Explore Labuan Bajo

Located on the large island of Flores, Labuan Bajo is the gateway for the extensive marine diversity, strong currents and world-class dive sites which can all be found in Komodo National Park. Komodo’s waters are known to invite droves of manta rays and sharks while immense schools of fish shoal in the nutrient-rich seas. Experience enthralling drifts through sites which appear like underwater assault courses or relax in some of the calmer locations in Central Komodo surrounded by countless sea turtles.

The small fishing town of Labuan Bajo is the base for many dive centres that visit Komodo National Park daily. Many of these dive centres also run dive courses, where novice divers can learn in the placid dive sites of Central Komodo surrounded by impressive coral growth. Dive resorts nestled within the town or on adjacent remote tropical islands also provide daily trips to the park. Yet, most dive centres and resorts focus mainly on Central and North Komodo dive sites. To get the most out of the remarkable marine park, liveaboards visit year round offering the possibility to delve into various sites in all of Komodo’s regions.

Courses and Events

Open Water Diver

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

21 February +13 More
EUR 375.39
IDR 7,500,000.00

Advanced Open Water Diver

If you cannot decide which specialty programs are the best choice for you, join the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver program! With this program, you can try a variety of specialties before committing to full specialty programs. It is a great way to experience what advanced diver training is all about and how valuable it can be to your diving adventures. During the Advanced Open Water Diver Program, you will try out 5 different specialties. You will complete one open water training dive per specialty after a comprehensive briefing with your SSI Instructor. With this trial program in specialty diving, you will have total freedom to explore. You can complete the full specialty programs any time in the future and credit your Advanced Open Water Diver training towards them.

27 February +13 More
EUR 345.36
IDR 6,900,000.00

Divemaster

The Divemaster program is the first step on an exciting journey. Earn the respect of your dive buddies and become an ambassador for diving by taking the Divemaster program. All you need to get started are 40 verified/logged dives and certifications in Deep Diving, Navigation, Night & Limited Visibility or at least 5 logged/verified dives experience in each area plus Diver Stress & Rescue. You will be certified as a Dive Guide after successfully completing the Divemaster program. When your interest is to turn your passion into a profession by guiding certified divers, teaching Ecology programs, assisting instructors or even becoming an instructor yourself, your next step is the Divemaster Upgrade with a minimum of 60 logged/verified. Upgrade to Divemaster right away or any time after by self-studying the Science of Diving materials, passing the Digital Final Exam which makes you an SSI Professional.

15 March
EUR 17,833,250.83
AUD 30,000,000.00

Divemaster

The Divemaster program is the first step on an exciting journey. Earn the respect of your dive buddies and become an ambassador for diving by taking the Divemaster program. All you need to get started are 40 verified/logged dives and certifications in Deep Diving, Navigation, Night & Limited Visibility or at least 5 logged/verified dives experience in each area plus Diver Stress & Rescue. You will be certified as a Dive Guide after successfully completing the Divemaster program. When your interest is to turn your passion into a profession by guiding certified divers, teaching Ecology programs, assisting instructors or even becoming an instructor yourself, your next step is the Divemaster Upgrade with a minimum of 60 logged/verified. Upgrade to Divemaster right away or any time after by self-studying the Science of Diving materials, passing the Digital Final Exam which makes you an SSI Professional.

01 June
EUR 17,833,250.83
AUD 30,000,000.00

Advanced Open Water Diver

If you cannot decide which specialty programs are the best choice for you, join the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver program! You will try Deep Diving and Navigation plus a variety of 3 more specialty areas of choice before committing to full specialty training. It is a great way to experience what advanced diver training is all about and how valuable it can be to your diving adventures. During the Advanced Open Water Diver Program, you will experience 5 different specialties by completing one open water training dive per specialty after a comprehensive briefing with your SSI Instructor. By taking this program you will have total freedom to explore. You can complete the full Specialty trainings any time in the future and credit your Advanced Open Water Diver training towards them.

