The secret is out and people from all corners of the globe are flocking towards one of Indonesia’s premier diving destinations: the Komodo Islands. In this article, I’m going to walk you through the best Komodo Liveaboards.
In addition to its beautiful rolling hills, stunning beaches, and fiery dragons, many travelers also spend their time exploring the vibrant marine life. With crystal clear waters full of sharks, manta rays, corals, and large fish, Komodo National Park is a premier dive destination.
Up to this date, the founders of this blog still say that diving in Komodo National Park has been their favorite experience in Asia.
While you can spend your time just doing day dives, the best way to explore the many top-notch dive sites is by liveaboard diving.
To help ease the process of choosing a Komodo liveaboard boat, here’s our complete guide to the best liveaboard diving in the Komodo Islands.
Buckle up for an adventure of a lifetime!
Editor’s Top Komodo Liveaboard Picks
Cheapest Liveaboard in Komodo
Best Mid-Range Liveaboard in Komodo
Best Luxury Liveaboards in Komodo
Liveaboard Diving in Komodo Comparison Table
Best Budget Liveaboard Diving in Komodo
Aurora
Max. Divers: 16 guests
Rooms: 8 cabins / AC
Bathrooms: 9
The Aurora is a 40m traditional sailing yacht equipped with air-conditioned cabins with en suite bathrooms. It has three tenders, nitrox, rinse tanks and well-equipped dive gear rental.
They have a team of professional marine biologists, underwater photographers, and video operators who can offer you guidance as you explore some of the best dive sites in the world.
The boat features a sun deck, a non-diver friendly area, a photography station, and an indoor saloon where you can enjoy your buffet-style meals and drinks.
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Transfers/pickups from Airport, Tanks, Weights, Belts, Divemaster Services, All Meals, Towels.
Click the button below to learn more and check the prices and availability for the Aurora
Calico Jack
Max. Divers: 10 guests
Rooms: 5 cabins /AC
Bathrooms: 5
The Calico Jack is a beautiful 30m traditional Indonesian sailing boat, fitted with modern amenities and furnishings. It has a large galley and salon as well as a beautiful outdoor dining area. With delicious Asian fusion cuisine served onboard, you’ll be well-fed throughout the trip.
For your dive needs, it has photography stations, with special storage for underwater camera set-ups. The diving platform is large and spacious, giving you room to gear up properly.
The boat has 8 crew members ready to help you make the most out of your dive trip. As soon as you leave Labuan Bajo port, you feel right at home.
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Complimentary Toiletries, Transfers/pickups from Airport, Tanks, Weights, Belts, Divemaster Services, All Meals, Towels
Click the button below to learn more and check the prices and availability for the Calico Jack
Indo Aggressor
Max. Divers: 16 guests
Rooms: 8 cabins /AC
Bathrooms: 10
Formerly known as the Komodo Dancer, this 37m luxury yacht is a vessel that travels from Bali to Komodo National Park all-year round. It has seven cabins with en-suite facilities, and is able to take up to 16 passengers on board.
Offering you the chance to do four to five dives a day, this liveaboard is equipped with a spacious deck and saloon where you can enjoy your well-deserved meals after every dive.
The 14-member crew is helpful, friendly, and are willing to assist you throughout your stay to make sure you have the best diving experience in Komodo National Park.
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Complimentary Toiletries, Tanks, Weights, Belts, All Meals
Click the button below to learn more and check the prices and availability for the Indo Aggressor
Moana
Max. Divers: 10 guests
Rooms: 5 cabins / AC
Bathrooms: 6
The KLM Moana is a 30m ship made entirely from teak and ironwood. With 5 air-conditioned cabins, an upper deck, and a large deck area, this is one of the best budget liveaboard options in the Komodo Islands.
For those that want to try it, the boat also provides blankets for guests who want to sleep underneath the open sky.
The food is delicious and always freshly prepared, and the well-experienced crew is ready to take you to some of the best dive sites around Komodo National Park.
