gili Banta, Horseshoe Bay or Manta Alley are on your wish list, a liveaboard is the only realistic route.

Question 52

How many day trips equal a 4-night liveaboard?

Accepted Answer

Matching the 12–16 dives of a four-night Komodo liveaboard takes roughly four to five full day-trip dive days from Labuan Bajo. The dive count can be equalled; the site list cannot, because day boats stay within about 1.5–2.5 hours of the harbour. Day trips also add daily transfers and repeated crossings that a liveaboard removes entirely from your schedule.

Question 53

Should I avoid liveaboards if I get seasick easily?

Accepted Answer

Wet-season liveaboards between December and March face rougher seas, so motion-sensitive divers often prefer day trips or a larger, more stable vessel. Preventive medication taken before departure works far better than treatment afterwards. Staying on deck with a view of the horizon, avoiding heavy meals before crossings, and requesting a mid-ship lower cabin all reduce symptoms measurably.

Question 54

Do Komodo liveaboards run PADI courses?

Accepted Answer

Some Komodo liveaboards run PADI courses, but many focus exclusively on certified fun divers, so training availability is operator-specific and must be confirmed before booking. Advanced Open Water adventure dives are the most commonly offered option onboard. Open Water certification is better completed in Labuan Bajo or elsewhere first, since confined-water skill sessions are awkward to run at sea.

Question 55

Are day-trip boats more crowded than liveaboards?

Accepted Answer

Komodo day boats can carry 10–20 or more divers, while small liveaboards often cap guest numbers below 12. Group size drives guide ratio, entry sequencing and how long you wait between dives. Many shops work to roughly four to five divers per guide, though exact ratios vary by operator and site. Ask for the maximum guest count rather than the average.

Question 56

Can I still see mantas if I only do day trips?

Accepted Answer

Day trips from Labuan Bajo reach Karang Makassar and Mawan, the central park's main manta stations, along with Batu Bolong, Tatawa and Siaba under good conditions. A liveaboard is not required to see reef mantas. What day trips cannot reliably deliver is Manta Alley in the far south or the full northern pinnacle circuit within a single outing.

Question 57

Are Komodo liveaboards suitable for snorkellers and non-divers?

Accepted Answer

Some Komodo liveaboards accept snorkellers and non-diving partners, while many are scuba-only, so this must be confirmed vessel by vessel before booking. Boats that welcome snorkellers usually schedule stops at the Karang Makassar shallows, Pink Beach and Siaba Besar. Note that several operators ban snorkelling at Batu Bolong entirely because of the current there.

Question 58

With only three days total, is a liveaboard worth it?

Accepted Answer

Short two and three-night Komodo liveaboards exist and can work within a three-day window, but embarkation and disembarkation consume part of the first and last day. Travellers on a tight schedule often gain more dives from flexible day trips plus a hotel base in Labuan Bajo. A three-night boat makes better sense when your flights allow an extra arrival day.

Question 59

Do budget phinisi liveaboards have private cabins?

Accepted Answer

Budget phinisi vessels in Komodo may offer shared cabins or dorm-style bunks with fan ventilation and shared bathrooms, while mid-range boats provide private cabins and higher-end vessels add ensuite bathrooms and air-conditioning. Cabin category is the single biggest price driver on any given boat. Ask for photographs of the exact cabin you are booking, not the vessel's best one.

Question 60

Can I combine a short liveaboard with extra day trips?

Accepted Answer

Combining a three or four-night liveaboard with extra day dives before or after is a common way to fill a Komodo week from Labuan Bajo. The boat covers remote northern and southern sites; the day trips add central favourites and flexibility around weather. Leave at least 18–24 hours between your final dive and any onward flight.

Question 61

Is Komodo a good place to do my Open Water course?

Accepted Answer

Open Water training is offered in Labuan Bajo on sheltered sites such as Siaba Besar, but many instructors suggest certifying somewhere calmer first because Komodo's signature sites demand current skills. If you do learn here, expect confined-water sessions near town and open-water dives on protected reefs at roughly 5–18 m, with an 18 m depth limit applying afterwards.

Question 62

Can I do Advanced Open Water on a Komodo liveaboard?

Accepted Answer

Advanced Open Water adventure dives are commonly run on Komodo liveaboards and day boats at central sites, subject to conditions on the day. Deep, drift and navigation dives suit the destination naturally. Availability depends on an instructor being aboard, so confirm before booking rather than assuming. Completing AOW here also unlocks more of the site list later in the same trip.

Question 63

Do I need Advanced Open Water for Batu Bolong or Castle Rock?

Accepted Answer

Most operators require Advanced Open Water or equivalent plus documented current experience for Batu Bolong, Castle Rock, Crystal Rock and The Cauldron, and many additionally ask for 30–50 logged dives. Certification alone rarely settles the question — guides also watch your buoyancy, trim and air consumption on an earlier check dive before agreeing to the harder pinnacles.

Question 64

What certification do Komodo shops require for night dives?

Accepted Answer

Night dives in Komodo generally require Advanced Open Water or higher, though some operators accept well-briefed Open Water divers at calm, shallow sites. Depth limits still apply: 18 m for Open Water and 30 m for Advanced are typically respected, especially on day trips. Bring or rent a primary torch plus a backup, and confirm the site's current profile in the briefing.

Komodo Diving FAQ 100 Questions Answered from Labuan Bajo

Seasons, weather and manta timing