My limited experience at this dive site leads me to agree that it is an advanced site where conditions can and do change during the dive. The channel can have big current including thermoclines. The tide can create a big down current from the site out into the channel. And there is the chance of a squall.
I only dived there twice, dives 2 and 3 of the day after a first dive at Manta Point. The group was a dive guide, a young, fit couple with ~20 dives and me. At that time I had slightly more than 175 dives, mostly in California. I had some experience with current dives (30-35) in Thailand. I was using rental gear except for computer and mask. I had no SMB, light or signaling device. I was in a 3mm shortie, water temp 75f. This was during a month long trip to Indonesia before my wife started diving, and we stayed in Padangbai for 5 days so I could get wet. It was July, so "winter" in Indonesia. Rough ride from Padangbai to Nusa Penida, but nice weather overall.
The guide briefed us about the current, said it could develop into a strong down flow during the dive. He also said after we dropped in ~60' he was going to swim out and down to look for mola-molas while we waited. He would return in a few minutes and we would either go back if he had sighted any, or we would make our way toward shore. We dropped, he found an area for us to wait and he took off. The vis was spectacular, but he still disappeared down into the blue.
I noted the time, and the three of us just hung around in the vicinity, plenty to see. After five minutes, I started thinking about the guide not coming back due to the current. Another five minutes and I signaled to the other two to begin slowly moving away from the channel toward shallower water against the increasingly strong current. More than 20 minutes into the dive, and half my air later, the guide came along, and shook his head, no mola-molas. We finished out the dive and did another in 40-45', near the shore, sheltered from the current.
Really no drama, but I always thought that that site was ripe for an accident under the wrong conditions. Tide, current, weather, inexperience, separation, no dive plan other than follow-the-guide, lack of safety equipment, any one of these factors can contribute, and if several come into play, it can mean tragedy.
It's being reported that the missing divers were all experienced and as previously noted upthread, the Komodo incident ended well. I am hoping this one does, too.
