Gorgonzola

Gorgonzola is a wall dive site near Maratua Island in the Derawan Archipelago, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, named for the extraordinary gorgonian sea fan formations that colonise its vertical face.

Overview

Gorgonzola is part of the outer Maratua dive circuit — a vertical wall site approximately 25 minutes north of Nabucco Islands at the northern tip of Maratua. Scuba Junkie Sangalaki lists it alongside Lighthouse as among the sites where “pristine corals in the shallows” give way to shark encounters at depth. Sienna Resort’s Maratua dive guide confirms the site: “a beautiful reef top and a dramatic wall with a sandy plateau at 30 metres,” and describes it as accessible to all experience levels in mild conditions. The wall features dramatic gorgonian sea fans cascading down the face alongside dense soft coral growth. A Premier Liveaboard Diving itinerary confirms Gorgonzola on the northern Maratua circuit. Special sightings include schools of bumphead parrotfish and macro creatures. Deeper sections are visited by white-tip reef sharks, leopard sharks, and grey reef sharks (confirmed Scuba Junkie Sangalaki).

Marine Life

• Gorgonian sea fans — large colonies on the wall face (confirmed: Scuba Junkie Sangalaki, Sienna Resort)
• Bumphead parrotfish schools (confirmed: Sienna Resort Maratua guide)
• Napoleon wrasse (confirmed: Scuba Junkie Sangalaki top sites)
• White-tip reef sharks and grey reef sharks at depth (confirmed: Scuba Junkie Sangalaki)
• Macro creatures on the reef top (confirmed: Sienna Resort)
• Schooling jackfish and batfish (Scuba Junkie Sangalaki describes pelagic encounters at wall sites of this type)
• Soft coral anthias clouds in the shallower sections

Dive Profile

The wall begins in shallow water on the crest and drops to a sandy plateau at approximately 30 metres; Sienna Resort’s guide confirms a maximum practical depth of 23 metres (75 feet) on the typical dive profile, with the sandy base at 30 metres accessible to those who descend further. Intermediate divers can work the wall face between 10 and 20 metres where gorgonian density is greatest. Visibility can reach 40 metres in good conditions — Maratua’s distance from shore means oceanic water clarity. Currents are moderate to strong; the site is best dived with some current experience.

Entry and Exit

Boat dive only. Gorgonzola is accessed via Maratua-based operators or as part of a liveaboard itinerary. Entry is at the wall crest; divers navigate along the face before ascending to the shallow coral garden for safety stop.

Tips

• The shallow crest (5–10 metres) is excellent for the safety stop and rewards slow inspection for nudibranchs and pygmy seahorses on the gorgonian stems.
• Early morning dives often produce the best shark sightings as white-tip reef sharks finish their nocturnal feeding.
• Carry a macro lens or close-up attachment — the sea fans host small crustaceans and pygmy seahorses that reward patient searching.

Safety Considerations

Intermediate difficulty reflects mild-to-moderate currents and the 30-metre working depth. Divers should be comfortable with buoyancy control on a vertical wall. Monitor depth carefully — the wall extends well below recreational limits and it is easy to drift deeper than planned. Always carry an SMB.

Photography

Gorgonzola is one of the standout wide-angle photography sites in the Derawan Archipelago. The combination of colourful gorgonian fans, soft coral walls, and shark silhouettes in open blue water makes it ideal for dramatic reef portraits. Macro photographers will find sea fan nudibranchs and commensal shrimps on the gorgonian stems.

Site Information

• Location: Maratua Island, Derawan Archipelago, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Wall dive
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 23 meters

Additional Resources

• Last Updated: 2026-05-17

Sources: Scuba Junkie Sangalaki – Top Dive Sites Derawan, Sienna Resort – Ultimate Guide Maratua Dive Spots, Premier Liveaboard Diving – Kalimantan Itinerary. Last updated 2026-06-27.