Flores: Riung 17 Islands (Tujuh Belas) Dive Site – Flores Island

Site Overview

Riung 17 Islands (Tujuh Belas) is a marine park area on the north coast of Flores Island west of Maumere, comprising 17 small islands and islets surrounded by healthy reef systems in one of Flores's best-kept diving secrets. The diving spans multiple sites across the islands, offering coral slopes, walls, and bommies in a relatively pristine environment that sees significantly fewer divers than Komodo or Maumere Bay. Hawksbill turtles are exceptionally abundant across the Riung islands, with multiple individuals reliably seen on every dive. The reefs support diverse reef fish including schools of batfish, sweetlips, snapper, and fusiliers, while whitetip reef sharks patrol the deeper walls. The bommies host pygmy seahorses on the gorgonian fans, and Napoleon wrasse cruise between the formations. The channels between the islands create mild to moderate currents that deliver nutrients and attract schooling fish. The shallower sections at 2 to 10 meters feature diverse coral gardens with staghorn, plate, and brain corals, while the walls at 15 to 25 meters are covered in gorgonian sea fans, barrel sponges, and black coral trees. Riung is best dived from April through December and is accessible from the town of Riung by local boat in approximately 15 minutes. The 17 Islands area is typically explored over multiple dives or a full day trip, with different islands offering varied experiences. The pristine conditions and low diver traffic make Riung an excellent destination for divers seeking unspoiled reefs in an off-the-beaten-path Flores setting.