Into the Blue: Scuba Dreams and Island Escapes in Komodo & Bali

There are trips you take, and then there are the ones that change you — this was one of the latter.

The Komodo Islands are widely celebrated as one of the world's premier scuba diving destinations — and for good reason. Nestled within the Coral Triangle, this UNESCO World Heritage site is home to some of the richest marine biodiversity on the planet. From drifting alongside manta rays to spotting rare pygmy seahorses, every dive feels like entering a live-action nature documentary. What sets Komodo apart isn’t just the incredible underwater life, but also the quality of dive schools and the relative lack of mass tourism compared to other hotspots. With strong currents and dramatic underwater topography — including walls, pinnacles, and colorful coral gardens — it’s a playground for adventure seekers.

Our adventure began on May 30th as we boarded our flight from Bangalore with a long but exciting journey ahead, connecting via Singapore and Bali before landing in Labuan Bajo, the charming gateway to Komodo Islands. As we settled into this serene coastal town, we dined at Maison Belmont, a warm and welcoming spot that set the tone for what would become an unforgettable voyage.

The Deep Dive Begins

Day 1 was the start of something special. I was doing the PADI Advanced Open Water Course with Azul Komodo Dive Centre, while my wife began her PADI Open Water certification in the pool. Our boat left the harbour at 7 am, heading toward a trio of dive sites: Siaba Besar, Tatawa Besar, and the iconic Batu Bolong.

Each location unveiled a new universe — coral gardens swaying in rhythm, reef fish playing hide and seek, and sheer underwater cliffs teeming with life.

I was diving after a gap of almost 7 years and struggled to get my buoyancy right in the first dive. Lack of touch seemed very evident. However second and third dives were much better. After a long but fulfilling day, we enjoyed a hearty Indonesian meal and a chilled Bintang at Senja Eatery, as the pink dusk wrapped around Labuan Bajo.

Cruising With the Mantas

Day 2 raised the bar even higher. Back on the boat at dawn, our dives took us again to Siaba Besar, Tatawa Besar, and the majestic Mawan, where we had our first magical encounter with Manta Rays — elegant, otherworldly creatures gliding effortlessly through the currents. I felt myself becoming a better diver, more in control, more present.

My wife had her first open water dive, and I could see the joy and nervous excitement mirrored in her eyes. Her first dive in the ocean which was a memorable experience. I successfully completed my Advanced Open Water certification (a 2 day course) and that evening, we clinked glasses at Happy Banana Komodo, sharing Salmon Sushi and dive stories with newfound friends from across the world

Couples That Dive Together…

Day 3 was something I’ll treasure forever — diving with my wife. It was day 3 of my wife's Scuba certification and I accompanied her on fun dives. We explored Sebayor Kecil, Tatawa Besar, and Mawan again, but this time it felt different. Maybe it was the magic of diving together. Among Titan Triggerfish, Barracudas, Turtles, Clownfish, Parrotfish, Scorpionfish, Starfish, Butterfly fish and even an Octopus, we floated through reefs enjoying the surreal feeling.

Special shoutout to Marco, her instructor from Azul Komodo — calm, clear, and incredibly encouraging. We also met Sangeeta, a scuba instructor from India and possibly the only Indian living in Labuan Bajo (in 2025).

A fun night followed with dinner at Fusion 38 Komodo and some late-night bites at Pizza Haus Bajo.

Dragons, Peaks & Pink Sands

Day 4 was our land-and-sea adventure. With Red Whale Dive Center, we took off on a speedboat to Padar Island, where a quick but steep 30-minute hike rewarded us with cinematic panoramic views of jagged peaks and endless ocean blues.

Our next stop was the Pink Beach — coral dust giving the sand its blush tint. Indeed one of the most unique beaches we have seen so far.

After this we went to the Komodo National Park - the largest home of Komodo Dragons. A 2 kilometre trek inside the park got us to see a few of the world’s largest lizards in their raw, prehistoric glory.

After lunch, as we started to the next destination, the captain of the boat stopped and told there were Mantas in the vicinity. All of us put on our snorkelling gear and jumped out of the boat where we got to catch a glimpse of the magnificent manta rays swimming close by. Next was perhaps the most beautiful island we had seen so far - Taka Makassar. Straight out of a fairy-tale, this crescent shaped island with shallow waters was marvellous. We got to see baby reef sharks here.

