Review Author: LukoGecko, Paris

Review Date: 01 Oct 2018

Review Body: Second experience at Dragon Dive in the two past years, after the land based diving, we booked this time a 4d Liveaboard plying central and North Komodo. The specificity of this liveaboard is the mix of guests from all range, age and countries, since it caters to backpackers looking for cheap dorm fare, as well as "older" (OK say "more experienced in life"?) travelers needing more creature comfort, who like us wanted to book a suite, and also a mix of seasoned divers to almost beginners. Hence the varied points of interests of everyone provide a wide array of discussions, , not only focused on diving, but also traveling, reading, hobbies and everything else about life. This liveaboard has more of a friendly social club than a hardcore divers meeting group, which is perfect for non diving companions like my wife who really enjoyed her time. About the boat : its layout is quite basic on two levels, but pleasant enough for 10-12 divers congregating around the dinner table and playing cards at night. The suite is tops :spacious and very breezy so that you don't have to put on the aircon. Food is abundant and tasty, the cook will cater to either meaties or vegans, with no problems. Of course the main attraction is the diving which is spectacular in Komodo, we had two groups of 4 divers each (beginners / more experienced) masterly led by Paul and Nico who accomodated all our needs or wishes, Every day we discussed about the type of sites we wanted to do, Paul and Nico did their best to successfully please everybody, but also to assist and train the less experienced so that in the end, even the beginners could handle more demanding dive sites without feeling stressed. Even though I didn't need any rental equipment, the ones I've seen worn by my dive mates looked in a good shape, very well maintained. In conclusion I would absolutely recommend this liveaboard for open minded divers looking for a cheap live aboard with friendly atmosphere as well as excellent diving. Thanks to the crew at DDK, that was a wonderful stay.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: 239oph_lieb, France

Review Date: 18 May 2018

Review Body: I planned on coming to Labuan Bajo to enjoy a day of fun dives in the famous Komodo National Park and stay 1 or 2 nights. I was still there a month after...! 1/ I really felt like home at the hostel. It was the perfect place to chill out by the pool and meet other people. The breakfast is very good and the beds are comfortable. 2/ The dives are AMAZING. Of course the dive sites and the reefs are incredible, but the staff and the boat added a lot to this perfect experience. The guides are professional, always want to help you and to make you feel good. The atmosphere is so friendly. As for the boat itself, it’s very nice - you can take a nap on the sun deck as there are real beds, and enjoy the views with a coffee after a good dive. 3/ I was so enthusiast I also did a 4-day liveaboard to have my Advanced Diver course with Dragon Dive - which wasn’t planned at all when I arrived at the very beginning. Everything was perfect, from the organization to the food and the atmosphere as well. They also organized small treks between 2 dives to enjoy the Komodo National Park (Dragons & sunrise trek on Padar Island). No time to get bored! I’ve read many different types of reviews on TripAdvisor about this place and was pretty confused before going there, but definitely wanted to give it a try as the facilities looked good and it combined hostel + dive shop. I also just wanted to have my own opinion. After spending a whole month with Dragon Dive, I can tell most of the negative comments can’t be true (especially serious things about the dive trips). I heard some of the comments could be fake due to a huge competition between the dive shops in Komodo... Sad story. In a nutshell, my spontaneous trip to Komodo turned into a real adventure I will never forget thanks to Dragon Dive. I’m even planning on coming back at the end of the month to do another liveaboard. I can assure you can come with eyes closed to dive with them and stay at the hostel. Looking forward to coming again! :)

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rotsie2118, Ireland

Review Date: 29 May 2019

Review Body: Choosing your dive center is important especially in Komodo where diving can be challenging and choosing dragon dive is a safe bet. We did a three day liveaboard with them and couldn’t speak highly of it. The boat is spacious, clean and fit for purpose. We had the private room which was great but slept on the chill out area under the stars- amazing. The food was plentiful and fresh. Meat eaters were very well looked after. Im vegetarian and was also very well catered for. I had brought my own supplies just Incase but didn’t need any of them. It goes without saying that the diving will be fantastic as it’s Komodo! So many turtles ( my fav) sharks, mantas and so much more! The divemasters are wonderful. Ben, Guilleme and our dive master Alexis are everything DMs should be- experienced, safety focused and fun. There was no diver snobbery on this boat we only had <25 dives which we were worried about but shouldn’t have been as it wasn’t an issue. We also opted not to do the night dive as we felt we weren’t ready and this wasn’t an issue either, we were well supported. Our dive master Alexis is a special gal she not only guided us around the sites but actually taught us loads. We learnt more with her for three days than my advanced open water course. The currents worried me and they were intense at points but I never felt unsafe. We were always well briefed and I knew we were well looked after and she had us if we needed it. She is only new to dragon dive and they are lucky to have her I would return just to dive with her again! We also had Erno on our dives with us who will make a great dive master. Such an amazing diver and so much peace of mind to know he was there to help in the current if needed. Thank you Dragon Dive for a wonderful three days!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: SabrinaTX, Texas

