Loading...
Diving responsibly in Komodo is not just about following rules — it is about actively protecting one of the most important marine ecosystems on Earth so that future generations can experience its wonders. Here are the key practices every diver should follow.
| Rule | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| No touching any marine life or coral | Physical contact damages coral tissue, stresses marine animals, and can introduce infection |
| No dive gloves (banned in Komodo) | Discourages the temptation to grab or touch — keeps hands off the reef |
| Maintain excellent buoyancy at all times | Accidental fin kicks are the number one cause of diver-inflicted reef damage |
| No collecting anything from the reef | Removing shells, coral, or marine life is illegal and disrupts the ecosystem |
| Use reef-safe sunscreen only | Chemical sunscreens (oxybenzone, octinoxate) damage coral at the cellular level |
| Follow manta encounter guidelines | 3m minimum distance, no chasing, no flash photography, stay low |
| Use mooring buoys where available | Prevents anchor damage to reef structures |
Look for dive centres with demonstrated environmental commitment. Azul Komodo is Komodo's first PADI Eco Center, integrating conservation into all their operations. Other operators like Wunderpus Liveaboards have won sustainability awards. The DOCK mooring buoy system, funded by the dive industry itself, is one of the most successful operator-led conservation initiatives in Indonesia.