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A mesmerizing underwater view of a coral reef bustling with colorful marine life and a school of fish in West Papua, Indonesia.
📷 Tom Fisk · Pexels

Reef 5

3.5 — based on 16 community signals
4.2 12 species 22 contributors

Reef 5 is a year-round Indonesian dive site with 12 documented species observations and active community video coverage.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

updated 4 months ago
BleachingRiskShore entryFamily-friendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Best months
Year-round

Map

This spot POIs Airport Nearby spots
Reef 5 location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
9 kn
Wave
0.26 m
Water
29.6°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: E (42%)
Now: E (86°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.01m

Today: High 05:00 (+0.61m), Low 12:00 (+0.02m)

+1.0 m0 m+0.0 m
▲ 05:00 · +0.61m ▼ 12:00 · +0.02m ▲ 20:00 · +0.77m ▼ 01:00 · +0.58m Now +0.5m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV8.95 · very high Air PM2.59 · good 05:42 17:48
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 16.2 0.52 9 0mm
09-20 12.8 0.4 9 1mm
09-21 13.4 0.42 9 0mm
09-22 13.7 0.46 9 1mm
09-23 16.6 0.52 9 3mm
09-24 16 0.48 9 2mm
09-25 10.4 0.32 9 1mm
⚠ Coral bleaching: Warning — heat stress
DHW: 0.8°C-weeks · NOAA Coral Reef Watch

About this spot

Reef 5 sits in Indonesian waters as an accessible dive destination open to visitors throughout the year. The site attracts divers interested in tropical reef environments, with documented marine life observations and community-contributed video content that give newcomers a sense of what to expect underwater. The reef currently carries a coral bleaching warning, a reminder that marine ecosystems remain sensitive to environmental stress. Divers visiting should understand that reef health varies seasonally and annually. The 12 species observations logged at Reef 5 represent baseline documentation of the site's biodiversity, though exact species lists depend on seasonal patterns and dive timing. Reel 5 operates outside a Marine Protected Area, meaning fewer restrictions govern diving here compared to some Indonesian alternatives. This can mean easier access, but it also underscores the importance of responsible diving practices—reef contact, silt disturbance, and gear placement all matter for site preservation. Community videos provide real footage of conditions and marine encounters. Before booking, watch available clips to assess whether the site matches your skill level and interests. Specific depth, visibility, water temperature, and difficulty ratings aren't published here, so contact local dive operators in the nearest Indonesian town for current conditions and gear recommendations.

📖 Guide: Diving in Indonesia: 323 Sites, Mantas to Micro-critters

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type C/F · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 49%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 12203km · ~2807kg · €51

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 54/100
  • Visa: Visa on arrival · 30 days max
  • Flight: 12h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 12h east · 8 days recovery

FAQ

Can I dive Reef 5 year-round?

Yes, Reef 5 is listed as a year-round destination. However, seasonal weather and water conditions in Indonesia do vary. Contact local operators for current conditions during your planned visit to confirm suitability.

Is Reef 5 protected or restricted?

Reef 5 lies outside any Marine Protected Area, so it's not subject to MPA restrictions. That said, responsible diving practices—avoiding coral contact and silt disturbance—remain essential for reef health.

What marine life will I see at Reef 5?

Twelve species observations are documented at Reef 5, though the full species list isn't detailed here. Community videos offer real footage of typical marine encounters. Contact local operators or review available videos for specifics.

How do I access Reef 5?

Reef 5 is in Indonesia. Arrange dives through local operators near the site. No special permits are required outside of standard Indonesian diving regulations. Confirm access procedures and boat departure points with your chosen operator.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

28 records · 21 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Spondylus

Bivalvia · Spondylidae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Sept 1999
×5records

Vasticardium philippinense

Bivalvia · Cardiidae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Sept 1999
×2records

Nereididae

Rag Worm
Polychaeta · Nereididae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Sept 1999
×2records

Ophiarachnella stabilis

Ophiuroidea · Ophiodermatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Sept 1999
×2records
Depth:
12 m

Gomophia egyptiaca

Asteroidea · Ophidiasteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Sept 1999
×1records

Loimia

Polychaeta · Terebellidae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Sept 1999
×1records

Mirapecten

Bivalvia · Pectinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Sept 1999
×1records

Neoferdina cumingi

Asteroidea · Goniasteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Sept 1999
×1records

Neoferdina oni

Asteroidea · Goniasteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Sept 1999
×1records

Vasticardium orbita

Bivalvia · Cardiidae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Sept 1999
×1records

Acar plicata

Bivalvia · Arcidae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Sept 1999
×1records

Plicatula

Bivalvia · Plicatulidae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Sept 1999
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

5 Days in Komodo: Manta Rays, Reef Sharks & Epic Dives! #scubadiving #komodo

Scuba Diving and Dogs

Dive 5 Shadow Reef, Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Jason Lewis
💬 1 top comments
  • Beautiful and I can't wait for Aruba to snorkle.

    @lorrib4634 · 👍 0

Coral Reefs of Amed | A Hidden Gem For Divers | Bali | Indonesia | 4K HDR | 2024

Diver's Lens
💬 3 top comments
  • Unsurpassed festival of color and species. Superb film in HDR, with the careful selection of music and editing to which we are accustomed. High Dynamic Range underwater cinematography like very few people can offer. It is a privilege that you share your images and your films. Congratulations!❤

    @JUANMONTEREY · 👍 3
  • ❤ your videos are amazing ! Thank you for sharing the beauty of the ocean and for inspiring us

    @Antafromabove · 👍 1
  • Thanks you for keeping earth 🙏👍

    @MadeSudiana-b1c · 👍 1
wind peaks Dec-Feb-Sep, calmest May-Jun-Nov.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jun (100/100) Worst: Feb (0/100) Now: Sep (13/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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