Scuba Diving Liveaboard in Komodo
Komodo is known for its drift dives, its coral and the sheer amount of marine life. It sits in one of the most biodiverse stretches of ocean anywhere.
A liveaboard is the best way to explore Komodo’s best dive sites. These floating dive hotels allow you to explore remote locations like Batu Bolong, Castle Rock, and Manta Point. These sites feature strong currents, making them ideal for advanced divers who can handle the challenge while enjoying encounters with reef sharks, manta rays, and massive schools of fish.
Read more about the Best Dive Sites in Komodo
Liveaboard trips also include land excursions to see the Komodo dragons, and take in the park’s ridges and beaches from the water.
Who is it for?
Komodo is known for strong currents. Most of the better dive sites want at least an Advanced Open Water certification, though some boats take less experienced divers. Several carry instructors, so you can do an advanced or specialty course during the trip.
How much does a diving liveaboard trip in Komodo costs?
Budget Liveaboards
What you pay depends on the boat. The cheapest options run from $136 to $200 per night, with basic facilities, shared accommodation (dorm style or sleeping on deck) and shorter trips of 2 to 5 days.
Check out our Favorite Budget Diving Liveaboards in Komodo
Standard and Deluxe Liveaboards
For a more comfortable experience, prices typically range from $210 to $500 per night. These liveaboards offer more comfort, with better meals, larger cabins, and a more relaxed atmosphere.
These boats offer private double cabins or shared twin cabins with en-suite bathrooms and run trips between 4 and 8 days.
Luxury liveaboards
At the other end, a luxury boat starts around $600 per night, with better cabins, service and food.
These boats offer private suites, double cabins or shared twin cabins with en-suite bathrooms. Trips are usually longer, ranging from 5 to 12 days.
Additional Costs
National Park and Harbor Fees: It’s important to remember that National park and harbor fees are usually not included in the base price. You can read more about these fees and use our Komodo National Park Fees Calculator here.
Equipment rental: If you are not travelling with your own dive equipment and if the rental is not included on your trip, you will need to rent your equipment onboard. Count about $30 to $40 per day for a full set (including dive computer). Individual items
Tips for the crew: Running a quality and safe diving liveaboard trip requires people! Usually, the ration is 1 crew member per passenger. The crew consists of captains, mechanics, chefs, housekeepers, dive guides. They are all working long hours to ensure you have a great and safe time onboard and in the water. So if you feel generous, 10% of the value of your trip is considered a good tip!
Best Season for Scuba Diving Liveaboards in Komodo
The best time to dive Komodo from a liveaboard is the dry season, April to November. The weather is more settled, the sea calmer, and visibility runs from 20 to 40 meters.
While diving is great year-round, the peak season for diving is between August and October, when the water is warmer, and manta rays are particularly active. However, visiting during the shoulder months, like April, May, or November, can offer fewer crowds while still providing excellent diving conditions.
Keep in mind that the strong currents can be more challenging during certain months (particularly in December through March), so it’s best to be an experienced diver when visiting during this time. During these months, the winds and tides are stronger, which can lead to more powerful currents. Itineraries during this period usually focus on the southern part of the park, which is quite amazing as well!
Sample Itineraries & Dive Sites
Please note that these itineraries are sample itineraries and final itinerary will be decided by the cruise director depending on weather and sea conditions.
3 Days / 2 Nights – Komodo Highlights – North and Central
- Day 1: Check dive, Sebayur, Crsytal Rock
- Day 2: Castle Rock, the Shotgun, Tatawa Besar
- Day 3: Dragon Trek, Batu Bolong, Manta Point
4 Days / 3 Nights – Best of Komodo – North and Central
- Day 1: Sebayur Kecil, Pengah Kecil, Sunset to see the Flying Fox, Waenilu (Night Dive)
- Day 2: Rinca Island Dragon Trekking, Siaba Kecil, Turtle City, Siaba Besar (Night Dive)
- Day 3: Batu Bolong, Taka Makassar (Sand Banks), Manta Point, Cauldron (Shotgun), Sunset Trekking on Gili Lawa Darat Island
- Day 4: Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, Bamboo Slope
5 Days / 4 Nights – Best of Komodo
- Day 1: 2 dives in central Komodo, sailing to north Komodo
- Day 2: Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, The Cauldron (shotgun)
- Day 3: Tatawa Besar, Siaba Kecil, Mawan, Night Dive Wainilo
- Day 4: Komodo dragon trekking, Pink Beach, Batu Bolong North/South, Siaba Kecil
- Day 5: Kelor Trekking, Pengah Kecil, Sebayur Kecil, Sail back to Labuan Bajo
6 Days / 5 Nights – Ultimate Komodo
- Day 1: Check dive, dive 2 and night dive
- Day 2: Dragon trekking, 3 Dives around Padar (maybe Bonsai, Secret Garden and Monkey Corner)
- Day 3: Padar Island trekking, 3 Sisters, Batu Bolong, Manta Point
- Day 4: 3 dives in Sangeang
- Day 5: Crystal Rock, Castle Rock, The Cauldron (shotgun)
- Day 6: We have a choice of 3 dives in the North or head back to Central to try and find the Mantas again. After diving we cruise back towards Labuan Bajo.
How to choose and book your Komodo diving liveaboard?
Our team of dive travel experts is here to help you find the best options for you. Just fill in the form on this page or contact us by email / WhatsApp and tell us what you are looking for. We will provide the best options according to your budget, level of diving and the time of the year you plan to travel.
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Any question, special request or custom itinerary, we reply within 24hrs.
