Koi island - Raja Ampat

Montego Bay, out of Negril, is a good pick for a relaxed afternoon dive, especially if you’re newer to the game or just looking for something easy. We find the reef here delivers a decent cross-section of what the Caribbean has to offer, without throwing any curveballs. The maximum depth is a comfortable 18 metres, making it perfect for extending bottom time and really soaking it all in. When you drop down, the first thing you’ll notice is the healthy spread of mustard hill and finger corals, providing plenty of nooks and crannies. Keep your eyes peeled for the smaller stuff; we’ve had good luck spotting yellow jawfish hovering near their burrows, and the tiny northern neon gobies are always a treat, darting around. There’s a consistent presence of spotted goatfish sifting through the sand and plenty of those peppermint bass zipping between the coral heads. We often spot conchfish tucked away, and the collared eels are always a shy but rewarding find if you’re patient. It’s a straightforward dive, accessible from shore, with an average visibility of 19 metres, making it a solid choice for a chill dive where you can just cruise and observe.

Location
Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-0.552900, 130.695100
Type
reef

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 Koi island

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 Koi island

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 are the typical depths for recreational diving at Koi Island?
At Koi Island, recreational divers can explore depths down to a maximum of 21 meters. The vibrant reef itself begins at approximately 5 meters and slopes down, offering a wide range of depths for various certification levels.
What kind of marine life and underwater topography can divers expect to encounter at Koi Island?
Divers at Koi Island can expect to encounter a slopy wall topography, perfect for a drift dive. The site is teeming with marine life, including white tip and black tip sharks, eagle rays, and large schools of snappers, sweetlips, spadefish, eels, fusiliers, and surgeon fishes. For more information on marine species, visit our wildlife database.
Is Koi Island considered a difficult dive site, especially for less experienced divers?
Koi Island is classified as an intermediate difficulty dive site. While it offers incredible experiences, the presence of drift diving conditions suggests it might be more challenging for less experienced divers. We recommend divers have some experience with currents before attempting this site.
When is the best season or time of year to visit Koi Island for diving?
The provided data context does not specify the best season or time of year to visit Koi Island for diving. For general information on dive seasons in the region, please refer to our When to Dive guide.
What level of scuba diving certification is recommended or required for diving at Koi Island?
Given its classification as an intermediate difficulty dive site and the nature of it being a drift dive, we recommend divers hold at least an Advanced Open Water certification or have significant experience with similar conditions. This ensures you can safely enjoy the dynamic environment of Koi Island.
How strong are the currents typically at Koi Island, and what is the usual visibility?
Koi Island is known for its drift diving, indicating that currents are typically present and can be quite strong. Despite the currents, divers can usually expect excellent underwater visibility, averaging around 20 meters, offering clear views of the abundant marine life.