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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 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 a 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 Chevron barracuda, Bigeye jackfish, and Grey reef shark. Recent reports put the water around 30°C (86°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 17h ago
0.2 mwaves — under half a meter expected

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

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

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Wed
Tue7:00–19:00
Wed7:00–19:00
Thu7:00–19:00
Fri7:00–19:00
Sat7:00–19:00
Sun7:00–19:00
Mon—

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:43 · Sunrise 6:05 · Sunset 18:18

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 8.1 km from site · graded 17h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

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.

What Divers Say

Known for: Chevron barracuda, Bigeye jackfish, Grey reef shark
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. Jan100%29°C0.3 m
  2. Feb100%29°C0.4 m
  3. Mar100%29°C0.4 m
  4. Apr100%30°C0.3 m
  5. May100%31°C0.2 m
  6. Jun100%30°C0.2 m
  7. Jul100%30°C0.4 m
  8. Aug100%30°C0.3 m
  9. Sep100%30°C0.3 m
  10. Oct100%30°C0.2 m
  11. Nov99%30°C0.3 m
  12. Dec100%30°C0.3 m

January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and December havetypically 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

  • Chevron barracudaCommonly seen
  • Bigeye jackfishCommonly seen
  • Grey reef sharkCommonly seen
  • Blacktip reef sharkCommonly seen
  • Dogtooth tunaOccasionally seen
  • Eagle rayOccasionally seen
  • Green sea turtleCommonly seen
  • Bumphead parrotfishOccasionally seen

Fills & rentals nearby

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

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

Reviews

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