Any feedback on Scuba Junkie Komodo Beach Resort (Warloka Flores)?

[MrTW]

Hi there,

would anyone here have any feedback on either the resort itself or location of the resort?

The Komodo Beach Resort appears to be very new and has a handful of very good reviews on Tripadvisor.

Communication from the owner is also very swift and professional.

My main concerns is whether the location is close enough to good diving spots (without having to be on a daily boat journey for hours).

Also, is end November a good time to dive in Komodo and specifically at around that location?

The resort is located here

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

---------- Post added September 22nd, 2015 at 08:59 AM ----------

As an update - the owner of Scuba Junkie is extremely fast in responding to emails - excellent communication.

Based on her feedback it appears that all good dive sites are approximately 1.5 hours boat ride each way from their resort. I assume that this is a standard travel time to/from the good sites?

Can someone advise whether 5 days diving out of 1 resort (very secluded it appears) is too long and I should rather cut the time or are the dive sites around Komodo National Park diverse enough to spend a good 5 days under water?

Lastly, I am getting mixed information on weather during November - is November a good scuba month in that region?

---------- Post added September 22nd, 2015 at 09:00 AM ----------

As an update - the owner of Scuba Junkie is extremely fast in responding to emails - excellent communication.

Based on her feedback it appears that all good dive sites are approximately 1.5 hours boat ride each way from their resort. I assume that this is a standard travel time to/from the good sites?

Can someone advise whether 5 days diving out of 1 resort (very secluded it appears) is too long and I should rather cut the time or are the dive sites around Komodo National Park diverse enough to spend a good 5 days under water?

Lastly, I am getting mixed information on weather during November - is November a good scuba month in that region?

 

[dirtfarmer]

I've been in Komodo the last two years during mid November and the weather was good. Clear water up north, chilly lower vis water down south which feeds the manta's.

Scuba Junkie runs a very professional operation, I've not been to their Komodo location but have been to their Mabul location. The managers running the Komodo location are
sharp and professional, and have been with SJ for years.

Their location is secluded but does allow access to the best sites of the south ie Manta Alley, Cannibal Rock, Torpedo Alley at least according to their announcements. I've not heard of a dayboat out of Labuan Bajo that goes that far south. 5 days is not to much, the diving in Komodo is spectacular, I could dive for 5 days alone in Rinca Bay. I definitely would consider diving with them in the future when not diving Komodo by liveaboard.

 

[MrTW]

I've been in Komodo the last two years during mid November and the weather was good. Clear water up north, chilly lower vis water down south which feeds the manta's.

Scuba Junkie runs a very professional operation, I've not been to their Komodo location but have been to their Mabul location. The managers running the Komodo location are
sharp and professional, and have been with SJ for years.

Their location is secluded but does allow access to the best sites of the south ie Manta Alley, Cannibal Rock, Torpedo Alley at least according to their announcements. I've not heard of a dayboat out of Labuan Bajo that goes that far south. 5 days is not to much, the diving in Komodo is spectacular, I could dive for 5 days alone in Rinca Bay. I definitely would consider diving with them in the future when not diving Komodo by liveaboard.

Thank you for your feedback! I am getting excited about Komodo - originally wanted to go to vbut this appears to be a) too expensive and b) too much of a hassle to get in and out.

 

[johnnyafrica]

Hey funny I found this thread. I'm actually headed to Komodo at the end of Nov to do my DMT with scuba junkie. I've been in constant contact with them and they've been super ersponsive and helpful. I asked them the same questiona bout Dec diving and they said the wet season doesnt' really start until the end of Jan and Dec is prime manta ray season (can't complain). They have all amazing reviews on Tripadvisor right now so it must be a good operation they're running. Also, the diving cost is quite reasonable. Not quiet as cheap as Dahab, Egypt but for 19M rupiah (~$1400), it includes my DMT program, all lodging, and all food for 4 weeks. Can't complain about that! Perhaps I will see you there!

 

[Rusty Roo]

after 5 days of being in komodo you will want to do another 5 days. if you get bored there is something wrong with you.

 

[gajahduduk]

So any comment from those who have gone there? I'm also considering it. 3 hrs round trip per day to get to sites seems very long. Is it really that long? Any other comments? Any pictures of accomodations?

Also, is it true that the only other non-liveaboard option for Komodo is the Komodo Resort (which is very expensive)?

 

[Pearlman]

90 mins is not that long - the last 30 mins goes in dive briefing and setting up your gear. Only that you need to wake up at 6am every day to hit the shop by 7am. (If you do the liveaboard, you still do the first dive at 6am I think so you need to wakeup by 5am.

I just came back from 3 days of daytrips in Komodo. I loved the slower boat due to the plenty of relaxed time in between dives and the return trip on the sun deck if you like soaking vitamin D. but if you really want to cut it short, I found a nearby shop with a speedboat having twin engines that returns to shore by 3:30 - 4pm. I think it was Blue Marlin. But it cost 1mil IDR more and you get one dive less. I am glad I took the slower boat though - more relaxed than a high speed boat - we returned just before 6pm all days except on the day we went to Rinca to see the dragons.

note: You dont get to dive south komodo on a daytrip - too far away, but for that LB is the preferred way.

Cheers

 

[dirtfarmer]

I'm spending 11 days at SJ Komodo this January... even from their more central location the boat rides are long...they do say they can dive the southern sites as opposed to dayboats leaving from Labjuan Bajo.

SJ Komodo to me is a value priced way to dive Komodo...yes long dive days but priced under $150 day it's much cheaper than any liveaboard I would use.

 

[gajahduduk]

I am glad I took the slower boat though - more relaxed than a high speed boat - we returned just before 6pm all days except on the day we went to Rinca to see the dragons.

note: You dont get to dive south komodo on a daytrip - too far away, but for that LB is the preferred way.
Cheers

DO you have any pictures of their property, especially the sea view rooms? What were the beds like? (Looking at a potential stay with a non-diver gf).

When you say "except" for dragon day, what does that mean? Their lit says they do it on the day out, for just an hour. Is that what you did?

How was the food?