Dive in Flores Island

Maumere lies on the northern coast line of Flores island. It considered as one of the best dive spot in Indonesia which has many corals and flourish then bring it as an unforgettable diving experiences.
House Reefs The house reefs of Maumere are critter playgrounds with mimic octopus, frogfish and leaf fish among the stars of the show. Local dive operators will know the best spots for finding these little beasties.
Wai Terang To the east of Maumere and just off the coast of Flores there is a WWII Japanese freighter lying on its side from 25 to 12 meters deep. Coral growth on the wreck has improved over the years and it now plays home to many fish and other marine creatures. The grey silt bottom is very fine so care should be taken not to kick it up and ruin the viz.
Pangah Batang A sloping wall drops to around 30 meters here and there can be currents. Leather and soft corals are found in impressive quantities and colours alongside some large gorgonians. Sharks and eagle rays have also been spotted hanging in the current. The shallower parts of the reef are home to all manner of other critters such as mantis shrimp, pygmy seahorses and leaf fish.
Depths : 5 - 35m, Viz : 5 - 25m, Currents : Occasional, Getting there : Liveaboard, Best months : Apr to Dec

Komodo The islands of Komodo and Rinca are the largest of about 90 islands that lie in between the larger islands of Sumbawa to the west and Flores in the east along the Nusa Tenggara. Together with a extensive area of the surrounding ocean they form the Komodo National Park which was established in 1980 and declared a World Heritage Site in 1986. The park is most famous for its enormous lizards, the Komodo dragon, however its underwater attractions should not be overlooked and are rated as some of the best dive sites in the world. The diversity of dive options around Komodo is astounding, from calm and colourful shallow reefs teeming with hundreds of reef fishes and crammed with invertebrates, to current-swept deep water sea mounts, walls and pinnacles patrolled by sharks, tuna and other big fish. The multiple islands and relatively shallow seas between Flores and Komodo's west coast result in extremely fast currents at tidal changes. There are deep seas both north and south and upwellings bring nutrients and plankton to keep the seas rich and well-fed. The water in the south of Komodo is usually much colder (21° to 26°C) than in the north. There is also a noticeable change in marine life. The north has more unpredictable currents due to the Indonesian throughflow hitting the island straight. This makes for shiftling currents and eddies but also attracts large fish in large quantity. Coral cover here is less colourful than in the south, but visibility generally better. The best time to dive is from late October to early May however the plankton rich seas between November and January produce some spectacular fish life. Komodo at a glance Accommodation : Bungalow or LiveaboardHighlights : Marine diversity, big pelagics, frontier dive sites. Average cost of a dive : $30, Dive Sites : 25+, Dive Operators : 2+, Getting there : Liveaboard from Bali, Off Season : None.
Banta Island Island lies off to the northwest of Komodo, currents are usually strong here as it is one of the widest gaps between islands in Nusa Tenggara. Cold water from the Flores basin in the north is forced through this channel which often attracts big pelagics.
GPS Point is a great spot located to the north of Banta. The submerged sea bank attracts barracuda, dogtooth tuna, spanish mackerel and sharks since the currents are usually strong. Upto five species of shark have been identified in a single dive at GPS Point. Unfortunately hard coral was damaged by dynamite fishing in 1997 and 1998 and sharks have been extensively fished by sharksfinners.
Tanjung Rasa is around the northern most peninsular of Banta, it consists of steep slopes to 40 meters swept with vertical as well as horizontal currents. With large rock formations and deep canyons sharks are abundant at this dive site including greys, whitetips and blacktips. This spot which attracts two different species of barracuda is also often refered to as Highway to Heaven. In contrast a number of macro creatures such as frogfish and leaffish can be found at the coral gardens of Toro Oi or It's a Small World on the other peninsular.
Star Wars a gentle slope down to 30 meters, has excellent small fish numbers that look like they're taking part in some epic space battle, very good coral growth and the occasional mantas. Pygmy seahorses may be found on close inspection of gorgonians at this dive site.
