Dive site · access from Komodo
The Cauldron (Shotgun)
Drops into a sandy basin at 20-22m before the channel narrows.
- Depth
- 5–22m
- Current
- Extreme
- Minimum level
- Advanced open water
- Access
- Boat
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The case for it
Why dive here
- Narrow tidal funnel between Gili Lawa Laut and Gili Lawa Darat that compresses a large volume of water and accelerates hard
- Divers are carried from a shallow entry through the mid-channel bowl and fired out into blue water — the 'shotgun'
- Reef sharks, big jacks, snapper schools and batfish stack up in the flow; seasonal mantas in the exit
Check before booking
What may rule it out
- Advanced open water certification is the stated minimum.
- Extreme current can affect whether the site is suitable on the day.
Access and timing
Plan this through Komodo
Best overall months: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov. Check the destination planner for operating season, wildlife and other matching sites.
Wildlife
Seen around Komodo
rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak seasondestination closed
These are destination-level records, not confirmed sightings at The Cauldron (Shotgun).
Giant oceanic manta ray
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | rare |
| February | rare |
| March | rare |
| April | rare |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | rare |
| December | rare |
Humphead wrasse
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Reef manta ray
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Bumphead parrotfish
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Grey reef shark
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Nearby alternatives
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Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
View 2 sources and checking notes
- The Cauldron (Shotgun) Dive Site Komodo, Dragon Dive Komodo
- Shotgun / The Cauldron, Labuan Bajo Diving
Note on the data: Coordinates are approximate; not surveyed dive-site GPS.