Blue Magic

Blue Magic is a mid-strait seamount that concentrates everything passing through the Dampier funnel. Its claim to fame is oceanic manta rays, which sweep in to be cleaned on the coral heads during the season and can dwarf the divers hooked to the reef below. Between manta passes there is no idle time: barracuda spiral over the summit, trevally and mackerel hunt the edges, wobbegongs drape themselves across the plate corals, and Spanish mackerel patrol at the limit of visibility. The dive rewards patience, staying low, breathing slow, and letting the big animals make the approach. Currents can be brisk and the site is open ocean in every direction.

The moment you come for: Oceanic mantas at cleaning stations; wobbegongs on the summit; predator action in the current.

Topography: Submerged coral seamount rising from deep water in the Dampier Strait, top around 7-10 m.

Current: An open-water seamount; current direction sets where the action stacks, and blue-water descents to the top are standard.

Hazards: Strong current on an exposed seamount; blue-water descent and ascent; keep the group tight and carry an SMB.

Conservation: Manta etiquette applies: stay low, keep off the cleaning stations, and let the animals control the encounter.

Nitrox: Worth it here — profiles sit in the range where enriched air meaningfully extends no-stop time (with the training to use it).