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Dive at Sebayur Kecil

This site is suitable for divers of all levels, with good visibility and no risk of strong currents. Marine life is abundant here, including schools of bump head parrotfish and fusiliers, leaf scorpionfish and stonefish, morays, batfish, damselfish, butterflyfish, anthias, giant spiny lobster, De Beaufort's flathead, gobies, shrimps, large cuttlefish, octopus, ghost pipefish, frogfish, and electric clams. Sometimes, manta rays, spotted eagle rays, white tip reef sharks, groups of giant trevally, coral trout, snappers, emperors, and giant sweetlips can also be seen. In the shallower waters, Sebayur Kecil provides a great site for beginners or those looking to refresh their skills.

First Dive: Karang Makassar aka Manta Point

Famous for sightings of up to 50 manta rays, Makassar is a mile-long drift dive located in the middle of the Lintah Strait. Due to strong currents, the site resembles a lunar landscape with vast craters and towering dunes. Mantas are not the only attraction, Makassar offers numerous species of sharks, schools of bump-head parrotfish, marble and eagle rays, and a surprising amount of macro life within the sparse yet vibrant coral bommies. 

Second Dive: Batu Bolong

Batu Bolong (Hollow Rock) is one of the most famous dive sites in the park. Below the surface is an explosion of life, the rocky reefs drop to 230 feet, and attract big schools of fish − bright blue fusiliers, small reef fish of all sizes and colors with bluefin trevallies hunting amongst them. Every inch of the coral wall is alive, with an incredible diversity of color. Morays and octopuses hide in holes and tunnels, and lionfish and nudibranchs in cracks and crevices. Hawksbill turtles often come to graze and occasionally mantas or dolphins will glide in from the blue.

Third Dive: Padar Beach

A shallow sloping coral garden offers an ideal hiding place for cuttlefish, octopus, and all manners of critters. Large trevallies patrol the reef with snappers and emperor fish following close behind. The sandy bottom is ideal for macro lovers. The wreck of a small fishing boat here is host to plentiful marine life. 

Trekking at Padar Island

Padar is the third largest island within the Komodo National Park. It offers beautiful short treks and is a hotspot for photographers. The hike to the peak takes about 20-40 minutes.  From this viewpoint, you will be rewarded with a jaw-dropping vista of a series of crescent-shaped bays and ribbons of sand.

First & Second Dives: Manta Alley

This is a breeding hotspot for manta rays, and you are highly likely to find them here. Under the surface is an “alley” of 30-50ft deep between some rocks, with a deeper section to the east down to 100ft.  You may also find other large rays, big parrot fish, barracudas, schools of fusiliers, giant jackfish, turtles, whitetip sharks, and snappers here. There can be a strong current and the water is often a little chilly at this site.

Third & Fourth Dive: Pink Beach & Loh Liang Bay

The color of the sand on the gorgeous Pink Beach is caused by the broken red shells of an organism called foraminifera. This is the most frequently visited dive site in the park because the reef is so rich, and snorkeling is excellent from the beach. There is a particularly good dive in a small area around a rock that breaks the surface at low tide.

Trekking with Komodo Dragons

Head ashore on a ranger-led nature trek in search of Komodo dragons, which are indigenous to this small group of islands. In this savannah-like setting of dry, rugged landscape, you will encounter, at a safe distance, these awe-inspiring giant lizards – Indonesia’s living dinosaurs. You may spot deer, wild boar, sulfur-crested cockatoos, butterflies, rare orchids, and jungle chickens among the strangler-fig trees and the distinctive lontar palms. From the top of the hills, the scenery is breathtaking. 

First Dive: Crystal Rock

Named for its clear waters, Crystal Rock is one of North Komodo’s gems. Here, a rocky pinnacle breaks the surface at low tide, displaying an array of soft and hard corals. It offers a very colorful dive, which is also prone to current. Expect to see trevally, jacks, sharks, mackerel, Napoleon wrasse, tuna, and even the occasional eagle ray.

Second Dive: Shot Gun

This site lives up to its name. The water bottlenecks at the start of a narrow channel so hold tight and enjoy the ride as you get shot through the channel. Stick to the left if you can and you’ll find a complete contrast of diving conditions will be waiting for you, including a coral garden which is one of the best in Komodo.

Third Dive: Castle Rock

One of Komodo’s most iconic dive sites; the current is strong. Here, enormous schools of fusiliers, unicornfish, and bannerfish attract big predators, such as gray reef sharks, tunas, barracudas, giant trevally, and dolphins (early mornings). Underneath the table corals, inside the little cracks, or in the gorgonian fans, you’ll find a whole realm of tiny invertebrates including pygmy seahorses and blue-eyed crabs.

Fourth Dive: Wainilu

If it’s macro you are seeking, this is your place. Ribbon eels, Indian walkman, mandarin fish, frogfish, juvenile harlequin sweetlips, and countless species of nudibranch are all common sightings.

