Where Can I See Turtles When Diving in Komodo?

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Turtle Encounters in Komodo National Park

Sea turtles are among the most reliably encountered large marine animals in Komodo. Multiple species inhabit the park year-round, and certain dive sites offer near-guaranteed sightings.

Turtle Species in Komodo

Species	Conservation Status	Size	How to Identify
Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)	Endangered	Up to 1.2m shell length	Smooth, rounded head with a single pair of prefrontal scales
Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)	Critically Endangered	Up to 0.9m shell length	Pointed beak-like mouth, overlapping shell scales, smaller body

Best Sites for Turtle Encounters

Site	Turtle Density	Species	Notes
Siaba Besar ("Turtle City")	Very high — 10+ per dive typical	Green and hawksbill	Komodo's best turtle site; calm water, ideal for beginners
Tatawa Besar	High — 5+ per dive	Green and hawksbill	Turtles resting on coral ledges along the drift
Batu Bolong	Moderate — 2–5 per dive	Hawksbill primarily	Turtles resting on overhangs and feeding on sponges
Mawan	Moderate	Green	Often seen alongside manta rays
Sebayur Kecil	Moderate	Green and hawksbill	Sheltered site, turtles in shallow water

Responsible Turtle Watching

Maintain a minimum 2-metre distance — do not corner or crowd turtles
Never touch or ride a turtle — this is illegal and stressful for the animal
Approach from the side, never from above (which mimics a predator)
Allow sleeping turtles to rest undisturbed — they need to surface to breathe and being startled can cause panic

Where Can I See Turtles When Diving in Komodo?

Turtle Encounters in Komodo National Park

Turtle Species in Komodo

Best Sites for Turtle Encounters

Responsible Turtle Watching

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