The Komodo National Park ranks among the world’s best diving spots. Its special topography and marine diversity make it a scuba diver’s paradise within Indonesia. If you’re eager to explore it on a liveaboard trip, this post is tailored for you!
This guide is for certified scuba divers who want to dive Komodo National Park properly, without rushing it and without day boats.
I spent three days diving Komodo on a liveaboard, testing routes, dive sites, and logistics first-hand. Whether you want a simple, well-run group boat or a more private, high-end experience, this guide shows you exactly how to plan Komodo diving the right way, what it realistically costs, and what you can expect underwater and on land.
Essentials to Know for Your Komodo Diving Guide
Where To Start Your Komodo Liveaboard Diving Trip
The main city in Flores and the closest to the Komodo National Park is Labuan Bajo. There are direct flights from Bali, which take about 1 hour, that you can take.
Best Time To Go Diving in Komodo
You can dive all year round in the Komodo National Park. The dry season ranges from April to December and the rainy season from January to March.
Internet & Wifi in Komodo
If you want to be connected from the moment you land on the island, make sure to purchase an eSIM for Indonesia. Hotels in Labuan Bajo will have free Wifi but once you are on the liveaboard, an eSIM becomes super handy!
How to Plan a Liveaboard Trip for Diving in Komodo National Park
If you want to dive Komodo properly, a liveaboard is the way to do it. It gets you to sites like Castle Rock, Batu Bolong, and Manta Point at the right time and far away from the day-boat crowds in Labuan Bajo.
Most people do a 3D/2N trip, which is enough to cover North and Central Komodo, including Padar Island, without feeling rushed.
I recommend arriving in Labuan Bajo a day early and staying one night after the trip so you can rest before flying. Some liveaboards also stop at Komodo Island to see the dragons. We skipped it to focus on diving, but both options below include it if that’s on your list.
Option 1: Small-Group Komodo Diving Liveaboard (Best Value)
This option is ideal if you want to dive Komodo properly without paying luxury prices. You’ll be on a small liveaboard with a relaxed group, experienced dive guides, and an itinerary focused on Komodo’s strongest sites like Castle Rock and Manta Point.
You can check availability and reserve this Komodo diving liveaboard here if you want a well-run trip that keeps things simple and focused on the dives.
Option 2: VIP or Luxury Komodo Diving Liveaboard
This option is ideal if you want a more private, refined way to dive Komodo, with fewer guests onboard and a more flexible daily schedule. It’s especially well-suited for couples or friends traveling together.
The diving quality is just as strong, but the experience feels more exclusive, with longer surface intervals to better onboard meals and extra attention from the crew. If you want Komodo diving in comfort, you can reserve this VIP Komodo liveaboard here and turn the trip into a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.
I went with Wunderpus Liveaboard, a wonderful company that caters to travelers who want to go offbeat, away from the tourists. This couldn’t have been more us!
They’re offering two types of boats, one for budget-conscious travelers and a luxurious one for up to 8 people. We opted for the budget-friendly Mimic Liveaboard. It can host up to 6 people, got lots of chill-out areas, and was perfect for us.
What’s Not Included in a Liveaboard Trip
Komodo liveaboard trips usually do not include national park and local fees, which are paid separately on board or at the islands. This typically covers the Komodo National Park entrance, ranger fees for hikes like Padar Island, and any optional extras such as drone permits. I always budget a little extra for these so there are no surprises once you’re on the boat and you can just enjoy the diving.
Flores, Komodo National Park Map for Your Diving Adventure
Where to Stay Before and After Your Komodo Diving Trip
Most Komodo liveaboards start early in the morning, so staying in Labuan Bajo the night before is super important. I recommend choosing a hotel close to the harbor with reliable service and easy transfers. After the trip, it’s also nice to have one comfortable night to rest, shower properly, and enjoy the views before flying out.
Katamaran Hotel & Resort is ideal if you want to start or end your Komodo diving trip somewhere calm and polished. The rooms are spacious, the infinity pool overlooks the sea, and it feels like a proper reset after days on a boat. It’s a great option for couples or travelers who want a resort feel without being far from Labuan Bajo.
