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Liveaboard Diving in Castle Rock
What To Expect On A Castle Rock Liveaboard
Castle Rock liveaboards visit this dive site situated to the North of the islet of Gili Lawa Laut, at the top of Komodo Islands. The area is protected by the Komodo National Park and is internationally renown for diving tours. This area is home to some of the richest coral and fish life in the region and beautiful scenery on land.
The islands and the underwater topography, is volcanic. Many of the best reefs, such as Castle Rock, sit atop huge sea mounts formed by volcanic activity. The Castle Rock sea mount is more of a pinnacle, with steep edges and a stunning coral garden growing on the top from around 5 meters/16 ft. downwards.
The visibility is eye watering, often exceeding 30 meters/98 ft. offering a beautiful view over the pinnacle and the fish life. Currents here are however very strong, as the Castle Rock is one of the most exposed dive sites around Gili Lawa Laut. These currents can be several knots and bring plankton rich waters with them which in turn, bring the big fish!
What You Can See
Liveaboard diving at Castle Rock is one of those amazing experiences, where there is a chance to see pretty much anything you can find around Komodo. The reef is beautiful with an array of colourful reef fish living on the hard and soft corals that coat the top end of the pinnacle. The fauna also means great macro opportunities, with critters all over the corals.
Photography here is simply sublime, not only macro, but the number of angel and butterfly fish, often in huge shoals that cover huge portions of the reef, is a sight to behold. Silverside, Jacks, and trevally are all around the reef and out in the blue. The entire reef can sometimes be enveloped in a cloud of different fish.
These shoals also attract bigger animals to the reef, in impressive numbers. Whitetips, blacktips and grey reef sharks can be seen here, and it is not unusual to see all three while diving there. The nutrient rich currents also mean, there is every possibility that divers might see mantas passing by. There are other pelagic fish as well, tuna are frequent visitors and very lucky divers might even be surprised by a pod of dolphins, that is known to come to this reef to hunt.
Getting To Castle Rock
Castle Rock is at the Northern end of Komodo Island in the heart of the Komodo National Park. There are a few options for visiting Castle Rock but by far the best experience, is on a dedicated diving liveaboard tour. There are some day boats leaving from Labuan Bajo though if you only have time for a couple of dive.
There are different kinds of Indonesian liveaboards to suit various needs and budgets. Motor vessels provide a comfortable journey with their custom designed vessels. The most popular diving liveaboards however are traditional Indonesian sailing boats which make for a peaceful and luxurious journey.
Most liveaboards going to Castle Rock embark from either Labuan Bajo or directly from Bali. Often the will start at one port and finish at the other to give you as much time diving as possible during your trip.
Bali International Airport offers flights from many international destinations in Asia and further afield. This is also the place to take a flight to Labuan Bajo as well. For the more adventurous travellers there is also a three-day ferry ride from Bali to Labuan Bajo, although it is not for the faint of heart.
Castle Rock Diving Reviews
- 9.3 Superb
- 67 Verified Reviews
The diving on Castle Rock was an adventure, the current, the sea snake...wow!
Diving Castle Rock in July on the MV Samambaia
Another amazing dive with a massive wall and soo many fish.
Diving Castle Rock in August on the Empress II
The Castle Rock was pretty rad. You'll need to hold on tight during the drift. Don't worry. They'll make sure you get through it and come out a better diver and see some incredible beauty.
Diving Castle Rock in September on the Kira Kira
excellent; so many coral and animal life!
Diving Castle Rock in May on the Lady Denok
Nice topography, plentiful schooling fish. The "aquarium" is relatively protected from current
Diving Castle Rock in August on the Emperor Raja Laut
Very strong currents but amazing experience
Diving Castle Rock in August on the Empress II
Crazy fun currents, lots of sharks
Diving Castle Rock in August on the Jaya
Substantial current but after getting anchored to the reef watched some nice blacktip shark activity.
Diving Castle Rock in September on the La Galigo
Perfect! So many monsters to see
Diving Castle Rock in October on the Komodo Shalom
Another awesome site. A lot of large fish and schools. Really amazing.
Diving Castle Rock in July on the Tiare Cruise
Kind of strong current, but good fish.
