Komodo, Indonesia

Dive Site: Banana Split

0–30 mAdvanced Channel/Drift
© EsriSource: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar, GIS Community · Labels © Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS

Which liveaboards dive Banana Split?

About Banana Split

The Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Indonesia, is renowned for its extraordinary marine biodiversity. It is situated between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores, offering a diverse underwater environment that attracts experienced divers from around the globe. This region, accessible primarily from Labuan Bajo on Flores Island, features dramatic landscapes both above and below the surface, including rugged volcanic hills and vibrant coral ecosystems. Diving in Komodo often involves navigating strong currents across spectacular seascapes. Divers can expect to encounter vertical walls, expansive coral gardens, and the occasional active underwater volcano. The topography supports a rich variety of marine life, making each dive a dynamic experience. Sites often feature depth bands suitable for advanced exploration, requiring careful planning. The park is home to an impressive array of species, with over 3,000 types of fish and 600 coral species recorded. Encounters with pelagic life such as majestic manta rays, elusive sharks, and schools of barracuda are common. Green turtles are also frequently sighted across the park's vibrant reefs. While specific seasonality for all species varies, the area is consistently productive. Liveaboard expeditions are a popular way to explore Komodo, often including over 20 dives during a week-long trip. These dives frequently involve exhilarating drift conditions, necessitating advanced diving skills. The typical entry and exit strategies are adapted to the strong currents, often involving negative entries or reef hooks for positioning. This environment is best suited for advanced and experienced divers comfortable with challenging conditions.

Highlights

UNESCO World Heritage marine parkOver 3,000 fish species600 types of coralMajestic manta ray encountersElusive shark sightingsGreen sea turtle sightingsVibrant coral gardensDramatic vertical walls

Season calendar

Best months to dive here
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Excellent
Good
Off-Season

Mar – May & Sep – Nov (Mar–May, Sep–Nov)

Best overall conditions with comfortable temperatures. Southern mantas Apr–Jun, northern mantas Sep–Nov. Good visibility and manageable currents.

Dec – Feb (Dec–Feb)

Excellent visibility up to 30m. Warmer water temperatures. Good manta activity in transition. Busiest tourist period.

Jun – Aug (Jun–Aug)

Cooler water from upwellings (24–26°C) brings nutrient-rich plankton. Reduced visibility but exciting pelagic action. Fewer boats and lower prices.

Dive site facts: Banana Split

Depth
0–30 m
Current
Moderate
Entry
Liveaboard only
Level
Advanced
Dive type
Channel, Reef
Region / port
Komodo, Indonesia
Coordinates
8.4750° S, 119.4821° E

Conditions & Currents

Diving in Komodo National Park is characterized by strong currents, often leading to exhilarating drift dives that require advanced techniques and experience. The currents can be powerful and unpredictable, making careful dive planning essential. Liveaboards and dive operators typically schedule dives around tidal conditions to maximize safety and enjoyment, frequently utilizing slack or incoming tides for certain sites. Entry and exit procedures are tailored to these conditions, often involving negative entries to quickly descend below the strongest surface currents, and the use of reef hooks to maintain position and observe marine life without constantly finning. Surge can be present, particularly near reefs and in shallower areas, adding to the dynamic environment. Visibility is generally good but can fluctuate with the tides and current movements, though Komodo is known for its clear waters. Thermoclines are generally not a dominant feature, with water temperatures remaining warm. Due to these challenging conditions, divers should be certified as Advanced or equivalent and possess a high level of comfort and skill in strong currents.

Why dive Banana Split from a liveaboard?

Banana Split is one of Komodo, Indonesia's signature dive sites. A liveaboard sleeps you on the water and puts you in the water for three to four guided dives per day, including dawn and night dives that day-boat operators rarely offer. You skip the daily commute back to port and reach quieter, less-crowded sites in the same region on a single trip.

Below are the liveaboards that include Banana Split on their Komodo, Indonesia itineraries.

Liveaboards diving Banana Split

These liveaboards may visit Banana Split on selected itineraries, the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Panunee liveaboard at Banana Split

Panunee

Indonesia

18 guests38 m
Naga Biru liveaboard at Banana Split

Naga Biru

Indonesia

12 guests40 m
Ecopro Duyung Baru liveaboard at Banana Split

Ecopro Duyung Baru

Indonesia

6 guests27 m
Wellenreng liveaboard at Banana Split

Wellenreng

Indonesia

9 guests25 m
Komodo Aggressor liveaboard at Banana Split

Komodo Aggressor

Komodo, Indonesia

16 guests29 m
Blue Manta liveaboard at Banana Split

Blue Manta

Indonesia

20 guests45 m
Mari liveaboard at Banana Split

Mari

Indonesia

14 guests32 m
Situju7 liveaboard at Banana Split

Situju7

Komodo, Indonesia

10 guests33 m
Pindito liveaboard at Banana Split

Pindito

Indonesia

16 guests38 m
Mermaid II liveaboard at Banana Split

Mermaid II

Komodo, Indonesia

18 guests
Putri Naga liveaboard at Banana Split

Putri Naga

Komodo, Indonesia

6 guests25 m
Mikumba Dua liveaboard at Banana Split

Mikumba Dua

Indonesia

10 guests30 m

Dive sites similar to Banana Split

Same character, same waters, six more sites divers love for the exact same reasons.Compare seasons, access and liveaboard routes, then pick the site that fits your trip best.
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

Abila

Alor

Abila is a notable dive site located within the Alor Islands Marine Park, an area celebrated for its rich marine biodiversity due to its position in the Coral Triangle.

Suitable for
Beginner
Current
Mild
Access
Liveaboard only
Depth
—
Theme
Reef
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

Adonara Channel stands as one of Alor's most iconic dive sites, celebrated for its dynamic currents and exceptionally rich biodiversity.

Suitable for
Advanced
Current
Strong
Access
Liveaboard or dayboat
Depth
10–40 m
Theme
Drift / Wall
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

Adonara Wall

Indonesia

Adonara is an Indonesian island dive site, renowned for its vibrant underwater topography characterized by submerged seamounts.

Suitable for
Intermediate
Current
Strong
Access
Liveaboard or dayboat
Depth
5–35 m
Theme
Seamount / Wall
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

Agnay Fish Sanctuary is nestled in a sheltered bay near the village of Agnay in Romblon, a province celebrated for its rich marine biodiversity.

Suitable for
Beginner
Current
Mild
Access
Dayboat
Depth
9–18 m
Theme
Reef
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

Ai Island Reef, nestled within the Banda Sea, offers a remarkable diving experience characterized by its rich marine biodiversity and varied underwater topography.

Suitable for
Beginner
Current
Strong
Access
Liveaboard only
Depth
3–30 m
Theme
Reef / Seamount
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

Akitsushima

Philippines

The Akitsushima is a distinguished World War II Japanese seaplane tender, sunk in September 1944 during an American air raid in Coron Bay, Palawan.

Suitable for
Advanced
Current
Strong
Access
Dayboat
Depth
22–38 m
Theme
Wreck

12 liveaboards run the Banana Split route.

Three to four guided dives a day on Banana Split and the other signature sites in Komodo, Indonesia, sleeping right above the reef.