About GPS Point
GPS Point is an advanced dive site located in the Banta Island area, specifically Gili Banta, within Komodo National Park's northern region. This site is renowned for its significant shark activity and the presence of other large pelagic species, making it a thrilling location for experienced divers seeking intense underwater encounters. The topography features depths ranging from approximately 15 meters to beyond 35 meters. Divers should expect an exposed pinnacle that creates complex currents, leading to potential down-currents and challenging conditions. Given its location and the nature of the currents, it is typically accessed by liveaboards. While the sources do not specify seasonal marine life aggregations for GPS Point, Komodo's northern sites are generally rich in pelagics due to nutrient-rich upwellings. Divers can anticipate encountering various shark species and large schooling fish, contributing to the site's reputation for big animal action. This site is exclusively for experienced divers, requiring an Advanced or AOW certification and a substantial number of logged dives, often 50 or more. It is primarily a liveaboard destination, and operators typically assess diver competency through check dives before allowing access to such high-current sites.
Highlights
Significant shark actionGili Banta locationLarge pelagic encountersExposed pinnacle structureChallenging current conditions
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: GPS Point
- Depth
- 15–35 m
- Current
- Strong
- Entry
- Liveaboard only
- Level
- Advanced
- Dive type
- Pinnacle, Reef
- Region / port
- Komodo, Indonesia
- Coordinates
- 8.6256° S, 119.5270° E
Conditions & Currents
GPS Point is characterized by very strong and complex currents, including the risk of down-currents, particularly around its exposed pinnacle structure. These fierce conditions mean the site is suitable only for highly experienced divers, often accessed by liveaboards and requiring careful navigation by guides. Entry and exit techniques are adapted to these intense flows, often involving negative entries and live boat pick-ups. Visibility can be excellent, but thermoclines bringing cooler water and nutrient-rich upwellings are common. Due to the high-current environment, precise buoyancy control, advanced dive planning, and significant experience in drift diving are critical for diver safety and gas management.
Why dive GPS Point from a liveaboard?
GPS Point 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 GPS Point on their Komodo, Indonesia itineraries.
Liveaboards diving GPS Point
These liveaboards may visit GPS Point on selected itineraries, the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.
Naga Biru
Indonesia
12 guests40 m
Ecopro Duyung Baru
Indonesia
6 guests27 m
Wellenreng
Indonesia
9 guests25 m
Komodo Aggressor
Komodo, Indonesia
16 guests29 m
Blue Manta
Indonesia
20 guests45 m
Mari
Indonesia
14 guests32 m
Situju7
Komodo, Indonesia
10 guests33 m
Pindito
Indonesia
16 guests38 m
Mermaid II
Komodo, Indonesia
18 guests
Putri Naga
Komodo, Indonesia
6 guests25 m
Mikumba Dua
Indonesia
10 guests30 m
Aliikai Voyage
Indonesia
15 guests40 m
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