Drifting along the wall, our bubbles defy the laws of physics and plunge into the abyss. The multicolor clouds of fish are agitated in every direction. The coral reef scrolls under our masks like a dramatic kaleidoscope mixed with an architectural design of hard and soft corals. Large predators such as whitetips, jack fish, giant trevally and dogtooth tuna emerge from the blue, and take advantage of their hydrodynamic features to hunt and check the perimeters.

We hover with the realization that we are immersed in the Komodo National Park, the heart of the Coral Triangle.

Listed as a World Heritage and Biosphere Reserve, this relatively small region hosts an extraordinary biodiversity renowned for its plethora of endemic species both above and below the surface.

Shotgun (also known as Cauldron) is no exception. The passage between the islands creates a very fast current – up to 10 knots – so adrenaline is guaranteed.

The remarkable beauty here is due to the happy collision of the Pacific Ocean’s warm waters with the Indian Ocean’s upwelling of cold waters, rich in plankton and nutrients. The combination of currents creates a high level of nutrition and oxygenation, which results in an abundance of life and healthy corals and reefs.

While these strong currents can be a challenge for divers, this unique ecosystem offers the perfect opportunity to observe Indonesia’s many iconic species. On this trip, we spotted everything from tiny pygmy seahorses to giant Pacific manta rays, but most mesmerizing of all were the behaviors of each of these different species. Our favorite: the candy crab’s ability to stay safe by craftily camouflaging itself in its home of soft coral.

Want to learn more?

Read the Dive Guide to Komodo

Ready to Dive this now?

Visit Agressor Fleet's Komodo Dancer

Komodo is a wonderland of fish and coral species – learn what they are during PADI's Underwater Naturalist Adventure course >> padi.com.