Review Date: 24 Aug 2019

Review Body: We went on the Yoshi for a 4D/3N liveaboard trip. To say we had a great time would be quite an understatement. From the second we arrived at the hostel staff was friendly and very accomodating. The dive sites were absolutely incredible, each offered something completely unique whether it be beautiful coral, macro life, giant trevally, sharks, rays, turtles, cuttlefish, eels you name it.. Definitely won't be forgetting the excitement of the "Cauldron" anytime soon! Haha What made it even better was the staff. Our dive master Guillaume was amazing both in and out of the water. Dive briefs were excellent, great underwater communication and he kept us laughing the entire trip. Together with Erno and the crew, they ran a great operation with a big focus on safety. The boat definitely had a lot of character and felt like home for the short time we were aboard. Rooms were small/average but there was lots of deck space to lounge in the sun or under the canopy. It was perfect! Also, it was very well organized so we had a hot meal waiting after almost each and every dive. Boat accommodates 12 divers but there were only 6 during our trip. The only thing I was truly upset about, was not booking a LONGER liveaboard! This was my first live aboard experience and it blew my expectations out of the water. I can only hope my next liveaboard won’t be a disappointment after having such an amazing time with Dragon Dive Komodo & Guillaume. ...Generally not one to leave reviews but this trip was one to remember!! Recommend 110%!!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: chelseas886, Canada

Review Date: 03 Dec 2017

Review Body: After an 8 day stay, I strongly recommend this hostel/dive shop To both divers and non-divers. Hostel: This is the type of place you want to hangout at as there is always something happening, whether it is happy hour, beer pong or movie night, there is something for everyone. As a solo traveler, I really appreciated the fun and communal environment. The owners are all wonderful and very involved and the staff are incredibly attentive. The dorms/pool area are very clean and towels are replaced daily. Diveshop: I spent 5 days diving with Dragon Dive Komodo and had an opportunity to dive with all the instructors and DMs who were all very professional and excellent guides. Both dive boats used exceeded my expectations, they were very comfortable with day beds and ample room to accommodate the divers. It is incredibly rare that dive shops will send a boat out with 3-4 instructors a day, but this is what Dragon Dive does. They ensure the different levels of divers are split up appropriately so that everyone can enjoy the dives. The equipment used is all new and the dives are conducted very safely. This is a full service establishment; the boat staff bring all your equipment on and off the boat and change all your gear between dives. Lastly the food included on the boat was great - we often have two kinds of fish, chicken and veggies for lunch. Thanks William, Manu, Max, Nico and Guillaume for a wonderful stay - I hope to visit again sometime soon.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: cattidudette, Singapore

Review Date: 26 Jul 2019

Review Body: The boat (Yoshi?) was great - plenty of space for relaxation and to walk around. The clips around for hanging out wet clothes doesn't seem very secure but at least they have it ;) I read reviews about the engines being near the dorm so for 2 nights I slept on the deck with the other diver... which was really sweet! Sky full of stars and even a couple of shooting stars! The colourful boat also made it easy to recognise from far and pretty for photos. What I like is the self-introduction on the first day - I think it made mingling a whole lot easier, especially for solo travellers. Diving with them felt safe. When I couldn't get my negative entry right, Alexis made sure she sat beside me on the dingy for the next couple of practices. I am not the most comfortable diver when it comes to current and was a little freaked out on the second day, so much so I wanted to sit out third day's dives. Alexis however assured me I was good enough and they did made me felt at ease on the last day. Everyone on board were really friendly. The dive equipment worked well and dive briefings were clear. Food was also nice on board; you get something different everyday. Back on land I stayed in both their private room and dormitory. I liked both but they do not provide breakfast for dorm guest. And I think not many hostels has a pool in Labuan Bajo.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Julien Brack

