A Kingdom of Giants and Tiny Wonders!

Komodo is a kaleidoscope of colour and scale. Vibrant reefs teem with life, setting the stage for ocean giants: turtles, mantas, and whale sharks cruise effortlessly through the blue, while weird and wonderful critters dwell in the sand below.

This voyage offered a true showcase of that duality. From macro marvels on Komodo’s black sand slopes to the astonishing giants above, each dive revealed another layer of the region’s astounding diversity. Our journey through Komodo was a series of contrasts, thrilling drifts, calm coral gardens, bustling pinnacles, and otherworldly night dives.

At night, the seafloor came to life, bursting with movement. Bobtail squid, cuttlefish, ghost pipefish and octopus were just a few of our otherworldly companions on these dives. So many different little creatures of all colours and characters came out into the nighttime waters. While the octopus slipped across the seafloor, the squid patrolled near the surface; aliens were everywhere.

During the day, we were dwarfed by giants. Manta rays soared above cleaning stations, gracefully gliding by. A dense curtain of krill that buzzed in the water, providing a buffet for the mantas. Mouths agape they arced and looped through the water column taking in vast gulps of krill. We watched in awe as they performed all around us.

The mantas’ presence was matched only by the stars of one unforgettable day: whale sharks. In the early morning light, we slipped into calm waters and were greeted by the immense figures of these gentle giants. Over two mesmerising hours, several whale sharks glided around us, slow, steady, and utterly majestic. They moved gracefully
through the blue, occasionally sweeping close with mouths agape as they fed. To swim alongside such enormous yet peaceful creatures, to watch their patterned skin shimmer in the sunlit water, was a moment none of us will soon forget.

On land, Komodo’s prehistoric namesake reminded us that this region is as spectacular above the waves as below. A visit to see the Komodo Dragons saw us walking amongst dinosaurs as these prehistoric marvels roamed the jungle.

Komodo remains one of Indonesia’s most unforgettable regions. From towering giants to intricate critters, from volcanic coastlines to kaleidoscopic coral reefs, it offers a wild and wonderful dive experience unlike any other.

Aaron Sanders
October 15-24, 2025

Mermaid II
Maumere-Komodo-Bali