First Dive: Sabolon Pinnacle

If it’s macro you are seeking, this is your place. Ribbon eels, Indian walkman, mandarin fish, frogfish, juvenile harlequin sweetlips, and countless species of nudibranch are all common sightings.

Second Dive: Sabolon Reef

The reef face is filled with small caves harboring angel fish, batfish, and sweetlips. Giant trevally school up above in the shallows. At the end of the dive, you are pushed up onto a shallow reef plateau, home to countless beautiful and attractive fish.

Morning Cruise to Labuan Bajo. Prepare for disembarkation.

Dive at Sebayur Kecil

This site is suitable for divers of all levels, with good visibility and no risk of strong currents. Marine life is abundant here, including schools of bump head parrotfish and fusiliers, leaf scorpionfish and stonefish, morays, batfish, damselfish, butterflyfish, anthias, giant spiny lobster, De Beaufort's flathead, gobies, shrimps, large cuttlefish, octopus, ghost pipefish, frogfish, and electric clams. Sometimes, manta rays, spotted eagle rays, white tip reef sharks, groups of giant trevally, coral trout, snappers, emperors, and giant sweetlips can also be seen. In the shallower waters, Sebayur Kecil provides a great site for beginners or those looking to refresh their skills.

First Dive: Secret Garden

As the name suggests, this is an intriguing coral garden. You may encounter sweetlips, snappers, jackfish, and schools of Mobula rays. 

Second Dive: Three Sisters

A superb wall dive on three submerged pinnacles. Red-toothed triggerfish tails protrude from the steep walls, alongside beautiful invertebrate-laden whip corals, soft corals, and abundant fish life. 

Third Dive: Padar Beach

A shallow sloping coral garden offers an ideal hiding place for cuttlefish, octopus, and all manners of critters. Large trevallies patrol the reef with snappers and emperor fish following close behind. The sandy bottom is ideal for macro lovers. The wreck of a small fishing boat here is host to plentiful marine life. 

Trekking at Padar Island

Padar is the third largest island within the Komodo National Park. It offers beautiful short treks and is a hotspot for photographers. The hike to the peak takes about 20-40 minutes. From this viewpoint, you will be rewarded with a jaw-dropping vista of a series of crescent-shaped bays and ribbons of sand.

First & Second Dives: Manta Alley

This is a breeding hotspot for manta rays, and you are highly likely to find them here. Under the surface is an “alley” of 30-50ft deep between some rocks, with a deeper section to the east down to 100ft.  You may also find other large rays, big parrot fish, barracudas, schools of fusiliers, giant jackfish, turtles, whitetip sharks, and snappers here. There can be a strong current and the water is often a little chilly at this site.

Third & Fourth Dive: Pink Beach

The color of the sand on the gorgeous Pink Beach is caused by the broken red shells of an organism called foraminifera. This is the most frequently visited dive site in the park because the reef is so rich, and snorkeling is excellent from the beach. There is a particularly good dive in a small area around a rock that breaks the surface at low tide.

First Dive: Crystal Rock

Named for its clear waters, Crystal Rock is one of North Komodo’s gems. Here, a rocky pinnacle breaks the surface at low tide, displaying an array of soft and hard corals. It offers a very colorful dive, which is also prone to current. Expect to see trevally, jacks, sharks, mackerel, Napoleon wrasse, tuna, and even the occasional eagle ray.

Second Dive: Castle Rock

One of Komodo’s most iconic dive sites; the current is strong. Here, enormous schools of fusiliers, unicornfish, and bannerfish attract big predators, such as gray reef sharks, tunas, barracudas, giant trevally, and dolphins (early mornings). Underneath the table corals, inside the little cracks, or in the gorgonian fans, you’ll find a whole realm of tiny invertebrates including pygmy seahorses and blue-eyed crabs.

Third Dive: Shot Gun

This site lives up to its name. The water bottlenecks at the start of a narrow channel so hold tight and enjoy the ride as you get shot through the channel. Stick to the left if you can and you’ll find a complete contrast of diving conditions will be waiting for you, including a coral garden which is one of the best in Komodo.

Fourth Dive: Gili Lawa Darat Reef

A nice reef covered in hard and soft corals with swarms of schooling fish.

Trekking with Komodo Dragons

Head ashore on a ranger-led nature trek in search of Komodo dragons, which are indigenous to this small group of islands. In this savannah-like setting of dry, rugged landscape, you will encounter, at a safe distance, these awe-inspiring giant lizards – Indonesia’s living dinosaurs. You may spot deer, wild boar, sulfur-crested cockatoos, butterflies, rare orchids, and jungle chickens among the strangler-fig trees and the distinctive lontar palms. From the top of the hills, the scenery is breathtaking. 

First Dive: Karang Makassar aka Manta Point

Famous for sightings of up to 50 manta rays, Makassar is a mile-long drift dive located in the middle of the Lintah Strait. Due to strong currents, the site resembles a lunar landscape with vast craters and towering dunes. Mantas are not the only attraction, Makassar offers numerous species of sharks, schools of bump-head parrotfish, marble and eagle rays, and a surprising amount of macro life within the sparse yet vibrant coral bommies.

