White Arrow
0.2055°S 130.2554°E · reef
White Arrow is a reef dive site in the northern reaches of Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. The site’s name is thought to reference a navigational or visual landmark on the reef, pointing divers toward the most productive areas of this healthy coral system.
Overview
The reef at White Arrow features a mix of sloping terrain and shallower coral-encrusted plateau. Hard corals dominate the upper sections with dense staghorn and Acropora thickets, while the deeper slope supports sea fans, rope sponges, and barrel sponges that provide shelter for a range of reef inhabitants. The reef structure creates natural corridors and overhangs worth exploring for resting sharks and sheltering cephalopods.
Fish life is diverse, with anthias schools hovering above the reef crest and surgeonfish grazing along the coral flats. Triggerfish are common, along with multiple species of parrotfish biting chunks from coral heads. Macro photographers find rewarding subjects in the rubble zones and beneath coral ledges — nudibranchs, flatworms, and small crustaceans are regularly encountered.
Visibility typically reaches 15–25 metres. Water temperature stays between 27–30°C. The northern positioning of the site exposes it to variable currents, with some tidal passes producing moderate flow.
Marine Life
- Dense Acropora and staghorn coral gardens
- Sea fans and barrel sponges on the deeper slope
- Anthias clouds, parrotfish, and surgeonfish
- Nudibranchs and flatworms in rubble zones
- Triggerfish and reef sharks on the slope
Dive Profile
The dive descends along the reef slope to 20–30 metres to explore sea fans and overhangs, then ascends to the shallower coral plateau for the safety stop. The site suits intermediate divers comfortable with mild current. Entry and exit are by boat.
Practical Information
- Depth range: 5–30 m
- Visibility: 15–25 m
- Current: Light to moderate
- Best time: October–April
- Water temperature: 27–30°C
- Entry: Boat
Sources: Papua Diving - Raja Ampat Dive Sites, Bluewater Dive Travel - Raja Ampat Diving, La Galigo Liveaboard - Top 10 Raja Ampat Dive Sites, Girls That Scuba - Scuba Diving Raja Ampat, PADI - Diving in Raja Ampat. Last updated 2026-04-04.
Sea-surface temperature and wave height from Open-Meteo Marine (ERA5 reanalysis, monthly averages).
374 verified species observations (115 species) logged within ~11 km of this site between 1929 and 2015, from the Ocean Biodiversity Information System.
- Trimma cheni
- Trimma haimassum
- Trimma fangi
- Eviota korechika
- Trimma stobbsi
- Trimma xanthochrum
- Trimma erdmanni
- Trimma striatum · Red-lined Pygmy Goby
- Trimma xanthum · Yellow-red Pygmygoby
- Priolepis vexilla
- Eviota zebrina · Zebra Eviota
- Eviota melasma · Headspot Eviota
Scientific survey records skew toward sampled taxa (molluscs, corals) and do not reflect what you are guaranteed to see on a dive.
Source: OBIS (obis.org), aggregated Darwin Core occurrence records.
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