Galley Rock to the south of Banta is another big fish dive suitable only in the right conditions when the surface is calm. Topography is a gentle slope which changes into a wall, then flattens out at around 30m with large sponges abundant. Plenty of tuna, barracuda and sharks here too.
Depths: 5 - 40m, Viz: 10 - 25m, Currents: Can be strong , Getting there : Liveaboard, Best months: Apr to Nov
Gili Lawa Laut : A submerged rock at high tide which offers great fish life and good coral cover. A couple of valleys play home to oriental sweetlips and there are some big groupers around. The bigger feeders such as jacks and tuna can be found out where the currents are stronger. There are a few other interesting dive sites in the area including Lighthouse which has a "honey hole" on the point that is home to sweetlips and batfish with mantas often spotted on the safety stop.
Crystal Rock named after the surrounding clear waters just breaks the surface and is home to large schools of fusiliers and anthias beneath it. Nice soft coral coverage here with some impressive table corals. There is a small mound northwest of the rock where different species of fish school seasonally, including tuna and mackerel.
Castle Rock is another nearby spot with good fishlife including batfish and morays. Soft corals and sea fans are prolific at around 20 meters Currents can be strong, usually flow eastwards and are much stronger at the surface.
Darat Passage South Nice coral growth at 20 to 25 meters attracts myriad reef fish including coral trout, groupers, tuna and trevally. Garden eels can be found on the bottom and there may also be the odd whitetip resting on the sand. The best time to dive it is when the current east to west through the narrow strait. Snorkelling is possible but dynamite fishing damage is evident.
Darat Passage North Good drift diving can be done in either direction on the north face of the passage. Best time is just before or after slack water when the flow is not to strong, the reef slopes down to a sandy bottom at around 15 meters which then drops away to about 35. On approach to the channel keep an eye out for turtles and a family of giant sweetlips that live in a grotto near the surface. The shallow parts of this dive are better for marine life keep an eye out for turtles and reef sharks.
Tatawa Besar & Kecil The two islands of Tatawa Besar (large) and Tatawa Kecil (small) offer some great drift diving opportunities including a seamount at Current City or Batu Bolong that is teeming with marine life.
Tatawa Besar Starting at the northwestern tip of Tatawa is a good drirft dive down the western side in about 15 to 20 meters of water. Fish life is plentiful and an endless field of stunning orange soft corals can be seen. Mantas are often seen in this area also. It is also possible to drift down the north coast of Tatawa from the same entry point.
Tatawa Kecil When currents are favourable diving can be good here, the best dives are down the western side of the island where rocks, caves and beautiful coral gardens in the shallows can be found. There is abundant fish life including large groupers, snappers, sweetlips, jacks, sharks and no shortage of anthias.
Current City (Batu Bolong) This submerged sea mount is just south of Tatawa Kecil and offers some exhilarating diving. Huge rocks play host to swirling clouds of schooling fish such as fusiliers, sweetlips, anthias and redtooth triggers. However as the name suggests currents can be savage here so take extreme precautions. The reef is undamaged due to these strong currents and steep dropoffs, it makes conditions for local fishermen to use dynamite or cyanide difficult which is not a bad thing.
