KOMODO
NATIONAL PARK
World Heritage Site
Man & Biosphere Reserve
“Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritages are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration…World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world…” UNESCO
Phinisi
The Phinisi is a traditional Indonesian two masted sailing ship. The Konjo of South Sulawesi, Mandar of West Sulawesi, Bugis of Wajo, and Makassarese of Makassar have been building them for about 500 years. The motorized Phinisi, known as Kapal Layar Mesin (KLM), literally translated as "Boat-Sail-Machine”, was introduced in the mid-70’s.
The MV Blue Dragon is a motorized Phinisi built in Makassar and completed in end-2008.
Dragons & Currents
The rugged scenery of Komodo National Park, which includes hilly islands, rocky capes, sandy beaches and volcanic cliffs, is both beautiful and mysterious like a lost world. Adding to the wild atmosphere is the famous Komodo dragon (Varanus Komodoensis), which is the world’s largest lizard.
Ocean currents are like the Earth’s blood vessels. Sitting astride an important ocean current called the Indonesian Throughflow that flows between the warmer Pacific and colder Indian Ocean, the park features a tropical marine habitat in the North (Pacific Ocean side) and temperate habitat in the South (Indian Ocean side).
Warm & Cold
with Tumble
Due to the meeting of the 2 oceans, the water temperature can vary between 18°C to 30°C (ave 26°C to 28°C) and visibility from 30m in the North, to 3m green nutrient-rich water in the South.
The currents around Komodo National Park range from calm 0.5 knot to the furious 7 knots. While the tidal currents can be predicted, contributors to the unpredictable currents are the Indonesian Throughflow, the sea level between the Indian and Pacific Ocean, and the deep sea fluctuation. Good knowledge of the sites and use of the tide tables is essential for safe diving.
- Please contact bfecho@blueforest.com.sg for Leisure, Diving and Chartered Cruises -