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The certification you need depends on which dive sites you want to visit and what type of trip you are taking. Here is a complete breakdown of what each certification level allows you to do in Komodo.
| Certification | Max Depth | Sites You Can Dive | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| No certification (Discover Scuba Diving) | 12 metres | Sebayur Kecil, Siaba Besar (calm sections only) | Always accompanied by instructor, very limited site selection |
| PADI Open Water Diver (OWD) | 18 metres | Manta Point, Siaba Besar, Tatawa Besar, Sebayur Kecil, Batu Monco, Sabolon Kecil | No access to deep or advanced current sites |
| PADI Advanced Open Water (AOW) | 30 metres | All of the above plus Batu Bolong, Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, The Cauldron, Cannibal Rock | Guide may assess skills before allowing advanced sites |
| PADI Rescue Diver / Divemaster | 30–40 metres | All sites, with deep specialty for 40m sites | Full access with appropriate experience |
Minimum: Open Water Diver (OWD) is the absolute minimum certification to dive independently in Komodo. It gives you access to the park's sheltered central sites, including the incredible Manta Point, where you can swim with manta rays in shallow water.
Recommended: Advanced Open Water Diver (AOW) is strongly recommended for anyone wanting to experience the full range of Komodo diving. The park's most iconic sites — Batu Bolong, Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, and The Cauldron — all involve depths beyond 18 metres and currents that require AOW-level skills and experience.
Most liveaboard operators have their own minimum requirements, which are often higher than the general site minimums:
| Liveaboard Tier | Typical Minimum Cert | Typical Minimum Logged Dives |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Open Water | 20–30 |
| Mid-range | Advanced Open Water | 30–50 |
| Luxury / expedition | Advanced Open Water | 50+ |
Our strong recommendation: Get your Advanced Open Water certification before coming to Komodo. It opens up the park's best diving and makes liveaboard booking much easier. If you are already OWD-certified, many Labuan Bajo dive centres offer the AOW course, which takes just 2 days and 5 dives.