Tatawa Kecil

Introduction to Tatawa Kecil

Diving enthusiasts, brace yourselves for a spectacular underwater adventure at Tatawa Kecil, a dive site nestled in the heart of the Komodo National Park. Tailored for experienced divers seeking a thrill, Tatawa Kecil offers a unique and challenging dive experience.

Geographical Location and Currents

Situated in the South of Tatawa Besar, Tatawa Kecil is centrally located in the Komodo National Park. Unlike its sister island, Tatawa Kecil is renowned for its strong currents, situated in the middle of the Linta Strait between Komodo Island and Rinca Island. This dive site poses a challenge, making it suitable only for seasoned divers. While snorkeling is not recommended due to currents, Tatawa Besar provides excellent conditions for this activity.

Topography and Dive Environments

Tatawa Kecil unfolds as a mesmerizing dive site with captivating rock formations, caves, swim-throughs, boulders, drop-offs, and an expansive field featuring massive and vibrant coral gardens. Its topography sets it apart, offering a fascinating and unique underwater experience. Whether you're into cave diving or drift diving, Tatawa Kecil caters to various preferences, ensuring an enjoyable dive.

Marine Life at Tatawa Kecil

Prepare to be awe-struck by Tatawa Kecil's rich marine life. Dive into the southwestern corner and encounter eagle rays, giant trevallies, and sharks. Explore the northern walls to spot small invertebrates, nudibranchs, and cleaning stations bustling with oriental sweetlips. The diverse cast includes bumphead parrotfish, batfish, snappers, large groupers, sea snakes, blue fin trevallies, fusiliers, hawksbill turtles, dogtooth tuna, giant tuna, barracudas, moray eels, Napoleon wrasse, and the occasional Manta Rays and Dugongs if luck is on your side.

Depth and Temperature Conditions

While Tatawa Kecil boasts a maximum depth of 30 meters, divers need not plunge to such depths to witness its wonders. The water temperature typically ranges between 27-28°C, providing a comfortable environment for underwater exploration. Divers can enjoy Tatawa Kecil's charms throughout the year, with April to November being the recommended period.

Underwater City and Overhangs

Venturing into the deeper part of the Northwestern quadrant feels like navigating through the streets of a modern underwater city. Bommies act as skyscrapers, creating bustling streets filled with the metropolis' fishy inhabitants during rush hour. Further south on the westside, overhangs, small caverns, and swim-throughs dominate the landscape—an ideal location to spot bamboo and white tip reef sharks.

Plateau, Coral Gardens, and Manta Ray Encounters

Explore the shallow plateau in the south, covered with low-growing coral. Despite its less dramatic topography, this area is perfect for encountering Manta Rays that often grace Tatawa Kecil with their presence. If the currents permit, the pristine coral garden in the north becomes a photographer's haven, showcasing the largest collection of acropora table corals around Komodo.

Maika Komodo Tour Offers different Komodo Tour Packages and Flores Overland Packages to fit your groups needs.

Choose from any of our Komodo National Park Tours
1 Day Trips
2 Day / 1 Night
3 Day / 2 Night
4 Day / 3 Night

We can visit places such as;

Gili Lawa
Manta Point
Kalong
Menjerite
Kelor
Komodo Island
Rinca Island
Kalong
Bidadari
Sebayur
Kanawa
Pink Beach
Long Beach
The Passage*
Batu Bolong*
Taka Makassar
Tatawa Kecil*
Siaba Besar
Castle Rock*
Crystal Bay
(* Only for scuba trips)

Flores Overland tours

Labuan Bajo City
WoloBobo
Ende
Wae Rebo
Cuci Wulang
Bena Village
Luba Village
Kelimutu
Cancar
Ruteng
Cave
Bajawa
Rangko Cave
Cuci Rami
Tado Village

Wolokoro
Maumere & more

Current City and Dive Planning

Tatawa Kecil lies in an area known as 'Current City,' thriving due to the strong currents. Navigating these currents requires careful planning, understanding tides, and judging conditions accurately. Cruise directors and dive guides play a crucial role in ensuring divers have an enjoyable experience at this remarkable site.

