Raja Ampat Vs Komodo: How To Select Between The World’s Greatest Dive Spots

I’ve dived everywhere in the world and Indonesia presents a number of the if not one of the best diving you’ll find. Raja Ampat and Komodo are the 2 most well-known and probably the most superb dive areas that the nation has to supply. I’ve been to each Nationwide Parks for scuba diving.

I did my divemaster course in Komodo and spent many months diving within the nationwide park. I’ve finished a dive liveaboard visiting the central and southern a part of Raja Ampat which was unimaginable. Earlier than studying this submit, make certain to learn my different posts to see superb photographs and get acquainted with these two parks.

This submit will go into element for those who wish to go to Indonesia however can’t resolve which marine park to go to: Komodo or Raja Ampat?

It’s unimaginable to choose a definitive winner between the 2 as a result of they’re each unimaginable dive websites with their very own distinctive traits. All in all, if these are your two choices, you might be already spoiled for riches as a result of these are one of the best dive websites that the world has to supply.

Diving Seasons Komodo vs Raja Ampat

Diving in Komodo and Raja Ampat may be finished 12 months spherical. There are seasons the place sure issues are “higher” than others however general, Komodo and Raja Ampat don’t expertise extreme wet seasons.

Komodo in all its magnificence

Komodo and Raja Ampat have reverse “dry seasons” the place the diving is taken into account one of the best circumstances. Komodo’s dry season runs from April to November and Raja Ampat runs from November to April. Lots of the liveaboards in Indonesia dive in Raja Ampat throughout its dry season after which crosses over to Komodo to do the Komodo season from April to October.

Nevertheless, Komodo for instance is a gem throughout wet season months as a consequence of its giant variety of manta rays. One thing concerning the wet season attracts extra mantas to the favored dive websites like Manta Level and Mawan. I’ve dived in Komodo largely throughout the wet seasons and have seen mantas galore. The dry season of Komodo imply the circumstances are higher within the north so extremely common websites like Shotgun, Citadel Rock, and the Cauldron are potential.

Ease of Visiting

Komodo and Raja Ampat are each locations that you just’ll have to fly from Bali or Jakarta.

Komodo is only one hour away by flight from Bali and there are are a number of flights a day between Bali and Labuan Bajo. From Labuan Bajo, you’re already on the border of the nationwide park. There are many dive outlets in Labuan Bajo that may take you to the park for the day. There are additionally tour operators that may take you for day journeys into the Nationwide Park in the event you don’t dive.

Raja Ampat is situated within the West Papua province which is Indonesia’s japanese most province. From Bali, you’ll have to fly by Makassar or Jakarta to succeed in the port city of Sorong which is the closest airport to the Nationwide Park. From Sorong, your liveaboard will depart from Sorong to the nationwide park. When you’re planning to remain in an eco lodge or a homestay, you’ll have to take one other speedboat 3 hours to the nationwide park. Total, it’s a entire day expertise.

Winner: Komodo Nationwide Park

Indisputably, Komodo is far simpler to go to than Raja Ampat. Komodo can nearly be a little bit of an impromptu journey whereas you actually should be dedicated for Raja Ampat.

Value of diving and visiting

This part is fairly clear lower. Komodo is a straightforward to succeed in vacation spot and the diving is kind of low cost by world requirements.

Komodo

There are various totally different dive outlets in Labuan Bajo and you may simply have a 3 dive day journey for $100 USD. Labuan Bajo, though not a fantastic metropolis, has many lodging choices of all ranges so that you can select from.

Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is completely totally different than Komodo. As a result of it’s so removed from Sorong, you’ll be able to’t keep in Sorong and dive within the nationwide park for the day. You should both dive by liveaboard or keep within the nationwide park. Inside the Nationwide Park, it is extremely distant and wild which is a part of the attraction for me. There are just a few totally different choices so that you can select from. For the mid stage traveler, there are eco-lodges the place you’ll be able to keep in good lodging however these don’t come low cost. Due to how distant it’s, the whole lot needs to be delivered to the islands so you’ll be able to anticipate costs to be excessive.