Second Dive: Batu Bolong

Batu Bolong (Hollow Rock) is one of the most famous dive sites in the park. Below the surface is an explosion of life, the rocky reefs drop to 230 feet, and attract big schools of fish − bright blue fusiliers, small reef fish of all sizes and colors with bluefin trevallies hunting amongst them. Every inch of the coral wall is alive, with an incredible diversity of color. Morays and octopuses hide in holes and tunnels, and lionfish and nudibranchs in cracks and crevices. Hawksbill turtles often come to graze and occasionally mantas or dolphins will glide in from the blue.

Third Dive: Wainilu

If it’s macro you are seeking, this is your place. Ribbon eels, Indian walkman, mandarin fish, frogfish, juvenile harlequin sweetlips, and countless species of nudibranch are all common sightings.

First Dive: Mawan

Here, you’ll drift gently over some of Komodo’s most gorgeous coral gardens, often spotting parrotfish, clownfish, and blue-spotted stingrays, to name but a few.

Second Dive: Siaba Kecil

Siaba Kecil is the fastest drift dive in Komodo. The reef face is filled with small caves harboring angel fish, batfish, and sweetlips. Giant trevally school up above in the shallows. At the end of the dive, you are pushed up onto a shallow reef plateau, home to countless turtles and mandarin fish.

Morning Cruise to Labuan Bajo. Prepare for disembarkation.

Dive at Sebayur Kecil

This site is suitable for divers of all levels, with good visibility and no risk of strong currents. Marine life is abundant here, including schools of bump head parrotfish and fusiliers, leaf scorpionfish and stonefish, morays, batfish, damselfish, butterflyfish, anthias, giant spiny lobster, De Beaufort's flathead, gobies, shrimps, large cuttlefish, octopus, ghost pipefish, frogfish, and electric clams. Sometimes, manta rays, spotted eagle rays, white tip reef sharks, groups of giant trevally, coral trout, snappers, emperors, and giant sweetlips can also be seen. In the shallower waters, Sebayur Kecil provides a great site for beginners or those looking to refresh their skills.

First Dive: Secret Garden

As the name suggests, this is an intriguing coral garden. You may encounter sweetlips, snappers, jackfish and schools of mobula rays. 

Second Dive: Three Sisters

A superb wall dive on three submerged pinnacles. Red toothed triggerfish tails protrude from the steep walls, alongside beautiful invertebrate-laden whip corals, soft corals and abundant fish life. 

Third Dive: Padar Beach

A shallow sloping coral garden offers an ideal hiding place for cuttlefish, octopus and all manners of critters. Large trevallies patrol the reef with snappers and emperor fish following close behind. The sandy bottom is ideal for macro lovers. The wreck of a small fishing boat here is host to plentiful marine life. 

Trekking at Padar Island

Padar is the third largest island within the Komodo National Park. It offers beautiful short treks and is a hotspot for photographers. The hike to the peak takes about 20-40 minutes.  From the viewpoint you will be rewarded with a jaw-dropping vista of a series of crescent shaped bays and ribbons of sand.

First Dive: Cannibal Rock

Famous for a wide range of weird and wonderful invertebrates, Cannibal Rock is a delight for macro photographers and critter hunters. Look for purple and red sea apples, blue anemones and huge gorgonian fans, home to pygmy seahorses. 

Second Dive: Yellow Wall of Texas

Yellow Wall is indeed quite yellow, due to the many brightly colored sea cucumbers and feather stars. It is not necessary to dive deep here.  

Third Dive: The Boulders

The Boulders are submerged rocks down to 115 feet, which are home to a diverse marine life.

Fourth Dive: Torpedo Alley

Named after the torpedo rays that are found on the bottom here, this is also a great dive site for macro life such as frogfish, leaf scorpionfish, and pipefish.

First & Second Dives: Manta Alley

This is a breeding hotspot for manta rays, and you are highly likely to find them here. Under the surface is an “alley” of 30-50ft deep between some rocks, with a deeper section to the east down to 100ft.  You may also find other large rays, big parrot fish, barracudas, schools of fusiliers, giant jack fish, turtles, whitetip sharks and snappers here. There can be a strong current and the water is often a little chilly at this site.

Third & Fourth Dives: Pink Beach

The color of the sand on the gorgeous Pink Beach is caused by the broken red shells of an organism called foraminifera. This is the most frequently visited dive site in the park because the reef is so rich, and snorkeling is excellent from the beach. There is a particularly good dive in a small area around a rock that breaks the surface at low tide.

First Dive: Golden Passage

This dive site is the channel between Gili Lawa Darat and Komodo Island. You can enjoy a drift dive in the rising tide when the current pushes from east to west through a delightful coral garden. You will probably see sweetlips, trevally, lots of turtles and black and white tipped reef sharks, while garden eels sway in the steady currents on the sandy bottom. The dive site is suitable for snorkelers, especially in the shallow waters.