Review Date: 12 Aug 2019

Review Body: Had an amazing experience with Dragon dive Komodo during a 3D/2N liveboard cruise on the Shenron around Komodo national Park. The boat has just been renovated and feels like a home, everything is made to ensure you a good and safe diving and to relax between the dives. A few rest areas are available, rooftop, dining room and briefing area. Proper meals are served three times a day and snacks all the time with coffee and tea, all really tasty and vegetarian option also available. Dive instructors were really professional, according attention to everyone’s level and safety was always a priority. All dive sites were given a specific description, Philippe and Kevin, our dive instructors were always trying to ensure us the most enjoyable dives by trying to bring us to the right places on the right times. We all were really happy about the cruise and saw everything we expected to see underwater. On top of that, the boat cruise is also really friendly and doing an amazing job. We had laughs, we had fun, we had excitation and we had stars in our eyes, what else could you expect ? I would do it again and again. Thank you all!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: JulienBrack, Belgium

Review Date: 12 Aug 2019

Review Body: Had an amazing experience with Dragon dive Komodo during a 3D/2N liveboard cruise on the Shenron around Komodo national Park. The boat has just been renovated and feels like a home, everything is made to ensure you a good and safe diving and to relax between the dives. A few rest areas are available, rooftop, dining room and briefing area. Proper meals are served three times a day and snacks all the time with coffee and tea, all really tasty and vegetarian option also available. Dive instructors were really professional, according attention to everyone’s level and safety was always a priority. All dive sites were given a specific description, Philippe and Kevin, our dive instructors were always trying to ensure us the most enjoyable dives by trying to bring us to the right places on the right times. We all were really happy about the cruise and saw everything we expected to see underwater. On top of that, the boat cruise is also really friendly and doing an amazing job. We had laughs, we had fun, we had excitation and we had stars in our eyes, what else could you expect ? I would do it again and again.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jia Lin Foo

Review Date: 17 May 2023

Review Body: I've always wanted to dive but also have always been scared haha. But since I was already in Komodo (which I learnt is one of the best places to dive), I decided to give it a try and do a discovery dive. It was one of the best things I did in Komodo (aside from the Komodo Islands Boat Trip) and now I wanna take my open water cert! Shoutout to our instructor Kit who was so great! We were definitely scared but he took great care of us and constantly reassured us at every step of the way. Our dive day was absolutely amazing and we went to three dive sites that were very beginner friendly — Sebayur Kecil, Mawan and Tatawar Besar. We saw 5 turtles, mantas, blacktip reef sharks, so many colourful and whacky fish. We actually only paid for the first two dives but we loved it so much that we decided to do the third dive and paid on the spot! Komodo is such a beautiful place to dive and if you don't know how to dive, I would definitely recommend doing this discovery dive with Dragon Dive! They also care a lot about the marine environment in Komodo which is really nice.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Michi T

Review Date: 23 Jan 2019

Review Body: Did a 5 day liveaboard which was great fun! Things to note: - Unless you are in the suite, the cabins are on the first level, above the engine room which means it gets pretty hot. - The aircon will turn off when the engine goes off at night - again really hot. We ended up sleeping on the day bed outside 3 of the 4 nights. This was amazing though and 100% worth it. We woke up with the sunrise and dolphins jumping around the boat one morning. - I'm vegan - the food was average - The dive sites can be challenging (I had about 20 dives when I went). There were quite a few currents. As someone who has never done drift diving before it was a bit freaky at first but really fun after you get used to it - The wildlife and corals are amazing! We saw manta rays, sharks, turtles, a sea snake etc etc - We did spend quite a bit of time quite deep. Our guide seemed to like the smaller stuff down further whereas I would have been happy closer to the surface where the coral beds were. 100% would recommend.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: JosieFK, UK

Review Date: 08 Apr 2019

Review Body: I'm not a diver, and didn't have the time or funds to learn. But, I really wanted to see some of the marine life. Dragon dive allowed me to go out snorkeling with them, because it was low season. I had a really fantastic day. Most boat trips, they hand you a naf, slightly broken, mask and say off you go be back in 30 mins. Not Dragon Dive. They had excellent equipment, which included a wet suit. And we snorkeled right by the divers. A guide came with us, so we were safe in the currents, but also to direct us around a route and point out the marine life. We saw Manta Ray's, turtles, a shark, hundreds of jellys and lots of colourful fish. The boat was comfortable, with a great sundeck (always ask to see a photos of a boat before booking a boat trip with anyone) and the food provided was tasty and substantial. I was also made to feel very welcome as a snorkeler, previous dive companies have looked down on snorklers! This day out was one of the highlights of my 7 month trip.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: sebastian_ulb

