Well-known for its harmful dragons, aquatic adventures, and jaw-dropping surroundings – a go to to Komodo Nationwide Park ought to be on each traveler’s bucket listing. However extra importantly – it ought to be close to the TOP of the listing for each scuba diving addict (comparable to myself).
Indonesia is arguably the one greatest nation on the planet for scuba diving, and Komodo is likely one of the crown jewels that maintain divers coming again yr after yr. It’s a magical underwater playground that may be laborious to explain, however those that have skilled it for themselves know precisely what I’m speaking about.
Our Uber Scuba Crew!
Mantas, sharks, eagle rays, turtles, crocodile fish, moray eels, and fish all over the place you look as should you’re inside an aquarium. Komodo has SO MUCH to supply divers, from extraordinarily numerous coral gardens to an array of marine life that’ll blow your thoughts. Plus gorgeous topography dive websites with vibrantly colourful coral.
Whereas there are many dive resorts providing day journeys out to Komodo Nationwide Park for scuba-diving and sightseeing, the BEST approach to discover Komodo is setting sail on a liveaboard!
I simply acquired again from doing 4-Day/3-Night time Liveaboard with Uber Scuba Komodo and had such a surreal expertise — and it’ll eternally stay certainly one of my diving profession highlights. My solely remorse is that I didn’t wait to e-book certainly one of their 5 or 6-night liveaboards, however these are saved for primarily throughout peak season.
So let’s dive into this liveaboard expertise and have a look at what made this a spotlight of my scuba adventures so far!
I additionally posted a spotlight video on my YouTube, so test it out earlier than studying the article:
Uber Scuba Komodo Liveaboard Overview
I first got here to Komodo again in 2015 (again in my snorkeling days), and ever since I grew to become scuba-certified, it’s been a DREAM of mine to return again and at last expertise scuba-diving right here. I can actually say that it’s the perfect diving I’ve encountered in my life (thus far).
After every dive, as a substitute of utilizing my logbook, I’d head to my laptop computer and jot down some fast notes about what we noticed, and what made every web site distinctive.
We did 11 Dives over 4 Days (however I truly ended up extending my time in Komodo and did 6 extra dives)
- Day 1 (Two Dives)
- Day 2 (Three Dives) + Komodo Nationwide Park + Pink Seashore
- Day 3 (4 Dives) + Padar Trekking & Sundown + Night time Dive
- Day 4 (Two Dives)
On the finish of every day, the dive guides would present us on the map the place we sailed and the dive websites accomplished — which was actually enjoyable to see the place we had sailed round Komodo Nationwide Park.
Komodo Liveaboard Day 1
After a fast breakfast, I met up with the employees and my fellow divers on the Uber Scuba workplace in downtown Labuan Bajo. We quickly made our approach to the dock, started the boarding course of and set sail into the Nationwide Park.
We got a tour of our short-term floating house, and mentioned the upcoming itinerary in addition to the essential security briefings about liveaboard diving.
After a scenic sail with 360 views of the majestic archipelago, we have been able to embark on our first two dive websites of the liveaboard expertise.
- Mawan Dive Website — WOW – what a approach to begin the journey! From the primary second after leaping into the water, I used to be face-to-face with a large manta ray! Then inside minutes, we have been surrounded by mantas majestically swimming and having fun with the cleansing station. We stayed round and marveled at these mild giants for 20-Half-hour, and likewise noticed colourful coral and fish, a pleasant turtle, and a sleeping shark. An epic first dive and begin to the journey!
- Siaba Besar Dive Website — Whereas the start of the dive started with murky waters and a somewhat-boring sandy backside, the second half of the dive was spectacular! An unbelievable – but shallow – dive web site providing all kinds of sea life. The highlights included a really chilled-out cuttlefish, a pleasant turtle, many faculties of fish, and even a shark swimming round. Whereas the visibility was a bit sub-par, I can inform this dive web site can be mind-blowing on a crystal-clear day. I’ve since realized it is a very talked-about dive web site for brand spanking new divers because it’s shallow, there’s little or no present, and it’s a secure wager spot for turtle recognizing with unimaginable coral selection.
After the diving for the day was full, we anchored on this quiet nook in between two massive islands. We had dinner, went by our footage, watched the sundown and moon rising, and I acquired my first couple of drone flights in on the journey (which ended up being quite a bit)!
