Dive Site: Tatawa Besar

About Tatawa Besar

Tatawa Besar, meaning 'big laugh' in Bahasa Indonesian, is a picturesque dive site located in the central area of Komodo National Park, northeast of Komodo Island. It stands out for its vibrant coral gardens, diverse marine life, and predominantly relaxed drift diving experiences, making it suitable for divers of all levels, including snorkelers in its shallow, clear sections. The site features a gently sloping coral reef that transitions into sandy patches and scattered bommies. Starting in the shallow top reef at 4-5 meters, the topography descends gradually to depths of 35-40 meters. Hard corals, expansive fields of table corals, soft corals, sponges, and sea fans dominate the underwater landscape, creating a rich and colorful environment. Tatawa Besar is celebrated for its rich marine biodiversity, being part of the Coral Triangle. Divers frequently encounter white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, often resting under table corals, along with majestic manta rays at cleaning stations, and eagle rays gliding in the deeper blue. The reef also teems with schools of fusiliers, red tooth triggerfish, anthias, snappers, butterflyfish, and emperor fish, alongside fascinating macro life such as octopus and frogfish. Dolphins are also occasionally sighted. Most dives here are drift dives, leveraging the consistent currents to explore the reef. While generally considered one of Komodo's more relaxed drift experiences, currents can intensify, offering a thrilling ride for experienced divers. The site is often dived on a falling tide, moving from the northwesterly tip in a southeasterly direction with the reef on the diver's right shoulder, allowing for extended bottom times and varied encounters.

Dive site facts: Tatawa Besar

Depth

5–40 m

Typical dive

12–25 m, 50–60 min

Current

Moderate to strong drift

Visibility

10–30 m

Water temperature

24–29°C

Entry

Live boat / Tender

Level

All levels, current experience beneficial

Dive type

Drift, coral gardens, pelagic, macro

Night dive

Not typical

Region / port

Central Komodo, Labuan Bajo

Coordinates

-8.522, 119.504

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Tatawa Besar are a defining feature, typically ranging from moderate to strong, making most dives here exhilarating drifts. The site is usually navigated on a falling tide, starting at the northwesterly tip and proceeding southeast along the reef. Divers should be prepared for potential up and down currents in certain areas due to the varied topography, which can be managed with proper body and fin positioning. While often described as a more relaxed drift compared to other Komodo sites, the speed can pick up, requiring divers to stay close to the reef and follow the guide's instructions. Visibility is generally excellent, enhancing the drift experience, but thermoclines are uncommon.

Marine life & sighting chances

Green turtle

common

Hawksbill turtle

common

White-tip reef shark

common

Black-tip reef shark

occasional

Manta ray

November–May · occasional

Eagle ray

occasional

Napoleon wrasse

common

Sweetlips

common

Anthias

common

Fusilier

common

Redtooth triggerfish

common

Octopus

occasional

Frogfish

occasional

Dolphin

rare

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Tatawa Besar typically begin with a live boat entry near the northwesterly tip of the island, aligning with a falling tide. Divers then drift in a southeasterly direction, keeping the sloping reef on their right shoulder. The initial descent leads to a shallow top reef around 4-5 meters, which then gently slopes down to 25 meters, where much of the action unfolds. Divers can explore extensive coral gardens, bommies, and occasional swim-throughs, paying attention to deeper overhangs for resting reef sharks. Mid-dive, the depth can vary as you follow the contour of the reef, keeping an eye out for turtles on ledges. The drift continues along the reef, with the turn point often dictated by the current strength and air consumption. Safety stops are conducted in the shallower, protected sections of the reef, often over the vibrant coral gardens, before surfacing for a tender pickup.

Underwater photography

Tatawa Besar offers fantastic opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography. For wide-angle shots, utilize the extensive soft coral gardens, schools of fusiliers and triggerfish, and the dramatic reef topography against clear blue water. A wide-angle lens will capture the scale of the coral fields and the occasional passing pelagics like manta rays or eagle rays. Consider using strobes to bring out the true colors of the soft corals and sponges, especially in deeper sections. For macro subjects, search among the sponges and coral branches for octopus, frogfish, and various nudibranchs and shrimp. Buoyancy control is paramount, especially during drift dives and when photographing delicate coral structures; avoid contact with the reef. When photographing turtles or mantas, maintain a respectful distance and avoid chasing them to ensure natural behavior and clear shots.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Tatawa Kecil

  A more exposed dive with stronger currents, offering different marine life and topography.

• Batu Bolong

  A world-renowned pinnacle with extreme current and dense fish life, requiring advanced skills.

• Manta Point (North)

  A popular site for frequent manta ray encounters, usually in shallower waters.

• Siaba Besar

  Known for calm conditions, excellent for macro life and green turtles.

• Sebayur Kecil

  A beginner-friendly reef with good coral health and diverse fish populations.

Getting there & logistics

Komodo National Park is typically accessed via Labuan Bajo (LBJ) airport, on the island of Flores, which has direct flights from Bali (DPS) and Jakarta (CGK). From Labuan Bajo, divers embark on liveaboards or day trips to reach Tatawa Besar. The site is approximately 35 minutes by boat from Sebayur Island, where some resorts are located. Trips typically range from single-day excursions to multi-day liveaboard itineraries that combine Tatawa Besar with other central, northern, and southern Komodo dive sites. All visitors to Komodo National Park must pay park entrance fees and diving fees, which are usually managed by your dive operator. It is often combined with visits to Komodo Island to see the Komodo dragons and stops at iconic locations like Pink Beach.

Safety & environment

Diving in Komodo's currents requires adherence to safety protocols. Always listen carefully to your dive guide's briefing, stay behind them, and maintain the same depth level, as currents can vary significantly at different depths. Stay close to both your guide and the reef, and follow all underwater instructions to safely navigate the drift. Maintain excellent buoyancy to avoid damaging the delicate coral and for efficient movement. The nearest recompression chamber is in Denpasar, Bali, necessitating a medical evacuation in case of a serious diving incident. Therefore, comprehensive dive insurance covering emergency medical treatment and evacuation is essential. Always dive within your certification limits and comfort level, and communicate any concerns to your guide, especially regarding current strength.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Tatawa Besar FAQ

Liveaboards diving Tatawa Besar

These liveaboards may visit Tatawa Besar on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Naga Biru

Indonesia

12 guests40 m

$273/day

Ecopro Duyung Baru

Indonesia

6 guests27 m

$361/day

Wellenreng

Indonesia

9 guests25 m

$427/day

Komodo Aggressor

Komodo, Indonesia

16 guests29 m

$312/day

Blue Manta

Indonesia

20 guests45 m

$482/day

Mari

Indonesia

14 guests32.2 m

$328/day

Situju7

Komodo, Indonesia

10 guests32.7 m

$362/day

Pindito

Indonesia

16 guests37.79 m

$533/day

Mermaid II

Komodo, Indonesia

18 guests

$391/day

Putri Naga

Komodo, Indonesia

6 guests25 m

Mikumba Dua

Indonesia

10 guests30 m

$335/day

Aliikai Voyage

Indonesia

15 guests40 m

$658/day