1. Kalong Island

1. Wainilu

Wainilu is a hidden gem located in the remote Alor Archipelago, offering pristine reefs, dramatic walls, and some of the most biodiverse diving in Indonesia. The site features steep drop-offs covered in vibrant soft corals, sea fans, and sponges, creating a stunning backdrop for encounters with pelagic species such as hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and dogtooth tuna. Strong currents sweep nutrient-rich waters through the area, attracting large schools of barracuda, trevallies, and even occasional whale sharks, making Wainilu a dream destination for advanced divers seeking adrenaline-filled drift dives.  

What sets Wainilu apart is its thriving macro life, with rare critters like flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopuses, and psychedelic frogfish hiding among the coral rubble. Depths range from 10 to over 40 meters, with the best action often found along the reef’s edge where the currents hit. The site’s remote location ensures uncrowded dives and untouched coral health, providing a truly wild underwater experience. Whether you're drawn to big pelagics or tiny critters, Wainilu delivers an unforgettable mix of excitement and discovery.

B. Pengah Kecil - Siaba

2. Pengah Kecil 

Pengah Kecil is a stunning dive site in Komodo National Park, known for its vibrant coral gardens, dramatic pinnacles, and thrilling drift dives. The site features a series of underwater seamounts teeming with marine life, including reef sharks, giant trevallies, and Napoleon wrasse. The strong currents attract schooling fish like fusiliers and snappers, creating a mesmerizing underwater spectacle. The coral coverage is exceptional, with colorful soft corals and sea fans swaying in the current, while occasional manta rays glide overhead in the blue.  

Ideal for experienced divers, Pengah Kecil offers depths ranging from 12 to 30+ meters, with exhilarating drifts along the reef’s edge. The site’s topography includes swim-throughs and overhangs, where eagle rays and white-tip reef sharks often rest. Macro enthusiasts will also find surprises like nudibranchs and pygmy seahorses tucked into the coral. With its mix of pelagic action and pristine reefs, Pengah Kecil is a must-dive for those seeking adventure in Komodo’s wild waters.  

3. Shark Point  

Shark Point in Komodo National Park lives up to its name, offering frequent encounters with reef sharks, including black-tip, white-tip, and occasionally even hammerheads. The site features a series of rocky outcrops and coral-covered slopes where sharks patrol the currents, along with giant trevallies and barracuda. The nutrient-rich waters support a thriving ecosystem, with massive schools of fish swirling around the pinnacles, creating a dynamic and immersive dive experience.  

Depths range from 10 to 30 meters, with strong currents making this site best suited for advanced divers. The coral formations are spectacular, with gorgonian fans and black coral trees adding to the dramatic scenery. Night dives here reveal a different side of Shark Point, with hunting octopuses, Spanish dancers, and bioluminescent plankton lighting up the dark waters. Whether you come for the sharks or the adrenaline-pumping drifts, Shark Point delivers an unforgettable underwater adventure.  

4. Siaba Kecil 

Siaba Kecil, a lesser-known site in Komodo, is a macro lover’s paradise with its sandy slopes, coral bommies, and thriving critter population. The site is famous for its resident sea turtles, which can often be seen resting or feeding on the reef. Frogfish, ghost pipefish, and ornate pipefish hide among the coral rubble, while mandarinfish emerge at dusk for their colorful mating rituals. The gentle slope and calm conditions make Siaba Kecil ideal for underwater photographers and beginner divers.  

Depths range from 8 to 20 meters, with excellent visibility and minimal currents. The coral gardens are healthy and diverse, attracting reef fish like butterflyfish and angelfish. Night dives here are particularly rewarding, as the reef transforms with nocturnal creatures like bobtail squids and hairy shrimp. For those seeking a relaxed yet rewarding dive with plenty of marine encounters, Siaba Kecil is a hidden treasure in Komodo.  

5. Siaba Besar 

Siaba Besar takes on a magical atmosphere after dark, making it one of Komodo’s best night dive sites. The sandy bottom and coral bommies come alive with nocturnal critters, including blue-ringed octopuses, flamboyant cuttlefish, and crustaceans like the elusive harlequin shrimp. The site’s shallow depths (5-15 meters) and calm conditions allow for unhurried exploration, perfect for spotting rare macro life in action.  