Second Dive: Aquarium

The name of this site offers a clue to the experience.

Third Dive: Gili Lawa Dawat Lighthouse

This is a drift dive for the more experienced diver. Below the surface lie two pinnacles jutting off a sloping reef, which is made up of large table corals and long whip corals. The first pinnacle offers leaf scorpionfish, frogfish and schooling batfish, huge schools of red tooth triggerfish, bump head parrotfish, sweetlips, and more. The second, larger pinnacle is great for spotting white tip reef sharks, manta rays, and even dolphins. 

Fourth Dive: Batu Monco Bay

This is a stunning sloping reef going from 16 to a 65ft deep sandy bottom with lots of bomies covered in glass fish and large gorgonian fans. You may see stingrays, sharks, and barracudas.

Sangeang Island is an active volcano that towers 6000 ft above sea level. It last erupted in 2014. Although not officially inside of the boundaries of the national park, it lies just a few nautical miles to the northwest of Komodo Island and its conical twin peaks dominate the horizon during spectacular sunsets.  

First Dive: Hot Rocks

This dive site makes you realize what it means to dive beside an active volcano, you will see bubbles rising from warm black sand, and the water in some parts is really hot.  

Second Dive: Lighthouse Reef

This is a sandy slope that turns into a wall at 10 to 30 meters. It is a colorful macro site offering a mix of sea fans, soft corals, and sponges.

Third Dive: Black Diamond

You’ll see nudibranchs and shrimps galore. Look for wonderpus and ghost pipefish. You’ll feel the warmth from the volcano bubbling up from underneath.

Fourth Dive: Bontoh Reef

This is a reef mixed with volcanic rocks, a few bommies and black sand. Look for the garden eels swaying in the current.

First Dive: Crystal Rock

Named for its clear waters, Crystal Rock is one of North Komodo’s gems. Here, a rocky pinnacle breaks the surface at low tide, displaying an array of soft and hard corals. It offers a very colorful dive, which is also prone to current. Expect to see trevally, jacks, sharks, mackerel, Napoleon wrasse, tuna and even the occasional eagle ray.

Second Dive: Castle Rock

One of Komodo’s most iconic dive sites; the current is strong. Here, enormous schools of fusiliers, unicornfish and bannerfish attract big predators, such as gray reef sharks, tunas, barracudas, giant trevally, and dolphins (early mornings). Underneath the table corals, inside the little cracks, or in the gorgonian fans, you’ll find a whole realm of tiny invertebrates including pygmy seahorses and blue-eyed crab.

Third Dive: Shot Gun

This site lives up to its name. The water bottlenecks at the start of a narrow channel so hold tight and enjoy the ride as you get shot through the channel. Stick to the left if you can and you’ll find a complete contrast of diving conditions will be waiting for you, including a coral garden which is one of the best in Komodo.

Fourth Dive: Gili Lawa Darat Reef

A nice reef covered in hard and soft corals with swarms of schooling fish.

Trekking with Komodo Dragons

Head ashore on a ranger-led nature trek in search of Komodo dragons, which are indigenous to this small group of islands. In this savannah-like setting of dry, rugged landscape, you will encounter, at a safe distance, these awe-inspiring giant lizards – Indonesia’s living dinosaurs. You may spot deer, wild boar, sulfur-crested cockatoos, butterflies, rare orchids and jungle chickens among the strangler-fig trees and the distinctive lontar palms. From the top of the hills, the scenery is breathtaking. 

First Dive: Karang Makassar aka Manta Point

Famous for sightings of up to 50 manta rays, Makassar is a mile-long drift dive located in the middle of the Lintah Strait. Due to strong currents, the site resembles a lunar landscape with vast craters and towering dunes. Mantas are not the only attraction, Makassar offers numerous species of sharks, schools of bump head parrotfish, marble and eagle rays, and a surprising amount of macro life within the sparse yet vibrant coral bommies.

Second Dive: Batu Bolong

Batu Bolong (Hollow Rock) is one of the most famous dive sites in the park. Below the surface is an explosion of life, the rocky reefs drop to 230 feet, and attract big schools of fish − bright blue fusiliers, small reef fish of all sizes and colors with bluefin trevallies hunting amongst them. Every inch of the coral wall is alive, with an incredible diversity of color. Morays and octopus hide in holes and tunnels, lionfish and nudibranchs in cracks and crevices. Hawksbill turtles often come to graze and occasionally mantas or dolphins will glide in from the blue.

Third Dive: Wainili

If it’s macro you are seeking, this is your place. Ribbon eels, Indian walkman, mandarin fish, frogfish, juvenile harlequin sweetlips, and countless species of nudibranch are all common sightings.

