Sienna Resort’s Ultimate Guide to Maratua Island's Best Diving Spots

Wednesday, 12 Mar 2025

Maratua Island is a diver's paradise, offering some of the most breathtaking underwater experiences in Indonesia. Located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, this secluded island boasts crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and abundant marine life. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, Sienna Resort is your gateway to the best dive sites in Maratua, including the world-famous Big Fish Country/The Channel, just five minutes from the resort.

1. Big Fish Country/ The Channel, Maratua's Favorite Dive Spot

If you'e looking for the ultimate diving adventure, Big Fish Country (also known as The Channel) is the place to be. This world-renowned dive site is only 5 minutes from Sienna Resort and is famous for its strong currents, large pelagic fish, and thrilling drift dives. Expect to encounter schools of barracuda, whale sharks, reef mata ray, and even hammerhead sharks in peak seasons.

Highlights:

Proximity: Only 5 minutes from Sienna Resort
Marine Life: Large schools of fish, reef sharks, and barracudas
Dive Type: Drift diving, advanced divers recommended

1. Big Fish Country/ The Channel, Maratua

2. Turtle Bay, A Haven for Turtle Lovers

Located on the northeastern side of Maratua, Turtle Bay is a dream destination for those wanting to dive with green and hawksbill turtles. The area is a calm, shallow reef, making it an excellent dive site for beginners and photographers alike.

Highlights:

Marine Life: Abundant turtles, reef fish, and soft corals
Max Depth: 21m / 69ft
Dive Type: Easy, suitable for all levels

3. Gorgonzola, Stunning Coral Formations

If you're looking for a dive site with stunning coral formations, Gorgonzola is an excellent choice. This site is characterized by a beautiful reef top and a dramatic wall with a sandy plateau at 30 meters. Divers can follow the wall with their right shoulder, exploring healthy hard and soft corals, large Gorgonian sea fans, and abundant marine life. Special sightings here include schools of bumphead parrotfish, many small reef fish, and fascinating macro creatures.

Highlights:

Marine Life: Bumphead parrotfish, small reef fish, macro critters, and gorgonian sea fans
Max Depth: 23m / 75ft
Dive Type: Wall dive with sandy plateau, excellent for all levels

4. Fantasy Wall, A Colorful Underwater Wonderland

A stunning wall dive characterized by many Gorgonian sea fans, Fantasy Wall offers a dynamic underwater experience for divers of all levels. The site features a vertical drop-off with strong currents and fewer corals, creating an ideal habitat for macro life, eagle rays, and diverse reef fish. Divers can explore the site either with their right or left shoulder to the wall, enjoying the unique formations and marine biodiversity.

Highlights:

Marine Life: Eagle rays, macro life, gorgonian sea fans, and reef fish
Max Depth: 23m / 75ft
Dive Type: Wall dive with strong currents, suitable for experienced divers

4. Fantasy Wall, A Colorful Underwater Wonderland

5. Maratua Reef, A Diverse Marine Ecosystem

Located near Sienna Resort, Maratua Reef offers a mix of hard and soft corals, sandy patches, and vibrant marine life. It’s a great spot for divers of all levels and provides an excellent introduction to the rich biodiversity of Maratua.

Highlights:

Marine Life: Reef sharks, fusiliers, and soft corals
Depth: 10-25 meters
Dive Type: Relaxed diving, great for all levels

6. Seafan City, A Colorful Wall with Unique Marine Life

Seafan City is a vibrant and diverse dive site featuring a stunning vertical wall covered in gorgonian sea fans. This site is well-known for its abundant macro life, including scorpion fish, stone fish, and pygmy seahorses hidden among the corals. Divers can explore the area with either their right or left shoulder to the wall, encountering sea cobras, turtles, nudibranchs, crabs, and shrimp along the way. Due to the presence of strong currents, coral growth is limited, but the marine biodiversity makes up for it.

Highlights:

Marine Life: Scorpion fish, stone fish, sea cobras, pygmy seahorses, turtles, nudibranchs, crabs, shrimp
Max Depth: 26m/ 85ft
Dive Type: Wall dive with strong currents, suitable for experienced divers

7. Barracuda Point, A High-Action Drift Dive

Located in the Derawan Archipelago, Barracuda Point is one of the most exciting dive sites, offering a variety of pelagic marine life. This site is well-known for strong currents that bring in schools of jackfish, barracudas, sharks, eagle rays, and even mobula rays. Due to the challenging conditions, this dive is recommended for Advanced Open Water Divers. The currents, however, sustain a thriving ecosystem of healthy marine and coral life, making it a rewarding experience for those seeking adventure.

Highlights:

Marine Life: Barracuda, Eagle ray, Jackfish, Octopus, Grey Reef Shark, Devil Ray, Whitetip Reef Shark
Depth: 25m / 82ft
Dive Type: Reef, strong currents

8. Jellyfish Lake, A Unique Snorkeling Experience

Although not a dive site, Jellyfish Lake on Kakaban Island is an unforgettable snorkeling experience. This stingless jellyfish sanctuary is one of the rarest ecosystems in the world.

Highlights:

Marine Life: Stingless jellyfish
Depth: Shallow, snorkeling only
Dive Type: No diving allowed, snorkeling experience

8. Jellyfish Lake, A Unique Snorkeling Experience

Book Your Dream Dive Trip at Sienna Resort

Sienna Resort is the perfect base for exploring Maratua's best dive sites. Whether you're a seasoned diver or just starting, our expert dive guides will ensure you have an unforgettable underwater adventure.

Why Stay at Sienna Resort?

Proximity to Top Dive Sites (Big Fish Country/ The Channel is just 5 minutes away!)
Professional Dive Instructors & Guides
Luxury Beach Villas and Cottages with Stunning Ocean Views
Easy Access to Kakaban, Sangalaki & Maratua’s Best Spots

Ready to Dive In?

Visit Sienna Resort to book your next dive adventure today!

Final Tip: The best diving season in Maratua is March to November, with peak visibility and marine activity. Plan and secure your spot at Sienna Resort for an unforgettable dive trip!