Scuba Diving in Irian Jaya

The Passage

Between the islands of Wayilbatan and Walib in the southern region of Raja Ampat, there is a channel over 30 metres wide featuring some of the finest benthic life you are ever likely to see.

Currents feed through this corridor between the islands, sweeping nutrients whose fate is likely to be falling into the welcoming arms of hundreds of sea fans. They stretch out from either wall to ensnare passing food and are present in a dizzying array of colours. Bright oranges, luminescent yellow, deep purple and vital green combine to launch an all out assault on your senses. Even in conditions of mediocre visibility the effect can be stunning. Depending on the current you may either drift past this jutting, multicoloured army of webs, or, if calm, you can stop and discover the little gems that call them home.

Pygmy seahorses are here and there are is no shortage of fans for them to cling to. You can expect to see many yellow and pink Hippocampus Barbiganti as well as white and orange varieties of Hippocampus Denise. There is no need for photographers to queue up at one solitary fan at this site. With some fans being home to 6 or more specimens there is plenty of choice.

Apart from the pygmies that normally steal the show, you can also check either vibrant wall for nudibranchs of which there are several, including the delightful little yellow blob that is the Thecacera specimen (aka Pikachu). The passage also is home to various colours of crinoids promising a fascinating variety of clingfish, squat lobsters and crinoid shrimps. Other little creatures of interest include the Reindeer wrasse which can be seen slowly weaving its way around quieter patches.

With current and nutrient-rich water, there are also larger species to be seen away from the wall in the channel such as schools of yellowfin barracuda, mobula rays and occasionally, passing squadrons of eagle rays. Despite all of these fascinating creatures both large and small, it is the spectacular colour scheme that will most likely impress you and etch The Passage deep in your diving memory.

The Passage Reef Basics: Wall dive
Depth: 5 - 30m
Visibility: 5 - 30m
Currents: Moderate to strong
Surface conditions: Can be choppy
Water temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience level: Intermediate - advanced
Number of dive sites: 2
Diving season: All year round
Distance: ~140 km (8 hours) southwest of Sorong
Access: Irian Jaya liveaboards

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