How deep is Big Fish Country (Maratua Channel)?

Big Fish Country (Maratua Channel) ranges from 5 to 30 metres deep (16–98 feet). It is a saltwater site rated as advanced difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is Big Fish Country (Maratua Channel) a shore dive or a boat dive?

Big Fish Country (Maratua Channel) is a boat dive — access is by boat rather than from shore. The entry is recorded as a giant-stride entry. The site is recorded as tide-dependent (slack tide only), so check local tide tables when planning your entry. The entry area is recorded as exposed to surge. No facilities are recorded at the site, and cell service is recorded as good. Entry details and parking notes, where known, are listed in the access section of this page.

Can beginners dive Big Fish Country (Maratua Channel)?

Big Fish Country (Maratua Channel) is rated as advanced difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 5 to 30 metres (16–98 feet). Access is by boat, with the entry recorded as a giant-stride entry. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

What will I see at Big Fish Country (Maratua Channel)?

Divers at Big Fish Country (Maratua Channel) in Indonesia commonly report sightings of Dogtooth tuna, Chevron barracuda, Bumphead parrotfish, Blacktip reef shark, and Bigeye jackfish. Chevron barracuda, Blacktip reef shark, and Bigeye jackfish are recorded as common sightings, while Dogtooth tuna and Bumphead parrotfish are reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

Map of Big Fish Country (Maratua Channel)

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AdvancedBoat entry

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 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.

Marine model · graded 2h 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: Sun

Sat6:00–19:00

Sun6:00–19:00

Mon6:00–19:00

Tue6:00–19:00

Wed6:00–19:00

Thu6:00–19:00

Fri6:00–19:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:37 · Sunrise 5:58 · Sunset 18:06

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 8.1 km from site · graded 2h 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.

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.

Jan100%29°C0.3 m
Feb100%29°C0.4 m
Mar100%29°C0.4 m
Apr100%30°C0.3 m
May100%31°C0.2 m
Jun100%30°C0.2 m
Jul100%30°C0.4 m
Aug100%30°C0.3 m
Sep100%30°C0.3 m
Oct100%30°C0.2 m
Nov99%30°C0.3 m
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

The underwater calendar

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

Green sea turtleSep–Octin season now

Watch the whole year animate on the Migrations map

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km. 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

Reviews

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