Specifics for Experienced Divers

Tatawa Kecil is tailored for divers who appreciate and navigate strong currents. With its great visibility, pelagic fish, small creatures, and a beautiful coral reef, this dive spot offers a rewarding experience. Manta Rays, snappers, oriental sweetlips, mobula rays, eagle rays, giant trevallies, sharks, nudibranchs, batfish, fusiliers, pygmy seahorses, Napoleon wrasse, and turtles are part of the cast waiting to captivate experienced divers.

Marine Life Highlights

From mantas to sharks and an array of reef inhabitants, Tatawa Kecil boasts a diverse and vibrant marine ecosystem. The underwater environment showcases breathtaking coral gardens, crystal clear reefs, and captivating creatures, creating an unforgettable dive experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Tatawa Kecil stands as a must-visit dive site in the central Komodo National Park, offering a challenging yet rewarding experience for seasoned divers. Its unique topography, rich marine life, and diverse environments make it a jewel in the crown of Komodo's dive sites. Whether you're drawn to the underwater city feeling, overhangs, or the allure of encountering Manta Rays, Tatawa Kecil promises an adventure that lingers in the memory.

FAQs

Question: Is Tatawa Kecil suitable for beginner divers?

Answer: Tatawa Kecil is recommended for experienced divers due to strong currents and challenging conditions.

Question: When is the best time to dive at Tatawa Kecil?

Answer: Divers can explore Tatawa Kecil year-round, but the optimal period is from April to November.

Question: Are Manta Ray encounters guaranteed at Tatawa Kecil?

Answer: While Manta Rays frequent the area, encounters are not guaranteed. However, the northern coral garden is a hotspot for such sightings.

Question: What makes Tatawa Kecil unique among Komodo dive sites?

Anwer: Tatawa Kecil's varied topography, underwater city feeling, and encounters with pelagic fish set it apart from other dive sites in Komodo.

Question: How do dive guides assist in navigating Tatawa Kecil's currents?

Answer: Cruise directors and dive guides play a vital role in ensuring a safe and enjoyable dive experience, considering the site's strong currents.

"Discover the wonders of Komodo with Maika Komodo Tour & Diving – your premier Full-Service Agency and SSI Dive Center nestled in Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia. Our dedicated team is at your service for all your "Komodo Island Tours" and "Scuba Diving Komodo" desires. Boasting our own Daily Diving Boat and Liveaboard boats, we provide an extensive range of options.

Embark on unforgettable Komodo Island Tours from Labuan Bajo, and explore our offerings, including detailed information on Komodo Island Tour Prices and specials. Specializing in Komodo Island Tours, Komodo Scuba Diving, Komodo Dragon Tours, and all things related to Diving Komodo, we take pride in crafting personalized Komodo Tour Packages for our esteemed clients.

Visit our Scuba Dive Center in Labuan Bajo, where our friendly staff is always eager to address your inquiries. For all your Diving Komodo and Tour needs, make Maika Komodo Tour & Diving your go-to destination!"

For all our services, you can visit our individual pages here;
Daily Diving Trip in Komodo
Komodo Open Water Course
Komodo Advanced open water course
3 day 2 night komodo tour
one day komodo tour

Maika Komodo Tour & Diving offer Komodo tours and scuba diving in Komodo National Park. Our office is located on the main tourist street in Labuan Bajo. The address is;

Maika Komodo Tour & Diving
Jl. Soekarno Hatta, Labuan Bajo, Kec. Komodo, Kabupaten Manggarai Barat, Nusa Tenggara Tim. 86763, Indonesia

Our Google maps can be found here at Komodo Tour & Diving

Contact Maika Komodo Tours for any questions you may have.

Maika Komodo Tour