Review Date: 14 Nov 2018

Review Body: I initially booked just 2 nights in this hostel, and ended up staying for 2 weeks!This place is perfect if you want it all: A great new hostel which is clean and stylish, with wonderful friendly and always helpful staff, a big pool area witha bar and a pizza place with backpacker-firendly prices and of course a well-managed professional diving school.I felt directly at home the moment I arrived and can truly say that a lot of new friendships are the result of my time I spent at Dragon Dive. What I loved most is that you come back from a great day of diving and stay together with your new diving buddies, have a beer and chill at the pool bar. All the facilities are top notch since this place is pretty new. Their dive instructors are professionals with many years of experience so I felt always in good hands. I already recommended this place many times to my friends and they were not disappointed.And I will be back next year too! :)

Review rating: 5

Review Author: DavidA3904

Review Date: 21 Mar 2019

Review Body: I chose a 5D/4N package including hostel and the least I can say is that I wasn't disappointed. There was a little issue/misunderstanding with the price since they have changed but a discussion with the manager solved it all. Diving: Despite the currents that are part of diving in Komodo, I always felt safe. Thanks to great guides - Guillaume & Kévin- which are also very good guys. They brought the group (max 4 divers, which is perfect) always in the right places giving good recommendations so that the dive goes well. The boat is also cool. There is comfy mattresses on the upper deck to get some rest after the dives. Hostel: clean and functional. The swimming pool is nice and there is a bar selling beers and music all day long. You can also play beer pong on Thursday evening, which was pretty fun despite we got our ass kicked. In summary, I definitely recommend this dive centre. David

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Shoham B

Review Date: 06 Sep 2018

Review Body: I booked 4D/3N liveaboard with Dragon Dive based on a excellent recommendation from a friend. And that recommendation was indeed excellent! Nicolas and Paul, the two dive instructors, who guided us under water and above were very nice, patient, knowledgeable and experienced. Spoke perfect fluent English. Our group of divers was exceptionally nice - very good vibes and lots of fun. I slept in the 4 bed dorm - clean, comfortable, has USB sockets, AC and shower/toilets inside. I slept very good. Besides, the boat was clean and tidy at all times. The diving was even beyond my expectations, also thanks to Nico and Paul. The equipment was in very good condition as well. Pricing was also one of (if not) the cheapest I found, most certainly between the 5-star Tripadvisor recommended Dive centers. All in all - I really recommend Dragon Dive. Had an amazing experience. Thank you!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Paolonthebeach, France

Review Date: 15 Aug 2018

Review Body: I came to Labuan Bajo because of the famous Komodo National Parc and it’s awesome diving and I choose to dive with Dragon. I was warmly welcome by the staff, I tried the brand new equipment the day before diving and as the weather conditions were good, the plan was to do 3 dives in Central Komodo. Meeting at 7 am with all the divers, go onto the boat and I started my day trip surrounded by smiles everywhere. Manu my Instructor made me really comfortable as he knows the area as his pocket, the briefing was professional, the diving was great as we did 3 dives and I felt super safe as I’m only Open Water Diver, the crew was helpin a lot on board and the food was good. I was supposed to dive 1 day, I did 3 instead !!! 5* Diving Center I highly recommend Thanks for the experience and see you soon for more funny adventures.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: hayleyjean2018, Australia

Review Date: 07 Jan 2019

Review Body: Dragon Dive was an outstanding dive centre to dive with! All their gear is new and in fantastic condition, the crew are extremely friendly, professional and ensure safety is priority. We did a 1 day 3 dive trip, their boat is very comfortable, spacious and lunch was delicious. We dived Siaba Basar (awesome for macro life and turtles.) Manta Point - my all time favourite dive (WE SAW 50+ MANTAS, IT WAS AMAZING !) and Batu Balong (Great for the big stuff, macro life and all the beautiful coloured reef and coral.) We definitely made the right choice diving with Dragon Dive and will be returning to do a liveaboard in the near future. A huge thank you to Helen for making our experience more enjoyable with all your knowledge and hilarious jokes, and a shout out too all dragon dive staff you guys all make a great team.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: yorickc812

