Adelaar Cruises
Contributor
Dolphin sightings at Castle Rock, Komodo National Park
How is El Niño affecting Komodo National Park and the dive liveaboards who ply her waters? Summer months (December-March), are historically the rainy season for Komodo, however, El Niño weather patterns create a much drier climate, and so far the waters throughout Indonesia have been cooler. Although not good for filling aquifers, rivers and streams it can make for very good diving.
Huge 1.5+ meter (3′) Jack stays with divers
during 5 min safety stop
Marine life thrives in cooler waters and we’ve been seeing more pelagic animals coming up from the deep and marine critters usually only seen in deeper waters are also being seen in shallower waters. Trains of mantas are feeding, pods of dolphins and their pups are frolicking in the bow wake and Mola mola’s have been spotted in the cool waters of south Komodo. Critter counts are exploding and photo opportunities are flashing.
El Niño has been predicted to last into the spring of 2016, while the warmer waters are affecting the northern hemisphere driving the usual marine life in the area into deeper waters it’s been the opposite here in southern Indonesia. Planning your dive liveaboard holiday in Komodo, Indonesia for the El Niño cycle could be the best dive decision you will make all year.
Whale shark recently spotted in Komodo National Park
Photo by Gemma Deavin via Twitter
What are you waiting for? Come to Komodo.
