Komodo · Month comparison
September vs May
May ranks #1 overall vs September at #6. Excellent conditions across the board — manta rays, dragons and world-class diving all on offer
September
#6 of 12 months
Best match
Shoulder season gold — excellent conditions, fewer visitors and improving value
- ↑Very good dive conditions still; manta rays and reef fish abundant
- ↑Visitation dropping from July/August peak; boat trips less crowded
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 | September | May |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 8 | 9 |
| Value score | 6 | 6 |
| Crowd score | 6 | 6 |
| Events score | 5 | 6 |
| Atmosphere | 8 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 32°C | 33°C |
| Monthly rain | 15mm | 28mm |
| Daily sunshine | 10hrs | 9.5hrs |
September trade-offs
- ↓Dry season ending; first clouds starting to build toward end of September
- ↓Some liveaboard routes shortened as operators begin seasonal maintenance
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 →