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Map of Big Fish Country (Maratua Channel)
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Big Fish Country (Maratua Channel)

East Kalimantan, Indonesia
AOW suggested5–30 m (16–98 ft) depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Big Fish Country (Maratua Channel) at a glance

Big Fish Country (Maratua Channel) is an advanced boat dive site in East Kalimantan, Indonesia with depths of 5–30 m (16–98 ft). Typically most favorable Dec–Oct · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Dogtooth tuna, Chevron barracuda, and Bumphead parrotfish. Recent reports put the water around 30°C (86°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Favorable window now· until 18:00 · sunset 17:51

Forecast for this hour · 12:00 · run 11 h ago
0.3 m (1.1 ft)waves — under half a meter expected (waves — about a foot expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 30°C · seasonal avg 30°C ( · Forecast 86°F · seasonal avg 86°F)

Site hazards: Strong tidal current through the channel, down-currents, depth

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Wed
Mon6:00–18:00 favorable

0.4 m waves · 7 kn wind (1.1 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Tue6:00–18:00 favorable

0.3 m waves · 7 kn wind (1.1 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Wed6:00–18:00 favorable

0.2 m waves · 3 kn wind (0.7 ft waves · 3 kn wind)

Thu6:00–18:00 favorable

0.2 m waves · 4 kn wind (0.6 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Fri6:00–18:00 favorable

0.2 m waves · 4 kn wind (0.5 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Sat6:00–18:00 favorable

0.2 m waves · 6 kn wind (0.7 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Sun6:00–18:00 favorable

0.2 m waves · 6 kn wind (0.8 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 5:27 · Sunrise 5:48 · Sunset 17:51 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 8.1 km from site · updated 26 Oct, 01:19 GMT+8

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Big Fish Country (Maratua Channel)

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Chevron barracuda, Blacktip reef shark, Bigeye jackfish
Best time: Year-round; dive on incoming/outgoing tidal flow as advised

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. January, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (85°F), waves have typically been 0.4 m (1.1 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots, historically most favorable
  2. February, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (84°F), waves have typically been 0.4 m (1.3 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots, historically most favorable
  3. March, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (85°F), waves have typically been 0.4 m (1.3 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots, historically most favorable
  4. April, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 0.3 m (0.9 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots, historically most favorable
  5. May, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 31°C (87°F), waves have typically been 0.2 m (0.7 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots, historically most favorable
  6. June, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 0.2 m (0.8 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots, historically most favorable
  7. July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (85°F), waves have typically been 0.4 m (1.2 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 0.3 m (1.0 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots, historically most favorable
  9. September, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (85°F), waves have typically been 0.3 m (1.0 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots, historically most favorable
  10. October, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 0.2 m (0.7 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots, historically most favorable
  11. November, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 0.3 m (0.8 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  12. December, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 0.3 m (0.9 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots, historically most favorable

January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and December have typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

The underwater calendar

When these animals are most recorded around Coral Triangle & Southeast Asia — from open sighting data, not a promise.

Watch the whole year animate on the Migrations map

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

A signature drift dive at the channel mouth on the north of Maratua island, famous for an enormous schooling barracuda tornado. Current sweeps divers along a colourful coral edge where, around 27 m at the channel entrance, grey reef sharks, blacktips, tuna and big jacks gather. One of the Derawan archipelago's standout big-fish dives.

boatdriftreefwall

Strong tidal current through the channel, down-currents, depth

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