The Cauldron Dive Site - Shotgun in Komodo National Park 2024

The Cauldron Dive Site - Shotgun in Komodo National Park

"The Cauldron," also known as "The Shotgun," is a must-visit dive site located in the northern region of Komodo National Park. Explore its captivating underwater topography shaped by powerful currents.

About "The Cauldron" aka "Shotgun" 🌊

"The Cauldron," also known as "The Shotgun," is located in the northern region of Komodo National Park, nestled between Gilli Lawa Laut (Close to the Water Island) and Gilli Lawa Darat (Close to the Sea Island). This site is renowned for its captivating underwater topography, created by powerful currents flowing between the two islands. It perfectly exemplifies why Komodo is famous for its thrilling and dynamic currents.

Getting There 🚤

On our sleek daily boats, Smaug or Shiryu, the journey from our dive center to this site takes just over an hour and forty-five minutes, or with our speedboat, Mushu, less than 50 minutes. This offers a wonderful opportunity to relax and take in the breathtaking views of Komodo National Park while enjoying your morning coffee (or tea).

When to Dive "The Cauldron" aka "Shotgun" 🕒

As with all dive sites in Komodo National Park, it is crucial to consider the currents. When dived at the right time, this site is fantastic; however, diving at the wrong time can lead to an unpleasant experience.

Diving during slack tide allows you to quietly explore the captivating reef, encounter remarkable macro life ranging from pygmy seahorses to frogfish, and discover the distinctive topography. While this approach offers a beautiful dive, it does not capture the essence that makes this one of our top dive sites, often requested by guests to revisit again and again.

Diving during falling tide is when the excitement truly begins! The falling tide causes water movement from west to east in the north. Upon entering, you’ll feel the water pulling you toward the famous "Cauldron." As you get closer, the current becomes faster. Hovering over "The Cauldron," you’ll witness incredible marine life in action. It’s an awe-inspiring experience to watch sharks, jacks, mantas, and others play in the currents of this extraordinary dive site.

Best Time to Dive 🗓️

This dive site can be visited almost year-round, with the best visibility from April to November. From May to August, we tend to see more mantas at this site, which is an added bonus! Avoid the North from November to March.

What You Might Encounter at "The Cauldron" aka "Shotgun" 🐠

"The Cauldron" offers one of the most diverse ranges of marine life in the park! From tiny creatures like frogfish and nudibranchs to majestic manta rays and grey reef sharks, the marine life here is simply breathtaking. Combined with the captivating topography and thrilling currents, you’ll quickly fall in love with this dive site.