Dive Site: Yenbuba Jetty

About Yenbuba Jetty

Yenbuba Jetty, located in the Dampier Strait on the east side of Mansuar Island, is a celebrated dive site in Raja Ampat renowned for its vibrant marine life and exceptional visibility. This site features a sloping reef that can be explored in either direction, allowing divers to keep the reef to their left when heading east to west, or to their right when moving west to east. A major highlight is the area directly beneath the jetty, particularly at a shallow depth of around 4 meters. This specific zone acts as a vital habitat and shelter, teeming with schools of batfish and sweetlips, making it a hotspot for both casual observers and underwater photographers. The topography transitions from a starting depth of about 4 meters down to a maximum of 30 meters, inviting exploration of a diverse array of corals including funnel, boulder, and maze formations. Beyond the prolific coral gardens, divers frequently encounter schools of sergeant major fish, sea turtles, elusive blue spotted stingrays, and various reef sharks, including the unique Wobbegong. The presence of colorful nudibranchs adds small bursts of vibrancy, while the striped angelfish contributes to the breathtaking underwater scenery. The clear waters and rich biodiversity make Yenbuba Jetty an outstanding location for underwater photography, appealing to both seasoned divers and snorkelers alike. While the jetty offers sheltered areas for marine life, divers must remain vigilant regarding boat traffic, especially when exploring directly underneath. The site is accessible for snorkelers of all levels due to its easy entry and captivating shallow scenery. After diving, boats can conveniently dock alongside the jetty, providing easy access to the nearby village where visitors can engage with local culture and residents.

Dive site facts: Yenbuba Jetty

Depth

4–30 m

Typical dive

10–25 m, 50–60 min

Current

Mild to moderate

Visibility

15–30 m

Water temperature

28–30°C

Entry

Tender / boat

Level

Beginner to Advanced

Dive type

Reef, Macro, Photography, Night

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Dampier Strait, Raja Ampat

Coordinates

-0.5693, 130.5471

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Yenbuba Jetty are generally mild to moderate, allowing for a relaxed dive experience compared to many other Raja Ampat sites. The sloping reef can be explored in either direction, depending on the prevailing current, keeping the reef either on your left or right. Underneath the jetty, at around 4 meters depth, the waters are typically very calm, providing a sheltered habitat for numerous fish species. However, divers should always be aware of boat traffic in the immediate jetty area and maintain vigilance. Visibility usually ranges from 15 to 30 meters, though plankton blooms, while attracting larger marine life like mantas, can temporarily reduce clarity. Water temperatures consistently stay warm, around 29–30°C, making thermoclines rare. Entry is typically from a tender, with the boat often docking directly alongside the jetty for easy exit.

Marine life & sighting chances

Wobbegong shark

Year-round · occasional

Reef shark

Year-round · occasional

Sea turtle

Year-round · common

Blue spotted stingray

Year-round · occasional

Batfish

Year-round · common

Sweetlips

Year-round · common

Sergeant major fish

Year-round · common

Angelfish

Year-round · common

Nudibranch

Year-round · common

Frogfish

Year-round · occasional

Seahorse

Year-round · occasional

Ghost pipefish

Year-round · rare

Mantis shrimp

Year-round · occasional

Blue-ringed octopus

Year-round · rare

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Yenbuba Jetty typically begin with a tender drop close to the jetty structure. Divers descend to explore the pilings, which are covered in vibrant soft corals, sponges, and tunicates, harboring numerous macro subjects. The shallow area underneath the jetty, at approximately 4 meters, is a highlight, teeming with schools of batfish and sweetlips, perfect for extended bottom time and photography. From there, you can follow the gently sloping reef, keeping it either to your left or right depending on the prevailing current, descending to depths of 25-30 meters. This exploration reveals a diverse array of hard and soft corals, providing shelter for reef sharks, sea turtles, and various schooling fish. The dive typically concludes by slowly ascending along the reef slope, conducting a safety stop in the shallower, current-protected areas, before surfacing near the tender or where the main boat conveniently docks alongside the jetty.

Underwater photography

Yenbuba Jetty is a dream location for underwater photographers, particularly those interested in macro and wide-angle shots of schooling fish. For wide-angle, a fisheye or wide rectilinear lens is ideal to capture the dense schools of batfish and sweetlips under the jetty, as well as the vibrant coral-covered pilings. The ample natural light in the shallow sections means strobes may not always be necessary for ambient light shots, but they are beneficial for bringing out the true colors of corals and fish. Macro photographers will thrive with a 60mm or 100mm lens, focusing on the abundant nudibranchs, frogfish, seahorses, and ghost pipefish found among the jetty growth and rubble substrate. Patience and good buoyancy are key to capturing these elusive subjects without disturbing the delicate environment. Night dives offer unique opportunities to photograph hunting critters and bioluminescence, requiring careful strobe placement to illuminate subjects effectively.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Cape Kri

  Famous for its incredible fish diversity and strong currents

• Mioskon

  Known for Wobbegong sharks and stunning coral gardens

• Arborek Jetty

  Another vibrant jetty dive with rich macro life and schooling fish

• Sardine Reef

  Experience strong currents and massive schools of pelagic fish

• Manta Sandy

  A renowned cleaning station for manta rays

Getting there & logistics

Access to Raja Ampat, including Yenbuba Jetty, typically involves flying into Sorong (SOQ) from major Indonesian hubs like Jakarta, Makassar, or Manado. There are no direct international flights to Sorong, so international travelers will connect via one of these cities. From Sorong, you can either board a liveaboard directly or take a public ferry to Waisai, the capital of Waigeo Island. Liveaboards are the preferred way to explore Raja Ampat's remote sites, offering comprehensive itineraries that often include Yenbuba Jetty. Resort stays, particularly around Mansuar Island or in the Dampier Strait, also provide access to the site via daily dive excursions. A Marine Park Entry Permit (approx. USD $100) is required for all divers, valid for one calendar year. Most trips last 7 to 10 days, allowing for a thorough exploration of the region's diverse dive sites.

Safety & environment

Diving at Yenbuba Jetty is generally considered safe due to its milder currents, but adherence to standard safety protocols is essential. Always dive with a reputable operator and ensure your dive guide is familiar with local conditions. While the currents are often gentle, divers should maintain good buoyancy control, especially when navigating around the delicate coral formations and under the jetty. Be aware of occasional boat traffic near the jetty structure and avoid surfacing directly under it. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Waisai, Waigeo Island, making evacuation potentially lengthy, especially from more remote sites. Therefore, comprehensive dive insurance covering emergency medical treatment and evacuation is highly recommended. Always perform a thorough buddy check, monitor your air consumption, and ascend slowly, allowing for a safety stop, to mitigate the risks of decompression sickness.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Yenbuba Jetty FAQ

Liveaboards diving Yenbuba Jetty

These liveaboards may visit Yenbuba Jetty 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

$423/day

Blue Manta

Indonesia

20 guests45 m

$482/day

Mari

Indonesia

14 guests32.2 m

$320/day

Situju7

Komodo, Indonesia

10 guests32.7 m

$362/day

Pindito

Indonesia

16 guests37.79 m

$533/day

Mermaid II

Komodo, Indonesia

18 guests

$388/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

$449/day