Rinca Horseshoe Bay
Best time to dive
January to December; December to February; July to August
What you might see
- FrogfishLikely
- Grey reef sharkLikely
- Moray eelLikely
- NudibranchLikely
- Pygmy seahorseLikely
- Sea turtleLikely
- SeahorseLikely
Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.
Certification & difficulty
Advanced Open Water - advanced conditions (currents/depth); dive within your training.
Snorkelling
Not a snorkel site - Limited; shallow reef tops (5m+) at Yellow Wall can be snorkeled in calm conditions but the bay is primarily dived due to depth and current
Safety notes
Strong/unpredictable tidal currents, cold water requiring thermal protection (5mm+/hooded wetsuit), remote location with limited emergency/medical services, Komodo dragons on adjacent land
Permits & fees
Komodo National Park (TNK) entrance ticket required: ~IDR 250,000 park entry + IDR 100,000 conservation fee + IDR 25,000 harbour fee per person/day, plus an additional diving surcharge of ~IDR 25,000 per diver per day (2026 rates); advance booking via SiORA platform now mandatory, daily visitor cap in effect
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Location
Nearest hub: Labuan Bajo
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand dive report. Coordinates are approximate.