During the day, Siaba Besar is known for turtle encounters, but at night, the focus shifts to the smaller, more elusive species. Torchlight reveals hunting lionfish, moray eels on the prowl, and the mesmerizing biofluorescence of tiny plankton. The site’s accessibility and biodiversity make it a favorite for both photographers and divers looking to experience Komodo’s underwater world in a different light—literally. A night dive at Siaba Besar is an unforgettable journey into the hidden wonders of the ocean after sunset.

C. Padar island - Loh Sera

6. Three Sisters 

Three Sisters is a unique dive site in Komodo National Park, named after three striking pinnacles that rise from the seabed to just below the surface. These volcanic rock formations are draped in colorful soft corals, sea fans, and sponges, creating a mesmerizing underwater landscape. The site is a magnet for pelagic action—reef sharks, giant trevallies, and schools of barracuda patrol the strong currents, while eagle rays and occasional manta rays glide through the blue. Macro lovers will also find surprises like pygmy seahorses and rare nudibranchs tucked into the cracks and crevices.  

With depths ranging from 10 to 30+ meters and often strong currents, Three Sisters is best suited for advanced divers. The adrenaline-pumping drifts around the pinnacles deliver thrilling encounters, while the sheltered sides offer moments of calm to admire the vibrant coral growth. The site’s combination of dramatic topography, big fish action, and macro treasures makes it a standout dive in Komodo’s rugged underwater realm.  

7. Secret Garden  

True to its name, Secret Garden is a hidden oasis in Komodo, where lush coral bommies and sandy patches create a playground for critters. This shallow, sheltered site (5–15 meters) is perfect for beginners, muck diving enthusiasts, and underwater photographers. Frogfish, seahorses, ghost pipefish, and the elusive rhinopias scorpionfish are just a few of the rare species that call this site home. At dusk, the famous mandarinfish emerge for their vibrant mating dance, a must-see for any diver.  

Despite its calm conditions, Secret Garden surprises with occasional visits from reef sharks and turtles cruising the edges. The mix of black sand and vibrant coral patches makes for stunning contrasts, while the nutrient-rich waters attract an abundance of macro life. Whether you’re hunting for tiny wonders or enjoying a relaxed dive, Secret Garden offers a serene yet captivating underwater experience.  

8. Nusa Kode  

Nusa Kode, in southern Komodo, is legendary for its raw, untamed diving—where the unexpected becomes routine. The site’s rugged terrain includes steep walls, rocky outcrops, and sandy slopes teeming with marine life. Here, you might encounter Komodo’s famous "walking" sharks (epaulette sharks), hunting saltwater crocodiles (rare but possible!), and massive schools of bumphead parrotfish. Strong currents bring in sharks, rays, and even dolphins, making every dive an adventure.  

Depths range from 10 to 40+ meters, with the best action along the current-swept ridges. Macro life thrives too, with critters like flamboyant cuttlefish and blue-ringed octopuses hiding in the rubble. Nusa Kode’s remote location ensures pristine conditions and few divers, adding to its wild allure. For those seeking adrenaline, biodiversity, and a true frontier diving experience, Nusa Kode is Komodo at its most untamed.  

D. Crinoid Point - Torpedo Point

9. Manta Crinoid Corner

This Alor gem delivers a double spectacle: majestic manta rays gliding overhead while vibrant crinoid-covered walls burst with color below. The site's volcanic slopes plunge to 30m+, draped in feather stars that host pygmy seahorses and exotic crustaceans. Currents sweep nutrient-rich waters through the channel, attracting mantas to feed and cleaners to service them at dedicated stations. Divers often witness the elegant dance of multiple mantas circling just meters away, their wingtips nearly brushing the reef. The crinoid forest itself is a macro photographer's dream - each delicate frond potentially hiding a rare Pontohi seahorse or colorful commensal shrimp. Best dived at slack tide when mantas are most active and currents manageable.

