Siaba Besar: The Seagrass 'Turtle City' of Komodo

Updated July 2026

Siaba Besar is a small island in Komodo National Park fringed by seagrass meadows that draw green turtles to feed close to shore, earning it the nickname turtle city among local guides. It's a snorkeling stop rather than a place to stay, reached only by boat. On a Labuan Bajo speedboat day trip, it's typically the last stop of the day, around 16:00, before the return to harbor.

8°34'S 119°31'E · On the day trip: 16:00

Why Siaba Besar Is Called Turtle City

The shallow water around Siaba Besar is carpeted in seagrass, which is exactly what green turtles feed on, and the combination of food supply and calm, shallow conditions means turtles are often seen grazing close to the surface. That reliability is why guides nicknamed the spot turtle city, even though it's officially just one of many snorkeling sites in Komodo National Park.

Beyond turtles, the seagrass and adjacent reef edges support a wider mix of reef fish, making it a gentler, family-friendly snorkeling stop compared to current-swept sites like Manta Point.

Siaba Besar itself is a small, mostly undeveloped island — the appeal is entirely in the water, not on land.

How to Get to Siaba Besar from Labuan Bajo

Fly into Komodo Airport (LBJ) in Labuan Bajo, the starting point for any Komodo National Park day trip.
Head to Labuan Bajo harbor early, since Siaba Besar is typically the final stop on a full-day multi-site itinerary rather than a standalone destination.
Travel by speedboat through the park's waters at 25–35 knots, visiting other Komodo sites earlier in the day before circling back toward Siaba Besar in the afternoon.
Our Komodo speedboat open trip includes Siaba Besar as the sixth and final stop, around 16:00, before the boat heads back to Labuan Bajo, arriving roughly 17:00 WITA. Flat rate IDR 1,400,000/pax, daily, pickup ~05:30, WhatsApp-only booking at +6285190096797.

Best Time to Visit Siaba Besar

Late afternoon, as on the standard day-trip schedule, works well here since the water is usually calm and turtles continue grazing on the seagrass throughout the day. Because it's often the last stop, the light is softer and crowds from earlier in the day have typically moved on.

Bring snorkeling gear and reef-safe sunscreen; since it's a shallow, calm site, it's comfortable for beginner snorkelers and families.

As part of Komodo National Park, standard entrance fees apply: Rp250,000 for Indonesian citizens and Rp400,000 for foreign visitors, paid at the gate.

Common Questions

Why is Siaba Besar called turtle city?

Its shallow water is covered in seagrass, the main food source for green turtles, so they're regularly seen feeding close to the surface — enough that local guides nicknamed the site turtle city.

How do I get to Siaba Besar from Labuan Bajo?

It's reachable only by boat. A speedboat day trip from Labuan Bajo is the practical way, typically visiting Siaba Besar last, around 16:00, before heading back to harbor by about 17:00 WITA.

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