Tomajiko, Hiri Island - Halmahera

Verde Island Drop Off. What a rush. We love this site for its sheer intensity, a genuine wall of coral and fish that just doesn’t quit. It’s not a gentle drift, often, the current here can be a serious push, so don’t show up tired. But that current is exactly why the place explodes with life. Drop down to five metres and then just let the wall fall away beneath you, into the deep blue. The corals here are dense, layered on top of each other, making every crack and crevice a home. Look for the bright flashes of Diana's Hogfish darting amongst the fans, or the curious gaze of a Saddled Rockcod tucked into an overhang. We've often seen schools of Blue-lined Tang moving like a unified silver cloud along the wall. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too, the tiny Striped Catfish weaving over the coral heads. It’s a site for experienced divers who appreciate a lively drift and want to be absolutely surrounded by the vibrant chaos of a healthy reef.

Location
Halmahera, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
0.896200, 127.303000
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: KKP3K Pulau Babua, Jailolo

Best Time to Dive in Halmahera

The warmest water temperatures in Halmahera occur in November, averaging 30.1°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 28.5°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 29.0°C
  • February: 28.8°C
  • March: 29.1°C
  • April: 29.5°C
  • May: 29.9°C
  • June: 29.6°C
  • July: 29.0°C
  • August: 28.5°C
  • September: 28.6°C
  • October: 29.4°C
  • November: 30.1°C
  • December: 29.8°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Halmahera

Nearest Dive Centres to Tomajiko, Hiri Island

Marine Life in Halmahera

Home to 141 recorded species including 69 reef fish, 48 hard corals, 7 seagrass & algae, 4 clams & mussels, 3 crabs & lobsters, 2 sea cucumbers.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Tomajiko, Hiri Island

Based on average water temperature of 29.3°C, currents 7 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical diving depth range at Tomajiko, Hiri Island?
At Tomajiko, Hiri Island, divers can expect a maximum recommended depth of 25 meters. The site's topography is a wall, making it suitable for exploring depths up to 24 meters. This provides ample opportunity to observe the colorful soft corals and schools of fish along the wall.
What kind of marine life and underwater topography can divers expect to encounter at Tomajiko, Hiri Island?
Tomajiko, Hiri Island is renowned for its impressive wall topography, adorned with vibrant soft corals and abundant schools of fish. Divers can anticipate encountering a diverse array of marine life, including snappers, damselfish, parrotfishes, and Tunas. Keep an eye out for fascinating creatures like Moray eels, nudibranchs, Flatworms, and even turtles and napoleon fishes, all contributing to a rich underwater ecosystem.
Is Tomajiko, Hiri Island considered a difficult dive site, suitable for beginners, or more for experienced divers?
Tomajiko, Hiri Island is classified as an intermediate difficulty dive site. This means it is best suited for divers who have some experience beyond basic certification. While not exclusively for advanced divers, beginners might find the wall diving environment more challenging.
What is the best time of year to dive at Tomajiko, Hiri Island for optimal weather and underwater conditions?
The provided data for Tomajiko, Hiri Island does not specify the best time of year for optimal weather and underwater conditions. For general guidance on diving seasons in Indonesia or the Halmahera region, we recommend consulting our When to Dive resource. This will help you plan your trip for the most favorable conditions.
What scuba diving certifications are typically required or recommended for diving at Tomajiko, Hiri Island?
Given that Tomajiko, Hiri Island is an intermediate dive site, a minimum of an Open Water Diver certification is typically required. However, for maximum enjoyment and comfort with wall diving and depths up to 25 meters, an Advanced Open Water Diver certification or equivalent is highly recommended. This ensures divers have the necessary skills and experience for this type of dive.
What are the usual current conditions and visibility like when diving at Tomajiko, Hiri Island?
Divers at Tomajiko, Hiri Island can generally expect good visibility, averaging around 18 meters. This allows for excellent views of the colorful soft corals and diverse marine life along the wall. The provided data does not specify the usual current conditions for this site, so it's always wise to check with local dive operators before your dive.