Komodo National Park

The start in Labuan Bajo - gateway to paradise

I have just landed in Flores. As soon as I get off the plane, I feel that tingling sensation that only divers know. The small harbour of Labuan Bajo is full of life: Fishing boats, cheerful laughter from the crew and our liveaboard, a genuine Indonesian phinisi, which will be our floating home for the next 8 days.

We have 2 hours to look around while we stock up on provisions. We cast off, and as the sun sets over the rugged islands, I realise that this will be no ordinary trip, but a real adventure!

Diving in Komodo National Park - where currents create life

Komodo National Park is known for its strong currents - and it is precisely these that make diving here so spectacular.

First dives: diving into paradise

The first dive at Sebayur Keci awakensthe senses: colourful corals, turtles, schools of fish. But the real highlights are yet to come

Batu Bolong: Then comes the moment I've been looking forward to for months: from the outside it's just an inconspicuous rock, but underwater it's a seething spectacle: huge schools of fish, corals in all colours, reef sharks patrolling the blue. It's like jumping into the centre of a living kaleidoscope: an underwater mountain, lapped by currents, where thousands of reef fish, napoleons and reef sharks cavort - pure action

Castle Rock & Crystal Rock: drift dives full of adrenalin. Grey sharks and tuna hunt here, eagle rays pass by and sometimes even dolphins glide through the blue. Here you can just let the GoPro run until the map is full and you won't have everything on it that you saw, I would have loved to repeat this dive three times. This is pure adrenaline!

Manta Point: They're not always there, but more and more often - encounters with majestic manta rays circling curiously above our heads in our bubbles - a game for them and a great spectacle for us, a moment you'll never forget.

Shot Gun: First we go to see white and blacktip sharks, we dive into a sand bowl that narrows more and more, here the sleeping sharks just lie around, then we climb up to the edge, now everything is agreed. The guide gives the signal and, with the current hook in hand, we dive onto the edge and immediately hang on, our cheeks flapping in the current as if we were jumping out of an aeroplane. It almost tears our masks off, the sharks circle below us in the pool, we hold on for maybe 2-3 minutes, then the guide gives the starting signal and we all unhook at the same time - puff and we simply fly away. Now it's a high-speed drift over the coral, a hussar ride that lasts maybe 6-8 minutes, then the current lets up and we dive into the shadow of the current. WOW just WOW

Describing all the dives would go beyond the scope of this article, but without a doubt: diving in Komodo National Park means variety, excitement and encounters that will make your logbook unforgettable in every respect.

On land: the Komodo dragons, the dragons of Rinca

But Komodo is not only unique underwater. Our liveaboard also docks on Rinca, home to the legendary Komodo dragons.

We are walking with rangers through the dry savannah landscape when one of these giants suddenly appears in the grass. Up to three metres long, a powerful body, scaly skin and a forked tongue that repeatedly darts into the air. These animals only exist here in Indonesia - primeval, dangerous, fascinating. It feels like travelling back in time. Remember to bring sturdy shoes, you won 't be able to go on this trip in slippers or sandals.

Life on board - why a liveaboard is the best choice

A liveaboard in Komodo National Park means: the most beautiful dive sites right on your doorstep every day. No stress, no transfers - just diving, relaxing, marvelling.

• Coffee on deck in the morning with a view of the sunrise.
• 2-3 dives a day, each one different, each one a highlight.
• Sunset in the evening between rugged islands.
• Dinner on deck, good conversation with like-minded people
• At night on deck under a starry sky that you rarely see anywhere else.

Then there is the community on board: like-minded people from all over the world, stories from the day, laughter and planning the next spots. It is this mix that makes a diving safari in Indonesia more than just a holiday.

Conclusion - why Komodo is a must-have

The days fade, but the memories remain etched in your memory: Batu Bolong full of life, manta rays in formation, sharks in the current, monitor lizards on Rinca. Dolphins accompany our Phinisi on the way, what more can you expect?

If you love diving and are looking for more than just a classic diving holiday, you will find the ultimate package here:

• World-class dive sites full of big fish & diversity
• Adventures on land with the primeval Komodo dragons
• Liveaboard comfort that makes the most of everything

Komodo National Park is an addictive place. A paradise for diving holidays, liveaboards and adventure trips. With the right partner - like Scubatours, who know exactly which boats and spots are the best - it will be the trip of a lifetime.

Tip: If you've been dreaming of a diving safari in Indonesia for a long time - Komodo is the place where dreams come true.