Komodo Liveaboard Day 2 | Komodo Nationwide Park + Pink Seashore
One factor I’d like to notice, and possibly one more reason I like the liveaboard life a lot, is waking up for the dawn on a regular basis. Diving takes lots of vitality, so I all the time slept effectively and was in mattress most nights by 10PM.
Our first dawn was spent crusing to the primary dive of the day, and there’s simply one thing so particular about being on the water throughout dawn. It’s only a superbly peaceable approach to start every day.
- Batu Bolong Dive Website – What an absolute dream dive web site! Whereas it might simply appear like a primary rock poaking its approach out of the ocean, beneath is a marine biologist’s dream. There’s very sturdy present on each side, so we needed to swim backwards and forwards to keep away from being pulled out to the open water. Batu Balong is translated to Rock Gap, however it actually ought to be named “Aquarium” as that’s what it appears like. We noticed sea snakes and ginormous eels, plus loads of sharks, turtles and each type of fish conceivable. To not point out the tremendous vibrant coral. I snorkeled Batu Balong again in 2015 and on the time known as it the perfect snorkelling of my life, and this dive web site is what has single-handedly made me wish to return to Komodo as a diver.
- Siaba Kecil — A DRIFT DIVE TO REMEMBER. Holy shit! This was simply one of many coolest dives in my whole life. The primary half of the dive was a curler coaster of a drift dive, as you let the present take you on a journey alongside a shocking coral reef. However the true magic occurred within the second half of the dive after we had shut encounters with two lovely manta rays. The visibility was so clear, and at one level I had a shark, a turtle and a manta multi function line of imaginative and prescient. Really spectacular at solely round 20 toes deep or so.
We loved a fast lunch and quick sail, because it was time to move go discover some dragons!
Komodo Nationwide Park — Komodo Dragons
No journey into Komodo Nationwide Park is full with out stepping foot on Komodo Island and being aware of the well-known Komodo Dragon in particular person. Once we arrived, I used to be shocked at how we have been the ONLY individuals there on the island.
I’ve all the time thought that Komodo was a extremely well-liked year-round vacation spot, however December-January is off-season and lots of liveaboard/day-trip firms don’t even function throughout this time.
The park felt deserted, however we had a pleasant information who walked us round for an hour to take a fast peek and to take some distinctive images of those scary creatures!
Pink Seashore + Pink Seashore Dive Website
One other key promoting level from Komodo crusing journeys is a cease at this iconic “pink seashore” – which will get its vibrant sand coloration from microscopic animals known as Foraminifera, which go away a purple pigment on the coral reefs and that wash ashore.
Whereas I’ll say that if you’re standing on the seashore on a cloudy afternoon it’s probably not that loopy, from a drone you’ll be able to undoubtedly discover the pinkish coloration.
Nearly all of the liveaboard visitors determined to opt-out of really making the quick boat trip over to the island – I’m glad I did! Have a look by a few of my favourite images I acquired from our cloudy “Pink Seashore” jaunt.
What I cherished was that I had no thought was that this Komodo landmark can be house to a fairly spectacular dive web site good off the seashore! We had unbelievable visibility, and noticed some actually distinctive corals that I’ve by no means seen earlier than, in addition to the FATTEST Moray Eel – I legitimately didn’t know they may very well be that massive.
Our liveaboard crew had two birthdays celebrated throughout our journey, so after our diving was full for Day 2 we loved a pleasant dinner, birthday cake and candles (with singing after all), and a mini birthday celebration with music, Bintang and good firm.
Earlier than all of us acquired too loopy although, we determined to get to mattress early as we knew the subsequent day was going to be the longest thus far, with numerous dives, trekking, and a good distance traveled on the boat.
Komodo Liveaboard Day 3 | Padar Island + Night time Dive
Because the solar rose, we have been already on the transfer all the way down to the southern a part of Komodo Island. It is a extremely sought-after area for diving as a result of it’s approach too far for diving firms to make it for a day journey. To be able to expertise these dive websites, it’s a must to e-book a liveaboard.
That is an space of Komodo Nationwide Park that shocked me probably the most when it got here to its panorama, because it jogged my memory of the Scottish Highlands or Hawaii. Vibrant inexperienced hills sloping down the island’s mountains, which shined so superbly within the morning daylight.
