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
Best Season
The optimal diving period in Komodo is generally during the dry season, spanning from May to October, when water temperatures range between 26 and 30°C. However, the peak season for manta ray encounters often falls within the rainy season, offering a compelling reason to visit outside the main dry period.
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.
Naga Biru
Indonesia
12 guests40 m
$273/day
Ecopro Duyung Baru
Indonesia
6 guests27 m
$316/day
Wellenreng
Indonesia
9 guests25 m
$427/day
Komodo Aggressor
Komodo, Indonesia
16 guests29 m
$312/day
Blue Manta
Indonesia
20 guests45 m
$488/day
Mari
Indonesia
14 guests32.2 m
$328/day
Situju7
Komodo, Indonesia
10 guests32.7 m
$362/day
Pindito
Indonesia
16 guests37.79 m
$533/day
Mermaid II
Komodo, Indonesia
18 guests
$355/day
Putri Naga
Komodo, Indonesia
6 guests25 m
$222/day
Mikumba Dua
Indonesia
10 guests30 m
$335/day
Aliikai Voyage
Indonesia
15 guests40 m
$658/day
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.
Siaba Kecil
Komodo, Indonesia
Siaba Kecil is a distinct dive site located in the central part of Komodo National Park, positioned in a channel where waters flow between the north and south.
- Suitable for
- Intermediate
- Current
- Strong
- Access
- Liveaboard only
- Depth
- 8–25 m
- Theme
- Drift / Reef
Sangeang Volcano
Komodo, Indonesia
Sangeang Volcano, also known as Gunung Api, offers a unique dive experience northwest of Komodo Island, near Bima.
- Suitable for
- Intermediate
- Current
- Strong
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 9–30 m
- Theme
- Muck diving / Reef
Lohwenci
Komodo, Indonesia
Lohwenci, situated in Komodo National Park just north of a park station, provides a serene and captivating underwater experience.
- Suitable for
- Intermediate
- Current
- No current
- Access
- Liveaboard only
- Depth
- —
- Theme
- Reef
Pink Beach
Komodo, Indonesia
Pink Beach is a renowned dive site within Komodo National Park, famous for its unique pink-hued sands, a result of microscopic red foraminifera.
- Suitable for
- Intermediate
- Current
- Strong
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 1–15 m
- Theme
- Drift / Reef
Komodo Corner
Komodo, Indonesia
Komodo Corner, or Police Corner, is a captivating dive site situated on the south side of Siaba Besar Island within Central Komodo National Park.
- Suitable for
- Advanced
- Current
- Strong
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 5–30 m
- Theme
- Cave & cavern / Drift
Mawan
Komodo, Indonesia
Mawan is a small, picturesque island located in the central part of Komodo National Park, renowned for its pristine white sand beaches and clear turquoise waters.
- Suitable for
- Beginner
- Current
- Ripping
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 5–25 m
- Theme
- Reef