Diving Bangka
World class dive sites just minutes away
WATER TEMPERATURE
Consistently 28 – 29 degrees all year round
VISIBILITY
On average 15-25 meters, often up to 30 meters
TOPOGRAPHY
Sloping, coral reefs, pinnacles & seamounts
CONDITIONS
Warm water, good visibility, some currents & drifts
TRAVEL TIME
Bangka dive sites close by & 20 minutes to sites on the mainland
CONSERVATION
Get involved in our collaborative coral nursery project with Lihunu village
DIVE GUIDE RATIO
Small groups for a more personal experience
KNOWLEDGABLE TEAM
Marine biology & underwater photography trained guides
Diving Highlights of Bangka
An explosion of color and kaleidoscopic soft corals. Bangka dive sites are a sensory overload where the pristine reefs are teeming with life. Pelagics and critters, Bangka has it all!
Unique species include resident dugongs, dolphins and pilot whales, several species of pygmy seahorse, harlequin and tiger shrimps, blue-ring, mimic, reef and wonderpus octopus, ghost pipefish, Ambon scorpionfish, frogfishes, turtles, reef sharks, eagle rays, tuna, great barracuda, schooling fish including snappers, fusiliers, cardinals, and mackerel.
Dive Schedule
Choose your divesKick off the day with a two dive trip around Bangka Island or across the water on the north coast of mainland North Sulawesi. Our surface interval is on the boat while enjoying the breathtaking scenery.
Return to the resort for lunch, followed by a third dive to explore some of the sites closer to the resort OR opt for a three dive safari trip with lunch served on the boat.
Night diving around Bangka reveals a host of rare nocturnal critters – a must during your stay. We also offer blackwater dives and the opportunity to see some of the strangest creatures from the deep as they migrate to the surface every evening.
Choose when to dive and when you’d prefer to stay onshore.
House Reef
Just a step off the beachThe House Reef is literally just a step off the white sand beach and you’ll immediately be amazed by the bright colors, wealth of coral and abundant marine life. The House Reef is a sloping reef descending down to a white sand bottom. Along the slope there are diverse corals and beautiful bommies which are shrouded in schools of glassfish and hiding frogfish.
If you like hunting for unique critters, you won’t be disappointed. Some of the critters we see on the House Reef include pygmy seahorses, blue-ribbon eels, mantis shrimps, cuttlefish, reef octopus, and a variety of nudibranch species.
The House Reef is also one of our favorite spots for night diving and snorkeling!
Dive Boats
Designed by Divers, For DiversMurex dive boats are purpose-built for your comfort, safety and to deliver a smooth ride. With 7 boats in our fleet, which range in size, we are able to offer flexible schedules and cater for private boat options as well as for larger groups of families and friends.
Facilities onboard include
- Experienced boat crew
- Shaded areas and sundeck
- Toilet onboard
- Long ladder and non-slip steps
- Individual tank racks & gear space
- Freshwater box for cameras
- Hot & cold refreshments
- Personal towels for guests
- First aid kit & oxygen
- Spare dive equipment
- Communication devices
- Life jackets
Bangka Dive Sites
Murex Bangka House Reef
Access: Beach | Level: all levels | Depth: 25 meters | Current: varies | Visibility: average 15-20m
Our beautiful House Reef is just a step off the beach and you’ll immediately be amazed by the bright colors, wealth of coral and abundant marine life. The House Reef is a sloping reef descending down to a white sand bottom. Along the slope there are diverse corals and beautiful bommies which are shrouded in schools of glass fish and hiding frogfish. The House Reef is home to numerous unique critters including pygmy seahorses, blue ribbon eels, mantis shrimps, cuttlefish, reef octopus, a variety of nudibranch species and look out for passing eagle rays.
Batu Goso
Access: boat | Level: all levels | Depth: 35 meters | Current: can have currents | Visibility: average 20m
Batu Goso consists of a series of steep pinnacles rising up from the ocean floor just off Bangka Island. There are two dives in this area starting at opposite ends of the coral encrusted pinnacles. The dive ranges from 5-35m with stunning topography at all depths. On dives when there is current there are several “sheltered” places where we can stop and watch the abundant marine life out in the blue. Highlights include: White tip & black tip reef sharks, turtles & groupers, vibrant yellow, green and red soft corals.
Sahaung
Access: boat | Level: all levels | Depth: Up to 35 meters | Current: varies | Visibility: average 15-20m
Sahaung is an iconic Bangka dive site and a firm favorite of many divers – and staff. The site consists of a series of underwater boulders and pinnacles that barely break the surface of the ocean. There are two dives in this area on separate pinnacles. These pinnacles consist of a continuously sloping bottom with several shelves as you descend. The dives range from 5 – 35 m. Highlights include: huge table corals, white tip reef sharks, stunning soft corals, diverse reef life, passing pelagics and schooling fish.
Peter’s Sponge
Access: boat | Level: all levels | Depth: 15 meters | Current: zero to mild | Visibility: average 10-15m
This is our favorite spot for dugong sightings as they tend to rest in the shallows. Peter’s Sponge is a white sand slope decorated with small coral bommies which are home to schools of glassfish and frogfish laying in wait. This is primarily a muck diving, critter site and other common sighting here include blue-ring octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, Ambon scorpionfish and ghost pipefish. This is an incredible spot for macro underwater photographers.
Batu Mandi
Access: boat | Level: all levels | Depth: 25 meters | Current: may be drift | Visibility: average 15 meters
This dive is located just opposite of Bangka Island off the northern tip of Sulawesi, off the shore of Pulisan. This dive is a series of underwater pinnacles rising from a sandy bottom. This is a shallower dive ranging from 5 to 25m. Besides the abundance of hard and soft corals and numerous reef fish, some of the highlights are pygmy seahorses, cuttlefish and giant and warty frogfish.