We had one other early begin to the day and accomplished two dives at our first spot, and whereas it was pouring rain after we reached the floor (which was a enjoyable expertise), it cleared up after the second dive and I used to be capable of sneak in a drone flight earlier than crusing onward.
- Manta Alleys Dive Website (2 Dives) — Most likely the most important dive web site I’ve ever encountered and one of many coolest! It simply stored going and going in any respect depths, and there was by no means a boring second. Regardless of its identify, no mantas are usually discovered within the waters down right here within the winter, as that is the time that they swim additional north for hotter waters.
- 3 Sisters Dive Website – 3 Sisters Dive Website off the south coast of Padar Island. The diving simply retains getting higher and higher! This distinctive dive web site has THREE gigantic pinnacles, every providing among the greatest coral. I noticed three lovely eagle rays off within the distance, a beautiful lionfish, ridiculously massive moray eels, and a bunch of different eye-catching marine life. Considered one of my favourite dive websites thus far.
Komodo Liveaboard Night time Dive
A lot to my disappointment, this 4-Day/3-Night time liveaboard solely contains one evening dive. I hoped for 2, however for that, it’s a must to e-book an extended journey. With that being mentioned, it is smart to solely embody one evening dive, as diving 4 instances in a day actually will drain you. You undoubtedly need some vitality left over for having fun with the opposite actions within the park.
- Pasir Putih Night time Dive – OOF, OKAY so this one was a bit tough for me, as I had fairly a couple of struggles!
I had points with my masks (because it was a bit too small for my head leading to a gnarly headache – reminder to deliver my very own masks subsequent liveaboard), had a mini panic assault once I thought I misplaced my GoPro (considering I misplaced a lot footage that belonged to my buddy, who used it for a number of dives), stored getting separated from my group mistaking the opposite dive group as mine, after which on the finish of the dive, my fin utterly broke.
With all that being mentioned, it was nonetheless a fantastic dive that’s actually acquired me excited to go evening diving once more quickly! It’s a little bit of a scary expertise, however one you’ll be able to’t miss out on.
Komodo Liveaboard Day 4 | Diving + Crusing Again to Labuan Bajo
All good issues should come to an finish, and sadly, this journey was almost over.
- Pillar Steen & Secret Backyard Dive Websites – A phenomenal day and excellent situations for our final two dives, prefer it was meant to be. Secret Backyard’s mixture of laborious and mushy coral was actually spectacular, and there have been so many fish that it felt like we have been in an aquarium.
We got a little bit of downtime for swimming in between the dives, so we spent it leaping off the highest stage of the boat, and we even noticed some dolphins swim previous us. We tried leaping in to get a more in-depth look, however sadly, they have been lengthy gone.
The three+ hour sail again to LBJ was a relaxed and relaxed alternative to replicate on the previous few days and the various unimaginable experiences we had been fortunate sufficient to have. The group spent it simply hanging out, studying, and having fun with some chilly beers with our remaining onboard meal.
Uber Scuba Komodo Liveaboard | Amalia Boat Evaluation
Now let’s discuss concerning the boat, named Amalia — a good looking 29-meter/95-feet-long Phinisi with a enjoyable nautical theme. It options the cabins on the underside deck, the primary deck is for consuming, lounging, and dive briefings and the highest deck is for sunbathing in the course of the day and magical stargazing at evening. Amalia a unbelievable place to name house for a number of days.
Uber Scuba is likely one of the few budget-travel-friendly liveaboard operators in Komodo. As I found throughout my analysis, there have been so many luxurious choices (costing 1000’s extra {dollars}), however I used to be VERY completely happy on board the Amalia for my three-night liveaboard expertise.
Providing area for as much as 11 visitors in 3 completely different choices at varied worth factors for every journey:
- 2x Non-public Ensuite Cabin with 1 Queen Mattress + Non-public Toilet
- 2x Twin Cabin sleeping two visitors (shared toilet)
- 1x Bigger Shared Cabin with 1 Small Double Mattress and 1 Single Mattress (shared toilet)
I ended up reserving my spot within the Bigger Shared Cabin and was fairly proud of it general.
Whereas it was dimly lit at instances and acquired a bit sizzling in the course of the day, the reality of the matter is that you’re RARELY in your cabin. The times are so jam-packed with diving and exploring, that the one time you’re in your cabin is to vary garments and to fall asleep.
