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Yeben Shallows

3.4 — based on 12 community signals
4.2 12 species 21 contributors

Yeben Shallows near Batu Yewen Island offers accessible diving in Raja Ampat with diverse marine life and year-round conditions.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Visibility
20 m
Water temp
26–29°C
Shore entryMacroFocusFamily-friendlyBleachingRisk
+1 more
PhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Visibility
20 m
Water temp
26–29 °C
Best months
Year-round

Map

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

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
11 kn
Wave
0.36 m
Water
28.5°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SSE (47%)
Now: SSE (161°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.92m

Next: Low at 04:00 (+0.37m)

+1.0 m0 m+0.1 m
▼ 04:00 · +0.37m ▲ 08:00 · +0.42m ▼ 14:00 · +0.26m ▲ 21:00 · +0.73m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV8.7 · very high Air PM2.523 · moderate 06:09 18:15
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 14.1 0.46 9 0mm
09-20 12.1 0.44 9 1mm
09-21 14.8 0.5 9 0mm
09-22 15 0.46 9 0mm
09-23 8.6 0.26 9 3mm
09-24 10.4 0.26 9 2mm
09-25 8.9 0.32 9 1mm
⚠ Coral bleaching: Watch — favorable conditions
DHW: 1.5°C-weeks · NOAA Coral Reef Watch
🌡 Water temp: Normal for Sep (26–29°C)

About this spot

Yeben Shallows sits near Batu Yewen Island in Raja Ampat Regency, Southwest Papua Province, Indonesia. This dive site attracts divers seeking shallow-water exploration in one of the world's richest marine zones. The area supports a variety of coral and fish species typical of Raja Ampat's reef systems. Community videos and species observations document the site's biodiversity, making it a solid choice for divers interested in macro and reef life. Raja Ampat's waters remain driveable year-round, offering consistent opportunities across seasons. The site lies outside marine protected areas, which may affect local management and regulations. Divers should check current conditions and local guidance before planning trips. The region's coral ecosystems are under watch for bleaching stress, so responsible diving practices matter here. Yeben Shallows works well for divers who want to explore Raja Ampat's signature marine habitat without committing to remote outer-island trips. Community footage and species logs help visitors prepare and identify what to expect. Combine this site with nearby dives for a fuller picture of the Raja Ampat diving experience.

📖 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
  • 🤿 Pack: 3/2 mm shorty
  • 📜 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 · 47%
  • 🤿 Wetsuit 3/2 mm shorty
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 12724km · ~2927kg · €53

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

When is the best time to dive Yeben Shallows?

Yeben Shallows is diveable year-round. Conditions remain consistent across seasons, though local weather and swell can vary. Check with local operators for current seasonal patterns and any temporary closures.

What depth and difficulty should I expect?

Specific depth and difficulty data are not documented for this site. As a shallows site near Batu Yewen Island, expect shallow to moderate depths. Contact local dive operators for current profiles and recommendations based on your experience level.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species observations have been recorded at Yeben Shallows. The site supports typical Raja Ampat reef life including coral formations and associated fish species. Review available community videos and species logs to see documented sightings before your dive.

Do I need permits or special access to dive here?

Yeben Shallows lies outside marine protected areas. Standard Indonesian dive site practices apply. Verify any local regulations, operator requirements, or travel permits with your dive operator or Indonesia's relevant provincial authorities before booking.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Snorkeling In Indonesia | Colorful Reefs Full Of Life At Yeben Shallows | Pulau Yeben, WEST PAPUA

IndonesiaDiving2020

Snorkeling In Indonesia | Yeben Shallow Beautiful Corals And Fish | Pulau Yeben, WEST PAPUA

IndonesiaDiving2020

Snorkeling In Indonesia | Yeben Shallow Reef Full Of Fish Life | Pulau Yeben, WEST PAPUA

IndonesiaDiving2020
wind peaks Jul-Aug-Feb, calmest Oct-Apr-Nov, water 26-29°C.

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: Mar (100/100) Worst: Jun (0/100) Now: Sep (41/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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Batu Rufas Dive Site

Batu Rufas is a year-round dive destination in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, featuring diverse marine life and coral ecosystems worth monitoring for health.

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Barracuda East Indonesia Diving
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Barracuda East

Barracuda East near Famangkor Island in Raja Ampat offers year-round diving with healthy coral and diverse marine life.

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