Diving Castle Rock in October on the Cajoma IV
Beautiful coral shelves and a pinnacle to explore from the bottom up!
Diving Castle Rock in November on the Komodo Sea Dragon
One of my favorite place to dive on earth
Diving Castle Rock in July on the MV Empress II
Excellent - plenty of marine life diversity but going down in strong current can be a challenge
Diving Castle Rock in August on the Empress II
Great as well. Many sharks (Grey and white tip).
Diving Castle Rock in September on the Mari
Fantastic - Sharks & lots of fish life
Diving Castle Rock in September on the Empress II
We did this dive twice, the first time was amazing with large schools of fish and all that was needed was to hang on for the show. The second time we did it at a different time and it wasn't as busy but still a great dive.
Diving Castle Rock in September on the Kira Kira
Did this dive twice - once on a rising tide, and once on a falling tide, with different experiences for both (both excellent, I should add). The coral here is phenomenal, as is the sea life.
Diving Castle Rock in September on the Kira Kira
Very strong currents here, we hooked up and watched some large reef sharks in the blue,
Diving Castle Rock in September on the Empress II
We were lucky enough to see stingrays, 5-6 sharks
Diving Castle Rock in July on the Empress II
A bit scary - the currents on the day were very strong and we did lots of swimming
Diving Castle Rock in July on the Cajoma IV
Shark, sharks, sharks! Lots of them, strong currents with lots of life and well kept reef
Diving Castle Rock in October on the Lalunia
Fantastic with lots of big and small sea creatures
Diving Castle Rock in May on the Cajoma IV
The best dive sight there!
Diving Castle Rock in June on the Komodo Shalom
Great with a lot of sharks!
Diving Castle Rock in July on the Busy Girl
The current is annoying but once you get through it, a beautiful heaven awaits.
Diving Castle Rock in July on the Dragon Dive Komodo
Pretty good. I enjoyed it. Some sharks, some eagle rays, GT's.
Diving Castle Rock in July on the Kira Kira
Castle rock was great, but not my favourite. Was very fun, quite fast paced.
Diving Castle Rock in July on the Kira Kira
Excellent pinnacle dive, with good vis and lots of life.
Diving Castle Rock in July on the Jaya
Wonderfull place, full of colours and life
Diving Castle Rock in August on the Jaya
Epic!!! Shark central. Loved it.
Diving Castle Rock in August on the Kira Kira
Had some great dives here, beautiful coral and plentiful marine life with sharks and big green turtles. During certain tides current was absolutely ripping though, be prepared for a hectic dive if you hit it any other time than slack.
Diving Castle Rock in August on the Kira Kira
Best dive site I have ever done. I really like to see big fishes and they were everywhere on this dive site.
Diving Castle Rock in August on the Ratu Pelangi
We saw five (!) sharks in one dive, amazing!
Diving Castle Rock in September on the Akomo Isseki
Extremely strong current but pretty
Diving Castle Rock in September on the La Galigo
School of fishes can’t get out of site at any moments. Quite a lot to see there!
Diving Castle Rock in September on the Ratu Pelangi
Batu Balong was fantastic. Manta point was amazing.
Diving Castle Rock in September on the Tanaka
Great - amazing diversity, size and quantity of marine life.
Diving Castle Rock in September on the Ratu Pelangi
Spectacular, current, many sharks, very entertaining
Diving Castle Rock in October on the Komodo Shalom
Amazing, big current so it's a hook in and watch, but lots of big stuff (sharks etc)
Diving Castle Rock in November on the La Unua
Pinnacle dive site.. strong current, good amount of marine life and healthy corals
Diving Castle Rock in November on the Komodo Shalom
Fantastic, got to see white tip reef sharks
Diving Castle Rock in July on the Nusantara
Magic lot of small life and beautiful coral garden
Diving Castle Rock in August on the Jaya
This was my all-time favorite reef dive, the amount of large schooling fish was unbelievable
Diving Castle Rock in August on the Nusantara
saw what i want to see , turltes , sharks and manta
Diving Castle Rock in October on the Mikumba 2
Lots of sharks here and little current that day
Diving Castle Rock in November on the Nusantara