Scuba Diving Komodo Indonesia #Wonderstruck
Scuba Diving Komodo Indonesia
I started scuba diving at the very beginning of my trip in Roatan Honduras over a year ago.
Since then everyone, everywhere has told me...
'Dive Indonesia'
'Dive Komodo, it's the BEST'
SO, as if you have to tell me twice...
Here I am!
Labuan Bajo
Labuan Bajo is the entry point to dive Komodo National Park. Historically a small fisherman’s village, Labuan Bajo has seen a rapid increase in popularity due to the incredibleness that is Komodo.
I arrived in Labuan Bajo, Flores fresh off my 4 day 3 night adventure cruise with Komodo Star Cruise. We cruised from the island of Lombok through Komodo National Park to arrive in Labuan Bajo. It was incredible, but after 4 days without a shower I was ready to arrive in Labuan Bajo!
Due to the rapid increase in popularity the town has struggled to keep up due to its remote location and lack of infrastructure. It definitely shows. I want to give it the benefit of the doubt however I have to be honest, I really did not enjoy this place at all. It is extremely dirty and loud and just not inviting...
BUT, I was not there for the town. I was there for the diving and I can 100% say the diving makes up for it!
Komodo Diving Deets
I didn’t know quite what to expect so I hit the main strip in town to pop into some dive shops for more information. After going into a series of places I felt the most drawn to Scuba Republic. They had a fair price and friendly vibe, I was in!
Diving in Komodo seems to work two ways...
1. A full day three (or two) tank dive, with breakfast and lunch included. (If you do two dives it can be paired with a trip to see the Komodo dragons!)
2. Live aboard options ranging 3 days and up
I signed up to do a three tank dive the next day.
The Boat
I was so in love with this boat and how the whole day is structured!
Meeting at 7am we walked to the harbor to hop on the boat. The staff was waiting for us and had all our gear set up and breakfast ready! (Special shout out to the delicious donuts they gave us)
The boat was FANTASTIC! Fitted with bean bags, a shaded area to hang out and relax, a bathroom, shower, eating area and coffee/tea station. SO much room to hang out in-between dives, nap and eat. I’d never done anything like this before it just blew my mind.
Diving
I was excited and nervous for our first dive. I knew it would be a bit higher level of difficulty than I was used to. Luckily the staff at Scuba Republic was incredibly helpful and professional. I was very impressed with the level of detailed information that went into each of their dive briefings and safety info. They put me at ease and I was good to go!
And, um, okay, WOW
THE DIVING DID NOT DISAPPOINT
AMAZING life..
Life EVERYWHERE. The most fish I have ever seen at once. A lot of Nemo’s in eneomes, the biggest lion fish I’d ever seen, an octopus, so many sea turtles, pretty starfish, and even swam with sharks!
Manta Rays
Most exciting of all, HUGE manta rays. I am talking 3-5 meters (9-16 feet) long. They are so beautiful, so graceful, and friendly. We saw most of them while they were getting cleaned by other fish, at their ‘cleaning stations.’ They are just such a wonder to look at.
An all time diving highlight for sure!!
The colors
The colors of the coral were incredible.
I’d never seen anything like it. I was in awe of the amount of colors and the vibrant nature of it all.
Diving with Scuba Republic
I had such a great time and dove two days in a row, 6 dives in total. I could not get enough I wish I was able to do more. If I could go back in time I would have splurged for a multiple day live aboard, there was just so much to see!
Scuba Republic was fantastic, so happy to have dove with them. The professionalism and attentiveness was what made the experience what it was. The staff was thorough, safe, and fun. The food was so delicious, the equipment was top notch, the service was incredible, and the boat was awesome. If you are wondering who to dive with I would highly recommend them!
I totally 100% get why everyone raves about the diving in Indonesia, and specifically Komodo.
It honestly made me fall in love with diving all over again
Left me feeling wonderstruck
I don’t know how it couldn’t...
UNTIL NEXT TIME KOMODO...
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