Komodo in July / August ?

[Azbuceadora]

My dive travel agent is putting together a charter for late June/early July 2018 on the Blue Manta from Komodo. Warm water wuss that I am, I'm a little apprehensive about the temps in the south. That didn't stop me from booking it, though. Any reassurances for me? I have a full 5mil, booties, gloves, and beanie (hate hoods).

 

[Mike Veitch]

Any reassurances for me? I have a full 5mil, booties, gloves, and beanie (hate hoods).

Sometimes it's not that cold

 

[charlier]

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.

It's seems to me that everyone has different expectations for Komodo. Last summer, my wife and I considered a land-based resort in Komodo. After contacting the resort, we decided that it was not for us. Since many dive ops have a mixed group of divers with varying experience, the DM has to make sure that the dive site is accessible to everyone. Many dive ops try to avoid strong or moderate currents with a mixed group. We decided that we would be frustrated on dive trips that avoid currents, in particular, at Komodo, Alor, Raja Ampat, etc. We even try to time the lunar cycle for current-rich times of the month.

Mike V. is correct about the temperature - sometimes the water is not cold in southern Komodo. From past experience, I have experienced temperatures a low as 18°·C, but more commonly 21-25°C. Everyone has a different cold tolerance, but a 5 mm with booties and a beanie will be fine. In the north, you might consider using a 3 mm wetsuit. Best travels!

 

[Dan]

If you want warmer water temperature in South Rinca, go in December-January time. That's summer time in Australia. Warm Australia current come up to South Komodo. From my logbook, Jan 2-3, 2013, the water temperature in Cannibal Rock, Yellow Wall of Texas, Torpedo Rock were 82-84F (28-29C).

I used my Lycra since my German buddy borrowed my 3mm due to his 5mm was way too warm for him. He got a wrong info back home in Germany from his buddy who went to South Komodo in July-August.

 

[Mike Veitch]

If you want warmer water temperature in South Rinca, go in December-January time. That's summer time in Australia. Warm Australia current come up to South Komodo. From my logbook, Jan 2-3, 2013, the water temperature in Cannibal Rock, Yellow Wall of Texas, Torpedo Rock were 82-84F (28-29C).

This is true... however, much more rain at that time of year (this year is a perfect example, having a really heavy wet season this year) And the northern sites can be quite rough and often top sites such as Castle Rock are not diveable.

Oct/Nov is the shoulder season, warmer and often bluer in the south and less boats around.. But, usually not as many mantas around

 

[Dan]

I was lucky to get a nice weather in the north then. We even saw several mantas in Taka Makassar then, when the Manta Alley at the time wasn't diveable. The Shot Gun was a blast.

In July-August, the the mantas seem to go down south to Manta Alley. We tried to see them in Taka Makassar & saw none.

 

[Mike Veitch]

In July-August, the the mantas seem to go down south to Manta Alley. We tried to see them in Taka Makassar & saw none.

Correct, off season and shoulder season better for them at Makassar, may - sept better at the Alley.. however, can be green. This is when colder water is better, 18C is usually nice and blue whereas 23 tends to be green (does that work as a plus for cold water?)