Sardine Reef
Protected Area
TAMAN WISATA PERAIRAN KEPULAUAN RAJA AMPAT
Why dive here
With 236+ marine species recorded in the area - including blacktip reef sharks, manta rays, mobula rays (devil rays), pygmy seahorses and sea turtles - Sardine Reef offers some of Raja Ampat's richest reef diving. Water ranges 29-30°C, warmest May, November, December.
Sardine Reef is exactly what it sounds like, well, almost. You won't find sardine bait balls here, but the sheer density of fish life gives you that same feeling of being enveloped. We’re talking fusiliers, surgeonfish, and schooling bannerfish, often in such numbers they can dim the sunlight. It's a slope and wall dive, dropping to around 30 metres, where the current often runs, making it a good spot for some easy drift diving if you time it right. Keep an eye out for Denise's pygmy seahorse tucked into the gorgonians, and the vibrant flash of flame cardinalfish. It’s a site that really delivers on the Raja Ampat reputation for fish biomass, great for wide-angle shots and just soaking it all in.
Typical Sardine Reef Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Strong currents typical this month (avg 35 cm/s). Good buoyancy control essential.
Nearest Dive Centres to Sardine Reef
Dive shops near Sardine Reef
Papua Diving - Kri Eco Resort
Yenkoranu Homestay
Wobegong Dive Center
Koranu Fyak Homestay
Delvin
Lumba Lumba
Reviews for Sardine Reef
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Sardine Reef
Sardine Reef Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Sardine Reef, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-0.5, 130.6) (0km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
30°C
86°F · Range: 29.2–30.9°C
Current Speed
34.71 cm/s
Direction: NW (311.5°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.138 mg/m³
Clear water
Salinity
34.33 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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