Langkoi Rock

Overview

Langkoi Rock, which Wannadive.net also lists as TNC Rock, is a submerged pinnacle south-east of Langkoi Island in the south of Komodo National Park. Starfish.ch describes a remote open-sea pinnacle south of Komodo with its top at about 5 metres and a second, smaller pinnacle rising to about 28 metres to the south. Komodo Resort, which also uses the name TNC Rock, says the site lies off Langkoi Island and is open to the Indian Ocean.

The dive

Wannadive.net says the rock drops rapidly into very deep water and recommends jumping in up-current of the pinnacle, descending straight down and holding on to the wall to watch the fish. It notes that the pinnacle is not marked on most charts and can be hard to find on calm days, and recommends a GPS position. The same listing reports grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, hammerheads and bronze whalers gathering around the site from July to September, as well as pelagic fish and resident potato cod at the southern point in 30 metres of water.

Komodo Resort describes a current-scoured pinnacle with stunted corals, and gives the same July to September window for grey reef sharks, whitetips and occasional hammerheads and bronze whalers. Starfish.ch reports trevallies, tunas and rays, says hammerhead sharks have been seen, and compares the site to Castle Rock but with colder water. Dragon Dive Komodo describes an exposed pinnacle with a July to September chance of hammerheads.

Conditions and level

Wannadive.net describes the site as very exposed to current and sometimes to big surge and says it should not be attempted by inexperienced divers, and Starfish.ch reports lots of current, swells and down currents. Dragon Dive Komodo describes strong currents and rates it for experts only, and Komodo Resort lists it for advanced divers. Komodo Resort says the site is suitable only for expeditions because of its exposure to current and surge, needs careful planning around tides and swell forecasts, and is usually dived from liveaboards in calm weather rather than from day boats. The Wannadive.net listing records boat access with a long boat ride, medium current, visibility of more than 30 metres, an average depth of 25 metres and a maximum of 45 metres, a Rescue Diver experience level, and depth, current and dangerous species as dangers. Komodo Resort describes South Komodo's water more generally as cooler, at 22 to 26 °C, with visibility of 10 to 20 metres.