Reefwander
Rainforested hills of Tioman Island rise above a sheltered beach and resort on the shoreline

Tioman · Malaysia · Pinnacle · Wall · Reef

Magicienne Rock

Untouched hard and soft coral on a rock topping out at 8 m

Area photo: TMbux · CC BY-SA 3.0

An underwater pinnacle standing in open sea off the north of Tioman, Magicienne Rock starts at 8 metres, with normal diving depth between 10 and 25 metres down its walls. The hard and soft coral on it is untouched, and turtles are the animals you can count on. Being out in the open, it often has a strong current and operators want advanced divers.

Also known as Magician Rock.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Magicienne Rock: typical dive 10–25 m (33–82 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit10 m25 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

2.9169° N, 104.1483° EPublished position for this site.

The dive

The rock tops out at 8 metres and drops away from there into walls, with the working range of the dive between 10 and 25 metres. The coral is the reason to come: hard and soft growth over the pinnacle that has been left untouched, in water that on a good day gives 30 metres and more of visibility, which is as clear as anything around the island.

Current decides how the dive is run. Out in the open sea it is often strong, and operators want Advanced Open Water or CMAS 2* before they will take you. Turtles are the fixture here, and there are many of them and they are friendly with divers. Trevally move over the rock, Spanish dancers are among the animals recorded on it, and manta rays and whale sharks turn up for the divers lucky enough to be in the water at the time.

Marine life and season

  • Sea turtles
  • Trevally & jacks
  • Nudibranchs
Month-by-month season rating for Magicienne Rock
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Off-seasonFairGoodGoodPrimePrimePrimeGoodGoodFairOff-seasonOff-season

Season follows Tioman: Northeast monsoon brings rough seas and closed resorts November-January; calmest conditions and best visibility run May-September.

Know before you go

  • The site sits in the open sea and often has a strong current, so operators recommend Advanced Open Water or CMAS 2* before diving it.

Questions divers ask

How deep is Magicienne Rock?+

The pinnacle starts at 8 metres and normal diving depth on it is 10 to 25 metres, so it is a recreational dive throughout despite standing in open water.

What can you see at Magicienne Rock?+

Untouched hard and soft coral, many friendly turtles, trevally and Spanish dancers. Manta rays and whale sharks pass occasionally but are not something to expect.

Sources

  1. Magician Rock Dive Site - Map & Review — Divezone

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