Komodo: Tatawa Kecil Dive Site – Komodo National Park

Site Overview

Tatawa Kecil is the smaller and more dramatic counterpart of nearby Tatawa Besar, located in the central section of Komodo National Park. Despite its modest size, the small island of Tatawa Kecil features some of the most impressive coral bommies in the entire park — massive coral heads that rise from the sandy bottom like underwater towers, covered in dense soft corals, gorgonian sea fans, and barrel sponges. The site features a reef slope descending from 3 meters to approximately 25 meters, with the most dramatic bommie formations found between 8 and 18 meters where the current concentrates the nutrients that sustain the coral growth. The channels between the bommies create natural swim-throughs that add an element of exploration to the drift. Whitetip reef sharks patrol the bommies, schools of barracuda and fusiliers swirl in the current, and occasional eagle rays glide past on the blue side. Napoleon wrasse cruise curiously past divers, and hawksbill turtles are regularly spotted feeding on the reef. The current at Tatawa Kecil is slightly stronger than at its larger neighbor due to the island's more exposed position, creating a more dynamic drift experience. The site is best dived from April through December and is almost always paired with Tatawa Besar for a two-dive drift experience. Tatawa Kecil is accessible from Labuan Bajo by speedboat and is a highlight of central Komodo itineraries.