The Ultimate Guide to Komodo National Park: Scuba Diving, Komodo Dragons

Komodo National Park is one of Indonesia’s most iconic travel destinations—and for good reason. Located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores, this remote region offers a rare combination of world-class scuba diving, unique wildlife encounters, volcanic landscapes, and liveaboard adventures that redefine the idea of escape.

Whether you’re here for the thrill of diving with manta rays, trekking in search of Komodo dragons, or exploring the islands from the comfort of a luxury liveaboard like Pindito Cruises, Komodo delivers unforgettable experiences both above and below the surface.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip to Komodo National Park.

What Makes Komodo National Park Special?

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, Komodo National Park spans over 1,700 square kilometers of land and sea. It’s famous for being home to the world’s largest lizard—the Komodo dragon—but the park is just as well-known in the scuba diving world for its marine biodiversity and pristine reefs.

Key highlights:

  • Over 1,000 species of fish
  • 260+ coral species
  • Whales, dolphins, manta rays, reef sharks
  • Pink sand beaches and jagged islands
  • Year-round liveaboard diving trips

Unlike many other tourist destinations, Komodo still feels raw and remote. That sense of isolation is a big part of its charm.

Scuba Diving in Komodo: What to Expect

Scuba diving is one of the top reasons travelers come to Komodo. The underwater world here is among the most vibrant on Earth. The park sits at the intersection of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, where powerful currents bring in nutrient-rich waters that feed an incredible range of marine life.

Top Dive Sites in Komodo

  1. Batu Bolong – A pinnacle dive with steep walls, packed with reef fish and coral gardens.
  2. Manta Point (Karang Makassar) – Your best chance to swim alongside multiple manta rays.
  3. Castle Rock – Expect fast currents and big pelagics like trevallies and reef sharks.
  4. Crystal Rock – Known for its coral-covered slopes and frequent dolphin sightings.
  5. The Cauldron (Shotgun) – Strong currents and thrilling drift dives through a narrow channel.

From gentle sloping reefs to deep sea pinnacles, Komodo’s dive sites offer something for everyone. Conditions can be challenging, so diving with experienced guides—like those onboard Pindito Liveaboard—is key to getting the most out of your trip.

Pristine Coral Reefs in Komodo National Park

The Komodo Dragon Experience

The name “Komodo” is synonymous with the dragon itself. These prehistoric reptiles are native only to this region and are a must-see for visitors.

Trekking on Komodo or Rinca Island lets you see Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. These creatures can grow up to 3 meters long and weigh over 150 pounds. Despite their size, they’re agile predators with a fearsome bite.

Guided ranger-led walks ensure safe encounters. Along the way, you’ll also spot wild deer, monkeys, water buffalo, and exotic birds—adding to the raw beauty of the islands.

Komodo Dragon - Pindtio Liveaboard

Pindito Liveaboard: The Best Way to Explore Komodo

To fully experience Komodo National Park, a liveaboard cruise is the way to go. Day trips from Labuan Bajo are limited in reach, and you’ll miss out on many of the park’s more remote gems.

This is where Pindito Cruises stands out. With over 30 years of experience exploring Indonesia’s waters, Pindito Liveaboard offers unmatched access to Komodo’s best dive sites and island adventures.

Why Choose Pindito?

  • Comfort & Service: Traditional phinisi-style boat with modern amenities and private cabins.
  • Diving Expertise: Seasoned guides and top-tier equipment for divers of all levels.
  • All-Inclusive Trips: Multiple dives per day, all meals, island excursions, and more.
  • Sustainability: A focus on eco-friendly operations and marine conservation.

Onboard, you’ll find a balance of adventure and relaxation. Surface intervals are spent watching dolphins from the deck, kayaking through quiet bays, or capturing drone footage of Komodo’s alien landscapes.