10. Cannibal Rock

Komodo's most infamous site earns its name from the savage feeding frenzies that erupt in its strong currents. This submerged pinnacle acts like a magnet for pelagics - expect hunting packs of giant trevallies, reef sharks patrolling the edges, and massive dogtooth tuna striking baitballs with terrifying speed. The rock itself is carpeted in surreal yellow and purple soft corals that glow against the deep blue. At the base, careful observers might spot the elusive rhinopias or a well-camouflaged crocodilefish waiting to ambush prey. Currents here can be extreme, making this a proper "hold onto your mask" dive where you'll likely deploy a reef hook to watch the underwater theater unfold. Not for the faint-hearted but utterly unforgettable.

11. Torpedo Point

True to its name, this Lembeh Strait site specializes in electric encounters with torpedo rays buried in the black sand. The sloping volcanic ash bottom at 12-25m creates perfect muck diving terrain where these unusual electric rays blend seamlessly until they suddenly erupt from the seabed. The site's other showstoppers include frequent blue-ringed octopus sightings, flamboyant cuttlefish duels, and the occasional mimic octopus performing its shape-shifting act. Night dives here are particularly magical as the sand comes alive with stargazers, bobtail squid, and the eerie glow of bioluminescent organisms. A must-dive for macro enthusiasts seeking Lembeh's most iconic creatures.

12. Yellow Wall

Raja Ampat's signature dive lives up to its name with a breathtaking drop-off blanketed in golden soft corals that shimmer in the current. Starting at just 5m and plunging beyond 40m, this vertical paradise hosts swirling schools of fusiliers, batfish, and barracuda against a backdrop of neon yellows and oranges. The shallows teem with colorful reef fish while the deeper sections attract wobbegong sharks and eagle rays. What makes this site extraordinary is the perfect storm of conditions - just enough current to animate the corals but not so strong as to make diving difficult. Time your dive for midday when sunlight transforms the wall into a literal golden highway of marine life. Photographers should bring wide-angle lenses to capture the full spectacle.

E. Manta Alley - Komodo Village

13. Manta Alley 

Manta Alley is one of the world's most reliable spots for exhilarating manta ray encounters. This narrow channel between Komodo and Rinca islands acts like a underwater highway for these gentle giants, with cleaning stations where mantas hover motionless while wrasses pick off parasites. Strong currents funnel plankton-rich water through the alley, creating an all-you-can-eat buffet that attracts mantas year-round.  

Divers can expect heart-pounding action as multiple mantas (sometimes 10+ at once) swoop within inches, performing graceful barrel rolls through the current. The site's topography features coral bommies at 12-25m depth, with the best action typically at the southern station. While mantas are the stars, bonus sightings include reef sharks, eagle rays, and massive schools of trevallies. Currents can be strong, making this an advanced dive - but there's no better place for guaranteed manta magic.  

F. Mawan to Gili - Lawa Darat

14. Mawan  

Mawan is a diver’s dream—a thriving coral garden that transforms into a manta ray hotspot when currents bring in plankton. The site’s shallow plateau (5–15m) is blanketed in vibrant hard corals, while the edges drop into deeper blue water where mantas circle gracefully. Unlike Komodo’s more intense drift dives, Mawan offers relatively calm conditions, making it perfect for all experience levels.  

The real magic happens when 5–10 mantas glide overhead in synchronized loops, often coming so close you can hear the whoosh of their wings. Reef sharks, turtles, and schools of jackfish add to the action, while macro lovers can hunt for nudibranchs in the coral cracks. Time your dive with the incoming tide for the best manta sightings, and don’t forget to look up—the surface glittering with sunlight through manta silhouettes is pure underwater poetry.  

15. Batu Bolong 

Batu Bolong is Komodo’s crown jewel—a legendary pinnacle so packed with life it feels like diving inside an aquarium. The namesake “hollow rock” features a swim-through tunnel at its base, surrounded by sheer walls covered in neon soft corals. Schools of batfish, trevallies, and reef sharks patrol the strong currents, while turtles nap in the crevices.  