If you wish to journey on a funds, you’ll be able to keep on the quite a few homestays on the native islands in Raja Ampat. These homestays are very low cost ($20-$50 an evening) however they’re extremely fundamental. Lots of them don’t even have correct operating water so don’t anticipate a lot by way of consolation. Even after securing low cost lodging, you’ll nonetheless want to seek out dive operators. Diving is rather more costly in Raja Ampat than Komodo due to how distant issues are, increased petrol costs, and simply typically a extra premium vibe.

Value of liveaboards in Komodo vs Raja Ampat

Liveaboards in Raja Ampat are very costly in comparison with Komodo. Usually, you’ll be able to anticipate Raja Ampat to be about 50% costlier. I feel a lot of that is due to petrol costs and the way a lot is used. A Raja liveaboard journey will journey rather more than Komodo due to how a lot greater Raja Ampat is.

Take a look at that fantastic thing about a ship

Winner – Komodo

Indisputably, you’ll spend far much less on a visit to Komodo than a visit to Raja Ampat!

Above Water Landscapes and Magnificence

Visiting Komodo and Raja Ampat is not only all concerning the diving. In fact, diving is the principle draw and what made these locations so well-known but it surely’s additionally a fantastic paradise for these that aren’t diving (or are diving however wish to additionally benefit from the nature).

Each areas are completely beautiful so far as pure magnificence above water is worried.

Komodo Pure Panorama magnificence

Komodo is a wide ranging marine park with the 2 foremost islands of Komodo Island and Rinca Island making up the house. There are additionally loads of smaller islands in between well-known for its diving and pure magnificence.

A view of Komodo Nationwide Park!

Komodo might be one of the vital distinctive locations I’ve been to so far as seems go. The islands above water seem like arid desert throughout the dry season. The panorama is a vibrant brown with the occasional tree dotting the panorama. Within the moist season, the islands are utterly inexperienced and its rolling hill like design make it look like I’m touring round Eire.

Padar Island within the moist season

The juxtaposition is extremely fascinating to me as a result of it doesn’t really feel like a spot that ought to provide diving. The waters surrounding the islands are a surprising tropical blue nonetheless which makes the comparability much more placing.

Be sure that to hike to the highest of Padar Island for unimaginable views of the nationwide park.

Raja Ampat landscapes

Raja Ampat is called the Final Paradise and it actually feels prefer it. Raja Ampat is a a lot bigger park than Komodo and appears utterly totally different. The park is understood for its extremely lush inexperienced islands with quite a few households of timber constructed on spire like islands.

There are various smaller islands of all totally different sizes that pop up out of the ocean making the aerial panorama out of this world. There are additionally many unimaginable seashores and personal islands you’ll find to get pleasure from throughout a floor interval or a kayaking journey.

Locations like Piaynemo and the center formed lagoon will take your breath away.

Wonderful pure magnificence in Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat simply felt much more mysterious as nicely. The islands are so lush and stuffed with timber that I used to be continually asking myself what’s in there?

Winner – Raja Ampat

For me, it needs to be Raja Ampat. It simply felt such as you have been on the finish of the world with its magnificence and remoteness. Komodo is not any slouch both. I completely beloved spending months in Komodo and by no means not in awe of its magnificence. Nevertheless, after visiting Raja Ampat, it’s that rather more stunning that it has to take it.

Scuba Diving Comparability Komodo vs Raja Ampat

Lastly, on to the true stuff. What everybody has come to this submit for. What concerning the scuba diving itself? Which place is superior between Komodo and Raja Ampat?

The fast abstract is that is an extremely tough and nearly unimaginable query to reply! For starters, I spent a whole lot of time diving in Komodo doing my divemaster course there, however only one week in Raja Ampat on a liveaboard. If I spent extra time in Raja Ampat, possibly I’d take into account it otherwise however the next factors are additionally based mostly on my quite a few conversations with folks that persistently dive each areas 12 months spherical.

Corals

Each Raja Ampat and Komodo have insane quantity of wholesome corals. The currents and being within the coral triangle ensures that corals are considerable and wholesome.