Batu Tiga Meaning three rocks this dive site is probably the most current affected in Komodo. Due to its exposed location in the Linta Strait the submerged rocks in deeper water to the west offer excellent habitat for grouper and other big fish such as napoleon wrasse. Giant trevally, barracuda and other big pelagics are often seen here along with the occasional manta. Coral growth is stunted due to the fierce currents.The best diving entry is at the northeastern side of the three rocks. Swim anti clockwise until reaching some big boulders at 33 meters depth. After exploring the area around these boulders turn around and swim back, keeping the reef to your right. Depths: 5 - 35m,Viz: 10 - 30m, Currents: Can be strong , Getting there : Liveaboard, Best months: Apr to Nov
Pantai Merah Also named Pink Beach this dive site has an abundance of fish life and critters including scorpionfish, nudibranchs and ribbon eels. Large coral outcrops are at around 25 meters with a slight vertical drop where glassfish swarm in the cracks and crevaces. This dive makes a nice change from raging currents however visibility can vary and is usually best when the tide is going out. It represents a transition between tropical waters of the north and the temperate seas of the south. Depths: 5 - 30m, Viz: 8 - 25m, Currents: Occasiona,Getting there : Liveaboard, Best months: Apr to Nov
Loh Namu The Loh Namu peninsular has a nice spot for finding big groupers. The best way to dive it is south to north at around 25 meters, just before high tide. This is because most of the bigger fish congregate to the south around a few boulders just before a drop off. There are a couple of small caves housing other interesting specimes and a number of large coral trout and naopleon wrasse that visit this area to breed. The small island of Indihiang has a couple of good walls with good coral growth and plentiful fish life including snappers, potato grouper and big wrasse. Slack tide is the best time to dive. Depths: 5 - 30m, Viz: 10 - 30m, Currents: Occasional,Getting there : Liveaboard,Best months: Apr to Nov
Tanjung Loh Sera The cooler waters of this southern Komodo dive site offer some great diving. Several submerged large rocks and pinnacles form valleys to swim through however the current can be strong here. There is also a wall closer to shore that is a little more sheltered. Marine life here includes dogtooth tuna, turtles, giant trevally, potato cod, bumphead parrotfish and malabar grouper ... a real big fish dive Depths: 5 - 30m, Viz: 10 - 35m, Currents: Can be strong, Getting there : Liveaboard, Best months: Apr to Nov
Langkoi Rock This submerged pinnacle just off Langkoi Island to the Southwest of Komodo can be an exhilarating dive. It is extremely exposed and experiences strong currents and surge. The topography drops off dramatically into deep water. Highlights here are sharks. Grey reefs, Whitetip reef sharks, hammerheads and bronze whalers aggregate around this site from July to September. It is reputed to be a breeding ground for grey reef sharks in April. This dive is for experienced divers only. Depths: 5 - 45m, Viz: 10 - 30m, Currents: Can be strong, Getting there : Liveaboard, Best months: Jul to Sep
Tala Island Towards the south of Tala island are steep rocky walls and strong surge. One site called The End of the World has a sheer wall of black rock that drops to 100 meters deep. There are vast shoals of small fish in the shallows and some interesting invertebrates on the wall. Huge schools of surgeonfish, snappers and some large groupers can be found further down.
German Flag From September to January high densities of plankton attract many large manta rays that can normally be seen swimming on the surface along the shores and rocks along southern Komodo Island. This dive site is a great place to spot them, drifting is the norm here since currents can be strong. Also spotted on this dive are malabar groupers, potato cod and napoleon wrasse.
The Alley Or Manta Alley is just along from German Flag in the channel that separates Komodo from Tala island. It is a realtively shallow dive to around 20 meters but if the season is right you wont want to stray from close to the surface where the mantas are from November through March. Fish and coral life are abundant and healthy even if there are no mantas.
Letuhoh Reef The reef stretches south of Tanjung Letuhoh and has some large submerged boulders and pinnacles. Falling tide with a northerly flowing current is the best time to dive here. There are some large coral covered pinnacles at around 30 meters that attract a diverse quantity of fish life. Another big fish dive here with potato cod, napoleon wrasse, trevally, tuna, eagle rays and reef sharks.
Nisaleme Island Just off shore is Nisaleme island that is very exoposed and drops off into deep water very quickly. Watch those down currents. More big pelagics here including dogtooth tuna, rainbow runners and jacks.