After spending an hour here, we then headed to turtle bay for a chance to see some turtles. We found one drifting away and followed it from a distance for 15 minutes before heading back to our boat. We ended the day at Seasta Komodo, a perfect last dinner spot — breezy, cozy, with craft cocktails to toast to Labuan Bajo.

Switching Gears: From Ocean Blues to Jungle Greens

On Day 5, we flew to Bali, leaving behind a piece of our hearts in Labuan Bajo. From the airport, we headed to Bangli, a village near Ubud, where we had booked a hidden gem of a stay — The Local Entikentikan Villa. Surrounded by rice terraces and whispers of waterfalls, it was the definition of offbeat bliss.

A strong recommendation if you are looking for some peaceful time away from the crowds of Bali. Lunch at Blessing Restaurant hit the spot, and we then took a slow bike ride past Tegalalang Rice Terraces to reach Ubud. Dinner at Taman Dedari sealed the day with tranquil ambiance and rich Indonesian flavors.

A Day of Waterfalls and Wonder

Day 6 was waterfall chasing at its best. We started before sunrise to North Bali and our first stop was Kintamani where there are many restaurants overlooking the volcanoes Mount Batur, Mount Agung and Abang. We stopped for a cup of coffee at Pahdi Speciality Coffee with a misty view of the mountains. On a clear day, sunrise would be magnificent here.

We then started driving towards Sekumpul Watefalls. Clear skies, forest canopy, waterfalls and a calm - amazing experience. There is a restaurant here called Hanging Restaurant which offers amazing views of the falls. The food was great too.

From there, we drove to the secluded Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfalls — less touristy, more tranquil. A 15 minutes hike down the forest takes you to the gentle cascade with a pool, surrounded by lush vegetation, with other small falls nearby.

We stopped for lunch at Joenat’s Treasure Fun Bar and Grill (complete with games and snooker while we waited). The afternoon ended with a visit to the serene Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, floating gently on the calm Bedugul Lake.

It was one of those days that flowed perfectly — like the waterfalls we chased!

Sunlight and Serenity

Our final day, Day 7, began with a short hike to Tukad Cepung Waterfalls, just 10 minutes from our stay. The sun rays piercing through the rocky caverns made for an almost spiritual moment.

From there, we headed to Seminyak, explored the colorful Kuta Market, soaked up the sun at Legian Beach, and indulged in some comforting Chinese food. Before flying back, we treated ourselves to a signature Balinese massage at Bali Green Spa — the perfect ending to a trip that had been both exhilarating and soul-soothing.

Reflections from the Reef

Looking back, this was more than just a holiday. It was about discovery — of landscapes, of marine life, of flavors, and of ourselves. The underwater world of Komodo, the cultural and natural beauty of Bali, and the thrill of ticking off a shared bucket-list dream — it all made this journey unforgettable.

Oh, and the cherry on top? My wife is now a certified scuba diver. Couldn’t be prouder!

Till the next dive 🌊🌴

Pro Tips

1) We went diving with Azul Komodo Dive center - strongly recommend this dive shop and a special shout out to Marco for being the coolest and the most amazing instructor

2) Download the mobile app Grab or Gojek to book a car/bike taxi for local commute - its super fast and convenient and works in most towns in Indonesia

3) Avoid converting foreign currency to Indonesian Rupaiah (IDR) at the airport. You will find enough and more authorised exchange centers in any town

4) Day trips on a fast boat (which start around 7 am) to Komodo cover Padar Island (the famous view point), Pink Beach, Komodo National Park, Taka Makassar, Turtle Bay and Manta Bay (approx cost is 1.1 to 1.4 Million IDR) - we went with Red Whale and had a good experience. Slow Boats cover only 4 places and start much earlier in the morning (around 5 30 am)

5) You will need to pay IDR 300k per day to enter the waters (when leaving the port in Labuan Bajo) in the region for Scuba diving or for the day trips

6) Bargaining is the way of life in Indonesian islands. While buying local souvenirs, start your negotiation by quoting a quarter of what the sellers ask you

7) Renting a bike in Bali is easy and costs around IDR 100k per day (just contact your hotel/hostel)

Do reach out in case you have any specific queries. Happy travels :)