Dive Site: Tukoh-lehokgebah

About Tukoh-lehokgebah

Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve, offers an unparalleled diving experience within the Coral Triangle. Located in the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia, it encompasses the major islands of Komodo, Rinca, and Padar, alongside numerous smaller islets, forming a vast marine protected area. Established initially in 1980 to safeguard the unique Komodo Dragon, the park's mission has expanded to preserve its rich terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, making it a pivotal ecological site. Diving in Komodo explores highly varied underwater landscapes, from shallow coral reefs teeming with life to dramatic deep walls, volcanic mounts, and current-swept pinnacles. The park's diverse topography includes sweeping bays, volcanic hills, and even a unique pink sand beach, with dive sites scattered across northern, central, and southern regions. Northern areas near Gili Lawa Laut and Gili Lawa Darat are known for clear waters and strong currents, ideal for drift dives and pelagic encounters, while the south, including Manta Alley and Manta Point, offers plankton-rich waters that attract abundant manta rays and diverse macro life. Komodo is a naturalist's paradise, boasting over 2,600 fish species, 70 coral types, and 29 shark species. Divers frequently encounter majestic manta rays, especially during the rainy season between December and February, though they are present year-round. Other pelagic species include various dolphins, whales, grey reef sharks, and eagle rays. For macro enthusiasts, the area is rich with critters like shrimp, frogfish, nudibranchs, sea apples, and pygmy seahorses. Liveaboard trips typically offer 3 to 4 dives daily, with itineraries ranging from 3 to 12 days, allowing access to remote sites unreachable by day boats. Due to often strong currents, many dives in Komodo are best suited for advanced divers, though some operators accommodate Open Water divers by tailoring routes and offering private guides. Daily park and diving fees are required, and since 2026, visitor numbers are limited, necessitating advance booking for permits.

Dive site facts: Tukoh-lehokgebah

Current

Strong

Water temperature

25–29°C

Entry

Liveaboard only

Level

Advanced

Dive type

Reef, drift, wall

Region / port

Komodo National Park

Coordinates

-8.5607, 119.6433

Conditions & Currents

Komodo is renowned for its strong, often unpredictable currents, which are a defining feature of many dive sites, particularly in the northern areas like Castle Rock and Crystal Rock, where currents can reach 4 to 6 knots. These powerful currents are responsible for attracting abundant pelagic life but necessitate advanced diving skills and experience. Slack tide is often utilized for certain dives, while many sites are enjoyed as exhilarating drift dives. Negative entries are common, and divers should be proficient in using reef hooks for stabilization. Visibility can be exceptional, often reaching 25-30 meters in the north, though plankton-rich waters in the south may reduce visibility but attract abundant marine life like manta rays. There can be thermoclines, especially in the south, resulting in cooler water temperatures. Due to these challenging conditions, many dive operators recommend Komodo for advanced divers, emphasizing proper gas planning and safety protocols.

Marine life & sighting chances

Small fish (reef fish)

common

Sharks

occasional

Anthias

occasional

Whitetip reef shark

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving at Tukoh-lehokgebah focuses on exploring the northern and southern points of the island, which offer distinct features. Entry typically involves descending along the reef to explore the vibrant coral coverage and diverse small fish populations. The southern side features large boulders, creating an intricate terrain for exploration, while the northern side, though exposed to strong currents, hosts robust coral growth. Dives are often planned to utilize the lee side of the island to manage current exposure, allowing divers to drift along the reef while observing sharks and other pelagic species attracted to the nutrient-rich waters. Careful buoyancy control is essential throughout the dive, especially when transitioning between areas of varying current strength. The safety stop is conducted in more sheltered sections, usually towards the end of the drift, before ascending.

Underwater photography

Capturing the vibrant coral coverage and abundant small fish at Tukoh-lehokgebah benefits from a wide-angle lens, particularly for showcasing the extensive reef systems. Strong currents mean good buoyancy control is paramount to maintain position and avoid damaging the fragile corals, which is also key for clear shots. For close-up encounters with the resident sharks and detailed coral shots, a macro lens can be rewarding, especially when exploring the interesting boulder formations on the southern side. External strobes are essential to bring out the true colors of the reef and marine life, as natural light diminishes quickly in deeper or turbid areas. Patience is required due to the dynamic currents, waiting for opportune moments to stabilize and frame shots.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Tukoh-serikaya

  Similar diving environment and current exposure

• Banana Split

  The Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Indonesia, is renowned for its extraordinary marine biodiversity.

• Batu Saloka

  Prone to strong currents and swell

• Lohwenci

  Relatively current-free dive

• GPS Point

  Seamount with abundant fish life in current-prone areas

Getting there & logistics

Access to Komodo National Park, including Tukoh-lehokgebah, is primarily through Labuan Bajo (LBJ) on Flores, which has daily flights from Bali or Jakarta. Most divers visit via liveaboard boats, which offer the best access to remote sites like Tukoh-lehokgebah, though day trips from Labuan Bajo can reach northern park sites. Trip lengths for liveaboards typically range from 3 to 7 nights or longer. A Komodo National Park entrance fee of Rp 150,000 (Mon-Sat) or Rp 225,000 (Sun/public holiday) per day is required, plus an additional Rp 25,000 per diver per day for diving activities. Liveaboards frequently combine dives in the northern, central, and sometimes southern regions of the park, depending on the season and conditions.

Safety & environment

Diving in Komodo, including at Tukoh-lehokgebah, demands a high level of diver experience due to frequently strong and unpredictable currents, including potential down-currents. All divers should be proficient in current diving techniques, maintain excellent buoyancy control, and carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) and whistle for safety. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Bali, necessitating a medical evacuation in case of a decompression illness. Divers must have adequate dive insurance covering such emergencies. Always dive with a reputable, qualified dive operator familiar with local conditions, and strictly follow dive guide instructions. Careful monitoring of air consumption and no-decompression limits is crucial, especially during drift dives.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Tukoh-lehokgebah FAQ

Liveaboards diving Tukoh-lehokgebah

These liveaboards may visit Tukoh-lehokgebah on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Naga Biru

Indonesia

12 guests40 m

$270/day

Ecopro Duyung Baru

Indonesia

6 guests27 m

$361/day

Wellenreng

Indonesia

9 guests25 m

$427/day

Komodo Aggressor

Komodo, Indonesia

16 guests29 m

$312/day

Blue Manta

Indonesia

20 guests45 m

$400/day

Mari

Indonesia

14 guests32.2 m

$319/day

Situju7

Komodo, Indonesia

10 guests32.7 m

$362/day

Pindito

Indonesia

16 guests37.79 m

$533/day

Mermaid II

Komodo, Indonesia

18 guests

$387/day

Putri Naga

Komodo, Indonesia

6 guests25 m

Mikumba Dua

Indonesia

10 guests30 m

Aliikai Voyage

Indonesia

15 guests40 m

$658/day