Pindito Liveaboard sailing into the sunset in Raja Ampat

Other Things to Do in Komodo National Park

While diving and dragons steal the spotlight, Komodo offers even more:

  • Snorkeling – Many of the same reefs that make Komodo great for diving are just as incredible from the surface.
  • Trekking – Padar Island’s famous viewpoint is one of the most Instagrammed spots in Indonesia.
  • Beach Time – Pink Beach is a surreal stop where crushed red coral meets white sand.
  • Wildlife Photography – Both macro and wide-angle opportunities abound, from pygmy seahorses to flying foxes.

Liveaboard cruises like Pindito often include flexible itineraries that combine diving with island time, giving you the best of both worlds.

Best Time to Visit Komodo

Komodo National Park is open year-round, but your ideal timing depends on what you want to see:

  • April to November – Dry season and best visibility for diving.
  • December to March – Fewer tourists, but occasional rain and reduced visibility.
  • Peak manta season – January to March at sites like Manta Alley and Karang Makassar.
  • Best weather – May to September for sunny skies and calm seas.

Liveaboards like Pindito Cruises operate in Komodo during the prime months, ensuring you catch the best the park has to offer.

Manta Ray - Pindtio Liveaboard

Getting There

Most travelers fly into Labuan Bajo on Flores Island, the gateway to Komodo. From there, you can join a Pindito cruise or other liveaboard departing from the harbor. Flights are available daily from Bali (Denpasar), Jakarta, and other major cities in Indonesia.

Final Thoughts: Why Komodo Needs to Be On Your List

Komodo National Park is one of those rare places that still feels wild. It’s a destination where nature dominates, and every day brings something new—from diving with mantas to watching Komodo dragons sunbathe on volcanic slopes.

If you’re ready to dive into one of the richest marine ecosystems on Earth, trek across untamed islands, and experience it all from the comfort of a world-class liveaboard, then Komodo and Pindito Cruises should be at the top of your list.

Upcoming Trips

28

Apr

11 NIGHTS

Komodo

FULL

6400 US$

per Person

View Details

Departure: LBJ

Apr 28, 2025

00:00

Arrival: BIM

May 09, 2025

00:00

BREATHTAKING SIGHTS Komodo National Park was declared a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991. The National Park includes the three larger islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller islands. The dive spots around Komodo offer unbelievable variety. One day you can admire rare critters creatures in the morning and in the afternoon drift along with giant mantas and schools of big-eye jacks. There are patch reefs, bommies (pinnacles), sheer walls, and shallow coral gardens to be explored. There are more than 1000 fish species, 260 species of corals, 70 different sponge species, 17 species of whales and dolphins and at least 2 different kinds of sea turtles living in the waters of Komodo National Park. Pindito never has a set itinerary. We plan our trips and water activities based on weather, tides and currents. From our expertise and experience, we know the ideal sea conditions for all the best and famous sites and when to dive them. And of course we have the not so famous, and even secret, equally spectacular sites that only a few of us know about.

Current cabin occupancy

available

reserved

occupied

ATAS TERNATE BANDA NEIRA MOROTAI AMBON TIDORE HALMA HERA OBI ARU

Sorry! This Tour is booked out.

12

May

11 NIGHTS

Komodo

FULL

6400 US$

per Person

View Details

Departure: BIM

May 12, 2025

00:00

Arrival: BEN

May 23, 2025

00:00

BREATHTAKING SIGHTS Komodo National Park was declared a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991. The National Park includes the three larger islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller islands. The dive spots around Komodo offer unbelievable variety. One day you can admire rare critters creatures in the morning and in the afternoon drift along with giant mantas and schools of big-eye jacks. There are patch reefs, bommies (pinnacles), sheer walls, and shallow coral gardens to be explored. There are more than 1000 fish species, 260 species of corals, 70 different sponge species, 17 species of whales and dolphins and at least 2 different kinds of sea turtles living in the waters of Komodo National Park. Pindito never has a set itinerary. We plan our trips and water activities based on weather, tides and currents. From our expertise and experience, we know the ideal sea conditions for all the best and famous sites and when to dive them. And of course we have the not so famous, and even secret, equally spectacular sites that only a few of us know about.

