Things to do while visiting komodo National park

Komodo National Park is a natural paradise located in Indonesia's Lesser Sunda Islands. It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Indonesia, and becoming more popular every month.  It is especially known for its incredible scuba diving opportunities in many locations all around the National Park. Many people come to the park to scuba dive and go snorkelling because the park is home to over 1,000 species of fish, 260 species of coral, and countless other marine creatures. In this blog post, we will explore why Komodo National Park is a great place to dive and some of the top dive sites within the park. While diving or snorkelling you can see so many things including; table corals, staghorn corals, and brain corals, which provide a home for a variety of fish and invertebrates. Some of the most iconic marine species found in the park include manta rays, reef sharks, turtles, and giant trevallies. Divers can also spot schools of barracudas, jacks, and snappers, as well as colorful nudibranchs and other critters hiding in the coral. For the more adventurous divers, the park also offers the opportunity to see some of the rarer and more elusive species, such as pygmy seahorses, frogfish, and ghost pipefish. The park's unique underwater topography, with its walls, pinnacles, and canyons, provides a variety of habitats for different species of fish and invertebrates. In short, the underwater world of Komodo National Park is a treasure trove of marine life waiting to be explored.

History and Culture of Komodo National Park
Komodo National Park was established in 1980 to protect the habitat of the Komodo dragon, the world's largest lizard. The park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve. The local communities living around the park, known as the Komodo people, have lived there for centuries and have a unique culture and way of life.  If you have time on a Komodo tour, you can visit one of the local fishing villages in the National park as well.

Manta Rays at Manta Point
Manta Point is one of the most popular dive sites in Komodo National Park, which is famous for its manta rays. The site is located off the coast of the island of Komodo, and the best time to visit is between December and February when the water is cooler, and the mantas are more active. These gentle giants can have a wingspan of up to 7 meters and are truly an incredible sight to behold.   There are many boats that visit this area because it is coming more and more popular.  You can go scuba diving with the mantas or snorkelling.  Options range from multi day Komodo liveaboard trips or daily Komodo trips.

Batu Bolong
Batu Bolong is another must-visit dive site in Komodo National Park. This site is known for its strong currents and impressive underwater topography, featuring a large pinnacle covered in colorful coral and surrounded by schools of fish. The site is suitable for experienced divers due to its challenging conditions, but the rewards are worth it. Divers can expect to see reef sharks, giant trevallies, and barracudas.  This site is for more advanced divers only, as the currents can become quite strong.  There is no snorkeling allowed at Batu Bolong because of past situations where the coral gardens have been damaged by careless snorkelers.

Siaba Besar
Siaba Besar is a lesser-known dive site in Komodo National Park, but it is definitely worth a visit. This site features a shallow coral garden that is perfect for snorkeling or for beginner divers. The site is home to a variety of marine life, including clownfish, nudibranchs, and moray eels.  The most popular marine animal to see at Siaba Besar is the Sea Turtles.  On a good dive you may see up to 15 or more of them.  Some of them are very large in size as well.

Hiking in Komodo
Hiking on Padar Island and Seeing Komodo Dragons on Komodo Island
Komodo National Park isn't just about diving and snorkeling. The park also has several hiking trails, and one of the most popular is on Padar Island. The hike takes you up a steep hill, but the view from the top is absolutely stunning, with panoramic views of the island and its surrounding waters. Another popular activity in the park is visiting Komodo Island to see the Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. These giant lizards are truly a wonder of nature and a unique sight to see.  When you get to Komodo Island, you will have to pay a ranger fee and it is advised to follow the directions of the ranger because Komodo Dragons can be dangerous.

Labuan Bajo
Labuan Bajo is the main town in the region and the gateway to Komodo National Park. The town is located on the western tip of Flores Island and has a small airport with daily flights from Bali. Labuan Bajo is a charming town with plenty of accommodation options, restaurants, and tour operators offering scuba diving and other activities in the park.   Over the last few years, there has been major improvements to the town of Labuan Bajo to make it more friendly for the growing tourism market.  You can find many dive shops and tourism offices such as Maika Komodo Tour & Diving, while in Labuan Bajo.

In conclusion, Komodo National Park is an incredible destination for scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The park's unique marine ecosystem, diverse underwater topography, and the chance to see manta rays and other marine life make it a must-visit destination for any scuba diver. With its rich history and culture, breathtaking landscapes, and incredible marine life, Komodo National Park truly has something for everyone.  For information on scuba diving in Komodo or Komodo boat trips, please visit www.komodoislandtour.com

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