Diving Komodo 8 Years Later... Has it Been Ruined Now? (We Didn't Expect This!)

Is diving Komodo still worth it in 2026? After 8 years, we returned to Komodo National Park in Indonesia to see how much has changed — both above and below the surface. With rising tourism, new visitor limits, and global concerns around reef health, we wanted to find out if Komodo has been loved to death… or if something surprising is happening beneath the waves. From powerful drift dives and manta ray encounters to the transformation of Labuan Bajo, this trip revealed a side of Komodo that nobody is talking about. — 🎥 Watch next: 👉 Liveaboard vs Land-Based in Komodo: https://youtu.be/e2GAwGpmu2U?si=CCchIpaNfh7ChU1W 👉 Liveaboard vs Land-Based in Raja Ampat: https://youtu.be/EYvLUSlQryI?si=GQdt8nNbxRjFzs7r 🌊 Our Raja Ampat Series: 👉 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL57efFcPIEJcbRIH7vlQDVeltMVZfIkP9&si=uL5zpUZO52JBquDt — 📍 Locations featured: Komodo National Park, Indonesia Labuan Bajo Siaba Kecil, Tatawa Besar, Batu Bolong, Mawan, Police Corner — 🤿 Planning your own Komodo diving trip? In this video we cover: * What Komodo is like in 2026 * Best dive sites in Komodo National Park * Reef health and marine life changes * How tourism is impacting Komodo * Whether Komodo is still worth visiting — 🐠 Subscribe for weekly dive stories: https://www.youtube.com/@Aaron.and.Cassie?sub_confirmation=1 🎒 FREE Dive Travel Resources: 👉https://aaronandcassie.com/free-scuba-diving-travel-guides/ 📱 Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaron.and.cassie TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aaron.and.cassie 📩 Get our best travel & dive tips: https://aaron-and-cassie.kit.com/sign-up ☕ Support our channel: https://buymeacoffee.com/aaron.and.cassie 🔗 Travel & Gear Links Travel Insurance (Nomads & Expats): https://safetywing.com/ambassador/refer/26235483 Dive Insurance - DAN Worldwide: https://www.daneurope.org/en/buy-dive-insurance#!/partnerCode=729130 — #Komodo #KomodoDiving #IndonesiaTravel #ScubaDiving #KomodoNationalPark #LabuanBajo komodo diving 2026 diving komodo national park labuan bajo diving komodo worth it indonesia scuba diving komodo travel guide komodo manta rays best diving indonesia 📩 Get our best travel & dive tips: https://aaron-and-cassie.kit.com/sign-up ☕ Support our channel: https://buymeacoffee.com/aaron.and.cassie 🎥 Our Camera Gear: Panasonic G9 II | GoPro Hero 13 | DJI Mini 4 Pro | DJI Mic Mini | PGYTech 00:00 Is Komodo Worth It? 00:16 First Dive Back (Siaba Kecil Drift Dive) 00:33 Manta Rays Welcome Us Back 01:16 Labuan Bajo Transformation (Then vs Now) 01:40 Komodo Visitor Limits & Entry System (2026) 02:12 Getting into Komodo National Park 02:50 Tatawa Besar Shocked Us 03:33 Batu Bolong – Is It Still World Class? 05:33 Coral Health 8 Years Later 06:16 Diving + Komodo Dragons in One Day 06:34 Sebayur - Warning Signs Beneath the Surface 07:24 Manta Ray Encounters (Mawan) 08:51 Rinca's Ranger - How To Find The Dragons 09:45 Spotting Our First Komodo Dragon 10:06 Amongst the Komodo Dragons - Rinca Trek 11:28 Labuan Bajo Town - Mind The Gap 12:05 Best Place To Eat in Labuan Bajo 12:55 Siaba Besar Turtles – Reef Health Surprise 14:13 Police Corner – Most Dangerous Dive? 15:03 Coral Health Changes in 8 Years - Our Thoughts 16:24 Tatawa Kecil – Wildest Drift Dive 18:28 Day Trip Diving in Komodo - Fastest Option 19:14 Best Coffee in Labuan Bajo 19:46 8 Years Later - What's Changed? 21:00 Coral Health Report - Bleaching & Disease? 21:46 Final Verdict - Is Diving Komodo Still Worth it in 2026? Join us on a breathtaking journey through a tropical marine environment, where we explore vibrant coral reefs teeming with diverse marine life. This video highlights the beauty of the ocean as we go scuba diving, offering a glimpse into the underwater world and promoting coral reef education. 🐠🌊