First Dive: Mawan

Here, you’ll drift gently over some of Komodo’s most gorgeous coral gardens, often spotting parrotfish, clownfish and blue-spotted stingrays, to name but a few.

Second Dive: Siaba Kecil

Siaba Kecil is the fastest drift dive in Komodo. The reef face is filled with small caves harboring angel fish, batfish, and sweetlips. Giant trevally school up above in the shallows. At the end of the dive, you are pushed up onto a shallow reef plateau, home to countless turtles and mandarin fish.

Disembark at Labuan Bajo.

Crossing to Waisai (around 6 hours)

Overnight.

Check Dive: Mioskun

This dive site is most famous for being the home of many yellow snapper, which you will see schooling and swirling around the coral column. If you head towards the bottom of the pinnacle, you will be able to see wobbegong sharks hiding in the cracks and caves. The gorgonian fans are where you will find sea horses and tiny little ornate crabs. Schools of fusiliers and trevallies will swim around you while you are looking at the coral structures. Peek into the crevices to spot shrimps, moray eels, and coral groupers.

Second Dive: Blue Magic

This site is an underwater pinnacle covered in spectacular corals ranging from gorgonian sea fans to colorful sponges, soft and hard corals, while bigger species swim in from the blue. This is a manta ray cleaning station, and you can simply choose a spot on the dive site to stay and let the majestic gliding rays circle right next to your face. The pinnacle also attracts massive schools of barracuda, plenty of octopus camouflaged among the sponge coral, and white tip, black tip and grey reef sharks, giant groupers, harlequin shrimp, honeycomb eels, wobbegong sharks, cuttlefish, pretty anthias and reef fish, nudibranch, pygmy seahorses, porcelain crabs and colorful clams.  

Third Dive: Friwibonda 

Great for macro underwater photographers, the site offers a huge variety of nudibranch species, sea dragons, blue-striped flagtail pipefish, pygmy seahorses, green sea turtles, giant napoleon wrasse, and Indian lionfish. There is also an abundant growth of corals and sea fans here that serve as homes for large groups of small fish.

Fourth Dive: Oh Yes!  

Beautiful corals and loads of schooling fish. Some fusiliers, jacks, snappers, anthias can be seen here.

First Dive: Cape Kri

Cape Kri is probably the most famous site in Raja Ampat, holding the record for the greatest number of species, 374, recorded on a single dive. The currents can be strong. Black tips and grey sharks are regular visitors here as they patrol the outer edges of the reef. You’ll see huge schools of sweet lips, groupers, giant trevally and snappers and even snoozing wobbegongs hidden away in caves. The coral coverage on this part of the island is also exquisite.  

Second Dive: Otdima Reef

The current has a habit of running in different directions, creating an impressive haven for all types of schooling fish. The reef’s vast hard coral garden is very healthy and the sheer numbers of anthias fish within it are mind boggling. From sharks to eagle rays, mantas and dolphins, you never know what may be passing by.  

Third Dive: Yenbuba Jetty

Yenbuba is a spectacular dive site with many different species of fish and a great chance for turtle enthusiasts to get up close to these wonderful creatures. It has schooling barracuda on the point and is home to fields of amazing staghorn and cabbage corals. This dive is protected, so it is great for beginners and those who have not been diving in a few years. If there are currents, they will go from left to right or vice versa, so you can enjoy a gentle drift with the current.

First Dive: Manta Ridge

Manta Ridge has to be one of the most exhilarating dive sites in Raja Ampat. If you’ve ever dreamed of having a close encounter with a manta, then this is it. During the months of November-January the mantas come to feed at this famous cleaning station. All-black mantas are often seen here. Other marine life is abundant with large schools of fish including barracuda, sharks and sweetlips to name but a few. The soft and hard corals are also very healthy. The current rips across the wall in all directions and down currents are common. A reef hook is a must. 

Second Dive: Lalosi

Lalosi is a sloping reef composed of a sandy bottom and many coral bommies. Lots of fish here as well as blacktip sharks and wobbegong sharks.  

Third Dive: Sawandarek Jetty

This is a “must-visit” jetty because of the diversity you can find all in one area. One the way down you will encounter beautiful soft and hard corals surrounding metal Manta ray structures, were put in place many years ago for coral conservation. You will encounter larger than usual green turtles, giant clams and big schools of fusiliers and barracuda, and you’ll see a wide variety of macro life. 

Fourth Dive: Arborek Jetty

Arborek is a small island village with a short jetty, underneath which you’ll find thousands to millions of schooling fish surrounding and enveloping you from every direction. Additionally, you may see cuttlefish, octopus, and both electric and giant clams. The site is quite shallow and therefore a great spot to practice your free diving or enjoy a snorkel.

First Dive: My Reef

This is one of the more fishy dive sites of Pianemo, a long, submerged seamount full of life from the surface stretching down to 100 feet. 