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Transfers/pickups from Airport, Tanks, Weights, Belts, Divemaster Services, All Meals, Towels
Click the button below to learn more and check the prices and availability for the Moana
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Best Mid-Range Liveaboard Diving in Komodo
La Galigo
Max. Divers: 14 guests
Rooms: 7 cabins /AC
Bathrooms: 8
If you’re looking for a luxurious stay without spending an arm and a leg, the 33m La Galigo liveaboard ship might be the way to go. This two-mast Phinisi sailing boat was designed specifically to cater to the needs of the liveaboard lifestyle.
It has 7 air-conditioned en-suite cabins with American-style mattresses for comfort. If you want to take it up a notch, they also have a suite which has a private balcony, 48″ HD TV and a PS4. Talk about an indulgent experience!
When you’re not diving, you can also chill out on the main deck which has a large TV, bookcase, and power points to charge up your equipment and laptops.
Equipped with a spacious dive deck, tenders, and photography and rinse stations, the La Galigo is a great choice for those who are looking for a great liveaboard in the Komodo Islands.
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Complimentary Toiletries, Transfers/pickups from Airport, Tanks, Weights, Belts, Divemaster Services, All Meals
Click the button below to learn more and check the prices and availability for the La Galigo
Ambai
Max. Divers: 16 guests
Rooms: 8 cabins /AC
Bathrooms: 8
Cruising all-year round around Komodo, Banda Sea, the Forgotten Islands, and Raja Ampat, the 32m Ambai has a very experienced crew ready to assist you during your unforgettable days at sea.
While the cabins are spacious and comfortable, the best part of the boat is the open-air deck areas where you can watch the sunrise and sunsets as well as relax after your dives.
Dive amenities include a large dive deck, three dive tenders, Nitrox, and four dive guides. If you’re an underwater camera enthusiast, you can also share your dive photos and highlights on the large screen in the lounge at the end of each day.
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Complimentary Toiletries, Transfers/pickups from Airport, Tanks, Weights, Belts, Divemaster Services, All Meals, Free Nitrox, Towels
Click the button below to learn more and check the prices and availability for the Ambai
Adelaar
Max. Divers: 8 guests
Rooms: 4 cabins /AC
Bathrooms: 4
The stunning M/V Adelaar is a beautifully-crafted Indonesian boat with teak panels, high ceilings, and en-suite marble bathrooms. If you have a larger budget, you can choose their luxurious master suite as your liveaboard accommodation.
The 10-member crew is very helpful and willing to help you make the most out of your liveaboard experience.
When you aren’t diving, the boat also has an open air deck where you can lie down, read a book, or gaze into the infinite shades of blue and green.
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Complimentary Toiletries, Tanks, Weights, Belts, Divemaster Services, All Meals, Towels Provided
Click the button below to learn more and check the prices and availability for the Adelaar
Samambaia
Max. Divers: 14 guests
Rooms: 7 cabins / AC
Bathrooms: 7
The Samambaia is a great choice as it provides a high level of comfort and luxury at a good price.
From providing delicious international meals to having cozy relaxation areas, the boat has everything you want and an 18-person crew committed to helping you make the most out of your trip.
The comfortable cabins are the perfect place to recharge after a full day of diving. The best part of the boat is the sundeck with comfortable loungers, where you can relax as you watch the sunset or get a massage from the onboard masseuse.
Divers onboard the Samambaia not only enjoy spectacular day and night diving, but also a wide range of activities during the intervals such as scenic rides through lagoons and coves and trekking.
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Complimentary Toiletries, Transfers/pickups from Airport, Tanks, Weights, Belts, Divemaster Services, All Meals, Free Nitrox, Towels
Click the button below to learn more and check the prices and availability for the Samambaia
Best Luxury Liveaboard Diving in Komodo
Damai II
Max. Divers: 12 guests
Rooms: 7 cabins / AC
Bathrooms: 7
This 40m beauty was built with indulgence in mind, making it the ideal choice for a luxurious dive holiday.
Equipped with 7 staterooms, the rooms are spacious and comfortable, making sure you are well-rested after a busy day of diving.
The main deck has a beautiful outdoor dining area where the staff serves a variety of international fine dining cuisines. On the decks, there are sunbeds and beanbags where you can spend your day basking in the warm tropical sun. Gourmet food and beverages are included in this liveaboard.
