Goa Hatta

Goa Hatta (also known as “Hatta Goa” or “Hole in the Wall”) is a wall dive on the north coast of Pulau Hatta, roughly 25 km from Banda Neira. The site takes its name from a sinkhole in the reef flat that drops roughly 4 m and then bursts through to the seaward wall, forming a dramatic archway. Sources vary on the exact width of the gap, reporting figures between approximately 5 and 6 m.

Overview

The dive begins with a descent through the sinkhole gap on the reef flat, which opens immediately onto a spectacular seaward wall. A slope of brown soft corals and leather corals transitions to a vertical wall at around 14 m, where the largest sponges begin. Soldierfish peer from every overhang, and the wall is decorated with large sea fans, barrel sponges, black sun corals, and colonies of leather corals.

Giant clams are embedded in the shallower sections. Blacktip sharks and red snappers circle in the depths. On the drift along the shallow reef flat at the end of the dive, triggerfish, wrasse, striped catfish, and damselfish are abundant, living in association with anemones.

Dive Profile

Entry through the sinkhole gap (reef flat, approximately 4 m drop) opening onto the seaward wall. Vertical wall begins at approximately 14 m and drops to 50 m+. Most marine life concentrated in the 14–35 m range. Currents are generally mild at this site. Visibility is typically excellent — 20–30 m. Rated Advanced overall, consistent with the destination’s remote, liveaboard-only character.

Marine Life

• Giant clams on shallower reef sections
• Soldierfish (abundant in overhangs on the wall)
• Blacktip sharks and red snappers in the depths
• Large sea fans and barrel sponges
• Black sun corals on wall overhangs
• Leather coral colonies and soft corals
• Triggerfish, wrasse, striped catfish, damselfish on reef flat

Entry / Exit

Boat dive from liveaboard or day-trip vessel from Banda Neira. The site is on the north coast of Hatta Island. Currents are typically mild.

Tips

• Best combined with Karang Hatta for a full day on Hatta Island
• The sinkhole entry is the defining feature — position the group for the descent through the gap
• The shallow reef flat at the end of the dive is rewarding — slow down for the anemone and damselfish associations

Photography

The sinkhole/archway provides a natural frame for wide-angle photography. The wall’s sea fan gardens and soldierfish overhangs make this one of the more photogenic Hatta sites. Bring a wide-angle setup; the archway light at the right time of day is dramatic.

Sources: X-Ray Mag - Indonesia’s Banda Sea, Dive The World - Banda Islands, Merapi Tours - Banda Archipelago Dive Spots, Bottles Up Diving - Banda Islands. Last updated 2026-07-17.