Chicken Reef

Chicken Reef is a current-swept dive site in the Dampier Strait that exemplifies the extraordinary biodiversity for which Raja Ampat is famous. The reef structure is a mix of slopes and small walls, covered in a patchwork of hard and soft corals that provides habitat for an astonishing number of fish species. Nutrient-rich currents flowing through the strait bring plankton that fuels the entire food chain, resulting in fish densities that must be seen to be believed. Dense schools of fusiliers, snappers, and surgeonfish move across the reef in shifting clouds, while giant trevally and barracuda patrol the reef edge looking for opportunities. Wobbegong sharks are a reliable sighting, lying motionless on reef ledges with their ornate fringed camouflage. Below the coral overhangs, look for cuttlefish, moray eels, and a variety of shrimp and crab species. Bumphead parrotfish are frequently seen cruising in groups, their powerful jaws crunching coral as they feed. The reef's health is remarkable — hard coral coverage is dense and diverse, with tabulate, branching, and massive corals growing in close proximity. Soft corals in vivid purples, pinks, and oranges add splashes of colour to the deeper sections. The moderate currents require some experience, but they also keep the reef vibrant and well-fed. Chicken Reef is a superb all-round dive that delivers both the schooling fish spectacle and the macro detail that make Raja Ampat a bucket-list destination.

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