The 5 most popular dive sites in the Dampier Strait, and how the strait got its name

The Dampier Strait is the heart of Raja Ampat for divers. In this channel a few kilometres wide, currents from the Pacific Ocean carry food for millions of fish, and this is where most of the homestays, dive centres and famous dive sites are. Here are the five dive sites people ask for most, the story behind the strait's name, and the DAMPIER partner dive centres that can take you there.

Where the name Dampier comes from

The Dampier Strait separates Waigeo island in the north from Batanta island in the south. Inside it lie Kri, Mansuar, Arborek, Gam and Friwen, the islands guests visit most.

It is named after William Dampier (1651–1715), an English sailor, explorer and naturalist. He had been a buccaneer, and became the first person to sail around the world three times. His travel book, A New Voyage Round the World (1697), was a bestseller, and it led the English navy to give him HMS Roebuck to explore New Holland, the old name for Australia.

After charting the west coast of Australia in 1699, Dampier sailed to Timor, then at the start of 1700 rounded the northwestern tip of Papua's Bird's Head and carried on along the north coast of Papua. In his book he records stopping at an island its people called Pulo Sabuda, and at Mabo, the northwest cape of Papua. European mapmakers later named the strait between Waigeo and Batanta in his memory. The historical record does not say for certain whether the Roebuck itself sailed through this strait.

Do not confuse it with the Dampier Strait in Papua New Guinea, between Umboi island and New Britain, which he sailed through in 1700 as the first European. The town of Dampier and the Dampier Archipelago in Western Australia were also named after the same voyage.

Of course, these waters were sailed long before Dampier arrived. The peoples of Raja Ampat have lived from this sea for generations, and the kings of the four large islands, Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool, once came under the influence of the Sultanate of Tidore. The name Raja Ampat, four kings, comes from their story.

Cape Kri

Cape Kri sits at the eastern tip of Kri island. Its reef slope drops from the shallows to beyond 30 metres, densely covered in hard and soft corals. This is where ichthyologist Gerald Allen counted 374 fish species on a single dive, a record known throughout the diving world.

Expect schools of yellowtail and fusiliers, trevally, barracuda, reef sharks, turtles and the occasional passing manta. The current can be strong, so the site is most comfortable for experienced divers, ideally with an Advanced certification. When the current is calm, snorkelling over the shallow part is lovely too.

Sardines Reef

Sardines Reef is a small oval reef in open water east of Kri island. Its top sits about 5 metres below the surface, with gentle coral slopes all around. The name comes from schools of fish so dense they seem to block out the sun.

When the current runs, fusiliers, snapper, barracuda and trevally gather, while wobbegong and reef sharks rest on the bottom. The current is moderate to strong. The site suits intermediate divers who want to see fish in huge numbers.

Blue Magic

Blue Magic is a small seamount between Mansuar and Cendana islands. Its top lies about 7–10 metres below the surface and its base at around 30 metres, surrounded by blue water with no wall to hold on to.

On its top is a cleaning station visited by oceanic manta rays, and around it you often see Napoleon wrasse, trevally, barracuda and wobbegong sharks hiding in the reef. The current is often strong and changes direction, so Blue Magic suits experienced divers with an Advanced certification.

Manta Sandy

Manta Sandy lies between Mansuar and Arborek islands. The bottom is sand and coral rubble at about 15–18 metres, with a few coral heads that act as cleaning stations for reef manta rays.

Divers wait quietly behind a line of marker stones while the mantas circle above the station to be cleaned by small fish. The current is usually mild, so the site suits divers with an entry level certification. The best season is roughly October to April. Nearby Manta Ridge has stronger currents and suits experienced divers better.

Mike's Point

Mike's Point is a small coral island between Gam and Mansuar islands. On its south side a reef wall drops beyond 40 metres, with a plateau at about 8 metres, overhangs and natural swim throughs.

According to local lore, the island was bombed by Allied aircraft in the Second World War because, from the air, the current rippling around it looked like a warship. The story has never been proven, but the reef has since recovered well. The current is strong and brings big schools of fish, including hunting Spanish mackerel, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks. This site is for experienced divers.

Other sites worth a dive

If you have more time, try the jetties at Arborek, Sawandarek and Yenbuba, which teem with fish and are great for snorkelling too, Friwen Wall with its soft corals, Chicken Reef near Kri, and Mioskun and Batu Lima around Gam.

Before you dive the Dampier Strait

• Bring your certification card and log book. The marine park authority requires dive insurance for all divers.
• Currents in the Dampier Strait can be very strong and change quickly. Always follow your local guide.
• Do not touch the coral, do not chase mantas, and keep your buoyancy under control so sand and coral are not damaged.
• Pay the regency tourism levy and the provincial marine park PIN before you dive. The details are in our Raja Ampat travel guide for 2027.

DAMPIER partner dive centres in the Dampier Strait

All the sites above can be reached from DAMPIER partner dive centres. They are based in the Dampier Strait, use local guides who know the currents, and can be booked and paid for upfront in Diving, snorkelling & trips. Prices below are starting prices as of October 2026. The latest prices are always on each listing page.

• Raja Ampat Dive Trips Sauwandarek, in Sawandarek village on the south coast of Mansuar island, closest to Manta Sandy. Local dives from IDR 850,000 per dive, two dives at further sites such as Blue Magic and Sardines Reef from IDR 1,800,000, and one dive at Manta Sandy or Manta Ridge IDR 1,000,000.
• Dragonet Divers Raja Ampat, an SSI certified dive centre in the Nyande Papir area of Mansuar island, in the middle of the strait. One dive from IDR 900,000 including gear and boat, manta station dives from IDR 1,000,000, and snorkellers can join the same boat.
• Turtle Divers, from Turtle Dive Homestay on Kri island, with certified instructors. Closest to Cape Kri and Sardines Reef, runs night dives at Yenbuba, and offers snorkelling at Cape Kri, Chicken Reef and Mike's Point.
• Zanclus Dive Center in Waisai, a good choice if you are staying in Waisai or have just arrived. A dive guide for two dives from IDR 750,000, a full set of scuba gear IDR 600,000 a day, and an 8 day, 7 night dive trip with accommodation and the ferry from Sorong.

If you are staying on Kri or East Mansuar, add the Easy-going Arrival Package when you book your homestay. The DAMPIER team meets you at Sorong Airport and handles the ferry, porters, entry fees and the longboat to your homestay's door, so you can be diving from your first day.

Sea conditions and currents change from week to week. Ask the dive centre which sites suit your certification level when you book.