The Cauldron (Shotgun)
Experience Komodo's most thrilling drift dive. Learn about the currents, what you'll see, and how to dive this iconic site with our expert PADI 5★ team.
What is The Cauldron?
The Cauldron, also known as 'The Shotgun', is located in the northern region of Komodo National Park. Situated between Gilli Lawa Laut and Gilli Lawa Darat, this site is renowned for its captivating underwater topography created by strong currents funneling between the two islands. It's a prime example of what makes Komodo famous for its exciting and dynamic currents.
On our elegant daily boats Smaug or Shiryu, the journey from our dive resort to this site takes just over an hour and forty-five minutes, or less than 50 minutes with our Speed Boat Mushu. This is a wonderful opportunity to relax and soak in the breathtaking views of the Komodo National Park.
See The 'Shotgun' in Action
What to Expect: Your Dive Profile
The dive is a journey through several distinct underwater landscapes.
The Dive Path: Step-by-Step
- Start (Sloping Reef): The dive begins on a picturesque sloping coral reef, reaching a white sandy bottom at 23 meters. Explore here for garden eels, schools of glassfish, and white-tip reef sharks.
- Mid-Dive (The Cauldron): The reef plateau extends into a coral rubble runway (great for macro) before dropping abruptly into "The Cauldron" – a vast basin sculpted by powerful currents.
- The 'Fish Bowl': Along the Cauldron's edge, you'll find the 'fish bowl', a large crack in the reef where schools of surgeonfish and snappers gather.
- The Climax (The Shotgun): This is the famous part! As currents rise, you'll feel the thrill of being propelled upwards and through the channel. You'll cruise along the rocky reef, spotting mantas, sharks, and giant trevally.
- Finish (The Chinese Shop): After the exhilarating ride, you conclude your dive in a stunning hard coral garden, a haven for schooling fish and often a manta ray cleaning station.
Slack Tide vs. Falling Tide
When you dive The Cauldron completely changes the experience. We plan our trips based on tides and diver experience levels.
Slack Tide (Calm Dive)
Diving on slack tide allows you to leisurely explore the reef and focus on remarkable macro life, from pygmy seahorses to frogfish. It's a beautiful dive, but it's not the "Shotgun" experience.
Perfect for Advanced CoursesFalling Tide (Thrill Dive)
This is when the real excitement kicks in! The ebbing tide pulls you towards the Cauldron. As you glide over the basin, you'll witness sharks, trevally, and mantas playing in the current. This is the true "Shotgun"!
Book this Thrill RideWhen to Go & What You'll See
This dive site shines throughout the year, but some months offer bonuses.
Best Season & Marine Life
The Cauldron boasts one of the most diverse arrays of marine life in the Park! From minuscule critters like frogfish to majestic manta rays and patrolling sharks, the underwater life here is mind-blowing.
- Best Visibility: April to November.
- Manta Ray Bonus: We tend to see more mantas at this site from May to August.
- Always Present: White-tip reef sharks, Giant Trevally, schooling snappers, and a huge variety of macro life.
The entire northern area of Komodo is special. Learn more about other sites in this region on our main dive sites page.
Ready to Dive The Cauldron?
The Cauldron is a highlight of our daily dive trips and is often included in our liveaboard itineraries. Contact our team to plan your adventure.
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FAQ — The Cauldron (Shotgun)
What is The Cauldron (Shotgun) in Komodo?
The Cauldron (or 'Shotgun') is a famous drift dive site in North Komodo, located between Gilli Lawa Laut and Gilli Lawa Darat. It's known for its strong currents that 'shoot' divers through a channel, creating a thrilling underwater roller coaster.
What marine life will I see at The Cauldron?
You can see a huge variety! Expect white-tip reef sharks, giant trevally, schools of snappers, and surgeonfish. Manta rays, eagle rays, and devil rays also pass by frequently, especially from May to August.
What experience level is needed for The Cauldron?
This is an advanced dive. Due to the potentially strong and unpredictable currents, divers should be certified Advanced Open Water with experience in drift diving. Diving on a falling tide is an exhilarating but challenging experience. We always check conditions first.
When is the best time to see mantas at The Cauldron?
The best visibility at The Cauldron is from April to November. We tend to see more manta rays at this specific site from **May to August**, offering an extra bonus to an already incredible dive.
How do I book this specific dive site?
Dive sites are chosen daily based on tides, weather, and diver experience. You can request The Cauldron when you book our Daily Dive Trips, and our guides will do their best to include it when conditions are safe and optimal.
Dive The Cauldron with Komodo's Experts
Our PADI 5★ team has dived The Cauldron hundreds of times. We know the tides and plan every dive for maximum safety and adventure. Contact us today to plan your trip!
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