Komodo
Expedition covering the north, central and south Komodo with manta rays, current dives, macro life and Komodo dragons ashore.
Komodo combines exciting current diving, manta ray encounters, turtles, sharks, coral-rich reefs and strong macro opportunities.
The national park reserve of Komodo Island offers the liveaboard diver just about every type of tropical scuba diving imaginable - from warm, calm and colourful shallow reefs alive with undreds of colourful reef fishes and crammed with invertebrates, to current-swept deep cool water sea mounts, walls and pinnacles patrolled by sharks, tuna and other big fish. Famously Komodo has many manta cleaning stations where sometimes over 30 mantas can be observed on a single dive.
The trip also includes the broader Komodo National Park experience, including famous Komodo dragons.
OUR PROMISE
Insider Divers always carefully select the optimal season and best operator for every destination. For Komodo early summer offers the most rewarding conditions. Among liveaboards worldwide, Amira stands out as one of our favorites.
You will be in the company of fellow ocean lovers and accompanied by an Insider Divers group leader who handles logistics, making your trip effortless. We will enrich your experience with wildlife talks and provide professional photos as a memory of your trip.
Overview
Animals
Accommodation
Amira
MSV Amira is one of Insider Divers’ favorite Indonesian dive vessels and offers expeditions all over Indonesia. Built with locally grown timber using traditional Pinisi craftsmanship, the 52m vessel offers lots of relaxing areas as well as spacious cabins, all with showers, toilets and natural lighting. The crew is fantastic and the food delightful.
Amira
Lower Deck Cabin
Large twin cabins with private facilities, big bathrooms, AC, toilets and natural light
Upper Deck
Twin or double cabins with natural light and seaview, private facilities, big bathrooms, AC, toilets
Single room
One single room with private facilities, bathrooms, AC and toilets
Activities
Reef Dives
Reef Dives
Komodo is one of the largest reef marine parks in Indonesia. Every dive will be on lush soft and hard coral reefs. Often these reefs are on unique lime stone formations.
The diving is often at a mild drift but can also have strong currents where we hook onto corners and watch the magic.
Current Diving
Current Diving
Komodo is famous for its rapid current dives. We will do several high speed dives throughout this itinerary
Manta Cleaning Stations
Manta Cleaning Stations
There are several beautiful Manta Cleaning stations that invite for observing Manta Rays up close.
Often this requires hooking in strong current while the Mantas gently cruise the rushing water.
Excursions
Excursions
As part of your trip there will be several land tours to viewing points and to see the famous Komodo dragons
Night Dives
Night Dives
On many nights the dive team will offer exiting night dive opportunities.
At night the reefs come to life with animals you do not always see during the day
Trip leader
Simon Lorenz
Simon is an award winning photographer, PADI instructor and TDI tech diver. He is the founder of Insider Divers and the main group leader on our trips. Having dived all over the world he often felt unsatisfied by the dive operations, by the background knowledge of the guides and by the inflexibility of the itineraries. This inspired him to create Insider Divers, where groups of fun international divers get the best possible itinerary.
REsponsibilities
- Briefings
- All organisation and logistics
- Wildlife presentations
- Scuba and photography coaching
- Taking and sharing professional underwater photography
Jesse Alpert
Jesse is an award-winning underwater photographer and videographer and PADI scuba instructor. For Insider Divers he runs various expeditions formats such as scuba diving and snorkeling trips. In his home Palau he is well known as above and underwater photographer. He is also an accomplished videographer and films for big production documentaries.
REsponsibilities
- Briefings
- All organisation and logistics
- Wildlife presentations
- Scuba and photography coaching
- Taking and sharing professional underwater photography
Itinerary
Inclusions
- Full board based on shared room
- All snorkeling and diving
- Breakfasts, lunch, dinner plus snacks
- Presentations
- Photography training
- Professional photos
- Transfers from LBJ
- FREE T-Shirt
- Access to Insider Divers Portal
- Flights
- Rental equipment
- Nitrox (mandatory on Insider Divers trips)
- Marine Park fees
- Fuel Surcharge
- Wifi with Starlink
- Tips
Reviews
I went on a live aboard trip with Insider Divers in Komodo National Park and the experiences was great.
From the beginning everything was well organized regarding paperwork, pick ups and any special requirements. Once on the boat the group leader was always making sure the group had a good experience and enjoy every part of the trip. He took really nice photos of me that I will treasure.
I definitely recommend this company.
I had always heard about how wonderful diving in Komodo is so decided to finally do it. Booked my trip with Insider Divers on the Amira.
I have to say it was an amazing experience. The trip was very well organised on a beautiful boat with a kind and professional crew. I truly enjoyed meeting the other divers on the trip which made dinners and in between dives as fun as being underwater. Have to say I learned a lot - underwater and above water.
Pauline did a great job sharing information about all the beautiful things we were seeing - in particular the mantas. I highly recommend!
Great trip in Komodo with Insider Divers
I went on a liveaboard in Komodo last May and was very pleased of my diving holidays!
Logistic was impeccable from beginning to end. Very serious operation & organization. Taking care of each and every one needs and making sure that groups were done accordingly to level/ interest (photographers). Nice presentations about photography, mantas.. Extensive explanations about dive sites to make the most of it.
A really nice experience and would love to join an Insider Divers trip again. Thanks!!
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FAQ
What dive experience do I need to have?
This destination offers reasonably easy diving conditions, but it is not suitable for absolute beginners. To join, participants must have:
- A minimum of 80 logged dives
- Advanced Open Water (AOW) certification or higher
- Nitrox certification (mandatory on all Insider Divers trips to ensure longer, safer dives) - certification can be obtained on the ship with prior booking.
This is an advanced diving location and recommend that you are a comfortable diver with liveaboard experience for joining this trip.
All of this is relative - arrange a call with us to discuss your experience and we can discuss if this trip is suitable or perhaps what steps should be taken to achieve it.
What experience level do I need?
This destination presents a moderate challenge for those prone to seasickness. The boat cruises mainly between sheltered islands, avoiding waves and rough seas to ensure a calm journey.
Some choppiness may occur during longer overnight crossings between major areas, but unless you are highly sensitive, it’s generally manageable. For extra reassurance, we suggest bringing seasickness medication, though most guests rarely need it and only use it in unexpected situations.
What should I pack and bring?
As part of our process you will receive a log in to our Insider Divers portal which will have downloads, such as an extensive packing list after signing up.
We do recommend bringing your own gear but you can also rent everything on site.
When is the best time to dive Komodo?
The main Komodo liveaboard season runs from March through November, with the peak from May through October. The dry season has excellent visibility and manta aggregations in the south. The wet season (December through February) brings rougher seas and many operators pause trips at this time.
What marine life can I see in Komodo?
Komodo combines manta rays at sites like Manta Alley and Karang Makassar, reef sharks, turtles, napoleon wrasse, schooling fish, strong macro life in the northern cooler waters, and vibrant coral reefs. Topside, land excursions include the famous Komodo dragons on Rinca or Komodo Island.
How do I get to Komodo?
Most liveaboards board in Labuan Bajo (LBJ) on Flores, with domestic connections via Bali (DPS) or Jakarta (CGK). Some itineraries embark in Bima (BMU) on Sumbawa. Insider Divers confirms your embarkation port and recommended routing when booking.
We’re here to help — reach out with any question you may have.