Snorkeling Bangka
Kaleidoscopic coral reefs, white sand beaches and abundant marine life
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, calm seas
TRAVEL TIME
Bangka reefs sites close by & 20 minutes to reefs off the mainland
CONSERVATION
Get involved in our collaborative coral nursery project with Lihunu village
SNORKEL GUIDE RATIO
Small groups for a more personal experience
KNOWLEDGABLE TEAM
Marine biology & underwater photography trained guides
Highlights of Snorkeling Bangka
Bangka Island is surrounded by kaleidoscopic soft coral reefs which are teeming with life and bursting with color. Snorkeling sites around Bangka are like heaven on earth and you’ll see a multitude of marine species as you discover this incredible underwater world.
Our professional snorkel guides will accompany you over some of South East Asia’s most stunning coral gardens and point out some of the rare and unusual marine life that we see on a daily basis. They will ensure that you see the best reefs this region has to offer and you’ll be mesmerized by the abundance of fish which surround you.
Snorkeling the reefs of Bangka is an unforgettable experience. Whether you are visiting with friends, family or on your own, you’ll be creating memories which last a lifetime.
Snorkel Schedule
Choose your snorkeling tripsStart the day with a leisurely trip to two snorkeling sites around Bangka Island or across the water on the north coast of mainland North Sulawesi. In between locations, kick back on the boat while enjoying the breathtaking scenery.
Return to the resort for lunch, followed by an afternoon trip to explore some of the sites closer to the resort OR opt for a full day safari trip with lunch served on the boat.
Night snorkeling around Bangka reveals a host of rare nocturnal critters – a must during your stay.
Choose from the daily boat trip schedule or prefer to stay on shore, or explore the House Reef just a step off the beach.
House Reef
Just a step off the beachThe House Reef is literally just a step off the white sand beach and you’ll be immediately 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. Inside the lagoon is a shallow reef top that attracts hoardes of damsels and anthias over the staghorn corals.
If you like hunting for unique critters, you won’t be disappointed. Some of the critters we see on the House Reef include blue-ribbon eels, mantis shrimps, cuttlefish and blue spotted stingrays.
Our Boats
Purpose built for adventuresMurex 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
- Shaded areas and sundeck
- Toilet onboard
- Long ladder and non-slip steps
- Individual spaces for each snorkeler
- Freshwater box for cameras
- Hot & cold refreshments
- Personal towels for guests
- First aid kit & oxygen
- Spare equipment
- Communication devices
- Life jackets
Bangka Snorkeling 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. If you like hunting for critters you’ll find blue ribbon eels, mantis shrimps, cuttlefish, and blue spotted stingrays in the shallows.
Sahaung
Access: boat | Level: all levels | Depth: Up to 35 meters | Current: varies | Visibility: average 15-20m
Snorkel around these staggering rock pinnacles and you’ll see huge table corals, kaleidoscopic soft corals, diverse reef life, schooling yellow snapper and look out for white tip reef sharks cruising the reef.
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 a great spot for swimming around in the shallows and looking out for stingrays on the sand.
Batu Mandi
Access: boat | Level: all levels | Depth: 25 meters | Current: may be drift | Visibility: average 15 meters
This site is located across the water from Murex Bangka Resort on the northern tip of the Sulawesi mainland. The site is in front of a stunning white sand beach that you can also swim to and we often stop here to enjoy lunch or refreshments! Snorkelling here reveals an abundance of hard and soft corals and numerous reef fish including small schools.