Diving Komodo and Alor in 2023... (4K)

Full trip report from an epic two week itinerary through East Nusa Tenggara: 10 days of diving on the KM Blue Manta from Komodo to Alor, and another 4 days of land based diving with Nautika Dive Alor. Big schools, pristine reefs, mantas and a some mind blowing muck diving. This itinerary had it all!
Find me on Instagram @kabirteja
For licensing or expedition inquiries: divehardcreative@gmail.com
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:37 On the KM Blue Manta
1:50 UW Cinematic: Diving Komodo National Park
4:35 Komodo recap
6:16 Travel Sequence: Crossing to Alor
7:26 Stuck in the Pantar/Alor straight!
7:50 UW Cinematic: Muck Diving in Alor
9:32 Intro to Alor / Nauitka
10:45 UW Cinematic: The Reefs of Alor
15:05 Trip debrief / discussion

Пікірлер: 99

  • @user-hu4wj7jz8b
    @user-hu4wj7jz8b2 ай бұрын

    Only those who have attempted to make underwater videos know how hard and expensive it is to acquire these amazing footage.

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    Ай бұрын

    😂 yes! And only tiny % of the viewers will ever appreciate that. But glad that you do 🙏🏽🤙🏽

  • @danielwilson3671

    @danielwilson3671

    25 күн бұрын

    Even harder as a free diver! :)

  • @svbelisi7639
    @svbelisi76395 күн бұрын

    Another wonderful video. Thank you 💙

  • @DaleCornelsen
    @DaleCornelsenАй бұрын

    Beautiful Cinematography!

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    18 күн бұрын

    Thank you! 🤙🏽🙏🏽

  • @samitd5439
    @samitd54393 ай бұрын

    Crazy how this channel has only 2.3K subs. Genuinely, no lying, the best diving videos on the internet. Keep it up, and I’m glad I’m one of the early ones to this channel!!

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    3 ай бұрын

    🙏🏽 🙏🏽 🙏🏽 I don’t know how the algorithm works or how big the audience for dive videos is, but I absolutely love making and sharing them. Always super grateful when they are appreciated. Thank you and Dive Hard! 🤙🏽

  • @cactusarray

    @cactusarray

    2 ай бұрын

    I’m subscribing right now, don’t worry!

  • @justinlagace3656
    @justinlagace36567 ай бұрын

    Awesome stuff as usual. I love the footage and your commentary. The color grading really stands out too, makes the rest of us feel like the amateurs we are! Epic and inspiring stuff.

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you! and for noticing the color grading, it is of course a massive pain in the ass 😂 really appreciate the support. Dive Hard! 🙏🏽🤙🏽

  • @user-xq3yq9zg5s
    @user-xq3yq9zg5s7 ай бұрын

    I was on that trip! Can confirm the Blue Manta and Nautika Dive Alor are both awesome. Wonderful video, got to relive some of my favorite moments from the trip 😀

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    Yea you were! Pleasure meeting and diving with you guys. Keep in touch and maybe we will dive again one day. 🙏🏽 🤙🏽

  • @brams-dive-channel
    @brams-dive-channel7 ай бұрын

    Amazing footage, edditing and story telling!

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you thank you!! 🙏🏽 🙏🏽 🙏🏽

  • @980Pioneer
    @980Pioneer8 ай бұрын

    You guys make some of the best diving videos i have seen on KZread! Cheers from GER 🖖

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    8 ай бұрын

    Thank you for that! 🙏🏽 🙏🏽 🙏🏽 it’s what we are striving to do 🙃 Cheers 🤙🏽

  • @denismoore1857
    @denismoore18574 ай бұрын

    Nobody is doing dive videos better... Great stuff!

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    4 ай бұрын

    Thank you for that!! 🙏🏽 🙏🏽 🙏🏽 🤙🏽

  • @AquaticRod
    @AquaticRod7 ай бұрын

    So much envy!!!!!! This is spectacular, and definitely in the bucket list. I can't believe how you seem to spend more time in Indonesia than those of us who are based in Southeast Asia. Gotta go dive, gotta go dive aghhhh!

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you!! 🙏🏽 despite having to fly 30-40 hours each way, there is something about Indonesia that I can’t resist! As I’m sure you understand. You have no excuse, go diving!! 😂

  • @AquaticRod

    @AquaticRod

    7 ай бұрын

    @@DiveHardI have a good excuse, I have to actually do some work in order to pay for all the diving! 😅

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    @@AquaticRod amen to that 😂 work hard dive hard 🤙🏽

  • @CR014
    @CR0148 ай бұрын

    YESSSS! So happy to see a new video --- these keep me sane between my dive trips 😁 as always incredible video!

