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Liveaboard Diving in Batu Balong
What To Expect on a Batu Balong Liveaboard
Batu Balong liveaboards visit the North-eastern end of the main Komodo Island in Indonesia. Batu Balong, also known as 'current city' is between the main island and the small islet of Tatawa. It is part of a group of small islands that sit between the islands of Rinca, Komodo and Flores in the heart of the Komodo National Park. The dive site itself, is a sea mount or pinnacle, formed due to volcanic activity in the area. The pinnacle goes down from the surface to well over 70 meters’ depth, with a large coral reef growing all over the top half. The area where Batu Balong is, is very exposed and experiences some extreme currents, sometimes up to several knots.
These phenomenal currents bring with them plankton rich water from the deep ocean. This means that the coral and pelagic fish life here is spectacular, the reef at Batu Balong is a humming metropolis of fish, critters and even sharks. The conditions here can be difficult and this is a dive that is only really for experienced divers. It is also worth noting that depending on the tide and the state of the current, it can sometimes be impossible to dive at this site. Your liveaboard dive crew will assess the conditions to determine if suitable for diving.
What You Can See
Batu Balong sits atop the list of liveaboard dive sites in Komodo largely, because of the sheer variety and abundance of life on the reef. It’s no exaggeration to say that he visibility is often 20 meters and above, but it is sometimes reduced, by the huge numbers of fish buzzing around the reef! There is always something going on here, with critters peeking out from every piece of coral, and reef fish feeding in huge numbers. Naturalists will be in heaven with so many amazing creatures all bustling about. You can even spot sea snakes winding through the corals searching for food.
Crevices and overhangs can be homes to lionfish and even white and black tipped reef sharks sleeping until dusk. Huge napoleon wrasses are also a common sight along with hawksbill turtles, which enjoy resting and grazing on the reef.
The turtles here are fairly relaxed about divers and it is possible to get quite close to them and get some great videos. If you look over the side in the blue you can also see surgeonfish and giant trevallies hunting. With all of this going on there will never be a dull moment on your liveaboard dive cruise and so much to be photographed, your memory card might just run dry.
Getting To Batu Balong
Batu Balong is to the North East of Komodo and around an hour by boat from Labuan Bajo on Flores Island, or several days’ sail from Bali. It is possible to take a day boat if you are restricted on time but the most popular way to visit Batu Balong is a diving liveaboard. Diving cruises in Komodo come in many shapes and sizes, from a few days to two weeks long.
When it comes to boats, there is something to suit all kinds of tastes and budgets. Customised motor vessels offer a slick diving experience and comfortable accommodation. The most popular diving cruises however, are aboard traditional Indonesian sailing boats. These beautiful ships offer a unique authentic experience with traditional food and a peaceful sail.
Most Indonesian liveaboards embark at either Bali or from Labuan Bajo on Flores Island. Many of them start at one and end at the other, so as not to waste time in transit which means more diving! Bali International airport offers flights from many major airports and connecting flights on to Labuan Bajo.
Batu Balong Diving Reviews
- 9.3 Superb
- 86 Verified Reviews
excellent; so many coral and animal life! Many turtles and other sea life
Diving Batu Balong in May on the Lady Denok
Awesome; lots of creatures and true guides knew how to find the cool stuff and also to safely assure I had a good time (I was the least experienced diver onboard, probably doing about 20 dives total before).
Diving Batu Balong in May on the Moana
Beautiful soft and hard corals.
Diving Batu Balong in May on the Mermaid II
Batu had gorgeous sand creature and nudibranch encounters.
Diving Batu Balong in June on the Mermaid II
Hands down favorite dive! Amazing nudis
Diving Batu Balong in August on the Jaya
Good. Nice combination of big and small things. VERY healthy and lush reef.
Diving Batu Balong in August on the Solitude Adventurer
Very nice dive and healthy dive site
Diving Batu Balong in October on the Cajoma IV
Another excellent site. Came back to do again during the trip when there was some current, and it was also even better the second time.
Diving Batu Balong in July on the Tiare Cruise
Current was too strong to see both sides of batu balong, but the side we saw had excellent schooling fish.
