Komodo

Komodo

Indonesia · Flores Sea
OVERVIEW

Why dive in Komodo National Park?

Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a diver's paradise renowned for its breathtaking biodiversity and strong, nutrient-rich currents. Home to the legendary Komodo dragons, its underwater realm boasts over 1,000 fish species, 260 types of coral, and a rich assembly of marine megafauna including manta rays, sharks, dolphins, and turtles. Diving here offers exhilarating drift dives, vibrant coral walls, and encounters with unique macro life in one of the world's most dynamic marine ecosystems.

WATER TEMPERATURE -
VISIBILITY -
CURRENT STRENGTHModerate  –  Very strong

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LOCAL MARINE LIFE IN KOMODO

Featured Animals 10

SIGHTING PROBABILITY
  • Unlikely
  • Likely
  • Very likely
Bumphead ParrotfishFrequent sightings

Bumphead Parrotfish

Bolbometopon muricatum

The bumphead parrotfish is the largest species of parrotfish, known for the characteristic hump on its head. They are predominantly herbivores, grazing on coral reefs by scraping off algae and live coral, and are often seen in large schools.


BEST SEASON
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Eschmeyer's ScorpionfishFrequent sightings

Eschmeyer's Scorpionfish

Rhinopias eschmeyeri

Eschmeyer's Scorpionfish (Rhinopias eschmeyeri) is a venomous marine ray-finned fish known for its exceptional camouflage. It possesses a deep, laterally compressed body, high-set eyes, and typically uniform coloration ranging from lilac, yellow, orange, or brick red. This ambush predator primarily moves by 'walking' or 'hopping' along the seabed using its pectoral and pelvic fins, waiting for unsuspecting prey.


BEST SEASON
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Giant Oceanic Manta RayFrequent sightings

Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

Mobula birostris

The Giant Oceanic Manta Ray is the world's largest ray, with a disc width that can reach up to 9 meters. It is a circumglobal species found in tropical to temperate pelagic waters, often near coastlines, reefs, and in the open ocean, diving to depths of 1,000 meters. These filter feeders primarily consume zooplankton, including mesopelagic sources, and can also eat small fish. While generally solitary, they aggregate at feeding grounds and cleaning stations. The species is currently listed as Endangered due to overfishing and low reproductive rates.


BEST SEASON
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Giant TrevallyFrequent sightings

Giant Trevally

Caranx ignobilis

The giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) is a large, powerful predatory fish found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Known for its steep head profile and robust body, it can reach up to 170 cm in length and 80 kg in weight. This apex predator feeds primarily on fish, but also consumes crustaceans and cephalopods, often hunting in solitary or small groups, though juveniles form schools.


BEST SEASON
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Grey Reef SharkFrequent sightings

Grey Reef Shark

Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos

The Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) is a medium to large-sized requiem shark, common in Indo-Pacific coral reefs and adjacent waters. Characterized by its grey body and a distinctive broad black band on the trailing edge of its caudal fin, it is a fast and agile predator. These sharks are known for their social daytime aggregations, which disperse at night for individual hunting.


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Humphead WrasseFrequent sightings

Humphead Wrasse

Cheilinus undulatus

The Humphead Wrasse is one of the largest reef fish, identifiable by a prominent hump on its forehead and thick fleshy lips. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning individuals are born female and some transition to males later in life. This carnivorous species plays a crucial role in coral reef ecosystems by preying on hard-shelled invertebrates and toxic animals like the crown-of-thorns starfish.


BEST SEASON
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Mimic OctopusFrequent sightings

Mimic Octopus

Thaumoctopus mimicus

The Mimic Octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) is an extraordinary cephalopod renowned for its ability to impersonate a variety of other marine animals, including lionfish, sea snakes, and flatfish, to deter predators and ambush prey. It inhabits shallow, muddy, or sandy seafloors, particularly in river mouths and estuaries across the Indo-Pacific. This highly intelligent octopus can reach up to 60 cm in length and exhibits a base coloration of brown with white stripes, which it rapidly alters using chromatophores.


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Reef Manta RayFrequent sightings

Reef Manta Ray

Mobula alfredi

The Reef Manta Ray (Mobula alfredi) is a large filter-feeding ray found in tropical and subtropical waters, primarily around coral reefs and coastal areas. Known for its pelagic lifestyle, it feeds on zooplankton and exhibits complex social behaviors, often forming aggregations at feeding or cleaning stations. This species is listed as Vulnerable due to threats from overfishing and its slow reproductive rate.


BEST SEASON
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Whale SharkFrequent sightings

Whale Shark

Rhincodon typus

The whale shark is the largest fish in the world and a gentle filter feeder.


BEST SEASON
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Whitetip Reef SharkFrequent sightings

Whitetip Reef Shark

Triaenodon obesus

The Whitetip Reef Shark is a slender, medium-sized shark easily identified by the distinctive white tips on its dorsal and upper caudal fins. Primarily nocturnal, it spends its days resting in caves and under ledges on coral reefs and hunts at night for bony fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods. These sharks are generally social, often found in groups during the day, but can hunt individually or cooperatively.


BEST SEASON
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ALSO IN Komodo

More marine life 61

LOCATION

Where is Komodo

Flores Sea · Indonesia