Dili · Timor-Leste · Artificial reef

Pertamina Pier

Sponge-covered pylons with schooling sweetlips, barracuda and batfish in the shade.

Pertamina Pier is a shallow dive under the fuel jetty of the Indonesian company Pertamina, a couple of kilometres from central Dili. The pylons carry sponges and sea fans, the shade holds schools of sweetlips, barracuda, batfish and snappers, and the rocky bottom is full of nudibranchs, shrimps and eels.

Also known as Pertamina Jetty, PJ.

Where it is and how deep

Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

8.5422° S, 125.5478° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.

The dive

The entry is easy over a sandy bottom, with jagged metal wreckage to watch for. Divers follow the pylons north-north-east to the second light pole and descend, then keep following the pylons to the end of the jetty and explore the east-west section and the debris on the seabed. The site is shallow, down to about 12 to 13 m, which allows very long dives, especially on slack tide, as the current can be pretty strong.

Each pylon is covered in sponges and large sea fans. The shade under the jetty holds schools of large sweetlips, barracuda, batfish and snappers, with many big scorpionfish and lionfish, so divers place their hands with care. The rocky bottom has a wide range of nudibranchs, shrimps and eels, and every pylon, pipe and small overhang is worth checking. The site is at its best at the end of the dry season, in September and October.

Marine life and season

Barracuda
Reef fish swarms
Nudibranchs
Macro critters

Month-by-month season rating for Pertamina Pier
Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fair	Fair	Fair	Fair	Good	Good	Good	Good	Prime	Prime	Prime	Fair

Season follows Dili: The dry season runs from May to October and the rainy season from November to April; mid-September to November is the high season, when trip prices carry a surcharge.

Know before you go

The current can be pretty strong; very long dives are possible especially at slack tide.
Visibility is often close to zero; keep buddy contact.
Jagged metal wreckage lies on the bottom near the entry; watch hands and fins.
Ships use the jetty; the site is closed when ships are in or due, so check with the oil storage security first.