Tasitolu
Three saline lagoons west of Dili, a bird site beside the airport road.
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Tasitolu, three waters, is a set of three saline lagoons on the coastal flat west of Dili, a protected area and the best birding site near the capital with migratory waders, ducks, herons and the endemic Timor sparrow using them. The lagoons shrink and expand with the season. Pope John Paul II said mass here in 1989 and a monument marks the spot on the hill above.
What you actually see
- The three lagoons - the saline waters the site is named for.
- The migratory waders - the flyway traffic using the shallows.
- The Timor sparrow - the endemic bird recorded at the site.
- The 1989 monument - the marker on the hill above the lagoons.
When to go
May to November is the dry season when the lagoons are at their smallest and the birds concentrate. The rains from December fill them. Early morning is best for birds.
Honest expectations
The site sits beside a main road and has suffered from dumping and encroachment. There are no hides or facilities. Water levels vary a great deal and the lagoons can be dry.
Nearby
Dili is east, and the airport is alongside.
What to pack for Tasitolu
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.