Review Date: 13 Aug 2019

Review Body: We did a 4d3n cruise with dragon dive which was really awesome! Our instructor Simon was perfect throughout the dives and helpful onboard. Boat was nice and food was really really yummy. The dive sites and organisation was also perfect. We only wished for clearer online communication during booking regarding the total price (park, ranger, torch, computer, tips, conversion from €, hostel). But nevertheless their pricing is similar to any other dive shops around so no real problem here. Managers had a great attitude and were open minded to feedback. Yes we totally recommend dragon dive komodo! You should just not be a beginner and/or a diver with no experience with current. The diving is just amazing, we will keep such good memories of the beautiful sites. Water was around 26-27°C. Vis was 20-25m+

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Francois B, France

Review Date: 10 Aug 2018

Review Body: My husband, myself and our 14 year old son spent 1 week on a liveaboard boat plus a couple of individual days with the same team. We had an amazing time. William, Alice, Nicolas, Kevin, Paul and Lou are highly professional, caring and great fun and thanks to them we had a wonderful time. They know where to find the interesting sea creatures all the while maintaining secure conditions. The food on the liveaboard itself during 7 days was delicious and copious. We highly recommend them and we will definitely dive with them again. Plus their centre in town has a great wood fired pizza place with a bar and a huge mango tree - needless to say after a long day diving the fun atmosphere continues. Everyone regardless of age is made to feel really welcome. THANK YOU

Review rating: 5

Review Author: AgataFirczyk

Review Date: 18 Jun 2018

Review Body: I did 3d/2n liveaboard with Dragon Dive Komodo and highly recommend this dive center. The boat was comfortable and clean, the food good and crew super friendly and caring. I dived with Instructors Nico and Kevin, they are skilled, proffessional, friendly and fun. What is the most important to me is that we did all the best dive sites and the Instructors made sure we go at the right timing to get the best experience (considering the conditions and avoiding other diving groups). Regardles that Nicko and Kevin were on the boat for a week already, they decided to wait for 3 extra hours on our last dive just to make sure we have the right current to have fun in the shot gun (Couldron dive site). Divers were grouped by experience and the dives were long.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: j4ke_ooi, Singapore

Review Date: 30 May 2019

Review Body: Dive spots are 5-star, and Dragon Dive has good knowledge of the sites and what to expect. We were very lucky at the dive sites we went to, the condition of the sites and marine life were superb. Also Ben is an absolute lifesaver and excellent dive guide. Safety is emphasized by the dive guides and taken very seriously. Unfortunately the compressor was broken and there was no air-conditioning in the dorms, but you could sleep on the deck with stars and unlimited wind. The generator turns off at 10pm as well so you had to get your charge for devices in before that. Despite the small hiccups, it was not a big problem and we all had a good time diving with Dragon Dive. Reliable boat crew, excellent dive guides and fabulous dive sites.

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Island adventure with stunning views

Itinerary Description: Experience the ultimate Komodo adventure aboard the Mushu Speed Boat, the fastest private charter boat accommodating a maximum of 8 passengers. Enjoy a unique lunch experience on Komodo Island and beat the crowds with an early arrival at Padar Island, all while being catered to by our attentive crew for a fun and hassle-free day. This experience takes your Komodo day trip to the next level with awesome perks that make it stand out from the rest. Imagine savoring a tasty lunch on Komodo Island itself – a truly unique experience. Plus, beat the rush to Padar Island for picture-perfect moments without a ton of other tourists. Why Choose Mushu Speed Boat from Dragon Dive Komodo: Lunch on Komodo Island: Indulge in a unique dining experience. Early Arrival at Padar Island: Beat the crowds for stunning views. Friendly Crew: Committed to making your day fun and hassle-free. Your Epic Day Includes: Snorkeling at hotspots to swim with mantas, turtles, and all their fishy friends. Up-close encounters with the incredible Komodo Dragons, safely guided, of course! Transfers and lunch are covered, so you can focus on enjoying your day. Please Note Before Booking: Drivers will wait a maximum of 10 minutes from the pickup time at Dragon Dive Komodo Dive resort in Labuan Bajo City Center. Tour schedule and destinations may vary depending on weather/sea conditions and harbor restrictions.