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Hotels, dive operators, gear, and how to get here are on the Raja Ampat location page.
Overview
An oval seamount rising from 30 m to within 5 m of the surface in the Dampier Strait, where strong tidal currents pull open ocean water across the reef and pile up so much fish biomass that pioneer Max Ammer named the site after the feeling of being packed inside a sardine can. Expect swirling walls of fusiliers, jacks, and snappers, bumphead parrotfish cruising the shallows, and reef sharks patrolling the edges. Soft coral and huge gorgonian fans coat the slopes. Current dictates everything; ride it as a drift.
Briefing note
Down currents can pull divers off the wall on full moon tides. Brief carefully, descend fast to escape surface chop, and stay close to the reef. The Raja Ampat marine park entry tag is required; buy it in Waisai or Sorong before you dive.
What you'll see
7 species curated- year-roundSchooling fusiliers
- year-roundBigeye trevally
- year-roundSchooling barracuda
- year-roundBumphead parrotfish
- year-roundBlacktip reef shark
- year-roundWhitetip reef shark
- year-roundSchooling sweetlips
Conditions
| Month | Water | Visibility | Current |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28–30 °C | 15–25 m | strong |
| Feb | 28–30 °C | 15–25 m | strong |
| Mar | 28–30 °C | 20–30 m | moderate |
| Apr | 29–30 °C | 20–30 m | moderate |
| May | 29–30 °C | 15–25 m | moderate |
| Jun | 28–29 °C | 10–20 m | moderate |
| Jul | 28–29 °C | 10–20 m | moderate |
| Aug | 28–29 °C | 10–20 m | moderate |
| Sep | 28–30 °C | 15–25 m | moderate |
| Oct | 28–30 °C | 20–30 m | moderate |
| Nov | 28–30 °C | 20–30 m | strong |
| Dec | 28–30 °C | 15–25 m | strong |
Season calendar
Peak season highlighted · current month outlined
Gear for this site
Beyond the basic kit- Reef hook — Current accelerates over the seamount; hooking in is the only way to stay put and watch the schools.
- SMB + reel — Drift exits over open water in the strait. Inflate and ascend on the line so boats can find you.
Next step
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