Komodo Diving Season: The Best Time to Dive in Komodo National Park

If you're wondering when is the best time to dive in Komodo, the answer depends on what you're looking for. This guide breaks down Komodo’s diving seasons so you can plan the perfect dive trip.

Year-Round Diving in Komodo: What You Need to Know

Komodo offers excellent diving all year, but the experience varies depending on the season. There are two main seasons:

Rainy Season (November – April): Better for manta ray encounters but lower visibility in some areas.
Dry Season (May – October): Offers the best underwater visibility, but also sees more tourists.

Each season has its advantages and challenges, so let’s break it down in detail.

Rainy Season (November – April): The Best Time for Manta Rays

During the rainy season, the southern part of Komodo experiences warmer waters, which attracts large groups of manta rays. If your goal is to see dozens of manta rays gracefully gliding through the water, this is the best time.

Pros of Diving in the Rainy Season

✔ Best chance to see manta rays (especially at Manta Point and Manta Alley)
✔ Warmer water temperatures (around 27-29°C)
✔ Fewer tourists, making for less crowded dive sites

Cons of Diving in the Rainy Season

❌ Visibility can be reduced due to plankton blooms
❌ The north of Komodo experiences stronger currents and bigger waves, making some sites unsuitable for diving
🔹 Best Areas to Dive: Southern and central Komodo, including Manta Point, Manta Alley, and Tatawa Besar

Dry Season (May – October): The Best Visibility for Komodo Diving

The dry season is when Komodo offers the clearest water with stunning underwater visibility of up to 30 meters. It is also the peak tourist season, meaning dive boats and liveaboards are more crowded.

Pros of Diving in the Dry Season

✔ Incredible visibility – often 20-30 meters
✔ Cooler water temperatures bring rich marine life activity
✔ Calm conditions in the north of Komodo, making dive sites like Crystal Rock and Castle Rock perfect

Cons of Diving in the Dry Season

❌ More tourists, especially in July and August
❌ Manta rays are less frequent compared to the rainy season
🔹 Best Areas to Dive: North and central Komodo, including Batu Bolong, Crystal Rock, and Castle Rock

When Should You Go? Best Season Based on What You Want to See

Diving Preference
Best Time to Visit

Manta Rays 🦋
November – April (Rainy Season)

Best Visibility 🌊
May – October (Dry Season)

Warm Water 🌡️
November – April (Rainy Season)

Fewer Crowds 🏝️
November – June (Avoid July & August)
If you love manta rays, visit during the rainy season. If you prefer crystal-clear waters, opt for the dry season.

Choose from any of our Komodo National Park Tours
1 Day Trips
2 Day / 1 Night
3 Day / 2 Night
4 Day / 3 Night

We can visit places such as;

Komodo Island
Rinca Island
Kalong
Gili Lawa
Manta Point
Kalong
Menjerite
Kelor
Bidadari
Sebayur
Taka Makassar
Tatawa Kecil*
Siaba Besar
Kanawa
Pink Beach
Long Beach
The Passage*
Batu Bolong*
Castle Rock*
Crystal Bay
(* Only for scuba trips)

Tips for Planning Your Komodo Diving Trip

• Book in Advance: July and August are peak season, so book your liveaboard or dive resort early.

Choose Your Dive Sites Wisely: Stick to southern Komodo in rainy season and northern Komodo in dry season.
Check Weather & Currents: Conditions can change quickly – ask local dive shops about the best sites for the time of year.
Bring a 3mm Wetsuit: The water can be cooler in dry season (especially in the south).

Conclusion: When is the Best Time to Dive in Komodo?

The best time to dive in Komodo depends on your preferences:

For manta rays, visit November – April (rainy season).
For the best visibility, go May – October (dry season).
Avoid July & August if you prefer fewer crowds.

Regardless of when you go, Komodo National Park offers world-class diving all year round. Plan wisely, and you’ll have an unforgettable underwater experience!

Many of our customers love our 3 day/2 night Komodo trips or Komodo daily diving trips.

FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Komodo Diving Season

1. Can You Dive in Komodo All Year Round?✅ Yes! Komodo National Park offers excellent diving year-round. However, conditions change depending on the season:

Rainy season (Nov – April): Best for manta rays, but visibility is lower in some areas.
Dry season (May – Oct): Best visibility and calmer waters in the north, but manta sightings decrease.

2. What Is the Best Month to Dive in Komodo?📅 The best months depend on your preference:

For Manta Rays: December – March
For Best Visibility: June – September
For Fewer Crowds: November – June (avoid July & August if you don’t like crowds!)

3. When Is the Best Time to See Manta Rays in Komodo?🦋 The rainy season (November – April) is best for manta rays, especially at Manta Point and Manta Alley.

Why? The warmer waters attract plankton, which mantas love to feed on.

4. How Is the Water Visibility in Komodo?🌊 Water visibility varies by season and location:

Best Visibility (20-30m): Dry season (May – October), especially in the north.
Lower Visibility (10-15m): Rainy season (November – April), due to plankton blooms.

Tip: Lower visibility often means more marine life activity, making it great for photographers! 📷🐠

5. Is Diving Better in the North or South of Komodo?🌍 It depends on the season:

Dry Season (May – October): North Komodo is best (e.g., Crystal Rock, Castle Rock).
Rainy Season (November – April): South Komodo is best (e.g., Manta Alley, Horseshoe Bay).

Note: The north can be rough during the rainy season due to strong waves & currents.

6. Is Komodo Crowded During Peak Diving Season?🏝️ Yes, July & August are the busiest months!

Liveaboards and dive resorts book up quickly.
If you prefer fewer crowds, visit between November – June.

7. What Wetsuit Should I Wear for Diving in Komodo?👕 Recommended wetsuit based on season:

3mm wetsuit: Most comfortable year-round.
5mm wetsuit: If you’re diving in the south during dry season (cooler water ~22°C).

8. Are Liveaboards or Day Trips Better for Komodo Diving?🚢 Liveaboards are the best option for exploring Komodo’s best dive sites.

Why? They allow access to remote sites and provide multiple dives per day.
Day trips are possible from Labuan Bajo, but they have longer boat rides.

9. Are There Strong Currents in Komodo?💨 Yes! Komodo is known for strong currents, making it an exciting destination for experienced divers.

North Komodo: Strongest currents, especially Batu Bolong & Castle Rock.
South Komodo: Milder currents but cooler temperatures.

Tip: Always dive with a reputable dive operator who understands the currents.

10. Is Komodo Good for Beginner Divers?✔ Yes, but with the right guidance!

Best beginner-friendly sites: Siaba Besar, Mawan, and Pink Beach.
Avoid sites with strong currents (e.g., Batu Bolong, Crystal Rock) unless you have experience.

Tip: If you're new to currents, start with an experienced guide and a check dive in calm waters.

For all our services, you can visit our individual pages here;
Daily Diving Trip in Komodo
Komodo Open Water Course
Komodo Advanced open water course
3 day 2 night komodo tour
one day komodo tour

Maika Komodo Tour & Diving offer Komodo tours and scuba diving in Komodo National Park. Our office is located on the main tourist street in Labuan Bajo. The address is;

Maika Komodo Tour & Diving
Jl. Soekarno Hatta, Labuan Bajo, Kec. Komodo, Kabupaten Manggarai Barat, Nusa Tenggara Tim. 86763, Indonesia

Our Google maps can be found here at Komodo Tour & Diving
For those looking, you can also visit our Phinisi for sale page.

Contact Maika Komodo Tours for any questions you may have.

Maika Komodo Tour