Are Komodo currents ok for an intermediate diver?

[kathydee]

Hi, I'm thinking of diving Komodo this year but I have heard of the fast, up and down currents and am wondering if it is ok for an intermediate diver?

I have been in pretty swift currents before, but nothing strong enough to purge your reg, rip your mask off or thrusts you downward.

Id love to hear your stories and/or advice

Thank you !

 

[kilo_fox]

I did my first dive in Komodo 2 years ago, when I had 16 dives and I just finished a 4-months stay in Komodo (with lots of diving ).

The currents are not always equally strong, depending on the tides and the moon (e.g. around full moon the currents are much stronger than around half moon).
Besides, the currents are not unpredictable. There is tide tables showing the high and low tide (although one shouldn't rely on them 100 % as nature sometimes decides not to follow those tide tables ).
Many dive sites are located around one of the islands and hence it's possible to dive in the shadow of the current (e.g dive the northern side of the island when it's rising tide (during rising tide the current always goes from the South to the North)).

So all in all I'd say you will be fine.

Said that, it can happen that the current does change unexpectedly, especially around full moon, so there is no guarantee that you will never end up in bastard currents but that really shouldn't keep you from diving there..

The most important thing is to choose a good dive shop with a good DM who knows all that stuff and also takes into consideration the level and experience of the divers..

Enjoy!!!

 

[Bali-Freak]

The currents in Komodo are pretty similar to those in Nusa Penida, if that helps.

 

[kathydee]

I did my first dive in Komodo 2 years ago, when I had 16 dives and I just finished a 4-months stay in Komodo (with lots of diving ).

The most important thing is to choose a good dive shop with a good DM who knows all that stuff and also takes into consideration the level and experience of the divers..

Enjoy!!!

Hi there!

Thanks for the advice! Can you recommend your favorite inexpensive dive shop & DM ?

Also if you were there 4 months perhaps you can share some money saving tips /like places to stay? I don't mindcold water and simple as long as its friendly & safe !

 

[NAIBdiver1]

Kathydeee - Thank you for posting the question. I will be in Indonesia and Komodo National Park in September and I too was wondering about the currents.

I see my a moon phase chart that while I'm there, it will be a new moon staring upon my arrival.

I wonder, how the currents there compare to Cozumel where the currents are actually a lot of fun ???

I will be on a liveaboard the last two weeks of September with Worldwide Dive and Sail. The trip is for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Hearing people of different countries. I'm very excited as this will be my first trip to Indonesia.

NAIBDiver1

 

[Wayan]

Hi, I'm thinking of diving Komodo this year but I have heard of the fast, up and down currents and am wondering if it is ok for an intermediate diver?

I have been in pretty swift currents before, but nothing strong enough to purge your reg, rip your mask off or thrusts you downward.

Id love to hear your stories and/or advice

Thank you !

Hi Kathy, As an intermediate diver you should be okay, just be sure to pick the sites and quiz the staff about the dives. There are a couple which can be quite challenging if not done the right way for example Batu Bulan, GPS Point, Tatawa Besar, Highy to heaven/Highway to hell. Enjoy it is fantastic diving in the Komodo area

 

[kilo_fox]

Hi there!

Thanks for the advice! Can you recommend your favorite inexpensive dive shop & DM ?

Also if you were there 4 months perhaps you can share some money saving tips /like places to stay? I don't mindcold water and simple as long as its friendly & safe !

You're most welcome Kathy!

Four out of the five land-based dive shops in Labuan Bajo have an agreement about the prices for diving so they are the same (on paper, at least). I personally dived only with Bajo Dive Club but would also dive with Divine Diving and Dive Komodo, but not with CNDive and Reefseekers.

For cheap accommodation in LB I'd recommend the hotel Komodo Indah, simple but spotless clean. Other good options are Matahari or Chez Felix.

For cheap but good food there are heaps of Indonesian warungs, my favorites amongst the "real" restaurants are Matahari and Pesona Bali.

Cheers..

 

[kilo_fox]

I wonder, how the currents there compare to Cozumel where the currents are actually a lot of fun ???

You can bet that the currents in Komodo are lots and lots of fun!!! Once I felt like SUPERWOMAN dashing along the reef of Tatawa Kecil...

 

[NAIBdiver1]

Kilo Fox,

I will be arriving on Bima the day before my boat. Have recommendations for hotel and food on Bima ???

Thanks

 

[kilo_fox]

Sorry, I don't have as I've never been to Bima.
Are you heading to Labuan Bajo from there?