Black Beauty

Best time to dive

January to December; October to April

What you might see

• Blue-ringed octopusLikely
• FrogfishPossible
• Ghost pipefishLikely
• Grey reef sharkPossible
• MandarinfishPossible
• Manta rayLikely
• Mimic octopusLikely
• NudibranchPossible

Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.

Certification & difficulty

Open Water

Snorkelling

Not a snorkel site - Not a snorkel site; poor surface visibility for snorkelers and best explored slowly at depth

Safety notes

Silt-out from poor buoyancy, boat traffic in the strait, occasional strong current on the crossing to/from the site

Permits & fees

Raja Ampat Marine Park Entry Permit (SIM) required: approx IDR 700,000 foreign / IDR 425,000 domestic (valid 12 months), plus a separate Visitor Entry Ticket approx IDR 1,000,000 foreign / IDR 300,000 domestic (per visit) - amounts per rajaampatbiodiversity.com, subject to change

Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.

Location

Nearest hub: Batanta Island