Trip Report CN dive KOMODO

[funscuba]

What do u think the temperature of the water would be in end of april and in may ?

My trip was end of Feb (21-26 I think?) I contacted Condo through his e-mail lovekomodo@yahoo.co.id

His website is literally bare bones, no point in even going there... but here it is www.CNdivekomodo.com

The normal cost is around 135-140 USD a day, but we got 110 for being instructors and having all our own gear and arriving in a group.

I didn't get any shots inside the boat, it is very basic. I honestly cant recommend Condo highly enough. and personally live aboard is the only way to do komodo for me, the sites are so far apart and so far from labuan bajo (a total dump, been here a week now.. ugh) that it's not worth doing day trips and chugging 2 hours out in the morning and 2 hours back in the evening for only two dives unless you're really pressed for time and money.

did I miss anything? well be sure to ask if you guys need more info.

 

[NickLongfellow]

in the north we were diving between 23-26 degrees, in the south we hit some warm water almost 28 (balmy). Though apparently this is the opposite of high season when it is 19 in the south and warmer in the north. I am used to much warmer diving, and was caught a bit off-guard. Was wearing 3 wetsuits at one point =p. Condo does 3 guided dives a day, and one unguided at a nice calm spot. Normally with the cold water and hard currents 3 was enough for us. You also need ot bring your own lights if you want to do night dives.

 

[sonar]

nick, I received a reply from them; they offered 405$ for a 3d/2n trip. As expected they were vague at best. Did this include, in your case, diving, sleeping, food and drinks (no alchohol I assume)

Hope i can make it to do trip with them; the price is really low if you can make 4 dives a day for this price. Do they have nitrox? How is their rental gear?

thanks in advance

 

[xariatay]

I bet all was forgiven at Manta Point, So many mantas! When was your trip?
Your photos are looking great from afar (because couldn't see the individual photo)...

Thanks for fixing it, your photos are Great upclose! Love the colours of the soft corals.

 

[funscuba]

I also received a reply from them, but there's a need to be minimum 3 persons onboard, and I am travelling alone.

 

[NickLongfellow]

yuuup all included, food, room, drinks, guide and gear. The rental stuff looked fine to me, ended up using one of their regs as mine developed a hole in the diaphram halfway through the trip, no problems with it.

 

[joebubbles]

nick, I received a reply from them; they offered 405$ for a 3d/2n trip. As expected they were vague at best. Did this include, in your case, diving, sleeping, food and drinks (no alchohol I assume)

Hope i can make it to do trip with them; the price is really low if you can make 4 dives a day for this price. Do they have nitrox? How is their rental gear?

thanks in advance

Hi Sonar & funscuba & Nick

Sonar, are you sure that the two night trip goes to southern Komodo? Nick, was on a 6 day LOB and that is often the minimum for boats that hit the south. If the boat doesn't go South, you may be better off doing day dives in the North. I am no expert as I have never been there. I will be putting in four dive days diving Komodo with my gf starting on April 19. If the boat does go to the South, I doubt you would get more than 6 dives (two dive days) given transiting. Remember, Nick said the boat was SLOW. I am tentatively considering day dives from LBJ, but if it is practical getting to the south for a couple of days, I would consider it. I would also think it would be cool if we can do a SI on Rinca Island to check out the Dragons.

BTW Sonar, I believe you commented on my Verde Island vid in the past in PPD.

Joe Stone's videos on Vimeo

 

[Magrone]

Great report and pics Nick,

I have been interested in diving with CN for a while but was hesitant due to communication issues and reservations about bringing my housed dslr on a budget LOB. How was the camera on the boat situation?

 

[NickLongfellow]

camera situation was not great, one cooler on the main boat for cameras, nothing on the tender. I had to use my fins and wetsuit to keep my camera out of the sun most of the time. So the short and short is it's not the best spot for cameras. If you personally take good care it will be fine, but if you're used to having a dedicated camera table and dunk tank, you'll be left wanting.

 

[Will Rogers]

Sonar & funscuba,

Did either of you end up diving with Condo, or someone else?

Looking at this trip for next year.

Thanks,

Will