Current cabin occupancy

available

reserved

occupied

ATAS TERNATE BANDA NEIRA MOROTAI AMBON TIDORE HALMA HERA OBI ARU

Sorry! This Tour is booked out.

30

Jun

11 NIGHTS

Komodo

FULL

6400 US$

per Person

View Details

Departure: BEN

Jun 30, 2025

00:00

Arrival: LBJ

Jul 11, 2025

00:00

BREATHTAKING SIGHTS Komodo National Park was declared a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991. The National Park includes the three larger islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller islands. The dive spots around Komodo offer unbelievable variety. One day you can admire rare critters creatures in the morning and in the afternoon drift along with giant mantas and schools of big-eye jacks. There are patch reefs, bommies (pinnacles), sheer walls, and shallow coral gardens to be explored. There are more than 1000 fish species, 260 species of corals, 70 different sponge species, 17 species of whales and dolphins and at least 2 different kinds of sea turtles living in the waters of Komodo National Park. Pindito never has a set itinerary. We plan our trips and water activities based on weather, tides and currents. From our expertise and experience, we know the ideal sea conditions for all the best and famous sites and when to dive them. And of course we have the not so famous, and even secret, equally spectacular sites that only a few of us know about.

Current cabin occupancy

available

reserved

occupied

ATAS TERNATE BANDA NEIRA MOROTAI AMBON TIDORE HALMA HERA OBI ARU

Sorry! This Tour is booked out.

14

Jul

11 NIGHTS

Komodo

FULL

6400 US$

per Person

View Details

Departure: LBJ

Jul 14, 2025

00:00

Arrival: BEN

Jul 25, 2025

00:00

BREATHTAKING SIGHTS Komodo National Park was declared a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991. The National Park includes the three larger islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller islands. The dive spots around Komodo offer unbelievable variety. One day you can admire rare critters creatures in the morning and in the afternoon drift along with giant mantas and schools of big-eye jacks. There are patch reefs, bommies (pinnacles), sheer walls, and shallow coral gardens to be explored. There are more than 1000 fish species, 260 species of corals, 70 different sponge species, 17 species of whales and dolphins and at least 2 different kinds of sea turtles living in the waters of Komodo National Park. Pindito never has a set itinerary. We plan our trips and water activities based on weather, tides and currents. From our expertise and experience, we know the ideal sea conditions for all the best and famous sites and when to dive them. And of course we have the not so famous, and even secret, equally spectacular sites that only a few of us know about.

Current cabin occupancy

available

reserved

occupied

ATAS TERNATE BANDA NEIRA MOROTAI AMBON TIDORE HALMA HERA OBI ARU

Sorry! This Tour is booked out.

28

Jul

11 NIGHTS

Komodo

16

Spots Available

6400 US$

per Person

View Details

Departure: BEN

Jul 28, 2025

00:00

Arrival: MAU

Aug 08, 2025

00:00

BREATHTAKING SIGHTS Komodo National Park was declared a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991. The National Park includes the three larger islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller islands. The dive spots around Komodo offer unbelievable variety. One day you can admire rare critters creatures in the morning and in the afternoon drift along with giant mantas and schools of big-eye jacks. There are patch reefs, bommies (pinnacles), sheer walls, and shallow coral gardens to be explored. There are more than 1000 fish species, 260 species of corals, 70 different sponge species, 17 species of whales and dolphins and at least 2 different kinds of sea turtles living in the waters of Komodo National Park. Pindito never has a set itinerary. We plan our trips and water activities based on weather, tides and currents. From our expertise and experience, we know the ideal sea conditions for all the best and famous sites and when to dive them. And of course we have the not so famous, and even secret, equally spectacular sites that only a few of us know about.

