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A check dive is a supervised dive at an easy site where your guide assesses your skills and comfort level before taking you to more challenging locations. Many Komodo dive operators conduct check dives as standard practice, especially for new guests.
| Situation | Check Dive Likely? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| First dive of your trip with a new operator | Yes (common practice) | Guide needs to assess your buoyancy, air consumption, and current comfort |
| Long gap since your last dive (6+ months) | Yes (often required) | Skills may have deteriorated |
| Open Water certified with fewer than 20 dives | Yes | Guide needs to determine which sites are appropriate for you |
| Joining a liveaboard | Yes (standard on Day 1) | Crew uses the first dive to group passengers by experience level |
| Experienced diver with recent logged dives | Sometimes | Many operators still use the first dive of the day as an informal check |
Operators typically use calm, sheltered sites for check dives: Sebayur Kecil, Siaba Besar, or Batu Monco. These offer gentle conditions, good marine life, and manageable depths — so your check dive is still an excellent dive, not a boring assessment exercise.
Tip: Treat the check dive as an opportunity, not an obstacle. Use it to adjust your weighting, test rental equipment, and get comfortable with your guide's communication style. A strong check dive performance earns you access to the best sites for the rest of your trip.
Can I Dive Komodo If I Have Not Dived in Several Years?