This small but mighty site (max depth 25m) delivers nonstop action: avalanches of anthias, hunting giant groupers, and even passing manta rays. The currents can be fierce, making it best for advanced divers, but the reward is unmatched biodiversity. Pro tip: Hold onto the rock with one hand (mind the sharp coral!) and let the fish tornado swirl around you. Batu Bolong’s raw energy and color will leave you breathless—in every sense.  

16. Gili Lawa Darat 

Gili Lawa Darat’s northern tip is where Komodo’s wild side shines. The site’s sloping reef drops into a heart-pounding drift dive, with currents catapulting you past sharks, rays, and walls of fusiliers. Depths range from 10–30m, with overhangs sheltering sleepy white-tip reef sharks and Napoleon wrasse.  

What sets this apart is the “fish tornado”—a swirling vortex of thousands of fish so dense it blocks the sunlight. Time your dive with the tide change for the best flow, and keep an eye out for dolphins hunting in the distance. Surface intervals here mean lounging on a pink-sand beach with Komodo dragons just inland—because why should the diving have all the drama?  

F. Golden Passage - Tetawa Kecil

17. Golden Passage   

Golden Passage is Komodo’s most exhilarating drift dive—a high-speed underwater expressway where divers rocket through a narrow channel alongside sharks, rays, and swirling schools of fish. Named for the golden sunlight that floods the passage at peak tides, this site (depths 12-25m) delivers nonstop action: reef sharks patrol the edges, giant trevallies hunt in packs, and manta rays sometimes cruise the blue.  

The real thrill is the ride itself—currents can hit like a freight train, launching divers through coral-lined canyons at breathtaking speed. Advanced divers can hook in to watch the chaos unfold, while beginners should stick to the edges where the flow eases. Time your dive with the tide change for maximum adrenaline and visibility. Golden Passage isn’t just a dive; it’s a full-body underwater flight.  

18. Crystal Rock & Castle Rock  

These legendary sister sites are Komodo’s dynamic duo, offering some of Indonesia’s most intense pelagic action. **Crystal Rock** (5-30m) is a coral-covered volcano erupting with life—schools of fusiliers form silver cyclones, while sharks and giant trevallies prowl the edges. Just a short swim away, **Castle Rock** turns up the drama with stronger currents, deeper drop-offs, and seasonal hammerhead sightings.  

Both pinnacles are blanketed in yellow and purple soft corals that glow against the blue. Divers often deploy reef hooks to stay in place as barracuda tornadoes and hunting packs of dogtooth tuna streak by. Advanced divers only—this is the underwater equivalent of a blockbuster action movie.  

19. Shotgun  

Shotgun is Komodo’s ultimate thrill ride—a narrow underwater canyon that fires divers through like a bullet. The site’s walls (8-20m) compress the current into a jet stream, sending you flying past sharks, eagle rays, and coral bommies at breakneck speed. Exit the chute, and you’ll spill into a calm arena where mantas often feed.  

What sets Shotgun apart is the sheer velocity—it’s like underwater storm chasing. Time it right, and you’ll hit the “sweet spot” where the current carries you effortlessly while marine life swarms around you. Hold onto your mask (literally) and enjoy the ride!  

20. Tatawa Kecil  

Don’t let the small size fool you—Tatawa Kecil is a macro paradise with big surprises. This tiny island’s slopes (5-18m) are a nursery for juvenile reef fish, including baby bumphead parrotfish and miniature mantas (yes, really!). The site’s black sand patches hide flamboyant cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopuses, and the famous “walking” epaulette sharks that crawl using their fins.  

By day, the reef dazzles with colorful anthias; by night, it transforms into a critter disco with hunting octopuses and bioluminescent plankton. Perfect for photographers and divers who love the weird and wonderful.  

G. Tatawa Besar

21. Tetawa Besar

Tatawa Besar is the bigger, bolder sibling of Tatawa Kecil, offering a thrilling mix of high-energy drifts and stunning coral landscapes. This expansive site features a series of submerged ridges and sloping reefs (8-30m) where strong currents attract pelagic action—think reef sharks, giant trevallies, and massive schools of barracuda. The site's signature "washing machine" currents create an exhilarating ride, sweeping divers past vibrant soft coral gardens and overhangs where white-tip reef sharks nap.