Current cabin occupancy

available

reserved

occupied

ATAS TERNATE BANDA NEIRA MOROTAI AMBON TIDORE HALMA HERA OBI ARU

INCLUDES

  • Transfers from and return to the airport and the MV Pindito
  • Accommodation in a double bed or twin bed cabin with en-suite shower bath, toilet and AC
  • Full board including all drinks on board, including beer and spirits on board (excluding wine)
  • All diving (no diving on arrival/departure day)
  • NITROX for whole cruise
  • Multi-lingual guides/cruise directors on board
  • all offered land excursions

EXCLUDES

  • Harbor fees (80 USD)
  • Fuel Surcharge (200 USD)
  • NITROX course (on request available)
  • Souvenirs onboard
  • Crew gratuities
  • Domestic airport-taxes and departure taxes
  • Trip and Dive insurance (please note DAN is specific Dive insurance only)
  • National marine park fees:
  • Estimated 200 USD per person for the whole trip.
  • (Depending on factors such as time spent at the marine parks and activities done)
  • Rental equipment pricing:
  • Mask, Fins, Snorkel package - 30 USD per cruise
  • BCD - 100 USD per cruise
  • Regulator set - 100 USD per cruise
  • Dive computer - 60 USD per cruise
  • Torch rental - 60 USD per cruise/ 5 USD per dive
  • 15 Liter tank - 50 USD per cruise

TERMS & CONDITION

At Pindito PT, we commit to all the services offered in any of our literature and promotional materials. The following terms and conditions form the basis of a contract with our customer and Pindito PT. This is the customers’ commitment to our company, and vice versa, our commitment to our customers.

Confirm your Inquiry

+ -

Persons

6400 US$

Total: 6400 US$

11

Aug

11 NIGHTS

East Flores - Alor

2

14

Spots Available

6400 US$

per Person

View Details

Departure: MAU

Aug 11, 2025

00:00

Arrival: MAU

Aug 22, 2025

00:00

Current cabin occupancy

available

reserved

occupied

ATAS TERNATE BANDA NEIRA MOROTAI AMBON TIDORE HALMA HERA OBI ARU

INCLUDES

  • Transfers from and return to the airport and the MV Pindito
  • Accommodation in a double bed or twin bed cabin with en-suite shower bath, toilet and AC
  • Full board including all drinks on board, including beer and spirits on board (excluding wine)
  • All diving (no diving on arrival/departure day)
  • NITROX for whole cruise
  • Multi-lingual guides/cruise directors on board
  • all offered land excursions

EXCLUDES

  • Harbor fees (80 USD)
  • Fuel Surcharge (200 USD)
  • NITROX course (on request available)
  • Souvenirs onboard
  • Crew gratuities
  • Domestic airport-taxes and departure taxes
  • Trip and Dive insurance (please note DAN is specific Dive insurance only)
  • National marine park fees:
  • Estimated 200 USD per person for the whole trip.
  • (Depending on factors such as time spent at the marine parks and activities done)
  • Rental equipment pricing:
  • Mask, Fins, Snorkel package - 30 USD per cruise
  • BCD - 100 USD per cruise
  • Regulator set - 100 USD per cruise
  • Dive computer - 60 USD per cruise
  • Torch rental - 60 USD per cruise/ 5 USD per dive
  • 15 Liter tank - 50 USD per cruise

TERMS & CONDITION

At Pindito PT, we commit to all the services offered in any of our literature and promotional materials. The following terms and conditions form the basis of a contract with our customer and Pindito PT. This is the customers’ commitment to our company, and vice versa, our commitment to our customers.