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    8 ай бұрын

    Thank you 🙏🏽 🙏🏽 🙏🏽 for always tuning in!! You’re a loyal dive hard! I hope the next one is soon and somewhere 🤙🏽

  • @Jerby_Diving
    @Jerby_Diving8 ай бұрын

    Awesome video! I love all of the shots of the big, mature Blacktip reef sharks!

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you! 🙏🏽 It was so nice to see sharks in this part of the world, and especially in an unprotected marine area 🙌🏽

  • @user-ru6bp2kk7r
    @user-ru6bp2kk7r7 ай бұрын

    Love, love, love it!! What an amazing piece of the planet. Watching this has made my heart sing. Great job Kabir, I don’t even have to look at my pics now 😂

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you Margie! 🙏🏽 Super good to meet and dive with you. I hope we dive again, I will let you know when I am down under! 🤙🏽

  • @dannyballet2779
    @dannyballet27797 ай бұрын

    Alor is on my radar for some years already. Your video helps me to prioritize this awesome destination. Great underwater footage and I liked also your message about the local communities.

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you! 🙏🏽 🙏🏽 it’s definitely worth prioritizing / putting up with the travel. Really a special place

  • @mattcherry3762
    @mattcherry37624 ай бұрын

    so glad this landed on my recommended. Subscribed. The level of production is insane this deserves a million views!

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    4 ай бұрын

    Thank you for that! 🙏🏽 🙏🏽 🙏🏽 a lot of love and effort goes in so always happy to learn when they are appreciated. Dive Hard! 🤙🏽

  • @ratnalama8627
    @ratnalama8627Ай бұрын

    The nature has uncountable faces.

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    18 күн бұрын

    Agreed! 🤙🏽🙏🏽

  • @aha200971
    @aha2009718 ай бұрын

    Great video! @11:27 there goes the spool and SMB 🙂

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you! 🙏🏽 and yes that is 100% what happened. Immediate dive bomb right after this shot to recover it 😂

  • @wagiman_
    @wagiman_7 ай бұрын

    Thank you for putting out these inspiring videos, that absolutely look amazing.

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you for watching and appreciating them! 🙏🏽 🙏🏽 and for commenting 🙂

  • @valentinaskarpena5647
    @valentinaskarpena56477 ай бұрын

    Good video!!! Interesting information. Amazing dive sites. 👍👍👍👍👌👌👌❤

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you! 🙏🏽 🙏🏽 🙏🏽 amazing dive sites indeed 🤙🏽

  • @GeoPaulTV
    @GeoPaulTV7 ай бұрын

    Was in komodo earlier in may but didn't consider alor. Thanks for adding something to the wishlist. Sad to hear the currents were low. I had an amazing dive at the shotgun.

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    That’s awesome - I have great memories of shotgun from my previous trips to Komodo. Nothing quite like that site with a ripping current. Glad Alor is now on the list - a good reason to go back! Cheers 🤙🏽

  • @jackyp10
    @jackyp102 ай бұрын

    Went to Alor in 2017, at the time I was the only freediver on the dive boat…that place actually convinced me to start scuba diving! But castle rock, crystal rock and batu bolong hold a very special place in my heart and in my memories

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    2 ай бұрын

    That's awesome! Not an easy place to freedive with the currents etc. but must have been a cool experience to dive like the locals. And those Komodo dive sites also hold a special place in my heart as well. I have a feeling that's the case for a few other divers too🙃 Indonesia is magic! 🙏🏽🤙🏽

  • @ranlobo28
    @ranlobo287 ай бұрын

    Great video, as always 😀

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you Randall! 🙏🏽 Hope all is well and that you’re still diving hard 🤙🏽

  • @CheahHup
    @CheahHup8 ай бұрын

    Beautiful!

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    8 ай бұрын

    Thank you!!! 🙏🏽

  • @avagner1
    @avagner18 ай бұрын

    Incredible!

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    8 ай бұрын

    Tank u!! 💙🤙🏽

  • @MrOhUW
    @MrOhUW5 ай бұрын

    wow amazing It's an impressive video. It's the best underwater video I've ever seen. I also taking underwater videos and it's so cool

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    4 ай бұрын

    Thank you!! 🙏🏽 That’s a very generous statement. Underwater video making is the best - not always easy and lots of work, but so rewarding. Keep up the great work! 🤙🏽

  • @JBGoing
    @JBGoing3 ай бұрын

    thank u good film

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    3 ай бұрын

    Thank you! 🙏🏽 🤙🏽

  • @camilomerizalde3981
    @camilomerizalde39817 ай бұрын

    Your channel dude, been a fan for a while, wanna be like you someday. Thanks for sharing!

