Pengah Kecil - Komodo

Pengah Kecil is a site we’ve returned to time and again in Komodo, and for good reason. It’s not about huge pelagics here, though you might get a passing reef shark. What we love is the sheer density of coral and the smaller, quieter critters tucked amongst it. Descend onto the reef and you’re immediately enveloped by the visual noise of stony corals – brain corals, branching staghorns, and big tables that stretch out for meters. You’ll find more than a few blue-head combtooth blennies peeking from their holes, their tiny faces full of personality. We’ve spent whole safety stops just watching them. Look closely and you might spot a seastar shrimp, nearly invisible against its host. The fluted clams are abundant, their iridescent mantles shimmering as you pass. It’s a photographer’s dream for macro, but equally captivating if you just want to drift and soak in the intricate tapestry of the reef. We’d suggest a slow dive, really taking your time to examine the details. It suits divers who appreciate the smaller wonders and are happy to move at a more deliberate pace.

Location
Komodo, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-8.576954, 119.680824

Marine Protected Area: Komodo

Best Time to Dive in Komodo

The warmest water temperatures in Komodo occur in November, averaging 30.3°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 27.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 29.2°C
  • February: 28.9°C
  • March: 29.4°C
  • April: 29.7°C
  • May: 29.4°C
  • June: 28.9°C
  • July: 28.1°C
  • August: 27.9°C
  • September: 28.2°C
  • October: 29.2°C
  • November: 30.3°C
  • December: 30.2°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Komodo

Nearest Dive Centres to Pengah Kecil

Marine Life in Komodo

Home to 220 recorded species including 95 reef fish, 92 hard corals, 13 seagrass & algae, 5 sharks & rays, 4 sea cucumbers, 3 clams & mussels.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Pengah Kecil

Based on average water temperature of 29.1°C, currents 5 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories