Magic Mountain is one of those dive sites that goes by many names, also called Shadow Reef or Karang Bayangan.
Magic Mountain is one of those dive sites that goes by many names, also called Shadow Reef or Karang Bayangan. It’s located in the south of Raja Ampat, in the Misool region, Southeast of Warakaraket island.
Time and time again this site leaves divers with 500+ dives under their belts surfacing to say “that is the best dive I have ever done”.
A beautiful submerged ridge that starts at just 6m from the surface. The site resembles an underwater plateau mountain that progressively steps down half a dozen times. We recommend being an intermediate to experienced diver for this site however as currents can pick up.
The species we can see on this site are extensive and impressive. We see Barracuda, Fusiliers, Surgeonfish, Mantas, Napoleon Wrasse, Jacks, Trevally, White Tip Reef Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks, Raja Ampat walking sharks, anthias, yellow snapper, batfish, triggerfish, turtles, large groupers and wobbegong sharks.
Dropping in from the dive boat, the first sight is an impressive hard coral garden on the shallowest flat top of the ridge. Many times we have dropped into this site to see a Giant Black Pacific Manta Ray within minutes of being in the water.
As the dive progresses, we drop a level and start making our way down to 25m along the ridge edge. Here you can find a microcosm of the weird and wonderful macro critters clinging to the ridge walls. Swimming towards the deep end of the ridge, we start to head to the area where the current picks up a little. With the current comes the schools of Pelagic’s and other large fish. The Barracuda and abundant Napoleon Wrasse are a highlight here amongst many other fish species.
Hitting the end of the ridge the final flat-topped step is around 20m, this is where you start to raise your profile progressively up the steps and experience the diversity of critters to be found while ascending back to the 6m coral garden.
If you want the perfect combination of the small guys and big guys, then this is the dive for you. This site can get quite busy in peak season, so liveaboard captains and the nearby Misool Eco-resort coordinate dive group drop-in times via radio, to ensure you are swimming in schools of fish and not schools of divers.
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Topography: Underwater Seamount
Max Depth: 40 meters+
Typical Current: Medium to Strong
Best For: Huge Underwater Seamount with Mantas and everything else you can think of
Snorkeler Friendly
9 Days 8 Nights
Dive in Magic Mountain with our 9 Days 8 Nights itinerary to the South of Raja Ampat.
12 Days 11 Nights
Dive in Magic Mountain with our 12 Days 11 Nights itinerary to North, Central & South of Raja Ampat.
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