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Vibrant tropical fish swim over a coral reef in West Papua's clear waters.
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Siaba Besar dive site

3.5 — based on 15 community signals
4.1 12 species 17 contributors

Siaba Besar is a year-round Indonesian dive site with documented marine life and active community observation data.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

updated 4 months ago
BleachingRiskShore entryFamily-friendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Manta ray, Common octopus

Map

This spot POIs Airport Nearby spots
Siaba Besar dive site location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
5.4 kn
Wave
0.34 m
Water
27.7°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NE (36%)
Now: SSE (158°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.17m

Next: High at 02:00 (+0.91m)

+1.0 m0 m-0.2 m
▲ 02:00 · +0.91m ▼ 11:00 · -0.09m ▲ 03:00 · +0.84m ▼ 12:00 · -0.05m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV9 · very high Air PM2.513 · moderate 05:53 17:57
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 12.3 0.46 9 1mm
09-20 10.8 0.42 9 0mm
09-21 10.6 0.34 9 1mm
09-22 9.5 0.36 9 1mm
09-23 13.2 0.48 9 2mm
09-24 13.3 0.52 9 1mm
09-25 9.4 0.42 9 0mm
⚠ Coral bleaching: Watch — favorable conditions
DHW: 1.1°C-weeks · NOAA Coral Reef Watch

About this spot

Siaba Besar sits in Indonesian waters as an accessible dive destination for divers seeking consistent underwater exploration. The site falls outside a marine protected area, making it open to recreational diving year-round. With 12 recorded species observations and three community-contributed videos, the site maintains an active diver community that documents encounters and conditions. The spot attracts divers interested in observing Indonesia's marine biodiversity. Local divers have documented various species at the site, and the available video content provides insight into what to expect underwater. This makes Siaba Besar useful for planning dives and understanding site characteristics before arrival. Coral conditions warrant attention—the site is flagged for coral bleaching watch status. This means bleaching events may affect the reef periodically. Divers should check current conditions with local operators before planning trips, especially during peak warming seasons. Despite this, the site remains diveable and continues to host marine life worth observing. Access details and specific depth or difficulty ratings should be confirmed with local dive operators or guides familiar with current conditions. The year-round accessibility makes it flexible for various travel schedules, though seasonal variations in weather and sea state are typical for Indonesian dive sites.

📖 Guide: Diving in Indonesia: 323 Sites, Mantas to Micro-critters

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Manta rayCommon octopus

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type C/F · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 12806km · ~2945kg · €53

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 54/100
  • Visa: Visa on arrival · 30 days max
  • Flight: 12h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 12h east · 8 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Siaba Besar?

Siaba Besar is accessible year-round. However, check local weather and sea conditions with operators, as Indonesia's monsoon patterns affect visibility and comfort at different times of year.

What depth and difficulty level is Siaba Besar?

Specific depth ratings and difficulty classifications are not documented. Contact local dive operators in Indonesia for current site details before booking.

What marine life can I see at Siaba Besar?

Twelve species observations have been recorded at the site. Community videos document marine encounters. Check those resources and local operator knowledge for current sightings and species lists.

Do I need permits to dive Siaba Besar?

Siaba Besar is outside a marine protected area, so no special MPA permits apply. Standard Indonesia dive tourism practices apply—work with licensed local operators for access and compliance.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Turtle Haven at Siaba Besar: A Komodo Dive Site Exploration #siababesar #komodo #scubadiving

Scuba Diving and Dogs
💬 2 top comments
  • Wow wow wow! Especially the beautiful turtle in the foreground and the two cuttlefish in the background. And then the turtle just laying on the table coral. 😍

    @lynnmanganella7845 · 👍 1
  • I always enjoy a Cuttlefish cameo!

    @Wheels131326 · 👍 1

Siaba Besar, Komodo – Calm Reef Dive (Full Dive)

Between Breaths

3-Minute Reefs: Siaba Besar (Komodo National Park) #3minutereefs #komodo #scubadiving

Scuba Diving and Dogs
💬 1 top comments
  • Short, sweet, and turtle-y! Great idea for some highlights!

    @Wheels131326 · 👍 3
wind peaks Jul-Aug-Jan, calmest Nov-Mar-Apr, dry Mar-Nov.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)

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