Castle Rock Dive Site in Komodo

A diver's paradise teeming with sharks and vibrant marine life

Information about Castle Rock

Castle Rock, located in Komodo National Park, is a diver's paradise renowned for its stunning underwater topography and vibrant marine life. This submerged seamount is famed for its thrilling currents and frequent sightings of sharks and pelagics, making it a must-visit for experienced divers.

What sets Castle Rock apart is its incredible biodiversity and the dramatic scenery it offers. Divers can expect to see white tip reef sharks patrolling the deeper sections, while giant trevallies, tunas, and Napoleons glide through the blue. The reef is a colorful mix of hard corals, sponges, and sea squirts, providing shelter for a myriad of smaller reef fish and invertebrates. The shallow areas are perfect for spotting cleaner shrimp, glassfish, and other critters hiding in the crevices and overhangs of the reef.

For non-divers, the surrounding Komodo National Park offers stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, and opportunities for snorkeling, hiking, and observing the famous Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. Whether you are exploring the underwater world or the rugged terrain above, Castle Rock and its surroundings promise an unforgettable adventure.

Interesting facts about Castle Rock

Getting there: The best way to explore Castle Rock is by liveaboard, offering seamless access to the most pristine dive sites. Speedboat trips from Labuan Bajo are also available, taking around 50 minutes.

Best time to visit Castle Rock: The best time to dive Castle Rock is from May to October when the southern winds favor diving in the central and northern parts of Komodo. Water temperatures range from 20°C (68°F) to 28°C (82°F).

Diving Conditions: Castle Rock is known for its strong currents, making it ideal for advanced divers. The seamount extends from 4 to 30 meters deep, with both up and down currents adding to the thrill.

Our liveaboard trips: Several of our liveaboard vessels operate in Komodo National Park, offering trips that typically last 7-10 days. These trips often include visits to other iconic sites such as Batu Bolong and Karang Makassar.

A little known fact: Castle Rock is not only a hotspot for large predators but also a fantastic location for macro photography, with numerous hidden critters like nudibranchs and hairy squat lobsters found in the coral rubble.

Pictures of Castle Rock

Possible Activities in Castle Rock

Diving

Snorkeling

Highlights Close to Castle Rock

Crystal Rock

Crystal Rock is a standout dive site in Komodo National Park, celebrated for its stunning underwater topography and vibrant marine life. This submerged pinnacle, located in the northern region of the park, offers divers an exhilarating experience with a chance to see an array of pelagic species. The site is named for its clear, crystalline waters that provide exceptional visibility, often exceeding 30 meters.

Diving at Crystal Rock, you'll encounter a bustling underwater ecosystem. The site is frequented by white tip reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, and schools of jacks and trevally. The coral gardens here are rich with both hard and soft corals, creating a colorful backdrop teeming with life. Nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, and frogfish are some of the macro delights awaiting keen-eyed divers. The currents can be strong, adding to the thrill and making this site best suited for experienced divers.

The dive typically starts with a negative entry, descending quickly to avoid being swept away by the currents. As you navigate the reef, you'll witness a symphony of marine life, from the vivid coral formations to the schools of fish darting through the water. The pinnacle rises to within a few meters of the surface, making the safety stop equally mesmerizing with the shallow coral gardens.

The Cauldron

Located in the narrow passage between Gili Lawa Laut and Gili Lawa Darat, The Cauldron in Komodo is not for the faint-hearted. This dive site is renowned for its exhilarating currents that spiral through faults in the reef, creating an adrenaline-pumping experience. The dive site features a large sinkhole, aptly named The Cauldron, reaching depths of 22 meters. Divers can expect to see an array of marine life including reef sharks, giant trevally, schooling jacks, and even manta rays.

The site’s unique topography, with walled edges, overhangs, and crevices covered in both soft and hard corals, makes for a visually stunning dive. Divers can cross the channel to a rubble plateau at 12 meters and observe the vibrant marine activity. The Shot Gun and Sling Shot sections of the site provide an exhilarating ride through strong currents, ending in the calm, shallow waters of Gili Lawa Laut.

For non-divers, the surrounding islands offer spectacular viewpoints, pristine beaches, and opportunities for snorkeling, making The Cauldron a perfect destination for adventurers and nature lovers alike.