Felici garden - Raja Ampat

Kicker Rock, or León Dormido, is one of those sites that just grabs you, even from the surface. Those two huge volcanic fins jutting out of the Pacific, looking like a sleeping lion. We’ve been a few times now, and it’s always a rush, a proper drift dive through the channel. Dropping in, the immediate sensation is the current tugging you along. You feel it, a steady push that carries you past walls adorned with black coral. Visibility can be a bit variable, sometimes a glorious 20 metres, other times a more modest 10 metres, but it rarely matters. The sheer volume of life compensates. We often spot whitetip reef sharks resting on the bottom or cruising through the channel, and the schools of darkfin amberjack and jacks can be immense, swirling walls of silver. Keep an eye out for olive grouper lurking in the crevices and the vibrant Fire Tentacle Anemones clinging to the rock face. This place truly shines for its pelagics and its dramatic topography, making it ideal for divers who appreciate a lively drift and big animal encounters. We'd suggest going in the morning, before the tour boats really start to stack up.

Location
Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-0.570700, 130.628000
Type
pinnacle

Marine Protected Area: TAMAN WISATA PERAIRAN KEPULAUAN RAJA AMPAT

Best Time to Dive in Raja Ampat

The warmest water temperatures in Raja Ampat occur in November, averaging 30.3°C. The coolest conditions are in July at 29.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 29.7°C
  • February: 29.4°C
  • March: 29.6°C
  • April: 29.9°C
  • May: 29.9°C
  • June: 29.7°C
  • July: 29.3°C
  • August: 29.4°C
  • September: 29.6°C
  • October: 30.0°C
  • November: 30.3°C
  • December: 30.1°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Raja Ampat

Nearest Dive Centres to Felici garden

Marine Life in Raja Ampat

Home to 250 recorded species including 176 reef fish, 43 hard corals, 8 seagrass & algae, 5 sea cucumbers, 4 clams & mussels, 4 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Felici garden

Based on average water temperature of 29.7°C, currents 20 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°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 at the Felici Garden coral plantation?
The Felici Garden coral plantation offers diving to a maximum depth of 17 meters. This depth is ideal for exploring the ongoing conservation efforts and the diverse marine life thriving around the new coral growth.
What kind of marine life and corals can divers expect to see at the Felici Garden dive site?
At Felici Garden, divers can expect to see a vibrant coral plantation, which is part of a significant conservation project by the Sea People NGO. The site is also excellent for macro photography, with sightings of fascinating creatures like nudibranchs, pipefishes, cuttlefish, and pufferfish in the sand and rubbles. You can learn more about these species in our wildlife database.
How difficult is diving at Felici Garden, and is it suitable for beginner divers?
Diving at Felici Garden is rated as intermediate difficulty. While not typically recommended for absolute beginners, divers with some experience will find it a rewarding site to explore. It's best to consult with local dive operators like Soul Scuba divers for specific guidance based on your certification and comfort level.
What is the best time of year to dive at Felici Garden for optimal conditions and coral viewing?
The provided data does not specify the best time of year for optimal diving conditions or coral viewing at Felici Garden. For general information on seasonal diving in Raja Ampat, we recommend checking our When to Dive section or contacting local dive centers.
Are there any specific diving certifications or experience levels required to dive at Felici Garden?
Given its intermediate difficulty rating, Felici Garden is generally suitable for divers who have completed their Open Water certification and have some prior diving experience. It's always advisable to discuss your experience level with Soul Scuba divers, the local experts, who can provide the most current requirements and recommendations.
What are the typical currents and underwater conditions like at the Felici Garden dive site?
At Felici Garden, divers can typically expect excellent underwater visibility, averaging around 20 meters. While specific current information is not detailed in the provided data, as a pinnacle dive site, conditions can sometimes include varying currents, which is common for intermediate-level dives.