Siaba Besar is a macro photographer’s dream. Among the sand and rubble, you may spot ornate ghost pipefish, rhinopias, flamboyant cuttlefish, tawny seahorses, and — for the sharp-eyed — even a wunderpus. These rare critters blend perfectly into their surroundings, rewarding slow, careful exploration.

But it’s not all small stuff. Venture a bit deeper toward the bay’s exit and you’ll often encounter green and hawksbill turtles, blue-spotted stingrays, eagle rays, and even the occasional dugong gliding through the seagrass. Whitetip reef sharks are also spotted cruising the deeper channels. 

Here’s what you can expect to encounter:

Turtles
– Green and hawksbill turtles are the stars, often seen resting on coral reefs or swimming gracefully. The site’s shallow coral gardens and sandy patches provide ideal feeding and resting grounds, with frequent sightings of 5–6 turtles per dive.
– Turtles here are remarkably tolerant of divers, allowing close encounters without disturbance.

Coral Reefs
– The site features massive lettuce coral formations, staghorn coral, and vibrant coral gardens at depths of 4–6 meters.
– Coral health is exceptional, with minimal bleaching and extensive biodiversity, including anemones and table corals that shelter smaller marine life.

Fish and Macro Life
– Reef fish: Schools of fusiliers, unicornfish, anthias, and sweetlips dominate the coral structures.
– Macro critters: Look for painted frogfish, ghost pipefish, flamboyant cuttlefish, nudibranchs, and rare sightings of dugongs.
– Predators: Common lionfish, reef sharks (white tip and black tip), and occasional barracuda patrol the area.

Rays and Sharks
– Blue-spotted stingrays glide over sandy patches.
– Reef sharks (white tip and black tip) are often spotted resting under coral ledges or patrolling the reef edges.

Other Notable Species
– Cephalopods: Cuttlefish, octopus, and blue-ringed octopus.
– Invertebrates: Sea cucumbers, shrimps (including Coleman and harlequin shrimp), and crabs.

Siaba Besar’s calm currents, shallow depth (4–18 meters), and year-round accessibility make it a prime location for both divers and snorkelers. While turtles are almost guaranteed, the site’s biodiversity ensures surprises like rare macro life or reef sharks lurking in the shadows.