Raja Amapt is legendary for its large swathes of fan corals. Dive websites like Melissa’s Backyard has an enormous laborious coral backyard that appears to go on ceaselessly. Komodo additionally has loopy stunning coral gardens with vibrant colours of range. Dive websites like Tatawa Kecil and Siaba Besar are a few of my favorites. It’s unimaginable to decide on right here, you might be in good arms with both possibility.

Komodo dive websites

Fish Life

The fish density in Raja Ampat is totally unimaginable. Actually, the Cape Kri dive web site in Raja Ampat has been famous as having the very best quantity of fish in a single dive at 374! It felt like I used to be diving into an underwater aquarium each time I went underwater.

Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat

Komodo additionally has insane quantities of fish life in locations like Batu Balong, the Cauldron, and Siaba Besar.

Your common on the Komodo Nationwide Park…

If I needed to choose between the 2 nonetheless, I must give the sting to Raja Ampat. There may be simply a lot fish in all places and at all times.

Massive Pelagic Life

Raja Ampat and Komodo each provide their fair proportion of huge pelagic life. Mantas may be seen 12 months spherical in each places with even oceanic mantas on provide at Raja Ampat. Nevertheless, Komodo is an even bigger attraction for mantas as there are simply extra of them within the park. Dive websites like Karang Makassar and Mawan are manta hotspots with large faculties usually seen in sure occasions of 12 months.

Lovely manta rays in Komodo

Nothing is a assure in diving, however the probabilities of seeing Mantas and different massive issues are a lot increased in Komodo. Due to this fact, I’d take Komodo for giant fish.

Issue of diving

Indisputably, Komodo is a more durable place to dive. The currents in Komodo are continually altering and through sure occasions of the month, you’ll be able to expertise unimaginable ripping currents which can be tremendous enjoyable for somebody like me, however is likely to be scary for a brand new diver.

Raja Ampat additionally has currents however on common, it’s nowhere close to as excessive as Komodo! Due to this fact, Raja Ampat is simpler for diving however in the event you like robust currents, then Komodo is the place for you.

Water Temperatures

Komodo has insane currents that do all types of issues at any time of 12 months. The water temperatures is extremely variable starting from 24 to twenty-eight on common. A lot of the occasions I dived in Komodo I noticed temperatures beneath 27 which is a bit on the chilly facet as I don’t dive with a wetsuit.

Raja Ampat nonetheless has very constant temperatures all all through the park and many of the 12 months. 28-29 levels is regular and to be anticipated. It was close to 29 levels on each dive after I visited in April. The one different place with such heat waters I’ve seen is within the Maldives.

What do dive professionals like between Raja Ampat and Komodo?

So the above comparisons have all been my private opinion with my restricted expertise diving in Raja Ampat. On my liveaboard, I talked about this subject in in depth element with the dive guides that labored on the boat.

If something, these guys are to be trusted as a result of they actually have dived Raja Ampat and Komodo their entire lives (how fortunate). I’m speaking about 1000’s of dives 12 months in and 12 months out between the 2 nationwide parks.

Raja Ampat is gorgeous however homogenous

The consensus was that Raja Ampat was extremely stunning providing insane quantities of fish on each dive. One thing I’ve already famous within the sections above. Raja Ampat is at all times a crowd pleaser as a result of each dive will impress even probably the most skilled of divers.

Komodo presents extra selection and extra enjoyable if diving by themselves

Komodo presents related fish life and underwater magnificence as Raja Ampat however there’s extra selection. There may be extra greater issues to see like fixed Mantas throughout sure occasions of 12 months, unimaginable currents within the Shotgun, and fish pandemonium within the Cauldron.

The dive guides stated in the event that they have been fundiving by themselves, they might select Komodo as a result of it’s extra attention-grabbing and extra enjoyable due to the unpredictable currents.

In the event that they have been guiding clients, Raja Ampat is their alternative as it’s extra constant and steady. There may be much less that may go flawed in Raja Ampat and makes for simpler guiding.

In Conclusion

Hopefully this text has helped you with deciding between Komodo and Raja Ampat in your massive journey. It’s not a straightforward determination to make by any means however both possibility will make sure you expertise a number of the greatest diving on the planet. It’s probably the most tough and most straightforward determination you’ll make.

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