Matthias Hoeller
Registered
Hi,
we just spent two weeks in Komodo Resort on Sebayur Island, just outside the border of Komodo National Park.
The Resort
Komodo Resort resort currently offers various beach bungalows, each located directly at the beach. We loved ours as we had direct sea view from our bed only 2 meters away from a huge panorama window, so waking up in the morning the first thing we saw was a nice sea view!
Some new hilltop bungalows are currently under construction, so more options will probably soon be available.
Bungalows are equipped with air conditioning, private bathrooms, and verandas. The resort features a restaurant serving international and Indonesian cuisine, and food was generally excellent. A bar is available for drinks. Electricity and fresh water are generated on-site. we experienced one 4h power outage one night, but other than that it was fairly reliable. Wi-Fi is available everywhere, but we still bought a local SIM anyways (e.g. to have reception on the dive boat etc). The overall atmosphere is peaceful and secluded. Staff are extremely friendly and service oriented!
We were less impressed with the one day Komodo island day trip to see the dragons, that's quite touristy. Besides going to Komodo island, they ship you to a mountain hike, a pink beach full of tourists, and some snorkeling with mantas which is somewhat pointless if you dove with them the day prior. But at least we saw the dragons.
The Diving
Komodo Resort operates a dedicated dive center (Neptune Scuba Diving Komodo). The dive center is very well-organized. Rental gear seems to be in very good shape (we only rented 1 BCD and brought the rest ourselves). Dive boats are wooden phinisis, there is enough space and a toilet available on board. The closer dive sites are visited with a small speed boat.
The dive guides were mostly excellent and knowledgeable about local dive sites, which we think is crucial in Komodo because of the currents. We wouldn't feel comfortable with some random liveaboard Dive Master who has no extensive experience with each single dive site. Also, they don't go to the north around new moon because the current is then too strong to be safe, that's another thing your typical liveaboard will possibly ignore.
Prior to the trip, we were pretty confident about our scuba diving skills and also had some experience with currents previously. But I have to admit that Komodo, especially the "north" brought us to our limits, and even beyond. I think we underestimated a bit how physically exhausting the changing and volatile currents really are.
Daily dive trips visit multiple sites within Komodo National Park (central and north, the south isn't covered). You can choose between half day (2 dive) or full day (3 dive) trips, as well as single afternoon dives or night dives at the closer dive sites.
The diving is spectacular! We encountered lots of manta rays, even very close; sharks, turtles, etc., and even were lucky to have a rare encounter with a Dolphin and her calf. Coral reefs are healthy and vibrant.
The dive shop really went out of their way to accommodate our every wish, special thanks to the manager (Saeed) who could not be more helpful!
Favorite dive sites: Batu Bolong never disappointed, that is something else. The two "Manta points" (Mawan, Makassar) were amazing with many mantas around. The infamous Cauldron/Shotgun was not very strong when we were there, however the dive site itself is really cool apart from the current, definitely also a favorite. We also tried a muck dive which was great fun.
Conclusion
Would go again in a heartbeat, 10/10. If you can afford the resort prices, I don't think there is a nicer way of diving Komodo land based than this!
Matt
we just spent two weeks in Komodo Resort on Sebayur Island, just outside the border of Komodo National Park.
The Resort
Komodo Resort resort currently offers various beach bungalows, each located directly at the beach. We loved ours as we had direct sea view from our bed only 2 meters away from a huge panorama window, so waking up in the morning the first thing we saw was a nice sea view!
Some new hilltop bungalows are currently under construction, so more options will probably soon be available.
Bungalows are equipped with air conditioning, private bathrooms, and verandas. The resort features a restaurant serving international and Indonesian cuisine, and food was generally excellent. A bar is available for drinks. Electricity and fresh water are generated on-site. we experienced one 4h power outage one night, but other than that it was fairly reliable. Wi-Fi is available everywhere, but we still bought a local SIM anyways (e.g. to have reception on the dive boat etc). The overall atmosphere is peaceful and secluded. Staff are extremely friendly and service oriented!
We were less impressed with the one day Komodo island day trip to see the dragons, that's quite touristy. Besides going to Komodo island, they ship you to a mountain hike, a pink beach full of tourists, and some snorkeling with mantas which is somewhat pointless if you dove with them the day prior. But at least we saw the dragons.
The Diving
Komodo Resort operates a dedicated dive center (Neptune Scuba Diving Komodo). The dive center is very well-organized. Rental gear seems to be in very good shape (we only rented 1 BCD and brought the rest ourselves). Dive boats are wooden phinisis, there is enough space and a toilet available on board. The closer dive sites are visited with a small speed boat.
The dive guides were mostly excellent and knowledgeable about local dive sites, which we think is crucial in Komodo because of the currents. We wouldn't feel comfortable with some random liveaboard Dive Master who has no extensive experience with each single dive site. Also, they don't go to the north around new moon because the current is then too strong to be safe, that's another thing your typical liveaboard will possibly ignore.
Prior to the trip, we were pretty confident about our scuba diving skills and also had some experience with currents previously. But I have to admit that Komodo, especially the "north" brought us to our limits, and even beyond. I think we underestimated a bit how physically exhausting the changing and volatile currents really are.
Daily dive trips visit multiple sites within Komodo National Park (central and north, the south isn't covered). You can choose between half day (2 dive) or full day (3 dive) trips, as well as single afternoon dives or night dives at the closer dive sites.
The diving is spectacular! We encountered lots of manta rays, even very close; sharks, turtles, etc., and even were lucky to have a rare encounter with a Dolphin and her calf. Coral reefs are healthy and vibrant.
The dive shop really went out of their way to accommodate our every wish, special thanks to the manager (Saeed) who could not be more helpful!
Favorite dive sites: Batu Bolong never disappointed, that is something else. The two "Manta points" (Mawan, Makassar) were amazing with many mantas around. The infamous Cauldron/Shotgun was not very strong when we were there, however the dive site itself is really cool apart from the current, definitely also a favorite. We also tried a muck dive which was great fun.
Conclusion
Would go again in a heartbeat, 10/10. If you can afford the resort prices, I don't think there is a nicer way of diving Komodo land based than this!
Matt