The Damai II has a divemaster-to-diver ratio of 4 to 1, creating a super personalized and memorable experience. The large dive station has individual rinse tanks and a camera room to make sure all your needs are taken care of.
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Complimentary Toiletries, Transfers/pickups from Airport, Tanks, Weights, Belts, Divemaster Services, All Meals, Alcoholic Beverages at Dinner
Click the button below to learn more and check the prices and availability for the Damai II
Blue Manta
Max. Divers: 18 to 22 guests
Rooms: 14 cabins / AC
Bathrooms: 14
If you’re not big on tiny sailing boats and get a bit queasy in the open sea, this 45m steel-hulled boat was built to withstand any type of sea conditions.
Designed with 14 beautifully furnished cabins that are around 20sqm, the Blue Manta is a great choice for divers seeking an upscale liveaboard experience.
On top of the fantastic diving, you can start your day with freshly-baked bread as the three professional chefs on board treat you to no less than five meals a day.
For underwater photographers, the Blue Manta is also equipped with WiFi, rinse tanks, indoor camera rooms, and blow dry stations.
All in all, this is a great pick for those who want one of the best liveaboard experiences while in the Komodo Islands.
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Complimentary Toiletries, Transfers/pickups from Airport, Tanks, Weights, Belts, Divemaster Services, All Meals
Click the button below to learn more and check the prices and availability for the Blue Manta
FAQ on Diving in Komodo National Park
Liveaboards are a great way to explore the best dive sites in an area. The liveaboards in Komodo National Park are not an exception as they take you to the best spots including the famous islands of Komodo, Rinca, Padar, and Flores. It is typical for you to be able to do 2-3 dives a day when on a liveaboard, giving you the change to explore sites that are usually too far for day dive trips.
Komodo National Park and the nearby islands within it offers some of the best diving in Indonesia! In fact, it is our favorite place in Southeast Asia to go scuba diving. It is known for its large pelagics, exciting drift dives, and colorful reefs. Giant manta ray sightings are also very common here!
The best months to go diving in Komodo us from March to October. Although some liveaboards operate all-year-round, you can get incredible visibility from November to January.
If you want to spot some manta rays, your best chances are to go during December to February. Although you should still see a couple in Manta Alley, regardless of the season.
Komodo Liveaboard Diving Highlights
It is no understatement when I say that diving in the Komodo National Park is a fantastic experience. Be prepared to see untouched coral, large pelagics, sharks, and a wide variety of other underwater life.
My experience diving there was unforgettable and is definitely something I highly recommend.
Although there are some dive spots suitable for beginners, generally speaking, the dives here are a lot more challenging due to the currents. So having some experience under your belt is definitely recommended.
What you can expect to see: manta rays, reef sharks, or even hammerhead and Grey sharks. I honestly felt like I was in a giant aquarium, slightly overwhelmed by the number of things to see around me (not a bad problem to have when diving!).
You’re also likely to encounter a wide variety of fish from tuna, barracudas, turtles, to giant trevally. If you’re into macro photography, you can find loads of rare nudibranchs and pygmy seahorses.
Most liveaboards depart from Labuan Bajo and will allow you to dock in the islands where you can see the famed Komodo dragons.
Komodo Islands Diving: What You Need to Know
Best Time to Go Diving in Komodo
Deciding when to go is probably one of the most important parts of choosing a liveaboard. You have to find one that suits your travel schedule.
To make the most out of your diving holiday, make sure you go to Komodo during its best season which runs from March to October. Although some liveaboards operate all-year-round, the best visibility (30m!) is from November to January.
Peak season happens between April and August. If you want to spot some manta rays, your best chances are December to February. That said, I was able to swim with over 15 manta rays during my visit in August. For spotting mola molas, the best month is August.
Komodo Diving Safety
The Komodo Islands is known for its strong currents, but that’s also why the marine life here is so vibrant.
All the liveaboard boat crews are experienced in reading the tides, and will carefully choose each dive site according to the weather and water conditions.
One of the best things about being on a liveaboard is you have a one-up on all the other dive boats that do day trips. You can either do early morning dives or late afternoon dives to avoid the crowd.
The islands of Komodo and Rinca act as a bottleneck between the Indian and Pacific Ocean, making the Komodo National Park a rollercoaster of currents and waves. Always trust your divemaster and listen when they advise you on currents and water patterns.