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you for the support! 🙏🏽 keep at it and always dive hard! 🤙🏽

  • @jadpratt
    @jadpratt7 ай бұрын

    Subscribed! I free-dive mostly in the Caribbean. Would love to get out to Indonesia. Love the high quality production. Keep it up!

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you! 🙏🏽 Caribbean is also great, it’s where I’m actually based out of these days (cayman) but for me Indonesia is next level. Also a great freedive destination. Hope you make it out there eventually! Cheers 🤙🏽

  • @rifkirafsanjani2333

    @rifkirafsanjani2333

    6 ай бұрын

    ​@@DiveHardYes, that's right and as far as I know, Indonesia is the country with the largest coral reefs in the world, up to 17% of the world's total coral reefs, so Indonesia is indeed at a different level.

  • @jochensommer308
    @jochensommer3085 ай бұрын

    Very good Video! Stay Safe, Jochen

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    5 ай бұрын

    Thank you Jochen!! 🙏🏽🤙🏽

  • @Xochilicious
    @Xochilicious7 ай бұрын

    Love my appearance minute 10 🖤🖤🖤

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    Yessss it was a very important few seconds to include. Hope that the rest of your time in Alor (and Indonesia?) was awesome. Keep in touch! Cheers 🤙🏽

  • @cleanlife1305
    @cleanlife13055 ай бұрын

    Top-tier video. The music is great too, especially chapter 3. I had to find the artist so I could add it to my running playlist !

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    5 ай бұрын

    Thank you! 🙏🏽 finding and selecting music takes forever so I’m glad it’s living on in your running playlist 🤙🏽

  • @DiversLens
    @DiversLens6 ай бұрын

    Beautiful movie! Very well done. Great footage, great commentary and music! What is your main underwater camera?

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    6 ай бұрын

    Thank you! 🙏🏽 I’m currently sporting a canon R5 which has been a good UW companion. Super sharp 4k and nice colors

  • @tomsewell2462
    @tomsewell24626 ай бұрын

    In '19 my Filipina 21 year old beauty queen type gf and I rode from Bali-Lombok-Komodo (incredible diving), and around Flores. I cant wait to return to dive Banda, moto Ceram, and dive Triton and Misool. Indonesia Rocks! (Also rode length of Sumatra and around most of Borneo and Sulawesi diving too.)

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    6 ай бұрын

    I agree! Indonesia is awesome so for many reasons. Seeing it by moto + ferry is probably one the best ways to see it. And all those dive locations are 👌🏽

  • @atom6_
    @atom6_Ай бұрын

    Djeez those reefs at Alor look kind of absurd, just to think that 50 years ago most of the reefs must have/should have been like that. I guess not much can beat these trips (well the financial side of it can, I guess :'))

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    18 күн бұрын

    I can only imagine what other places looked like 50 years ago. And then I wonder what these places looked like 50 years ago - I’m sure it was 🤯. I live for these trips and basically structured my entire life around them. Dive Hard! 🤙🏽🙏🏽

  • @farbeyonddriven8173
    @farbeyonddriven81733 күн бұрын

    Could you please expound on what you mean by "experienced diver"? And in what regard you you say so? Is it mostly dealing with currents? My wife and I have around 100 divers each made up of shore, boat, night, deep(75-100) but are by no means matters of the craft. Going to get an advanced cert next month. Please explain. THX

  • @marvinhotger2844
    @marvinhotger28443 ай бұрын

    what camera equipment do you use? Great vid :)

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    3 ай бұрын

    Thank you! 🙏🏽 I’m currently shooting a canon r5 with nauticam housing, mavic air 2s and a c70 topside. Cheers

  • @oneworld3719
    @oneworld37197 ай бұрын

    which month did you dive in Alor? Awesome films and information, Thank you.

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you! 🙏🏽 I was in Alor at the beginning of September 2023. It seems like a great time to go, but I think May - November and is generally considered a good time (more current later in the season). Cheers! 🤙🏽

  • @mattthompson8329
    @mattthompson83297 ай бұрын

    That melibe nudi is also fairly common in Lembe as well as Anilao. The strawberry nudis found in Komodo are more unique...

