Dive Komodo — Local services in Flores

Planning to dive in Komodo? you absolutely have to have to dive with Dive Komodo! I have dived all over the world and this is the best dive shop I have ever interacted with honestly. I landed up in Labuan Bajo without knowing who to dive with. In just a few conversations, Sofia (instructor and the dive shop manager) made me extremely comfortable-she even went so far as to understand my experience level, my requirements and recommend next steps. I was super impressed by inclusive they are. I decided to do my Rescue, EFR and Dive Master trainings with them. It was a truly rare, memorable and educational experience for me.

I learnt sooo much from my fabulous instructors Jordy, Lando, Evi and Rian. Dive Komodo are also pioneers in diving in the Komodo national park and have some true gems like Sofia, Fabi (Divemaster), Yuvens (Divemaster) who have been diving here for decades. They know everything and more about diving and Komodo and everyone is ever so patient in helping guide and mentor-no matter what you are focused on. Want to learn more about photography , videography, equipment maintenance, how to run a dive shop, customer experience, handling issues under water or even how to develop technical skills to dive in a challenging place like the Komodo national park. They only take about two dive master trainees at any given point, which allowed them to provide a lot of 1:1 attention as an entire team. Other divemasters like San, Milke are also super kind and ever so happy to knowledge share. There are people specialising in everything, I truly benefited from all their mentorship. Honestly, I think I learnt more about my open water, advanced open water etc courses while doing my dive master course and ended the course by feeling super confident about my diving skills and being able to handle anything that may come my way.

I ended up having an accident and broke my toe the first time I was in LBJ in Nov 2023, and had to cut short. Dive Komodo were super flexible and helped me to come back and finish my training in May. Aside from the diving, I spent a lot of time on both the day boat and the liveaboard. The food was incredible every single day (also vegetarian friendly). The chef Alle is just spectacular and if you ask he always makes some spicy Sambal the traditional way on a stone mortar and pestle (it is yumm!) Dive Komodo also have really experienced crew. The captains are super knowledgeable about the weather conditions and are very flexible in changing plans to ensure safety is well taken care of. The compressor folks are also incredible and kept us safe and Felix and team are always happy to give you tips. I learnt so much from them. The whole group is also a fun lot of people. I had the time of my life. The boats are basic and very well maintained. The dive equipment is also relatively decent and kept in very good shape.

I enjoyed myself so much and was surrounded by people who were such great teachers that taught me loads that when my husband decided to do his Advanced Open water, I insisted he train with Dive Komodo . He had a brilliant...

I very, very rarely post reviews on Google, so please understand that I wouldn’t be writing this unless I thought it was important. I won’t take any cheap shots or mention anything that I haven’t already reviewed in person with the DiveKomodo staff. Nothing in this review should be a surprise to them. My bottom line: DiveKomodo does not make safety a priority, especially for inexperienced and intermediate divers.

I returned from a 3-day liveaboard trip with DiveKomodo this afternoon. I was part of a group of 8 divers (with two guides). We did 9 dives and a short hike on Komodo Island. The guide for my small group of 4 divers was a freelancer who filled in at the last minute and is not a regular employee of DiveKomodo.

Since it has been a few years since I last went diving, it was recommended by the office staff that I have a refresher dive at the start of the trip (I was in agreement). This was not fully communicated to the dive staff on the boat, who briefly mentioned that the first dive would be a “refresher” but then treated it as a regular dive once we got in the water. I had to remember my diving skills and use of the equipment on my own.

For the remaining 8 dives I always finished with

So we joined Dive Komodo for a 3 day 2 night liveaboard on our honeymoon. We communicated with Frans via WhatsApp and was quite communicative until we paid. Since then we didn't really hear back from him. When we arrived at the office we inquired whether they would throw in a couple of DK tank tops as a honeymoon gift and they told us to come the morning of departure and then we asked again in the morning they said after the trip.

I'll come back to this....

The boat is oooooold you could argue that it could have some vintage charm but then we were told we would have twin beds (I had paid for a private room with a double, I believe they called it VIP). As you can imagine we mentioned this to which they blankly looked at us, luckily a couple gave up their room for us, which btw no one took care of them either for doing that for us. Anyways I digress...upon entering the room it did not look like the photos we were sold on and it smelled like petrol. The first night we slept there was quite unpleasant. Even with 2 windows and a fan the air didn't move. One might say it was like sleeping in a coffin. The Dive guide we had worried us as he was unclear with his communication under water and we actually had an incident when we were told it would be a relaxing drift dive and then we were swimming against the current, I almost was pulled off by the current and another stabbed herself on a sea urchin trying to stay with us.

Flashing back to the office... When we pulled into port 2 hours ago, I spoke to the guy again and asked if we could pick up the tank tops and he said his colleague was in the office and would help. I confirmed and he said yes. As you can imagine we got there and they had no idea and then it turned into way more than it needed to be. When I spoke to the person that said it was confirmed he changed his story telling me it was denied before we even left.

To end with some positivity... food was surprisingly good for the ship we were on. Scenery and aquatic life was stunning. Good weather. Sleeping on deck the 2nd night was lovely (couldn't do it in the room another night). Overall staff was friendly.

You could certainly look past some of these details for the price but would recommend with some planning and a couple extra bucks to look elsewhere. It's sad that it had to end with lying...