Second Dive: Melissa’s Garden

Prepare to be astounded by the large and colorful coral formations that are home to a wide variety of marine life at the beautiful Melissa’s Garden. Here, patches of hard corals create a smorgasbord of colors that seems to contain all forms of life. Wobbegong sharks, crocodile fish, and centuries’ old giant tridacna clams mingle with ubiquitous schools of fusiliers, anthias, and damsels. The reef attracts manta rays from May to October, along with great barracudas and many clownfish in the sprawling mass of anemones. Soft coral is also found here, making this an excellent site for macro divers and macro photographers.

Third Dive: Keruo Channel

This exciting drift dive takes you through a narrow channel with towering walls on either side and a chance to enjoy colorful sponges, black corals, sea whips, sea fans and table corals.

Optional Trekking: Pianemo Viewpoint

This isn’t a long trek, just 300 steps will take you up to a viewpoint from where you can see a plethora of tiny islands rising up out of crystal-clear turquoise water. One of the most impressive views here is looking out over Telaga Bintang or Star Lagoon. This is a beautiful star-shaped lagoon that makes for a gorgeous backdrop to your photos.

Crossing to Misool (around 14 hours)

Snorkeling at Jellyfish Lake, Lenmakana

The hidden Lake Lenmakana is reached via a short hike up a steep limestone cliffside. Despite the arduous journey, once on the top of the cliff, the view down into this turquoise lake and the treasures found within are well worth it. Here, you can snorkel among many thousands of stingless jellyfish, which have living algae within their bodies that, just like plants, photosynthesize in sunlight. The algae produce what is essentially a form of sugar, which the jellyfish metabolize, and this is how they gain the energy to propel and migrate through the water, grow and reproduce. The three species here are moon, golden and spotted medusa, and Cassiopeia (the upside-down jellyfish).

Snorkeling through the big Keramat Cave (aka Tomolo Cave)                         

A swim through Tomolol’s mysterious dome-topped cave is undoubtedly one of Raja Ampat’s most amazing activities. In this partially submerged cave, you can swim, snorkel or simply float, while gazing up at the cavernous grotto adorned with astonishing stalactites. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can swim or paddle through the dark waters to the other mouth of the cave.

Trekking to the Harfat Viewpoint

From Harfat Peak, you can view the beautiful Raja Ampat scenery. The topography is typical of ‘karst dissolution,’ featuring a great number of tiny islets whose bases have been eroded over time by the relentless motion of the tides. The crystal water is a vivid shade of turquoise, creating colorful mini atolls.

First Dive: Four Kings

This dive site has four pinnacles that shoot up out of the deep blue, rising from a depth of about 100 feet. The sides of the pinnacles are coated in soft corals, sea-fans and tunicates, and have become a colorful playground for just about every creature from schooling predatory fish such as barracuda and trevally, to coral grazing turtles with plenty of reef fish hiding in the creeks and crevices. This is also a great place to look for invertebrates, as they are masters of camouflage.

Second Dive: Gorgonian Passage

Many Gorgonian fans line the walls of this dive site, dominating the reef. The fans come in a rainbow of colors and if you look closely, you’ll spot pygmy seahorses, as well as many different nudibranchs, shrimps, crabs, lobsters, and moray eels. There are also many juvenile fish in the area.   

Third Dive: Wedding Cake

Explore the steep wall at Wedding Cake. This site offers impressive marine diversity and topography. 

Fourth Dive: Barracuda Rock

Bursting with Life, the massive boulders here are colonized by yellow and orange soft coral. You can look forward to some fish action and barracuda sightings.

First Dive: Karang Bayangan (aka Shadow Reef)

The bewitching Karang Bayangan is a hub of corals which include potato corals, soft corals, and brown leather corals. Black tip, white, and grey reef sharks are predominant here along with fusiliers, baby sharks, and jacks. In addition to these, parrot fish, oceanic triggerfish, octopus, and batfishes are all present in abundance, in fact, the number of fish is spectacular.  

Second Dive: Boo West

A variety of marine creatures can be seen here such as grey reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, schools of pinnate batfish, unicornfish, blue dash fusiliers, yellow striped grunts and surgeonfish swarming around in large numbers, while less common sightings are banded sea kraits, ghost pipefish, leaf fish, and octopus lurking in the reefs.

Third Dive: Puri Pinnacle

This is a submerged reef that stands 23 feet below the surface. Its three pinnacles attract large schools of fusiliers, surgeon fish and hunting trevallies. It can offer some spectacular mobula ray action. 

Snorkeling at Ranger Station Yuliet Besar

Here, you can snorkel among young black tip sharks swimming over the sand in the shallows.

First Dive: Eagle’s Nest

This dive site offers superb visibility and impressive rock formations, abundant with schooling fish life and healthy reefs. 

Second Dive: Boo Windows

One of Raja Ampat’s most iconic and most photographed dive sites, Boo Windows takes its name from the two swim-through holes in the rock. This dive site showcases the biodiversity of the Misool area with schooling fish, incredible corals and stunning underwater topography. The reef itself is thriving and healthy with plenty of soft and hard corals in a variety of awe-inspiring colors.  