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    I didn’t see any of these in lembeh, but I did see the skeleton-like melibe colemani in Anilao. I also saw a few strawberry nudis in Komodo, but didnt find them as interesting as this feeding melibe 🙃 I’m really more of a Gobi / Blenny guy

  • @mattthompson8329

    @mattthompson8329

    7 ай бұрын

    @@DiveHard On 3 trips to Lembeh we've seen this nudi each time (several on at least one dive). The colemani is the "holy grail" of nuds. I've only found one, in Romblon.

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    @@mattthompson8329 never been to Romblon, but I hear it’s got fantastic macro as well. Cheers 🤙🏽

  • @CritterHunter
    @CritterHunterАй бұрын

    Do you mind sharing what camera youre using?

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    Ай бұрын

    Currently it’s an a7s3 and r5 for underwater and topside. Sola 2100 for lighting. Mostly with the 16-35 f4 uw but sometimes the 90mm macro

  • @FutureUnboxed
    @FutureUnboxedАй бұрын

    which camera have you used?

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    18 күн бұрын

    I use an a73, r5 and mavic 3 classic. Cheers

  • @tomsewell2462
    @tomsewell24626 ай бұрын

    One could probably use a moto-scooter to hop out to Alor.? Is there a dive outfit in Alor?

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    6 ай бұрын

    I’m not 100% certain, but I don’t see why that’s not possible. Ride across Flores, island hop via ferry when you have to (Pantar, etc.) and end up in Alor. There are a bunch of dive outfits along the Alor/Pantar straight on both sides. Nautika was on the Alor side

  • @tomsewell2462

    @tomsewell2462

    6 ай бұрын

    iv done it but stopped at east end of flores. i also rode all sumatra, awful java, all sulawesi and almost all around borneo too. diving every cool place en route

  • @eugenelee1250
    @eugenelee12504 ай бұрын

    Is Alor better than Raja Ampat? I've heard some divers said that Raja Ampat is warming up to 29-30 degree Celsius nowadays, and able to see some bleached corals but still have healthy corals. On the other hand, Alor has more healthy corals and overwhelming reefs, and water is still cold. What do you think ?

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    4 ай бұрын

    ‘Better’ is always a tough one. I think the corals themselves are on balance more impressive in Raja, but the visibility is not nearly as good (or reliable) as Alor. And so in some ways the coral gardens in Alor are (on average) better for image makers. But there aren’t as many big fish / schools either. So it’s super hard to compare - they both have attributes that make them world class. Certainly fewer divers in Alor. I was just in Raja last week and the viz wasn’t great, but there was a ton of fish and action. I’ve also been there when the viz was amazing, but with less action. This time there was some bleaching but nothing crazy - there’s a lot of flow so even after 3x La Niña the corals seem pretty resilient. Hope that it remains this way

  • @eugenelee1250

    @eugenelee1250

    4 ай бұрын

    @@DiveHard I appreciate your reply ! I have a upcoming Liveaboard in Misool this April, I can’t wait !! Keep up with the great video 👍👍

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    4 ай бұрын

    @@eugenelee1250 that’s awesome, I know the viz specifically in misool is best in March/April so seems like good timing. Regardless it’s going to be amazing, enjoy!

  • @MikeVeitch
    @MikeVeitch7 ай бұрын

    Maybe I am getting old but I prefer Shotgun when the current is low! :)

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    7 ай бұрын

    I bet it’s also a great dive with a mild to medium current. But we had close to zero, and we dropped quite far from the channel so it felt like a marathon. Exhausting! Especially with all that anticipation. Last time I did with Luca and we were flying. So much fun

  • @AquaticRod

    @AquaticRod

    7 ай бұрын

    Yes, you have the most gorgeous eel gardens there, that could be missed in the excitement of the current!

  • @dripphoenix80
    @dripphoenix802 ай бұрын

    Ran into Blue Manta divers on a recent trip to Raja... super rude and chaotic divers

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    Ай бұрын

    That can definitely happen on Blue Manta (or any liveaboard for that matter). Chartering a boat with folks you know / have dived before is the only way to reliably avoid that situation. But in crowded destinations like Raja you can still have that experience which sucks ☹️

  • @aitaisakura4281
    @aitaisakura42812 ай бұрын

    Indonesia has the best diving spots in the world. But too bad scuba diving tourism is not for everyone.

  • @DiveHard

    @DiveHard

    2 ай бұрын

    I agree. It is probably by far my favorite country of in terms of the diving. And many other things as well! 🙏🏽🤙🏽