Confirm your Inquiry

+ -

Persons

6400 US$

Total: 6400 US$

25

Aug

11 NIGHTS

Komodo

FULL

6400 US$

per Person

View Details

Departure: MAU

Aug 25, 2025

00:00

Arrival: BEN

Sep 05, 2025

00:00

BREATHTAKING SIGHTS Komodo National Park was declared a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991. The National Park includes the three larger islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller islands. The dive spots around Komodo offer unbelievable variety. One day you can admire rare critters creatures in the morning and in the afternoon drift along with giant mantas and schools of big-eye jacks. There are patch reefs, bommies (pinnacles), sheer walls, and shallow coral gardens to be explored. There are more than 1000 fish species, 260 species of corals, 70 different sponge species, 17 species of whales and dolphins and at least 2 different kinds of sea turtles living in the waters of Komodo National Park. Pindito never has a set itinerary. We plan our trips and water activities based on weather, tides and currents. From our expertise and experience, we know the ideal sea conditions for all the best and famous sites and when to dive them. And of course we have the not so famous, and even secret, equally spectacular sites that only a few of us know about.

Current cabin occupancy

available

reserved

occupied

ATAS TERNATE BANDA NEIRA MOROTAI AMBON TIDORE HALMA HERA OBI ARU

Sorry! This Tour is booked out.

Only 5 Left

08

Sep

11 NIGHTS

Komodo

11

5

Spots Available

6400 US$

per Person

View Details

Departure: BEN

Sep 08, 2025

00:00

Arrival: MAU

Sep 19, 2025

00:00

BREATHTAKING SIGHTS Komodo National Park was declared a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991. The National Park includes the three larger islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller islands. The dive spots around Komodo offer unbelievable variety. One day you can admire rare critters creatures in the morning and in the afternoon drift along with giant mantas and schools of big-eye jacks. There are patch reefs, bommies (pinnacles), sheer walls, and shallow coral gardens to be explored. There are more than 1000 fish species, 260 species of corals, 70 different sponge species, 17 species of whales and dolphins and at least 2 different kinds of sea turtles living in the waters of Komodo National Park. Pindito never has a set itinerary. We plan our trips and water activities based on weather, tides and currents. From our expertise and experience, we know the ideal sea conditions for all the best and famous sites and when to dive them. And of course we have the not so famous, and even secret, equally spectacular sites that only a few of us know about.

Current cabin occupancy

available

reserved

occupied

ATAS TERNATE BANDA NEIRA MOROTAI AMBON TIDORE HALMA HERA OBI ARU

INCLUDES

  • Transfers from and return to the airport and the MV Pindito
  • Accommodation in a double bed or twin bed cabin with en-suite shower bath, toilet and AC
  • Full board including all drinks on board, including beer and spirits on board (excluding wine)
  • All diving (no diving on arrival/departure day)
  • NITROX for whole cruise
  • Multi-lingual guides/cruise directors on board
  • all offered land excursions

EXCLUDES

  • Harbor fees (80 USD)
  • Fuel Surcharge (200 USD)
  • NITROX course (on request available)
  • Souvenirs onboard
  • Crew gratuities
  • Domestic airport-taxes and departure taxes
  • Trip and Dive insurance (please note DAN is specific Dive insurance only)
  • National marine park fees:
  • Estimated 200 USD per person for the whole trip.
  • (Depending on factors such as time spent at the marine parks and activities done)
  • Rental equipment pricing:
  • Mask, Fins, Snorkel package - 30 USD per cruise
  • BCD - 100 USD per cruise
  • Regulator set - 100 USD per cruise
  • Dive computer - 60 USD per cruise
  • Torch rental - 60 USD per cruise/ 5 USD per dive
  • 15 Liter tank - 50 USD per cruise

TERMS & CONDITION

At Pindito PT, we commit to all the services offered in any of our literature and promotional materials. The following terms and conditions form the basis of a contract with our customer and Pindito PT. This is the customers’ commitment to our company, and vice versa, our commitment to our customers.

Confirm your Inquiry

+ -

Persons

6400 US$

Total: 6400 US$

Book your unforgettable
Adventure now!

With the