School of bigeye snappers over the reef in Misool, Raja Ampat

Photo: desertnaturalist, cropped, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Magic Mountain

Misool, Raja Ampat, Indonesia

  • Advanced
  • Strong current
  • Best Oct to Apr

Magic Mountain is an advanced dive site in Misool, Raja Ampat, Indonesia. Dives run from 6 to 30 m, in strong current. The best months are October to April. Marine life here includes manta ray, barracuda and grouper.

Updated

Conditions at Magic Mountain

Max depth
30 m
Depth range
6–30 m
Current
Strong
Level
Advanced
Depth profile: dives from 6 m to 30 m.

Safety

Current
Can be strong on the ridge; plan the dive around the tide.

About Magic Mountain

Magic Mountain is a reef-covered seamount in Misool, southern Raja Ampat, rising to about 6 metres. It has at least two manta cleaning stations, one of the few places where oceanic and reef mantas are seen together, and strong current that calls for a reef hook.

Magic Mountain is a large seamount covered in reef in Misool, in the far south of Raja Ampat. Its top begins about 6 metres below the surface, and a ridge runs out from it into deeper water. The site goes beyond 30 metres, but the best of it is around 25 metres along the ridge.

It is famous for mantas. Magic Mountain has at least two cleaning stations, one at the end of the ridge and a shallower one that makes a memorable safety stop, and it is one of the few places in the world where oceanic and reef mantas are seen together. The rest of the seamount is busy with fish all day.

The mountain is fully exposed to strong ocean currents, so it is a dive for advanced divers, and a reef hook is essential at the cleaning stations.

When to dive Magic Mountain

Best months: January, February, March, April, October, November, December.

Season

Right now
Year round
Dived all year.
Peak season
October to April.

Marine life at Magic Mountain

What divers report seeing here. Tap one to see where else it turns up.

Type of diving

Questions about Magic Mountain

Can you see manta rays at Magic Mountain?

Yes. It has at least two cleaning stations and is one of the few sites where oceanic and reef mantas are seen together.

How deep is Magic Mountain?

The top is at about 6 metres. The site goes below 30 metres, but most dives stay around 25 metres along the ridge.

Who can dive Magic Mountain?

Advanced divers. The seamount is exposed to strong ocean currents, and a reef hook is needed at the cleaning stations.

Where is Magic Mountain?

In Misool, the far south of Raja Ampat.

When is the best time to dive Magic Mountain?

It can be dived all year. October to April is Raja Ampat's peak season, with calmer seas.

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