Land based Komodo recommendations late April 2025

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yyDC

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Messages
3
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Location
Washington
# of dives
200 - 499
We are two experienced divers planning on 6 days of diving in Komodo, Land based, end on 4/2025. The only priority is a top notch dive operation (safety and scope of diving). Any recommendations from recent divers with an interest profile like ours?
 
I was considering sea creatures.
Well, I was scheduled to dive with them last November but the damn volcano erupted the day I was going to transit to Labuan Bajo.

But I selected sea creatures because they were the most responsive. But the main reason is because they have a speed blast while most other centers use a slow leisure boat. This means you're at the site before the masses but maybe after the live aboard folk who have an advantage.

They do cost much more though.
 
I used Blue Marlin last year and could not fault them, great guide and decent food and accommodation.

The only downside is the 10 min walk to the jetty carrying camera + housing.

Dive gear was transported separately and on Day one they asked me how I liked it set up, and it was faultless thereafter.

Nitrox analysed and reviewed by myself, great crew and food on the boat too.
 
I really liked the Scuba Junkies Komodo operation, everything was run in an efficient and safe fashion. I actually enjoyed the slower boat, because that meant that it could go out earlier in the morning, divers can enjoy a nice (and stable) breakfast on board, and there was a lot of room to chill and read a book while getting to the dive spots. They also have more than one big boat, so people are easily grouped by level, and they went to all of the North and Central sites regularly. I think we hit almost all of the main dive spots over the course of 5 days or so (and had a few repeats that everyone requested).
 
Thanks for the replies. The names mentioned are exactly the ones I considered, but there is no clear winner among the 4 because I couldn't nail down specifics. My impression is that April may still be divable in the South, but not sure Blue Marlin, or Sea Creatures dive there at all. The consideration of fast versus slow boat, what exactly does it buy in terms of dive sites. I will search more for dive reports with these operators.

We probably can't go wrong with any of the 4. (there is such dearth of information about CN Dive).

All advice is welcome!
 
Does it have to be land based? With 6 days, liveaboards would come into play.

If that is your only preference, I can also recommend Scuba Junkies. Had a few minor complaints, but overall, it is a really good land-based option.
 
land based OPs don't dive south rinca or south komodo, its just too far. SJ will sometimes do padar which otherwise you need a speed boat if leaving from LBJ. SJ is outside town so you need to consider transit time with them for shorter trips. it also makes a snack run or nightlife impossible.

manta rhei and scuba republic only run slow boats iirc

you should also consider a short duration liveaboard, there are options for 5 days or 6 days, saves time versus traveling back and forth to town every day. and if you can live without ac, there are budget options
 
Unfortunately Land based is it, staying in town is more attractive if paired with a solid dive operator(s). We stay at dive resorts (red sea, Indonesia, Maldives), so it is workable. Sure the fast boat save time, but what else do they offer? I couldn't nail that down so far.
Thanks for insights!
 

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