Komodo: Tatawa Besar Dive Site – Komodo National Park

Site Overview

Tatawa Besar is a classic Komodo drift dive that showcases the park's extraordinary coral diversity in a relaxed and accessible setting. Located on the small island of Tatawa Besar in the central section of the park, the site features a long reef slope that stretches along the coastline, providing an ideal environment for a gentle drift dive through some of the healthiest coral gardens in Komodo. The reef descends from 3 meters to approximately 25 meters, with dense hard and soft corals covering the slope in a vibrant display of color sustained by the moderate currents that sweep along the coast. Massive table corals, staghorn thickets, and colorful soft corals create a stunning underwater landscape that supports an impressive variety of marine life. Whitetip reef sharks rest on the coral bommies, Napoleon wrasse cruise along the reef face, hawksbill turtles feed on the sponge and coral growth, and schools of fusiliers and surgeonfish swirl in the current. Occasional encounters with bumphead parrotfish and large schools of barracuda add excitement to the drift. The gentle current makes Tatawa Besar one of the most accessible drift dives in the park, suitable for intermediate divers with Advanced Open Water certification. The site is best dived from April through December and is often paired with nearby Tatawa Kecil for a two-dive drift experience. Tatawa Besar is a regular stop on both day trip and liveaboard itineraries through central Komodo.