a few from Komodo National Park

kelpdiver wrote:

LarsPolarBear wrote:

! The coral are in pristine condition, the underwater wildlife in extreme abundance - small and big stuff!!! However, the currents are partially very strong and one needs definitely local experience to dive safely...

How do you mean: "partially very strong?" Some dives are a hoof, and others are not? Predictably, or not? My wife can carry her camera or deal with current, but would prefer to avoid the double.

Well, some dives are in bays (very few though), so not much current there.  For the others it depends a lot on the moon phase and location.  Some of the very famouse dive sites, e.g. “Castle Rock”, are “undiveable” shortly after full or new moon, too much current!!! You would normally already use reef hooks, but on these days it’s just impossible.  When I went there 8 years ago, it was rock climbing underwater... brutal current.  Other places are small islands, where you can only dive on the “lee” side of the tide, therefore the dive side changes several times a day and you have to stay close to the reef not to get cought by the back eddies.  Our dive guide told us that he once tried it further away from the reef and was pushed down to 47m within moments by the down currents... 😬  So, yes, it can be dangerous and a large camera with dome port and lots of strobes doesn’t make it easier... 😏

Anyways, if you dive with the right people, they will take care of you and make sure you go the sites that refelect your ability.

There's definitely a benefit to geographic isolation and diving difficulty - greatly reduces the diver impact. But then it comes down to fishing practices - use of dynamite or cyanide.

It’s a national park, therefore no fishing (also no dynamite or cyanide) allowed... The locals talk about some minor illegal fishing during the night, but doesn’t seem to be a major problem.

It‘s actually not that isolated.  The village you start from on Flores Island -Labuan Bajo - has an airport with flights from Jakarta and Bali.