Snorkeling Komodo

Marine Life In Komodo

Komodo consistently ranks amongst the world's best spots for diving and snorkeling, due to the incredibly varied marine life that can be seen all throughout the year. Whilst snorkeling in the shallows and if you have a keen eye, there's some great opportunities to see a wide variety of macro life. This will include Pygmy Seahorses, Ghost Pipefish, Frogfish, Blue-ringed Octopus and many Nudibranchs. On the other side of the scale, there's plenty of big stuff to get excited about too - huge Sunfish, elegant Manta Rays, playful Dolphins and slick Eagle Rays are all present in Komodo's waters. Joining these are the full compliment of corals, reef fish, and Sharks. Anyone who has been on a snorkel trip to Komodo will no doubt rave about their experience, and in many cases will be itching to return.

Best Snorkel Sites in Komodo

Manta Point is one of the most famous sites in Komodo, and for good reason. As the name suggests, it's here that snorkelers come for the almost guaranteed siting of the elegant and awe inspiring Manta Ray. The meeting of currents and thus the richness of the nutrient filled water here means that Mantas are attracted in high numbers, giving fabulous photo and video opportunities. Red beach, or 'Pantai Merah' as it's locally known, is home to a wonderfully healthy shallow reef, teaming with all forms of life. Yellow Damsels, Angelfish, and schools of Fusiliers inhabit the reef, weaving in and out of the sponges and fans also present. If you've got hawk like eyes you may be able to spot some Mantis Shrimp from the surface, intricately cleaning and preparing their burrows. Batu Bolong is probably Komodo's most famous dive site, but in the right conditions it can be possible to snorkel here as well. The sheer volume of reef fish on show here will stun even the most seasoned of snorkelers, joined by huge Napoleon Wrasse and White Tip Sharks. There's plenty of Hawskbill Turtles in the vicinity here as well, only adding to to the range of life that make this incredible site their home.

Best Time to Snorkel in Komodo

Snorkeling in Komodo is excellent all year round. Perhaps the busiest time is from April to August as it's the middle of the dry season when the weather is almost always ideal, although having said that the quieter times of November to January are known for having the best visibility, despite it being rainy season. If you are thinking of visiting at a time that will give you the highest chance of seeing some of the big boys, December to February tend to produce the most Manta Ray sitings, and August is probably best for the Sunfish (Mola Mola). However, these animals are often seen throughout the year, making Komodo an excellent year round destination for snorkeling. The water temperature varies from between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius in the south, to the warmer figures of 25 to 28 degrees in the north.

How Do I Get To Komodo?

Komodo National Park is part of the East Nusa Tenggara province in Indonesia. A good way to explore the best snorkel sites of Komodo is via a liveaboard tour, encompassing many of the best spots over a few days. The ports at Bima (Sumbawa), Labuan Bajo and Maumere (Flores), and Benoa (Bali) are the most common points of departure for boat trips. The airport at Denpasar in Bali is a huge international hub, with flights to and from many overseas locations. The other main international entry point is the capital Jakarta. From Bali and Jakarta, it's easy to catch a domestic flight to the likes of Sumbawa and Labuan Bajo.