Komodo National Park vs Manado — Dive Destination Comparison
Komodo National Park (Indonesia) scores 78.4/100 vs Manado's 75.3/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Komodo National Park for drift diving with 9–30m visibility. Choose Manado for wall diving at ~$70/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Komodo National Park | Manado |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 78.4/100 | 75.3/100 |
| Country | Indonesia | Indonesia |
| Visibility | 9--30m | 15--35m |
| Water temp | 22--29 C | 26--29 C |
| Max depth | 40m | 40m |
| Current | strong | moderate |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $100 | $70 |
| Budget tier | mid range | budget |
| Best months | April, May, June | April, May, June |
| Dive types | drift, reef, wall, muck, pelagic | wall, reef, muck, drift |
| Min certification | Advanced Open Water | Open Water |
| Key species | manta ray, whitetip reef shark, giant trevally | pygmy seahorse, mimic octopus, mandarin fish |
| Google rating | 4.7 (4200 reviews) | 4.6 (350 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Komodo National Park when...
- + Marine life enthusiasts seeking manta ray encounters
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
- + Groups seeking 50+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You're uncomfortable in strong currents
- - You don't have Advanced certification
Choose Manado when...
- + Marine life enthusiasts seeking pygmy seahorse encounters
- + Budget-conscious divers — avg $70/dive
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You need shore access — this is boat-only
Bottom line
Komodo National Park wins on overall score (78.4 vs 75.3), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Manado is more affordable ($70 vs $100/dive). Manado has better peak visibility (35m vs 30m).