Sea
The waters of Komodo National park are special. The strait between Rinca and Komodo forms a passage between two oceans, the Indian Ocean in the South and the Pacific Ocean (Flores sea) in the North. Thanks to the constant mixing of warm tropical waters from the North with colder waters from the South, Komodo is an unique ecosystem with one of the highest biodiversities in the world.

At least 253 species of hard, reef-building coral make up the reef in the park. There are an estimated 1000 species of fish. Among them there are numerous reef sharks and a whale sharks also have been seen migrating through the park.

Manta-rays are very often seen in the park. In some places a meeting with them is almost sure. From September to December they form big groups, sometimes huge, up to 50 mantas.

Marine mammals also live here: dugongs, more closely related to elephants than to other marine mammals, dolphins and whales – together 18 species have been seen here. Reptiles are represented by turtles – 2 species and sea snakes.

The strong currents are characteristics for Komodo National Park. They can be to over 8 nods.

The sea temperature depends on the place in the park: in the North ranges from 25 to 29 C and in the South from 22 to 28 C.

Usually there is a good visibility, it can reach 30m. Sometimes there’s low visibility caused by a high amount of plankton. In compensation for this there is an extraordinary wealth and variety of marine life because plankton is food which attracts numerous groups of animals which are later food for another animals.

Tunas, mackerels, barracudas, groupers, napoleon wrasses and other fish together with sponges and soft corals create a colorful underwater garden.