Batu Payung

Batu Payung (“Umbrella Rock”) is a steep wall dive on the western coast of Pulau Ai. The site is named for the many overhangs along the island walls. Strong currents sweep this wall when running, driving pelagic action; it is one of the top sites in the Banda Islands for shark encounters when current is present.

Overview

The wall drops from the surface to beyond 60 m, with the most action concentrated in the 10–40 m range. Overhangs shelter barrel sponges, olive vase sponges, tubastraea cup corals, and gorgonian fans with hawkfish perched at their tips. Thousands of tiny reef fish dart in and out of cracks and crevices beneath the overhangs.

When current is running, Batu Payung earns its Advanced rating: giant trevally and bluefin trevally hunt in formation, wahoo pass through, and chevron barracuda school in open water. Sources confirm sightings of hammerhead sharks, thresher sharks, silvertip sharks, and whitetip reef sharks at Pulau Ai’s walls — these are occasional and current-dependent rather than guaranteed. Hawksbill turtles, eagle rays, mobula rays, and Napoleon (Maori) wrasse work the wall at recreational depths.

The shallow reef flat (5–15 m) has dense hard coral growth and anemonefish colonies.

Dive Profile

Vertical wall from surface to 60 m+. Recommended depth range: 10–40 m. Strong currents when running — this is a drift dive at its best. Visibility: typically 20–30 m. Water temperature: 27–29°C.

Marine Life

• Giant trevally, bluefin trevally, wahoo (hunting/passing schools)
• Chevron barracuda (schooling)
• Hammerhead sharks, thresher sharks, silvertip sharks, whitetip reef sharks (occasional; current-dependent)
• Hawksbill turtles, eagle rays, mobula rays, Napoleon (Maori) wrasse
• Bluetail unicornfish, rainbow runners, goatfish, blue-streak cleaner wrasse, pinnate batfish
• Barrel sponges, olive vase sponges, tubastraea cup corals, gorgonian fans
• Hawkfish on gorgonians
• Anemonefish colonies in shallows
• Redtooth and black triggerfish

Entry / Exit

Boat dive from liveaboard. Pulau Ai is roughly 15 km west of Banda Neira. Entry and exit planning is critical given the strong currents — coordinate with the liveaboard tender.

Safety

Advanced rating due to strong, potentially unpredictable currents. Carry a surface marker buoy (SMB). Plan the dive to use the current rather than fight it.

Photography

Excellent wide-angle site. Drifting along the overhang-studded wall with schools of trevally makes for dramatic compositions. The barrel sponge and cup coral overhangs also suit medium wide-angle setups.

Sources: Dive The World - Banda Islands, Bottles Up Diving - Banda Islands, Indonesia Greatest Dive Sites - Pulau Ai, Calico Jack Charters - Banda Sea Dive Spots. Last updated 2026-07-17.