Komodo · Month comparison
January vs May
May ranks #1 overall vs January at #11. Excellent conditions across the board — manta rays, dragons and world-class diving all on offer
January
#11 of 12 months
Worth considering
Wet season in the Flores Sea — boat trips possible but sea conditions more unpredictable
- ↑Fewer visitors; liveaboard and local boat operators offer better rates
- ↑Komodo dragons still active and viewable on both Komodo and Rinca islands
May
#1 of 12 months
Best match
Excellent conditions across the board — manta rays, dragons and world-class diving all on offer
- ↑Manta ray season in full swing at Manta Point and Cauldron dive sites
- ↑Crystal visibility (25-30m) at top dive sites; Batu Bolong a technicolour reef wall
| Factor | January | May |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 4 | 9 |
| Value score | 8 | 6 |
| Crowd score | 3 | 6 |
| Events score | 3 | 6 |
| Atmosphere | 5 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 32°C | 33°C |
| Monthly rain | 172mm | 28mm |
| Daily sunshine | 6.5hrs | 9.5hrs |
January trade-offs
- ↓Swell and chop on the Flores Sea makes some crossings uncomfortable
- ↓Snorkelling and diving visibility can be reduced by plankton blooms in wet season
May trade-offs
- ↓Season well underway; book liveaboards minimum 2 months in advance
- ↓Labuan Bajo increasingly busy; accommodation in the town at moderate-season prices
Scores compare months within Komodo. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →