About This Place
Three Sisters, called Tiga Dara in Indonesian, is a set of three submerged pinnacles south of Padar Island. The rocks rise from a deeper sandy bottom and create separate current faces, sheltered sides and blue-water crossings within one dive area.
Cool southern water supports soft coral, sponges, sea fans and macro life, while reef sharks, trevally, barracuda, eagle rays and turtles may pass the outer edges. Divers can focus on one pinnacle or cross between them when current, visibility and gas allow.
The site is less about a single route than a series of choices. Current can differ between the three rocks, and the lack of a continuous shallow reef increases navigation and separation risk. It is best handled by an experienced liveaboard guide on a suitable southern-weather window.
At a Glance
- Also known asTiga Dara, Three Sisters Komodo
- TypeDive Site
- Inside Komodo National ParkYes
- How to get thereLiveaboard
- Travel time from Labuan BajoUsually reached on a southern Komodo liveaboard itinerary
- LandingMooring / dinghy
- Last checked2026-09-12
What to Expect
The guide chooses one pinnacle as the primary target and descends on its protected side. Coral-covered slopes and ledges provide a reference before the group reaches the current-facing edge.
Crossing to another sister means a short blue-water section with no bottom reference. That option is skipped when visibility, flow, gas or group comfort is wrong.
Depth can begin near 3–5 metres and extend beyond 30 metres. A recreational plan normally works the 10–30 metre zone and finishes with a drifting safety stop.
Crowds and Timing
Three Sisters is remote and spread across three pinnacles, so it rarely feels like a central-Komodo queue. Liveaboards should still coordinate which rock each group uses, particularly when visibility is limited.
Dive and Snorkel Profile
- Depth range3-30 m
- CurrentStrong
- Dive typePinnacle, Drift
- Visibility10-25 m
- CertificationAdvanced + drift experience
- EntryNegative entry, Backroll
How to Visit
Access is normally through a south-Komodo liveaboard. It is commonly planned with Nusa Kode or southern Padar diving when wind and swell allow. The guide may keep the group on one pinnacle rather than completing a multi-rock route; that is a condition-based choice, not a lesser dive.
Boats That Sail Here
Compare 12 bookable boats that include Three Sisters on published itineraries.
Who This Suits
Advanced divers with stable buoyancy, comfortable blue-water ascents and current experience. The multi-pinnacle topography rewards attentive navigation. Less experienced divers should use one sheltered rock only if the operator judges conditions appropriate.
What to Bring
- Advanced certification and recent current-diving experience
- Dive computer and delayed surface marker buoy
- Exposure protection for 20–25°C southern water
- A streamlined camera selected for either wide angle or macro
- Personal signalling device if recommended by the liveaboard
Safety Notes
Current can split around each pinnacle and may differ after a crossing. Stay on the guide's chosen side, monitor gas before leaving a rock and carry a delayed surface marker buoy.
Cool water can shorten comfortable dive time. Use suitable exposure protection and avoid pushing depth simply because the sandy bottom remains visible below.
Photography Notes
Bring wide angle for the shape of a pinnacle, soft coral and passing pelagics, or macro for frogfish, nudibranchs and pygmy seahorses. Decide before the dive. Blue-water crossings are not the time to stop for a photograph or lose visual contact with the group.
Entrance Fee
This site is inside Komodo National Park. Statutory park, activity and vessel charges may apply and can be separate from the operator fare. Ask the operator to itemise the current charges before payment; conditions and permitted activities are confirmed through the park and operator process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the Three Sisters?
They lie south of Padar Island in Komodo National Park. Published dive coordinates place the site near -8.6879, 119.5739.
What does Tiga Dara mean?
Tiga Dara is the Indonesian name commonly used for the three submerged pinnacles represented by the English name Three Sisters.
How deep is the site?
The pinnacles rise shallow, while the surrounding sand drops deeper than a normal recreational profile. Most dives use roughly 10–30 metres.
Must divers visit all three rocks?
No. Crossing depends on current, visibility, gas and group ability. A complete, safe dive can remain on one pinnacle.
What marine life may appear?
Soft coral and macro life are strong features. Reef sharks, trevally, barracuda, eagle rays and turtles are possible on the outer edges.
Is it suitable for Open Water divers?
Advanced certification and current experience are preferable because of depth, blue-water gaps and remote open-water exits.
When is it usually visited?
It appears on southern Komodo liveaboard routes, commonly when south-side weather is workable from around October through May.
How do I reach the site?
A southern liveaboard is the practical option. Most standard sightseeing day boats from Labuan Bajo do not operate this dive.
What the Park Costs
| What you pay | Amount | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance, foreign visitor | Rp 250,000 ≈ $14 | per person, per day The statutory Class I entrance rate. The 150% holiday rule applies to Indonesian visitor and student rates, not this foreign visitor rate. |
| Park entrance, Indonesian visitor, normal day | Rp 50,000 ≈ $3 | per person, per day The normal-day Class I entrance rate. |
| Park entrance, Indonesian visitor, holiday or collective leave | Rp 75,000 ≈ $4 | per person, per day 150% of the normal Indonesian visitor rate on the dates covered by the statutory holiday rule. |
| Indonesian student group, normal day | Rp 25,000 ≈ $1 | per person, per day For Indonesian student groups of at least five people. |
| Indonesian student group, holiday or collective leave | Rp 37,500 ≈ $2 | per person, per day 150% of the normal student-group rate; the minimum group size remains five. |
| Scuba diving activity | Rp 25,000 ≈ $1 | per diver, per day A separate activity charge in addition to the applicable entrance fee. |
| Motorised vessel entry | Rp 100,000–200,000 per boat, per day | Rp 100,000 for 40–100 HP, Rp 150,000 for 101–500 HP, and Rp 200,000 above 500 HP. |
| Drone use | Rp 2,000,000 ≈ $112 | per unit, per day A separate special-use charge. Complete the required SiOra/SIMAKSI process before travel. |
- SiOra is the park’s e-ticketing and SIMAKSI system. Reserve before travel; Ministry guidance recommends completing the reservation by H-1. An operator can assist, and self-service is available at the Komodo Visitor Center and KP3 terminal.
- Payment is cashless through the methods available in SiOra, including BRIVA or bank transfer and supported e-wallets. Keep the e-ticket and ensure the traveller details are correct.
- A 1,000-visitor daily quota has applied since 1 April 2026 to the main visitor islands and 23 dive sites. Availability therefore depends on the travel date and registered itinerary.
- The final SiOra total can include entrance, activity, vessel and special-use charges. Ask the handling operator for an itemised total before issuance.
- Official public guidance does not state one universal refund or rescheduling rule for every reservation. Confirm the current SiOra terms in writing before the ticket is issued, including treatment of weather disruption.
Statutory fees under Peraturan Pemerintah No. 36 Tahun 2024, in force since 30 October 2024. Verified 31 August 2026 against the official PP 36/2024 schedule, the Ministry of Forestry SiOra notice and the Ministry’s 2026 quota notice. Amounts are payable in rupiah; dollar figures are courtesy estimates converted at Rp 17,900 and rounded.
Marine Life
Activities
Cruise Areas
Location
Three Sisters (Tiga Dara), south of Padar Island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia
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