A good practice is to ensure that you always have a neon dive flag or collapsible pole stowed in your BC pocket in case the current sweeps you astray. Reef hooks and gloves are also advisable due to the strong currents.
For peace of mind during your diving adventures, we recommend having dive insurance in case of any medical emergencies.
Best Dive Sites in Komodo Islands
1. Cannibal Rock
This is one of the best dive sites for macro diving and spotting unique creatures swimming around. While diving Cannibal Rock, you’re likely to run into octopus, pygmy seahorses, and a wide array of coral.
Cannibal Rock is a great site for a night dive and attracts divers from across the world because of its unique environment.
2. Manta Alley
If you want to see manta rays, this is the place to be! Peak season for mantas is September to January, and divers have reported seeing up to 20 mantas on a single dive.
Even if you aren’t visiting during these months, it’s still likely you’ll run into one while you’re diving in Manta Alley. There are also reef sharks, triggerfish and other marine life for you to marvel at.
3. Batu Bolong
Batu Bolong is a world-famous dive site surrounding what looks like a small rock. However, beneath the surface it’s a reef that reaches 70 meters down and is swarming with diverse marine life. It hasn’t been fished because of the strong currents, making the reef an untouched paradise.
While diving Batu Bolong, you’re bound to see whitetip sharks, coral and sponges, but what makes this site so special is the amount of fish. There are different species as far as the eye can see, all swimming in schools. It’s truly a sight to behold.
4. Yellow Wall
The Yellow Wall is true to its name, as there’s an entire wall covered in bright yellow soft coral and sea cucumbers. The wall starts at 16 feet and stretches all the way down to 131 feet!
While sea cucumbers and coral are the main attractions at this site, there’s also a plethora of marine life swimming around like turtles and different species of fish.
How to Get to the Komodo Islands
The two main departure points for the Komodo liveaboards are Labuan Bajo or Bali in Indonesia.
Bali is an international hub with flights to Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar) coming in from all over the world. If your liveaboard leaves directly from Flores Island, you can catch a flight from Bali to Komodo Labuan Bajo Airport, or look at Lombok boat trips.
If you’re looking to board a liveaboard directly from Bali and travel to Komodo, most depart from Bima and Benoa, taking in sites in Lombok and Komodo National Park.
Labuan Bajo town itself is pretty small but there are a handful of great restaurants and dive shops.
A lot of these Komodo liveaboards book out months in advance so it’s better to plan your trip ahead of time. To get the best deals and find last-minute trips, head over to Liveaboard.com which guarantees the best price possible.
Another great option for liveaboards while in Indonesia is Raja Ampat. Check out our guide to Raja Ampat Liveaboards for more information
Best Diving Itineraries in the Komodo Islands
Short Komodo Liveaboard Trips
Short Komodo trips typically last between five and seven nights. Short itineraries in Komodo are still on the longer end because it can be a challenging place to get to, so you want to be sure you have enough time out on the water.
Short Komodo liveaboard trips have days full of dives, land excursions and the chance to get to know your fellow divers.
If you’re looking for a taste of advanced diving, you may want to consider a short liveaboard trip before committing to a longer one.
Extended Komodo Liveaboard Trips
Most trips in Komodo do run on the long side, lasting between eight and eleven nights. Because it’s a more remote location and difficult to get to, it’s nice to have more time to be out on the water and explore the beauty of the islands.
While on a liveaboard in Komodo, you can count on at least three dives a day, and typically even a fourth night dive. This means you’re looking at between 30 and 40 dives on a typical liveaboard trip in Komodo!
On extended trips, you’ll have more opportunities for land excursions to see the Komodo dragons, trek in the surrounding areas, visit local villages, and relax on the beach.
Search for the perfect Komodo liveaboard here!
Hopefully, this liveaboard guide has helped narrow down a few options for you. Liveaboards in Komodo is a wonderful experience which you are sure to remember for years to come. Enjoy!
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. That means that if you book any of the liveaboards above, we get a small commission at NO EXTRA COST to you. This commission will help us maintain this site so we can keep producing awesome free content for you.
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