Third Dive: Boo East Point

This site is visited by the local reef manta population in season. Here the reef top is very shallow and perfect for watching the mantas being cleaned by small reef fish. Octopus can also be spotted around the rocky substrate.   

Fourth Dive: Romeo

Many interesting macro subjects here, including pygmy seahorses, soft coral, decorator crabs, and many small commensal animals living with crinoids.

First Dive: Andiamo

Two small islands mark the site, but the typical dive starts at a small, submerged pinnacle teeming with fish life both large and small. You can then follow a deep ridge toward the two main islands of Andiamo while swimming past the resident group of yellowtail barracuda. Between the pinnacles is an impressive collection of soft corals and sea fans along with schools of damselfish and anthias. A long sloping ridge on the back side of the pinnacles is home to several large groupers. 

Second Dive: Warna Bewarna (aka Candy Store)

Warna Berwarna means ‘colorful’ in Bahasa Indonesia and describes the abundant soft corals here, which are best experienced in the shallows.

Crossing to Sorong (around 12 hours)

Disembark at Sorong.

Dive at Sebayur Kecil

This site is suitable for divers of all levels, with good visibility and no risk of strong currents. Marine life is abundant here, including schools of bump head parrotfish and fusiliers, leaf scorpionfish and stonefish, morays, batfish, damselfish, butterflyfish, anthias, giant spiny lobster, De Beaufort's flathead, gobies, shrimps, large cuttlefish, octopus, ghost pipefish, frogfish, and electric clams. Sometimes, manta rays, spotted eagle rays, white tip reef sharks, groups of giant trevally, coral trout, snappers, emperors, and giant sweetlips can also be seen. In the shallower waters, Sebayur Kecil provides a great site for beginners or those looking to refresh their skills.

First Dive: Secret Garden

As the name suggests, this is an intriguing coral garden. You may encounter sweetlips, snappers, jackfish and schools of mobula rays. 

Second Dive: Three Sisters

A superb wall dive on three submerged pinnacles. Red toothed triggerfish tails protrude from the steep walls, alongside beautiful invertebrate-laden whip corals, soft corals and abundant fish life. 

Third Dive: Padar Beach

A shallow sloping coral garden offers an ideal hiding place for cuttlefish, octopus and all manners of critters. Large trevallies patrol the reef with snappers and emperor fish following close behind. The sandy bottom is ideal for macro lovers. The wreck of a small fishing boat here is host to plentiful marine life. 

Trekking at Padar Island

Padar is the third largest island within the Komodo National Park. It offers beautiful short treks and is a hotspot for photographers. The hike to the peak takes about 20-40 minutes. From the viewpoint you will be rewarded with a jaw-dropping vista of a series of crescent shaped bays and ribbons of sand.

First Dive: Cannibal Rock

Famous for a wide range of weird and wonderful invertebrates, Cannibal Rock is a delight for macro photographers and critter hunters. Look for purple and red sea apples, blue anemones and huge gorgonian fans, home to pygmy seahorses. 

Second Dive: Yellow Wall of Texas

Yellow Wall is indeed quite yellow, due to the many brightly colored sea cucumbers and feather stars. It is not necessary to dive deep here.  

First Dive: The Boulders

The Boulders are submerged rocks down to 115 feet, which are home to a diverse marine life.

Second Dive: Torpedo Alley

Named after the torpedo rays that are found on the bottom here, this is also a great dive site for macro life such as frogfish, leaf scorpionfish, and pipefish.

First & Second Dives: Manta Alley

This is a breeding hotspot for manta rays, and you are highly likely to find them here. Under the surface is an “alley” of 30-50ft deep between some rocks, with a deeper section to the east down to 100ft. You may also find other large rays, big parrot fish, barracudas, schools of fusiliers, giant jack fish, turtles, whitetip sharks and snappers here. There can be a strong current and the water is often a little chilly at this site.

Third & Fourth Dives: Pink Beach

The color of the sand on the gorgeous Pink Beach is caused by the broken red shells of an organism called foraminifera. This is the most frequently visited dive site in the park because the reef is so rich, and snorkeling is excellent from the beach. There is a particularly good dive in a small area around a rock that breaks the surface at low tide.

First Dive: Golden Passage

This dive site is the channel between Gili Lawa Darat and Komodo Island. You can enjoy a drift dive in the rising tide when the current pushes from east to west through a delightful coral garden. You will probably see sweetlips, trevally, lots of turtles and black and white tipped reef sharks, while garden eels sway in the steady currents on the sandy bottom. The dive site is suitable for snorkelers, especially in the shallow waters.

Second Dive: Aquarium

The name of this site offers a clue to the experience.

