Dive site · access from Raja Ampat
Melissa's Garden
Two coral pinnacles rising from a flat, sandy-bottomed reef between the Fam Islands, about 1.5 hours by boat from Dampier Strait resorts.
- Depth
- 5–25m
- Current
- Mild
- Minimum level
- Open water
- Access
- Boat
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The case for it
Why dive here
- Extensive hard coral plateau
- High reef fish diversity in a low-current setting
Check before booking
What may rule it out
- Conditions can change. Confirm depth, current and access with a local operator.
Access and timing
Plan this through Raja Ampat
Best overall months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr. Check the destination planner for operating season, wildlife and other matching sites.
Wildlife
Seen around Raja Ampat
rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak seasondestination closed
These are destination-level records, not confirmed sightings at Melissa's Garden.
Reef manta ray
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | peak season |
| February | peak season |
| March | peak season |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | destination closed |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | peak season |
Whale shark
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | rare |
| February | rare |
| March | rare |
| April | rare |
| May | rare |
| June | destination closed |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | rare |
| November | rare |
| December | rare |
Pygmy seahorse
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | destination closed |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Tasselled wobbegong shark
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | destination closed |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Mandarinfish
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | destination closed |
| July | destination closed |
| August | destination closed |
| September | destination closed |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Nearby alternatives
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Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
View 2 sources and checking notes
- Melissa's Garden: Colorful Dive Site of Raja Ampat, Papua Diving
- 12 Best Dive Sites in Raja Ampat, Southeast Asia Diving
Note on the data: Coordinates are approximate, based on the Fam Islands' general position west of Dampier Strait, not GPS-surveyed.