01 July
EUR 4,339,424.37
AUD 7,300,000.00

Enriched Air Nitrox (40%)

As a Nitrox diver, you can increase your bottom times and safety margins, plus shorten your surface intervals - so you can spend more time diving and less time waiting! In this program, you will learn new skills and increase your diving knowledge whilst learning how to safely plan and dive with enriched air mixtures of up to 40% oxygen. Upon completion, you will earn an SSI Enriched Air Nitrox 32% or 40% certification.

15 July
EUR 2,972,208.47
AUD 5,000,000.00

Stress & Rescue

The SSI Diver Stress and Rescue specialty program teaches you the skills you need to protect yourself and other divers. You will learn how to identify stress, how to prevent accidents and be taught practical techniques to conduct rescues and provide emergency care. With a combination of pool and open water practice sessions, you will become well prepared and confident at handling emergency and rescue situations. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Diver Stress and Rescue Specialty certification.

01 August
EUR 4,696,089.39
AUD 7,900,000.00

Divemaster

The Divemaster program is the first step on an exciting journey. Earn the respect of your dive buddies and become an ambassador for diving by taking the Divemaster program. All you need to get started are 40 verified/logged dives and certifications in Deep Diving, Navigation, Night & Limited Visibility or at least 5 logged/verified dives experience in each area plus Diver Stress & Rescue. You will be certified as a Dive Guide after successfully completing the Divemaster program. When your interest is to turn your passion into a profession by guiding certified divers, teaching Ecology programs, assisting instructors or even becoming an instructor yourself, your next step is the Divemaster Upgrade with a minimum of 60 logged/verified. Upgrade to Divemaster right away or any time after by self-studying the Science of Diving materials, passing the Digital Final Exam which makes you an SSI Professional.

01 September
EUR 17,833,250.83
AUD 30,000,000.00

Dive Activity

Diving in Labuan Bajo

Scuba diving from Labuan Bajo offers divers a vast array of different topography and marine life to immerse themselves in. Find yourself in the warm, calm, and colorful shallow reefs of Siaba Besar and The China Shop, alive with flourishing rose corals and a multitude of reef fish, or be swept through seamounts, walls, and pinnacles by strong currents while sharks, dogtooth tuna, and giant trevally circle above you. Central Komodo is home to the famous deep wall dive site of Batu Bolong plunging to over 70 meters/229 feet, while pinnacle dive sites such as Crystal and Castle Rock offer the chance to dive ‘the split’—where the current hits the rock carrying water thick with nutrients and sharks galore.

Novice divers are likely to dive in the calmer waters of Central Komodo, where it is possible to learn in stunning dive sites such as Siaba Besar, Manta Point, and Sebayur. Those taking advanced dive courses will find the challenging currents the greatest test for their newfound skills.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Labuan Bajo

From manta rays, eagle rays and sharks to ornate ghost pipefish, pygmy seahorse and clown frogfish - all can be found in the wonderful Komodo National Park. Swiftly kick down to pinnacles surrounded by grey reef and black-tip sharks or examine the seabeds sandy bottom for the flamboyant cuttlefish and blue-ringed octopus. Komodo’s spectacular range of colourful sponges, sea squirts and hard and soft corals lend themselves to numerous species of shrimp and nudibranch while there’s even a chance to see a dugong at Siaba Kecil!