Third Dive: Gili Lawa Dawat Lighthouse

This is a drift dive for the more experienced diver. Below the surface lie two pinnacles jutting off a sloping reef, which is made up of large table corals and long whip corals. The first pinnacle offers leaf scorpionfish, frogfish and schooling batfish, huge schools of red tooth triggerfish, bump head parrotfish, sweetlips, and more. The second, larger pinnacle is great for spotting white tip reef sharks, manta rays, and even dolphins. 

Fourth Dive: Batu Monco Bay

This is a stunning sloping reef going from 16 to a 65ft deep sandy bottom with lots of bomies covered in glass fish and large gorgonian fans. You may see stingrays, sharks, and barracudas.

Sangeang Island is an active volcano that towers 6000 ft above sea level. It last erupted in 2014. Although not officially inside of the boundaries of the national park, it lies just a few nautical miles to the northwest of Komodo Island and its conical twin peaks dominate the horizon during spectacular sunsets.  

First Dive: Hot Rocks

This dive site makes you realize what it means to dive beside an active volcano, you will see bubbles rising from warm black sand, and the water in some parts is really hot.  

Second Dive: Lighthouse Reef

This is a sandy slope that turns into a wall at 10 to 30 meters. It is a colorful macro site offering a mix of sea fans, soft corals, and sponges.

Third Dive: Black Diamond

You’ll see nudibranchs and shrimps galore. Look for wonderpus and ghost pipefish. You’ll feel the warmth from the volcano bubbling up from underneath.

Fourth Dive: Bontoh Reef

This is a reef mixed with volcanic rocks, a few bommies and black sand. Look for the garden eels swaying in the current.

First Dive: Crystal Rock

Named for its clear waters, Crystal Rock is one of North Komodo’s gems. Here, a rocky pinnacle breaks the surface at low tide, displaying an array of soft and hard corals. It offers a very colorful dive, which is also prone to current. Expect to see trevally, jacks, sharks, mackerel, Napoleon wrasse, tuna and even the occasional eagle ray.

Second Dive: Castle Rock

One of Komodo’s most iconic dive sites; the current is strong. Here, enormous schools of fusiliers, unicornfish and bannerfish attract big predators, such as gray reef sharks, tunas, barracudas, giant trevally, and dolphins (early mornings). Underneath the table corals, inside the little cracks, or in the gorgonian fans, you’ll find a whole realm of tiny invertebrates including pygmy seahorses and blue-eyed crab.

Third Dive: Shot Gun

This site lives up to its name. The water bottlenecks at the start of a narrow channel so hold tight and enjoy the ride as you get shot through the channel. Stick to the left if you can and you’ll find a complete contrast of diving conditions will be waiting for you, including a coral garden which is one of the best in Komodo.

Fourth Dive: Gili Lawa Darat Reef

A nice reef covered in hard and soft corals with swarms of schooling fish.

Trekking with Komodo Dragons

Head ashore on a ranger-led nature trek in search of Komodo dragons, which are indigenous to this small group of islands. In this savannah-like setting of dry, rugged landscape, you will encounter, at a safe distance, these awe-inspiring giant lizards – Indonesia’s living dinosaurs. You may spot deer, wild boar, sulfur-crested cockatoos, butterflies, rare orchids and jungle chickens among the strangler-fig trees and the distinctive lontar palms. From the top of the hills, the scenery is breathtaking. 

First Dive: Karang Makassar aka Manta Point

Famous for sightings of up to 50 manta rays, Makassar is a mile-long drift dive located in the middle of the Lintah Strait. Due to strong currents, the site resembles a lunar landscape with vast craters and towering dunes. Mantas are not the only attraction, Makassar offers numerous species of sharks, schools of bump head parrotfish, marble and eagle rays, and a surprising amount of macro life within the sparse yet vibrant coral bommies.

Second Dive: Batu Bolong

Batu Bolong (Hollow Rock) is one of the most famous dive sites in the park. Below the surface is an explosion of life, the rocky reefs drop to 230 feet, and attract big schools of fish − bright blue fusiliers, small reef fish of all sizes and colors with bluefin trevallies hunting amongst them. Every inch of the coral wall is alive, with an incredible diversity of color. Morays and octopus hide in holes and tunnels, lionfish and nudibranchs in cracks and crevices. Hawksbill turtles often come to graze and occasionally mantas or dolphins will glide in from the blue.

Third Dive: Wainili

If it’s macro you are seeking, this is your place. Ribbon eels, Indian walkman, mandarin fish, frogfish, juvenile harlequin sweetlips, and countless species of nudibranch are all common sightings.

First Dive: Mawan

Here, you’ll drift gently over some of Komodo’s most gorgeous coral gardens, often spotting parrotfish, clownfish and blue-spotted stingrays, to name but a few.

Second Dive: Siaba Kecil

Siaba Kecil is the fastest drift dive in Komodo. The reef face is filled with small caves harboring angel fish, batfish, and sweetlips. Giant trevally school up above in the shallows. At the end of the dive, you are pushed up onto a shallow reef plateau, home to countless turtles and mandarin fish.

Disembark at Labuan Bajo.