Sudamala Resort is a more intimate, boutique-style option that suits you if you who prefer a refined but relaxed setting. The property feels peaceful, the service is personal, and it’s perfect if you want something upscale without the resort crowds.
Reserve your hotel in Komodo early, rooms book out quickly!
My Komodo Diving Itinerary 3D/2N
This itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible to experience in 3 days and 2 nights when you dive in Komodo on a liveaboard.
Day 1: Leaving Labuan Bajo for North Komodo
Pick up at 7.30 am from the harbor in Labuan Bajo. We included North Komodo’s dive sites in the itinerary as we heard it’s the best. And, not to spoil anything but it is!
The dive sites Sebayur Kecil, Tatawa Besar and Mawan were designed to ease us into the dives, with less challenging current and yet a great taste of what Komodo has to offer.
Day 2: North Komodo + Drive to Padar Island
Starting the day early, we had our first dive at 7.30 am. We visited the fantastic site of Castle Rock – an absolute must for diving!
The second dive started at around 9 am at The Cauldron. It’s a challenging site that you specifically need to visit when the current isn’t too strong. A large part of the dive is a drift dive. We saw Napoleon Brasse, blacktip reef sharks, turtles and other big pelagic fish.
In the afternoon, we arrived at our third dive spot called Crystal Rock. An amazing dive site that is more of a Pinnacle dive, featuring fantastic topography and a variety of fish. From there, we drove towards Padar Island for our last dive of the day – a night dive. Wohoo!
If you are planning to do a night dive, you need to either have the Advanced Open Water Certification or complete an Adventure Dive Certification prior.
Once we all successfully passed the test, we were good to go; consequently, we could jump into the water just after sunset.
Day 3: Morning Hike to Padar Island + Return to Labuan Bajo
Although slightly early, the 4 am wake-up call and the boat engine’s roar marked the start of one of my personal highlights last week.
Visiting Padar Island as part of your Komodo Diving Trip
Padar Island is an iconic destination located within the Komodo National Park in Indonesia. It’s renowned for its breathtaking panoramic views, diverse landscapes, and pristine beaches. The island is characterized by its rugged terrain, with rolling hills, rocky cliffs, and lush greenery.
How to Visit Padar Island
Officially, Padar Island opens at 6 am – too late to catch the sunrise! Our boat captain accompanied us to the island, and after a few phone calls, a ranger appeared.
There are some 800 stairs leading up to two visitor platforms. The path is made out clearly and can be done without any specific footwear.
After the last visitor platform, you can continue up the hill. This is the nicest spot for photos and to see the islands at their fullest.
Absolutely out of breath, we still caught the sunrise, the pink color reflected in the bays. This was effectively one of the most magical moments
After breakfast, we headed towards Central Komodo again. We spent a couple of hours at this beautiful patch of the park, with crystal clear water, sharks appeared out of nowhere, and turtles passed by.
The last two dive sites, after all, were Batu Bolong and Manta Point. Both are famous for Manta sightings and sea turtles. After some fun time in the water, we headed back towards Labuan Bajo, our hearts full of memories.
A liveaboard trip is truly the best way to explore Komodo National Park. Although we haven’t seen the Komodo Dragons, the underwater world was just as unique. As a scuba diver, it’s a highlight and something I can only recommend!
Finally, a reminder, please make sure to wait 24 hours after your last dive before you hop on a plane. I hope you’ll have the best time diving in Komodo and hopefully explore some of the land sights as well!
If you’re continuing through Indonesia, Bali is the easiest next stop after Komodo. I’ve shared my favorite places in North Bali, Amed, and Uluwatu, all slow, scenic, and perfect to recover after diving.
If you want something wilder and less developed, Sumba is an incredible follow-up to Komodo. Think empty beaches, dramatic landscapes, and a very raw side of Indonesia. I’ve written a full Sumba guide on how to do it right.
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