Turtle House Reef - Raja Ampat

The Koviki Corsair is one of those Solomon Islands wrecks we genuinely look forward to. Drop down, and this WWII fighter just materialises out of the blue, sitting upright on the sandy bottom at 27 metres. It’s remarkably intact, almost like it just landed. You can fin right up to the cockpit, peer through the glass, and imagine the pilot's final moments. Our favourite detail is the bent propeller blade, a testament to its impact. We’ve seen some huge groupers here, proper monsters, sometimes tucked under a wing. Napoleon wrasse often cruise by, inspecting divers with their curious eyes. Visibility is usually superb, 20 metres plus, which makes for incredible photos – the light catching the plane's structure against the white sand is something else. It's a serene dive, perfect for wreck enthusiasts who appreciate history and a good photo opportunity without fighting currents. We usually spend a solid 30-40 minutes just on the plane before moving to the nearby reef slope for a safety stop, where we’ve spotted small reef sharks cruising past.

Location
Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-0.565000, 130.669100
Type
wreck

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 Turtle House Reef

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 Turtle House Reef

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 depth range for diving at Turtle House Reef?
Diving at Turtle House Reef typically offers an average shallow depth range of 12-16 meters. The maximum depth for this site is 16 meters, providing a calm and easy dive experience suitable for various skill levels.
What kind of marine life and coral can divers expect to see at Turtle House Reef?
Divers at Turtle House Reef can expect to encounter a wonderful combination of colorful soft and hard corals along its slopes. The reef is home to groups of fusiliers, sweet lips, and black tip sharks, with napoleon wrasse and puffer fish often spotted. You might also see other big fish species normally found in the shallows here. Explore more about these species in our Wildlife Database.
How challenging is diving at Turtle House Reef, and is it suitable for beginner divers?
Diving at Turtle House Reef is rated as intermediate difficulty. However, the site typically features mostly light current conditions, which contribute to a calm and easy dive experience. While not strictly a beginner dive, its gentle nature may make it suitable for newer divers with proper guidance and comfort in light currents.
What is the best time of year to dive Turtle House Reef for optimal conditions and marine encounters?
The provided data does not specify the best time of year for optimal conditions and marine encounters at Turtle House Reef. For general information on diving seasons in Raja Ampat, we recommend consulting our When to Dive resource.
What scuba diving certifications are required to dive at Turtle House Reef?
The available information for Turtle House Reef does not specify particular scuba diving certifications required. We advise contacting local dive operators in Raja Ampat directly for the most accurate and up-to-date requirements for this site.
What are the typical current conditions and visibility like at Turtle House Reef?
At Turtle House Reef, divers can generally expect mostly light current conditions, contributing to a calm and easy dive experience. The average visibility at this site is a clear 18 meters, offering excellent viewing opportunities of the vibrant reef.