Tatawa Island - Komodo

Tatawa Island, or Tatawa Besar as it’s often called, definitely keeps you on your toes in Komodo. When the current’s running south, you're looking at a pretty swift drift, sometimes 3 knots or more, especially around the northwest corner. We’ve had a few dives there where the initial drop feels like a sprint, complete with an up-current hit just before the current splits. Once you navigate that, the reef opens up to some lovely hard coral formations. You'll often spot schools of snapper, sweetlips, and even a few reef sharks cruising past. It’s a good spot for divers who enjoy a bit of a thrill and aren't afraid of some movement in the water.

Location
Komodo, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-8.525000, 119.583300

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 Tatawa Island

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 Tatawa Island

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