Further north there are a number of other dive sites including Toroletuhoh, Batu Saloka, Tukoh Serikaya and Lohwenci. All of these offer healthy coral and good marine life typical to that found around Komodo island. Depths: 5 - 40m,Viz: 10 - 30m, Currents: Can be strong, Getting there : Liveaboard, Best months: Sep to Jan
Rinca
Pillarsteen This dive site is a rock pillar off the southeastern tip of the island of Padar which is located between Komodo and Rinca. Entry is best just off the point below the rock where a wall takes you round to the west where there are a number of caves and swimthroughs. The coral covered walls are teeming with invertebrates, a kaleidoscope of colour. In the shallow waters the wall ends and becomes a sloping reef, here are masses of gigantic soft brown leather corals. There are many bright yellow sea cucumbers (Holothurians) attached to most of the corals and red and purple fire urchins are common here. Fish life at this top notch dive site includes large schools of fusiliers, snappers, six banded angelfish and boxfish.
Three Sisters Also off the southern tip of Padar and north of Pillarsteen is Three Sisters or Tiga Dara. Three large submerged rocks around ten meters apart lie east of a reef off the eastern side of the island. The rocks start at around 28 maters and come to about 3 meters of the surface, they are covered in soft coral and invertebrates and make a nice colourful dive. Keep a look out for nudibranchs, sea cucumbers, starfish and sea squirts.
Payung Island Some bizarre shaped rocks at this site give the impression of a wreck dive, one is in the shape of a cannon. Best dived at slack tide this dive site has two possible dives, one at the northwest tip and the other off the southeastern side of the island. They descend down around to about 30 meters and have a number of canyons and crevaces to explore. Big schools of fish are common here as they are on other dives in the area however viz is often a little lower here.
Cannibal Rock Located in between Rinca and Nusa Kode this submerged sea mount is well protected and free of strong currents. The site is known for its rich and abundant soft corals and varied invertebrate life. Some large green and blue magnificent anemones sway in the currents on the southern side. Sea apples (Pseudocolochirus Violaceus) are also abundant, their bodies decorated in amazing maroon, studded with golden beads with bright yellow or cream tentacles that they use to filter feed on plankton. Huge red gorgonians play home to pygmy seahorses which are quite tricky to spot. Flamboyant nudibranchs, featherstars, tunicates, cleaner shrimp and fire urchins with Coleman shrimps can all be found here.
Torpedo Point Located just north of Cannibal Rock is this rocky patch of reef at around 15 meters is named after its topredo rays. Macro critters such as frogfish, worms and pipefish can be found living in the sandy patches and coral outcrops. Depths: 5 - 30m, Viz: 5 - 20m, Currents: Occasional, Getting there : Liveaboard, Best months: Sep to Jan
Crinoid CanyonNo prizes for guessing what this Rinca dive site is named after. This cooler water site is located on the southern entrance of Loh Dasami on Nusa Kode, its walls are teeming with invertebrates. Best dived in the morning to catch the sunlight at its finest Crinoid Canyon (or Corner) is an easy dive with little current. Life on the walls is astounding, feather and brittle stars, multiple varieties of nudibranch, urchins, all manner of tiny shrimp and crab, and plenty more can be found here.
Yellow Wall The wall, which is actually two walls, runs down the east coast of Nusa Kode and is simply alive. Plankton feeding fish populate the shallows in vast numbers, these include anthias, butterfly fish and even the distinctively marked clown triggerfish. This is an awesome site for a night dive where countless reef invertebrates emerge to feed. Spanish dancers, feather stars, tunicates, and feeding coral polyps can all be found after dark. Many sleeping fish such as the cocooned parrotfish can also be seen here resting in crevaces.
Boulders Several large boulders can be found in depths of 10 to 30 meters just northwest of Crinoid Canyon. Plenty of soft coral can be found clinging to the submerged boulders. Also look out for Coleman shrimp lurking in the saftey of fire urchins. This spot also makes a good night dive location.
Toro Sie Out on the southeast coast is a rock with surrounding reef. The rock has a ridge that extends to the west, it is covered in crinoids and softcorals, the seabed around it houses lots of interesting critters. Further out over the sand are groupers and more fish life. Depths: 5 - 35m, Viz: 5 - 25m, Currents: Occasional, Getting there : Liveaboard, Best months: Sep to Jan