Dive Site: Sawandarek

About Sawandarek

Sawandarek, often referred to as Sawandarek Pier, is a captivating dive site located in Central Raja Ampat, distinguished by its unique setting beneath a village jetty. Unlike many of Raja Ampat's renowned drift dives, Sawandarek is celebrated for its generally calm conditions, making it a more relaxed and accessible experience while still teeming with vibrant marine life. This site is a visual feast, offering an extraordinary contrast between a bustling fish population, stunning corals, and impressive macro subjects. The topography features a shallow reef around the pier legs descending to a broader sandy bottom where magnificent cabbage corals thrive. The pier itself, adorned with marine growth, acts as an artificial reef, creating abundant hiding spots and feeding grounds. Depths range from a comfortable 5 meters at the pier's base, extending down to about 30 meters on the outer reef. Marine life at Sawandarek is consistently rich, with schooling fish, various reef residents, and impressive pelagics making regular appearances. Giant green turtles are a particular highlight, often seen gliding gracefully or resting. Macro enthusiasts will discover a wealth of nudibranchs, juvenile fish, and other small critters. The site also boasts large clams and the occasional presence of stingrays and sharks near the jetty. Diving Sawandarek typically involves exploring the pier's structure and the adjacent reef, often featuring gentle currents that allow for leisurely exploration. The consistent visibility and calm waters provide excellent opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography, capturing the diverse ecosystems supported by both the natural reef and the man-made structure.

Dive site facts: Sawandarek

Depth

5–30 m

Current

Mild

Visibility

15–30 m

Water temperature

28–30°C

Entry

Boat / easy entry

Level

All levels

Dive type

Reef, pier, macro

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Central Raja Ampat

Coordinates

-0.5527, 130.5842

Conditions & Currents

Sawandarek is notable for its generally mild currents, making it a more tranquil dive compared to many other Raja Ampat sites. While some sites in the region can experience strong flows, Sawandarek typically offers gentle conditions, allowing for leisurely exploration of the pier structure and surrounding reef. Visibility usually remains good, but like all sites in Raja Ampat, it can occasionally be affected by plankton blooms, which, while potentially reducing clarity, often attract larger marine life. These calmer conditions make Sawandarek accessible for divers who prefer a less physically demanding experience and provide ample opportunities for photography and detailed observation without the need for negative entries or reef hooks.

Marine life & sighting chances

Green turtle

common

Sweetlips

common

Garden eels

common

Barracudas

common

Jackfishes

common

Nudibranchs

common

Stingrays

occasional

Batfishes

common

Reef sharks

occasional

Cabbage corals

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Your dive at Sawandarek typically begins with an easy entry from the boat near the jetty. You'll descend into the calm waters, immediately encountering the vibrant life beneath the pier, with abundant schools of fish and resident batfish. The initial phase of the dive focuses on exploring the pier's structure, observing the diverse macro life and juvenile fish hiding among the pylons. From there, you'll generally move towards the sandy bottom, home to impressive cabbage corals and garden eels, keeping an eye out for large sweetlips congregating. Giant green turtles are frequently sighted throughout the dive, often cruising along the reef or resting. The dive gradually ascends, allowing for exploration of the shallower reef garden on the way back to the jetty, where you'll spend your safety stop observing the final flurry of activity.

Underwater photography

Sawandarek offers exceptional opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography, given its diverse marine life and generally calm conditions. For wide-angle shots, focus on capturing the bustling schools of fish around the pier, the majestic cabbage corals, and the impressive giant green turtles in their natural habitat. The vibrant soft corals covering the pier structure also make for colorful compositions. Macro photographers will delight in the abundance of nudibranchs, juvenile fish, and other small critters hidden within the pier's nooks and crannies and among the reef. A macro lens or close-up filters are highly recommended for capturing these intricate details. Buoyancy control is paramount to avoid disturbing the delicate organisms and to maintain good positioning for your shots.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Arborek Jetty

  Arborek Jetty, situated off the north coast of Arborek Island in Raja Ampat's Dampier Strait, offers a unique and accessible dive…

• Manta Sandy

  Manta Sandy, situated in the Dampier Strait southeast of Arborek Island, is a celebrated dive site in Raja Ampat, globally recognised for…

• Blue Magic

  Blue Magic, nestled in the Dampier Strait of Raja Ampat, stands as a premier dive site globally, celebrated for its high-energy pelagic…

• Melissa's Garden

  Melissa's Garden stands out as one of Raja Ampat's most spectacular dive sites, particularly renowned for its vibrant and extensive coral…

• Cape Kri

  Cape Kri, situated off the northern tip of Kri Island in Raja Ampat's Dampier Strait, is a legendary dive site renowned for its exceptional…

Getting there & logistics

Reaching Raja Ampat, including Sawandarek, typically involves flying into Sorong (SOQ) from major Indonesian hubs like Jakarta, Makassar, or Manado. From Sorong, divers usually board a liveaboard directly or take a public ferry to Waisai, the capital of Waigeo, before transferring to a resort or local boat. Liveaboards are the most effective way to experience the remote dive sites across Raja Ampat, including Sawandarek, often combining sites in Dampier Strait with those further south or north. Trips generally range from 7 to 10 days. All divers must purchase a Raja Ampat Marine Park Entry Permit, valid for one year, to support conservation efforts in the region. This permit is usually around USD $100 and can be purchased upon arrival.

Safety & environment

While diving in Raja Ampat offers unparalleled experiences, it is crucial to prioritize safety. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Waisai, Waigeo, emphasizing the importance of diligent dive planning and conservative profiles. Evacuation from remote dive sites like Sawandarek can be lengthy and complex, often involving boat transfers to Waisai or Sorong before air transport to a larger medical facility, especially in the event of a serious incident. Comprehensive dive insurance, covering emergency medical treatment and evacuation, is not just recommended but essential. Divers should maintain excellent buoyancy control to avoid damaging the pristine corals and adhere to all dive guide instructions. Due to the area's nutrient-rich waters and occasional currents, maintaining situational awareness is key, even at calmer sites.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Sawandarek FAQ

Liveaboards diving Sawandarek

These liveaboards may visit Sawandarek on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Jaya

Indonesia

14 guests23 m

$280/day

Wellenreng

Indonesia

9 guests25 m

$427/day

Blue Manta

Indonesia

20 guests45 m

$482/day

Mari

Indonesia

14 guests32.2 m

$328/day

Situju7

Komodo, Indonesia

10 guests32.7 m

$362/day

Pindito

Indonesia

16 guests37.79 m

$533/day

Mermaid II

Komodo, Indonesia

18 guests

$391/day

Pearl of Papua

Raja Ampat, Indonesia

14 guests30 m

$303/day

Aliikai Voyage

Indonesia

15 guests40 m

$658/day

Gaia Love

Alor

20 guests

$554/day

Emperor Raja Laut

Raja Ampat, Indonesia

12 guests31 m

$413/day

Ambai

Indonesia

16 guests32 m

$453/day