Komodo, When and what boat operator????

Hi,

I am thinking about going to Komodo for my next dive trip. When is the best time to go and who are good dive operators to go with (cheap if possible)? Is there any other destinations I should be considering? I have been to galapagos, Lembeh, Fiji, and Bali.

Thanks,

Brett

I too have been to both lembeh and galapagos, but can honestly say I also absolutely loved Komodo - went there in June this year.

Not sure on your budget but we thought the mermaid offered the best deal and was an absolutely five star boat. They are only out there from May to October and then they head back to thailand.

For a downstairs cabin (which was absolutely fine) we paid US1599 for 7 nights. For an upstairs cabin it was about US2000. We were kindly upgraded for free and the room upstairs was really really nice, although we were in it so little I probably wouldnt pay the extra next time (although thats not to say its not worth it) The food was gorgeous and the dive guides super friendly and helpful. Kay who runs the ship is helpful friendly but runs a strict ship and ensures the crew pander to your every whim. Everything is done for you (even your wetsuit washed in dettol after every dive and then hung up to dry for you!!! Its then left on your tank dry and turned in the right way in time for your next dive.

If I do go back to Komodo (which I would love to, I would not think of using anyone else but the mermaid).

Enjoy

-

Hi,

 

I am thinking about going to Komodo for my next dive trip. When is the best time to go and who are good dive operators to go with (cheap if possible)? Is there any other destinations I should be considering? I have been to galapagos, Lembeh, Fiji, and Bali.

 

Thanks,

 

Brett

I went on the SMY Ondina in August.... It was fab fab..!! My second time on the Ondina this yr.. went in May with TonyM.. Deb to Raja Ampat.. was my first time on the Ondina.. and it must be good so I'm back.. it was the start to my love for LOBs... Deb n Tony (City Seahorse) really made the journey fabulousy enjoyable....!!

In August I went w our local dive ctr run by my cousin Sea Hounds. Tog w few girlfriends... But I dun think Ondina is ultra cheap. Cant remember wat we paid. But for all the svc n conveniences tehy provide it was well worth every cent!...

I suspect their Komodo run for 2007 is over and they hv moved off to somewhere else... gotta check their schedule... anyway if u wann go anywhere in Indonesia LOB.. try the Ondina... You'll know why we keep going back..

I was this last august at Komodo with the mermaid 1 and was amazing, both the diving and the boat...and cheaper than many of the others boat in the same comfort level...

I was on the Pelagian August first week. Pelagian is operated by Wakatobi resort, the quality of services of this live aboard are fantatic. The crew are very nice and deliver hotel quality stays. There are 2 suites and other rooms are 2 beds each. I happen to be stucked in the smallest room but it's was still nicer then some of the other boats I had seen. Bathroom are tiled with marble (doesn't really matter but it looks nice) & have powerful shower head. I didn't know until the last nite, they actually provided laundary services (free), drop your shorts and T-shirt on the floor, it will be washed, dryed, neatly folded and placed on your bed the next day. All meals are served individually and given a list of options to select from.

Camera room are very decent also but if everyone bring a dslr, it will be very crowded. On the trip I went, only 2 dslr and 1 sea&sea p&s, so plenty of spaces. They also provided you with lots of towels for drying your camera, it's really thoughtful.

The diving in Kumodo and Rinca are very very nice in general. The only think I dislike from the experience is our dive guide, Many felt that the Italian guide deliberately enjoy playing nasty tricks to divers. He enjoy very much head direct into strong current. 1/2 of the group are not strong divers that manage to swim against those heavy currents and many of them were low on air in 15mins and no one last longer then 45 min in most of the 20 dives. In addition, he does not follow common sense profile, he will take us down to 85 ft the first dive and then 100 on the second and then leave you there instead of keeping an eye on everyone's profile.

Lastly, he doesn't have good eyes or may be not care about pointing interesting subjects for folks to see. There are other divers in the group who are very experience and point out much more things to see then he did.

Other then that, it was a present expereince!

I went to Komodo earlier this year (Apr 2007) with Grand Komodo Tours on MV Tarata. I think Grand Komodo Tours has the best price among the other operators. The published price for MV Tarata in 2007 is US$205 per night.

MV Tarata is not a luxury boat. In fact, you may find it a little bit crowded if there are more than 10 guests on board. But still it is quite comfortable and the dive guides are good in general. Some of the photos of the dive boat can be found here: http://www.caminu.com/travel/komodo/index3.php

The diving in Komodo is nice. Many of the sites have strong currents, and some of them are quite tricky (currents coming from all directions).

I was this last august at Komodo with the mermaid 1 and was amazing, both the diving and the boat...and cheaper than many of the others boat in the same comfort level...

You have that right about Mario although,Sisi(sp), his counterpart is much better. Add to it he didnt know the dive sites and couldn't use the GPS. Too bad because it is a great boat and the rest of the crew is wonderful.

One thing that hasn't been mention on this thread yet is the aspect of where you get on the boat.

Most leave from Bali, but a few now leave from Bima, which is much closer to Komodo.

I went on Mermaid II back in July '04, and had a great trip, but we left from Bali and spent the first couple of days getting out and the last couple getting back. The diving along the way was good, but I don't think as good as what's right around Komodo.

Just something to think about.

I'm heading out there August 2009 aboard the Archipelago Adventurer II. Can't say its going to be inexpensive, but I am so looking forward to it!

I was on the Pelagian August first week. Pelagian is operated by Wakatobi resort, the quality of services of this live aboard are fantatic. The crew are very nice and deliver hotel quality stays. There are 2 suites and other rooms are 2 beds each. I happen to be stucked in the smallest room but it's was still nicer then some of the other boats I had seen. Bathroom are tiled with marble (doesn't really matter but it looks nice) & have powerful shower head. I didn't know until the last nite, they actually provided laundary services (free), drop your shorts and T-shirt on the floor, it will be washed, dryed, neatly folded and placed on your bed the next day. All meals are served individually and given a list of options to select from.

Camera room are very decent also but if everyone bring a dslr, it will be very crowded. On the trip I went, only 2 dslr and 1 sea&sea p&s, so plenty of spaces. They also provided you with lots of towels for drying your camera, it's really thoughtful.

The diving in Kumodo and Rinca are very very nice in general. The only think I dislike from the experience is our dive guide, Many felt that the Italian guide deliberately enjoy playing nasty tricks to divers. He enjoy very much head direct into strong current. 1/2 of the group are not strong divers that manage to swim against those heavy currents and many of them were low on air in 15mins and no one last longer then 45 min in most of the 20 dives. In addition, he does not follow common sense profile, he will take us down to 85 ft the first dive and then 100 on the second and then leave you there instead of keeping an eye on everyone's profile.

Lastly, he doesn't have good eyes or may be not care about pointing interesting subjects for folks to see. There are other divers in the group who are very experience and point out much more things to see then he did.

 

Other then that, it was a present expereince!

Those 2 Italian guides left the Pelagian to Africa late last year. Might be time to think about returning next year.

Cheers !

I was this last august at Komodo with the mermaid 1 and was amazing, both the diving and the boat...and cheaper than many of the others boat in the same comfort level...

They must've sprayed for cockroaches before you boarded. I wasn't so fortunate on my trip.

Those 2 Italian guides left the Pelagian to Africa late last year. Might be time to think about returning next year.

 

Cheers !

I think you'll find that it's not just the guides but the operation's knowledge of sites is the most important. Of course being able to read the conditions is crucial. And Komodo is a place where conditions are difficult.