Komodo Liveaboard DivingManta Point & Batu Bolong

Komodo's reputation for diving comes from its currents, and the sites that make the biggest impression, Manta Point, Batu Bolong, Castle Rock, are best reached by staying on the water rather than commuting from Labuan Bajo each morning. This two-night liveaboard reaches sites that day boats generally skip, either because the crossing is long or because the best diving happens early, before the wind picks up.

The boat leaves Labuan Bajo in the late afternoon and anchors overnight near the first dive site, so the first dive of the following morning starts close to the boat rather than after another long crossing. Manta Point, a cleaning station where reef mantas gather in numbers, is usually one of the first dives, timed for the calmer water of early morning. Divers hold position on the sandy bottom at around fifteen metres and watch the mantas circle overhead, sometimes for the length of an entire dive.

Batu Bolong, a small pinnacle rising from deep water, is one of the most technically demanding and rewarding dives in the park: a wall covered in soft coral in every colour, with strong currents that concentrate fish life against the rock. Drift diving skills matter here, and the dive guide briefs the plan carefully before each descent. Castle Rock and Crystal Rock offer similar current-driven walls with their own character, schools of fusiliers and the occasional passing shark.

Between dives, the boat moves between anchorages, with surface intervals spent on deck or in the water snorkelling over shallower reef. Meals are prepared on board through the trip, and the crew handle tanks, weights and logistics so the focus stays on diving rather than equipment.

Cabins are simple but comfortable, shared or private depending on the booking, with a shower and basic amenities. Some sites require confidence in moderate to strong current, so divers should hold at least a PADI Open Water certification, and Advanced Open Water is recommended for the stronger-current sites.

The best diving season runs April to November, when visibility is generally best and currents, while still present, are more predictable. December to March brings the wet season, with more plankton in the water, which can mean lower visibility but occasionally better manta activity.

The trip lasts two nights and three days from Labuan Bajo. A cabin, all meals, six to eight guided dives, tanks and the marine park fee are included. Flights to Labuan Bajo, dive certification and equipment hire, if needed, are not.