Komodo in July / August ?

[billt4sf]

We are looking at doing a LOB (probably on Mermaid) to Komodo in July or August. Is this a good time to go there?

Some *wonderful* person put a RED zone for South Komodo in July & August, (white for North Komodo) on a certain spreadsheet, I wonder what the consideration was? LOBs do go to Komodo in July & August.

My wife is still thinking about currents, we might not be ready, but maybe....

Thanks,

Bill

 

[Mike Veitch]

July and August can be rough in the south, but Mermaid will mostly go unless it's too rough to get to Manta Alley. Manta Alley has great manta action in July/Aug and there always seems to be more life in Horseshoe Bay (Nusa Kode) at that time of year. HOWEVER.... 18 - 19C (64-67F) is not out of the ordinary at that time...

Mermaid typically does about 1.5 days in the south so its not that bad. Up north the water is typically 27- 28C (80 -83F)

I enjoy going at that time of year, just bring a warm suit, hood, and gloves for the South. If you are flexible though, less boats around in late Sept and Oct...

 

[Dan]

I did the Bali-Komodo-Bali trip from 7/31/14 to 8/9/14 with Mermaid I. The south Komodo temperatures, visibility & current then were:
- Yellow Wall of Texas 78F, 40' & slow
- Cannibal Rock 76F, 30' & slow
- Torpedo Alley 75F, 30' & slow
- Manta Alley 73-75F, 40-50' & fast (surging)

If you want to see manta in Manta Alley, get yourself a reefhook ready on hand, no air in BCD, do the negative entry to the bottom (60-80' depth), hook the reefhook onto a rock or dead coral & enjoy the show. The current may be fast, but it's not as bad as the Channel (Big Fish Country) of Maratua Atoll in East of Kalimantan.

My best night dive ever was in Pink Beach. Don't miss it.

Enjoy Komodo!

 

[Dan]

Don't miss watching the Komodo marching on the beach of south Rinca during the surface interval. The leader looks pretty nasty

 

[Dan]

Saw these guys during a night dive in Pink Beach.

 

[Adelaar Cruises]

Greetings Billt4sf,

Some *wonderful* person put a RED zone for South Komodo in July & August, (white for North Komodo) on a certain spreadsheet, I wonder what the consideration was?

As you probably know it's busy season in July and August, so get yourself booked soon. The spread sheets RED zone for the South is most likely due to the fact that the seas can be rough in the South at this time of year. Most day boats, and some of the smaller LOBs, won't be able to get down there then. However, once you are in the bay at Langkoi in South Komodo or Horseshoe Bay in South Rinca, the boats will have sheltered moorings to spend the day/night on. In addition, as @Mike Veitch mentioned above, upwellings from the Indian Ocean can bring cool water and nutrients that can also reduce visibility, so bring a warm wet suit! Reefs are full of color and life with lots of critters at this time of year, and the Mantas love the nutrient rich waters.

Strangely enough it's less than 25 miles between the North and South and in July and August the North traditionally has warm clear water. That's probably why it's listed as a WHITE zone.

There are currents in Komodo, however most reliable LOBs operating in the area will take the tides and your dive experience into consideration before entering the water. Often times, there is slack side or another great dive site to dive nearby.

Have a fantastic time, you'll be amazed, Komodo is a special place.

P.S. We have some specials in July, just sayin'.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Don't miss watching the Komodo marching on the beach of south Rinca during the surface interval.

Komodo dragons take surface intervals?

 

[Dan]

Komodo dragons take surface intervals?

Make sure you have the 6' pole with you to keep them away.

 

[dirtfarmer]

If you want to avoid the biggest currents then try and schedule at half moon phazes.
I've done Komodo then and been able to dive the most current prone sites with no current.

 

[billt4sf]

Greetings Billt4sf,



As you probably know it's busy season in July and August, so get yourself booked soon. The spread sheets RED zone for the South is most likely due to the fact that the seas can be rough in the South at this time of year. Most day boats, and some of the smaller LOBs, won't be able to get down there then. However, once you are in the bay at Langkoi in South Komodo or Horseshoe Bay in South Rinca, the boats will have sheltered moorings to spend the day/night on. In addition, as @Mike Veitch mentioned above, upwellings from the Indian Ocean can bring cool water and nutrients that can also reduce visibility, so bring a warm wet suit! Reefs are full of color and life with lots of critters at this time of year, and the Mantas love the nutrient rich waters.

Strangely enough it's less than 25 miles between the North and South and in July and August the North traditionally has warm clear water. That's probably why it's listed as a WHITE zone.

There are currents in Komodo, however most reliable LOBs operating in the area will take the tides and your dive experience into consideration before entering the water. Often times, there is slack side or another great dive site to dive nearby.

Have a fantastic time, you'll be amazed, Komodo is a special place.

P.S. We have some specials in July, just sayin'.

Very helpful, thank you!