Whereas we’re with regards to sleep, I’d say at the very least half of the visitors on our liveaboard determined to sleep outdoors on the deck! They’d deliver their blankets and pillows onto the primary and high decks, the place there are many comfortable cushions out there. Sleeping beneath the celebs with the sounds of the ocean lulling you to sleep is all the time a peaceable expertise, so I completely perceive why many did this.
I selected to sleep in my mattress for all three nights, and ended up having my shared room to myself as my cabin mate (who has been on this journey 3 times now) all the time slept outdoors.
My Mattress
Shared Toilet
One of the vital essential features of the Amalia to bear in mind is that there is no such thing as a air-conditioning. Earlier than embarking on the journey, I have to admit that I used to be a bit skeptical about that, as Indonesia does have very excessive temperatures and intense humidity. Ultimately, nevertheless, it wasn’t a problem in any respect. Diving and exploring all day takes a lot vitality out of you that almost all nights, I handed out rapidly and awoke refreshed at dawn – prepared for an additional day.
I did a tour of the Amalia boat on my Instagram tales & Youtube, so you should definitely take a look at my Komodo Spotlight for the within look.
Value / Worth For Cash
I actually don’t have anything however constructive issues to say about this expertise on the subject of cash. It was value each penny, and as I discussed above, it’s one of the vital reasonably priced liveaboard choices in your complete world, as scuba is understood for being a reasonably costly interest.
- For the three nights within the massive shared cabin, it value 15,600,000 IDR – which is $994 USD. I did obtain a reduction although in change for a couple of drone clips/overview.
- On high of that, it’s a must to pay 4 days of Nationwide Park charges which got here out to $70 USD.
- I additionally tipped an honest sum of money, as all of the Uber Scuba crew have been top-notch.
For Drone Fliers – it’s essential to apply for a allow prematurely to fly your drone in Komodo Nationwide Park, however fortunately, Uber Scuba was capable of deal with the paperwork and problem for me. The allow value a further 1,100,000 IDR, which was one other $70 USD.
For 3 nights of lodging, 11 dives, 14 meals, and impeccable service – I feel that is an absolute discount and will certainly should return sooner or later. I’m severely considering chartering their boat for a bunch journey subsequent yr, so should you’re studying this and serious about becoming a member of, let me know!
Liveaboard Suggestions / Packing Record
Since I’ve now been on a few completely different liveaboards, listed here are a couple of suggestions I’d prefer to share so you’ll be able to take advantage of your expertise!
- I’d suggest shopping for some ear drops for scuba diving to assist with any ache/stop ear infections.
- Convey some snacks alongside so that you can maintain in your cabin. Whereas there have been 3x meals a day and snacks/fruit in between every dive, I’m a hungry hippo and cherished having some Pringles and different goodies available.
- Convey a superb e-book! There’s downtime in between dives, and studying as you sail to the subsequent location is tremendous enjoyable.
- Convey alongside a GoPro and a drone to doc your journey! Whereas this isn’t a necessity, it’s a ton of enjoyable!
- Reef Protected sunscreen is important!
- Put money into your personal dive laptop. I lastly acquired my very own not too long ago as a Christmas reward, and I find it irresistible a lot. That is additionally the one a part of the dive gear not included in the price of the liveaboard.
- Convey your personal dive masks to keep away from any problems like I had throughout my evening dive.
General Uber Scuba Komodo Liveaboard Evaluation
When you’re searching for a budget-friendly diving journey that you just’ll always remember, then I can’t suggest this journey sufficient! Wonderful dives, crew, meals, sunsets, sunrises, hikes, dragons, and experiences that you just’ll bear in mind and cherish for years to return!
Whereas the rooms could also be extra on the essential aspect than extra luxurious liveaboards, the family-like ambiance on this one will see you spending most of your time on the boat on the primary or high decks anyway.
When you preferred this text, please do share it with your pals and get them to e-book this journey with you! Whereas I went solo, there are such a lot of associates I needed have been alongside me exploring these reefs and taking images with dragons!
Thanks a lot for studying! You’ll want to observe alongside on my Instagram as I’ll be doing A LOT extra scuba-diving and heading to a bunch of enjoyable music festivals this yr!
Now go make some bubbles!