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
93 Sightings
J
5
F
2
M
2
A
2
M
3
J
6
J
13
A
5
S
10
O
12
N
32
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
59 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
1
A
2
M
1
J
9
J
5
A
3
S
6
O
13
N
18
D
0
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins

Hawksbill Turtle
56 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
2
A
3
M
0
J
1
J
5
A
4
S
9
O
13
N
14
D
3
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
43 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
5
J
7
J
6
A
5
S
0
O
6
N
9
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
26 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
3
J
9
J
6
A
0
S
5
O
0
N
2
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl

Octopus
22 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
0
A
1
M
3
J
0
J
0
A
3
S
0
O
4
N
8
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan

Eagle Ray
15 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
1
J
3
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
7
D
0
iStock-crisod

Reef Manta Ray
10 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
4
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
198 Sightings
J
9
F
5
M
1
A
9
M
10
J
16
J
22
A
15
S
17
O
24
N
56
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
139 Sightings
J
10
F
6
M
1
A
5
M
6
J
15
J
17
A
6
S
11
O
12
N
32
D
18
Show More

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
135 Sightings
J
11
F
6
M
0
A
4
M
4
J
17
J
16
A
1
S
9
O
13
N
37
D
17

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
122 Sightings
J
9
F
5
M
1
A
1
M
5
J
9
J
14
A
9
S
6
O
13
N
39
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
114 Sightings
J
8
F
1
M
3
A
4
M
4
J
13
J
11
A
12
S
9
O
7
N
37
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross

Shrimp
89 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
2
M
3
J
7
J
6
A
12
S
2
O
3
N
47
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
83 Sightings
J
4
F
2
M
2
A
3
M
5
J
10
J
9
A
16
S
6
O
9
N
13
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
77 Sightings
J
9
F
3
M
1
A
2
M
4
J
9
J
8
A
5
S
6
O
4
N
18
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
76 Sightings
J
8
F
5
M
0
A
1
M
2
J
12
J
12
A
5
S
4
O
5
N
19
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler

Crab
68 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
1
M
5
J
4
J
3
A
4
S
0
O
0
N
50
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
64 Sightings
J
9
F
2
M
0
A
1
M
3
J
11
J
8
A
6
S
2
O
3
N
11
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
59 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
4
M
0
J
2
J
8
A
6
S
4
O
0
N
30
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
52 Sightings
J
9
F
4
M
1
A
0
M
2
J
8
J
6
A
2
S
3
O
6
N
6
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
49 Sightings
J
8
F
4
M
0
A
1
M
2
J
5
J
7
A
3
S
0
O
9
N
7
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
44 Sightings
J
9
F
2
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
7
J
6
A
0
S
2
O
7
N
4
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Soldierfish
40 Sightings
J
7
F
4
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
7
J
6
A
1
S
0
O
8
N
1
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Nudibranch
40 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
1
J
6
J
10
A
5
S
6
O
0
N
5
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
37 Sightings
J
5
F
3
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
6
J
3
A
2
S
3
O
5
N
5
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 120

AdobeStock-Composer.

Flounder
32 Sightings
J
6
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
2
J
4
A
0
S
3
O
3
N
4
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Squirrelfish
31 Sightings
J
7
F
4
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
6
J
5
A
0
S
0
O
3
N
2
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

Snapper
30 Sightings
J
4
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
6
J
6
A
0
S
0
O
3
N
8
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder

Garfish
27 Sightings
J
6
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
4
J
4
A
0
S
2
O
5
N
3
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
27 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
5
J
1
A
3
S
4
O
0
N
11
D
0
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin

Blacktip Reef Shark
26 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
2
A
1
M
1
J
1
J
7
A
0
S
6
O
0
N
6
D
0
iStock-June Jacobsen

Whitetip Reef Shark
25 Sightings
J
1
F
3
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
1
J
3
A
4
S
3
O
0
N
2
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 50

istock-atese

Frogfish
25 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
3
A
0
S
0
O
5
N
14
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp

Jackfish
21 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
6
J
4
A
0
S
0
O
7
N
3
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 55

k

Lobster
20 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
2
A
0
M
4
J
0
J
1
A
3
S
0
O
0
N
9
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 120

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Cuttlefish
17 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
3
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
10
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j

Sand Eel
16 Sightings
J
4
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
4
J
1
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

Shutterstock_DiveIvanov

Squid
15 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
4
S
0
O
0
N
9
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
13 Sightings
J
6
F
3
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
10 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
1
M
2
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
6
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Spiny Lobster
10 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
1
M
2
J
0
J
1
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1

The best Months to dive in Labuan Bajo

Diving in the waters surrounding Labuan Bajo is possible all year round but from April through to November, the dry season causes a peak in divers. November through to March is the rainy season and from January to March there can be rough surface conditions at the northern dive sites. To spot the maximum numbers of manta rays the best time to visit is from December through to February but they can be spotted all year round.

