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Batu Bolong, Komodo

Batu Bolong is one of Komodo’s signature dive site with lots to see and some interesting currents to avoid.

Turtle under table coral, Batu Bolong, Komodo
Turtle under table coral, Batu Bolong, Komodo, August 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

Another of Komodo’s very famous sites, Batu Bolong is a rocky pinnacle with steep slopes which alternate with walls. Divers enter the water on whichever side of the pinnacle provides protection from the current at that particular time.

School of fusiliers, Batu Bolong, Komodo
School of fusiliers, Batu Bolong, Komodo, August 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

The currents at Batu Bolong are no joke – pay attention to the dive briefing and stay behind your guide, as if you head too far along the reef in either direction you can end up being pulled off the dive site and sent for a ride by the current. Down currents can also occur here.

Zebra fish in shallows, Batu Bolong, Komodo
Zebra fish in shallows, Batu Bolong, Komodo, August 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

If it sounds intimidating, don’t be alarmed. The rock provides plenty of protection from the current so a typical dive involves dropping straight down to around 20 metres and then slowly zig zagging back up into the shallows.

Reef and trevally, Batu Bolong, Komodo
Reef and trevally, Batu Bolong, Komodo, August 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

The dynamism of the water is mirrored by the dynamics of the marine life: there’s a lot of fish around with giant trevally passing through and shoals of fusiliers out in the blue. The walls and slopes are overloaded with table corals, plate corals and soft corals vying for space, which also provide thousands of places for fish to hide out. The corals in the shallows are beautiful and perfect for snorkelling.

Mika in the shallows, Batu Bolong, Komodo
Mika in the shallows, Batu Bolong, Komodo, August 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

It’s a very popular dive site so it pays to be the first boat there as there are often a lot of other divers coming as the morning goes on and the relatively small site gets progressively more busy.

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