Diving Batu Balong in October on the Cajoma IV
Most beautiful dive ever, so so much going on, very challenging if the currents are strong and narrow down the diving spot. The advantage of doing it on a liveaboard is that you can jump in at 6:30 am before everyone else arrives. Magical experience.
Diving Batu Balong in August on the Sokaraja
Great way to experience high currents without being in them. Protected side of a rock makes for lots of fish.
Diving Batu Balong in October on the Cajoma IV
Absolute magic. It is God's own garden!
Diving Batu Balong in June on the Mermaid I
Its like an aquarium. lots of fish corals and macro.Best coral dive site.....
Diving Batu Balong in September on the Mari
Sharks, turtles and plenty of vis. Big wall dive in the lee of the current around the island. Overall an excellent dive site.
Diving Batu Balong in April on the Moana
Spotted a large white tip and green turtle along with plentiful reef fish at Batu Bolong. Reef mantas, gray reef shark, mimic octopus, cuttlefish, barracuda, giant trevally, dectorator and hermit crabs, lionfish, stonefish and sea snakes were found at other dive sites.
Diving Batu Balong in May on the Moana
One of the most beautiful dive sites I have encountered so far in the world.
Diving Batu Balong in May on the Cajoma IV
Unique as Current Junkies are the only ones to drop at the current site!
Diving Batu Balong in July on the Busy Girl
good! lovely corals & many fish
Diving Batu Balong in July on the Emperor Raja Laut
Stunning, a bit busy with divers
Diving Batu Balong in August on the Carpe Diem
Many say this is the highlight of Komodo! It is a lovely coralled Rock formation that juts out of the surface of the sea. The DMs were careful to brief us before the dive about the strong currents, and made sure we understood steps to take to ensure our safety.
Diving Batu Balong in August on the Carpe Diem
One of the best dive sites I have done. If not the best.
Diving Batu Balong in August on the Cajoma IV
I had to cry under water because the Reef was so verrryyyy beatiful
Diving Batu Balong in October on the Moana
Fantastic. Low season so not many divers like June/July/August
Diving Batu Balong in January on the Cheng Ho
If that was the rock sticking out of the ocean it was great for fish diversity
Diving Batu Balong in June on the Sokaraja
Scariest dive for me, was caught in down current
Diving Batu Balong in July on the Mermaid II
I am back to dive Komodo because of Batu Bolong. A reef with all the life you can find underwater, on RIODS.
Diving Batu Balong in July on the Aurora
Good looking dive site but very large number of divers taking advantage of the tide. Probably not worth competing with the number of liveaboards these days.
Diving Batu Balong in July on the Indo Aggressor
Stunning. Super clear water, lots of fish life. Lovely big site
Diving Batu Balong in August on the La Galigo
Drop off incredible with huge schools of fish, turtle barracuda reef shark, colorful coral garden
Diving Batu Balong in August on the Jaya
We dove at slack tide so went fully around. We saw bamboo sharks, blacktip sharks and grey reef sharks as well as the colorful reef
Diving Batu Balong in August on the Nusantara
Sehr viele bunte Fische, perfekte Sicht
Diving Batu Balong in September on the Jaya
strong current, howerver managable.
Diving Batu Balong in October on the Mikumba 2
Maybe the most beautiful one. Amazing coral and huge variety of species here
Diving Batu Balong in November on the Nusantara
Beautiful colored corals and lots of life.
Diving Batu Balong in April on the Sokaraja
We had strong currents so I found this one more challenging
Diving Batu Balong in June on the Cajoma IV
Great, No strong current because of moon
Diving Batu Balong in June on the Sokaraja
Batu Balong and Siaba Kecil were very easy dive sites that offers a whole suite of corals and marine life.
Diving Batu Balong in September on the Nusantara
World class. Mantas, sharks, turtles, Napoleons … it has it all (along with some epic currents to ride).
Diving Batu Balong in September on the Mikumba Dua
Small dive site but incredibly rich in diversity of fish and corals
Diving Batu Balong in October on the Sokaraja