Dive Centers

Scuba Republic Komodo, Alternative DC location Scuba Republic RajaAmpat

Jl. Soekarno Hatta , Kampung Tengah , Labuan Bajo, 86700 Manggarai Barat, NT - IDN

UBER SCUBA KOMODO

Jl. Soekarno Hatta, Labuan Bajo, Kec. Komodo, Kabupaten Manggarai Barat, Nusa Tenggara Tim, 86754 Manggarai Barat, NT - IDN

Divers Paradise Komodo, PT. Divers Paradise Komodo

Jl. Mutiara - Labuan Bajo, 86554 Nusa Tenggara Timur, NT - IDN

NEREN Diving Komodo

Jln. Soekarno Hatta, 86754 Labuan Bajo, NT - IDN

PAPITON DIVE

Jl. Soekarno Hatta no.11, 86754 Manggarai Barat, NT - IDN

MAKO DIVING KOMODO

Jl. Soekarno Hatta, 86554 Labuan Bajo Komodo, NT - IDN

iDIVE Komodo, PT Halo Bajo Wisata

Jl. Opseter Maun nomer 9, 86754 Labuan Bajo, NT - IDN

Maika Komodo Tour & Diving

Jl. Soekarno Hatta, 86754 Labuan Bajo, NT - IDN

Wet Frog Divers

C/O Bintang Flores Hotel, RT/RW 005/002 Labuan Bajo Desa Gorontalo Kec, NT - IDN

AMARE DIVERS KOMODO

Jl. Soekarno Hatta, Labuan Bajo, Komodo, NT - IDN

Dugong Scuba

Sabolo island flores ntt, 86754 Manggarai Barat, NB - IDN

LIVEABOARD INDONESIA®

Jl. Bandara Gg Sukun, Batu Cermin, Komodo, 86754 Manggarai Barat, NT - IDN

CAJOMA LIVEABOARD, CAJOMA INDONESIA

Jl. Soekarno-Hatta, Labuan Bajo, Komodo, 86754 Manggarai Barat, NT - IDN

Dive Sites

iDIVE Komodo, 86554 Labuan Bajo

Waecicu (★3.9)

Waecicu is one of the dive sites directly accessible from shore in Labuan Bajo. You can access this site from Waecicu Beach in the northern area of Labuan Bajo. This is a beginner friendly site with no current and a mostly sandy bottom area.
iDIVE Komodo, 86554 Labuan Bajo

Sabolon Kecil (★4.4)

MACHINE TRANSLATION: We reach Sabolon Kecil in just 40 minutes by boat. It offers a pleasant drift dive and a seam. At the beginning of the dive we follow the reef, then cross a sandy bottom to the seam, and finish our dive with a slight drift on a beautiful plateau.
iDIVE Komodo, 86554 Labuan Bajo

Sabolan Besar (★4.4)

Sabolan Besar is a 40 minute boat ride. This site is usually dived in combination with Sabolan Kecil. It offers relaxed diving, suitable for check-out dives, courses, and snorkelers. A great plus of Sabolon Besar is the white sandy beach where you spend your surface intervals.
Divers Paradise Komodo, 86554 Nusa Tenggara Timur

Bidadari (★3.9)

Bidadari is one of the closest islands to Labuan Bajo. Also called Angel Island, this is a beginner friendly site. Located in central area of the park, the topography is a gentle slope. Good for training dives as well as night dives.