Batu Lima, tucked away on the eastern side of Gam island in the northeastern parts of the Dampier Strait, is a diver’s paradise noted for its enchanted night dives.
Batu Lima, tucked away on the eastern side of Gam island in the northeastern parts of the Dampier Strait, Raja Ampat, is a diver’s paradise noted for its enchanted night dives. Batu Lima, an Indonesian term meaning Five Rocks.
This place is notable for its unusual ecology and exciting chance to see the amazing indigenous Epaulette Sharks—also called Raja Ampat Walking Sharks—as they negotiate the reef.
For divers, Batu Lima provides an aesthetically arresting backdrop with its amazing underwater rock formations encircled by vivid coral gardens. Particularly well-known for its biodiversity, the site is a hotspot for marine life, particularly following sunset when the underwater world comes alive.
For a night dive, why chose Batu Lima? The shallow waters at roughly three to five metres provide an amazing display as darkness sets. Rising from their hiding places amid the coral, the Epaulette Sharks elegantly “walk” across the seafloor using their special fin motions.
This remarkable behaviour provides a rare window into the life of these amazing animals. Apart from wandering sharks, divers should find a range of nocturnal creatures including Nudibranchs, inquisitive octopuses, and other crustaceans.
We will use dive lights to highlight the reef during our night dive, therefore exposing the secret beauties that flourish in the darkness. Look for vivid coral and the amazing interactions of marine life that come out beneath our lights.
Watch also for sleek Barracudas, Triggerfish, Blue Spotted Stingrays, camouflaged Crocodile Fish, Unicorn Fish, sleepy Hawksbill Turtle, Wrasse, Parrot Fish, Red Snappers, Damsel Fish, Puffer Fish, and Rabbitfish. Many of these species sleep in the nooks and crannies between the coral, thus they are difficult to find at night.
Starting from a straightforward entrance, we backroll into the water positively buoyant from the tender. The quiet waves and mild flow let us investigate the rocky outcrops and magnificent coral formations as we drop.
Usually starting a bit deeper down to 18 meters, we then move into the shallower sections for which we intend to spend at least half of the dive, the dive moves through where the marine life is most active and there is the best opportunity to view the Walking Sharks.
Surrounded by the splendour of the reef, we will ascend and do our safety stop as the dive draws to end still hunting for the Walking Sharks. Batu Lima is a highlight for any diver visiting Raja Ampat since it provides not only a dive but also an amazing journey into the wonderful realm of twilight aquatic life.
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Topography: Wall dive that turns into a sloping reef.
Max Depth: 25 meters.
Typical Current: Mild to Medium.
Best For: The only wall dive in central Raja Ampat and a great place to see macro diversity.
Snorkeller friendly.
7 Days 6 Nights
Dive in Batu Lima with our 7 Days 6 Nights itinerary to the Central of Raja Ampat.
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