Diving in Komodo

A small pierced rock is our exterior reference point for this renowned site. The coral covered slopes descend beyond our view. Exploring while ascending and zigzagging along the edge of the slopes and pushed by the currents, this zone is excellent for encountering large numbers of giant trevallas. From deeper water, the fusiliers, jacks, barracudas, sharks and Napoleons observe the divers scrutinising the reef in search of nudibranches, turtles, shrimps and other crabs.

This site is a dream come true for lovers of macro fauna, being home to a large quantity of invertebres and magnificent bouquets of soft coral. Also present are ghost pipe fishes, octopus, frog fishes, turtles and blue spotted stingrays. The description would not be complete without mentioning the incredible sea cucumbers of unbelievable colours. We also find the coldest currents of the Indian Ocean.

This underwater islet rising to be just above the surface is a well known site for the diversity of the underwater fauna and the density of activity. Protected by two bommies at 24 meters, facing the current, the divers are able to take in the spectacle. Giant schools of fusiliers are in constant movement surrounded by blue spotted jack fishes and other giant trevally, while sharks circle at depth. While ascending, large bouquets of black coral serve as reference for the schools of sweetlips. In the shallows, we can encounter turtles, giant wrasses, scorpion fishes, jacks and the occasional eagle ray.

In contrast to Castle Rock, this islet is completely submerged. However, the topography of the site is similar and Full Moon may be dived in the same way, in other words, against the current on the slope. White tip, black tip and grey reef sharks cruise along the reef accompanied by jacks, tunas and barracudas, chasing the schools of fusiliers. Other than these predators, napoleons, turtles and batfishes frequent this site. On the reef top itself, nurse sharks, white tips, crocodile fishes, blue spotted rays, scorpion fishes and nudibranches hide amongst the coral formations.

To the South of the island of Komodo, a small bay welcomes a large concentration of manta rays during the humid season, from September to January. An encounter with these magnificent giants of the ocean is almost guaranteed also during the rest of the year. Other than the mantas, giant jack fishes and schools of fusiliers are frequently present, as are the snappers, turtles or other white tip sharks. The currents bring with them cold nutritious waters.

At the base of a small islet swept by strong currents, this site is covered in life. Schools of snapper, sweetlip and batfish play with the currents between the bommies covered in soft corals and gorgonian fans. Amongst the multiple cracks and crevasses, we can encounter bamboo sharks, nurse sharks or barramundi cods. Giant napoleons and turtles are equally at the party. The shallow zone of this site is also very rich, with massive hard corals, which sometimes hide baby sharks.

As its name indicates, this large crater can look like, depending on the strength of the current, a gigantic boiling cauldron. Massive tables of acropora, sometimes serving as hiding space for bamboo sharks, adorn the outer surface of the crater. The current takes us to the base of the cauldron, on sand, at 24 meters. Here we find white and black tip reef sharks, big eyed jacks and giant trevallas. At the exterior of the crater, at a shallower depth, we can encounter turtles, manta rays, but also large bommies covered in glassfishes, and with some chance, their predators, leaf scorpion fishes and frog fishes.