Explore Bangka Island

Bangka Island, nestled within the northern Sulawesi coastline, offers a remarkable diving experience at the heart of the Coral Triangle. This region is celebrated for its astonishing marine biodiversity and vibrant coral reefs, providing a unique underwater spectacle for divers of all levels. The island's diverse dive environments range from dramatic walls and pinnacles to caves and swim-throughs, promising thrilling encounters with the rich marine life that inhabits these waters. Whether you're drifting along strong currents or exploring muck dive sites for rare creatures like dugongs, Bangka ensures an unforgettable adventure. A variety of marine life, including pilot whales, eagle rays, and sea turtles, add to the allure of diving here. The well-preserved reefs and clear waters make Bangka particularly suited for both experienced divers and beginners seeking to hone their skills in calm, shallow settings. To fully immerse in the island's underwater wonders, liveaboard trips offer the best access, allowing divers to explore the surrounding archipelago, including nearby islands like Talisei and Gangga. Few dive centers are available on Bangka itself, but certifications can be pursued through dive resorts or liveaboards, making it a versatile destination for diving enthusiasts.

Dive Activity

Diving in Banka Island

Close to Bangka Island, there are more than 30 breath-taking diving sites with incredibly varied topographies. Drift dive in strong currents over a row of underwater boulder pinnacles or night dive on a sloping coral reef with minimal to no current. Scuba diving around Bangka Island will reveal spectacular underwater caves, bizarre rock towers, steep rock faces or sandy places ideal for macro lovers - Bangka has it all.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Bangka Island

Written upon many divers wishlists is the beloved dugong and Bangka Island diving may just be able to tick that one of your list. Search for frogfish, ghost pipefish, pygmy seahorse and nudibranch while waiting for a gentle dugong to swim into view. Study the thriving coral bommies and sloping reefs to find rare shrimp and octopus after riding the currents with white and blacktip reef sharks at Bangka’s more advanced dive sites. Giant sea turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and bumphead parrotfish are a common find in the warm waters of Bangka

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
221 Sightings
J
3
F
7
M
19
A
19
M
10
J
13
J
24
A
27
S
37
O
20
N
31
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
74 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
4
A
5
M
1
J
7
J
14
A
2
S
11
O
7
N
18
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl

Octopus
69 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
2
A
4
M
11
J
3
J
9
A
8
S
12
O
5
N
10
D
2
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
61 Sightings
J
4
F
1
M
5
A
4
M
4
J
5
J
6
A
2
S
9
O
3
N
15
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
33 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
1
A
1
M
0
J
3
J
7
A
5
S
4
O
2
N
2
D
6
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins

Hawksbill Turtle
28 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
2
J
1
J
3
A
1
S
4
O
1
N
13
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Nudibranch
331 Sightings
J
4
F
7
M
19
A
24
M
22
J
21
J
39
A
36
S
54
O
38
N
54
D
13

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
276 Sightings
J
2
F
4
M
20
A
22
M
11
J
18
J
52
A
14
S
44
O
25
N
56
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
205 Sightings
J
2
F
9
M
9
A
13
M
8
J
10
J
32
A
20
S
35
O
19
N
41
D
7

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
203 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
12
A
19
M
6
J
15
J
31
A
14
S
35
O
19
N
47
D
3
Show More

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
186 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
11
A
15
M
7
J
11
J
28
A
18
S
27
O
18
N
47
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
185 Sightings
J
4
F
0
M
20
A
14
M
6
J
12
J
32
A
14
S
28
O
13
N
34
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross

Shrimp
149 Sightings
J
1
F
13
M
2
A
15
M
12
J
9
J
23
A
13
S
18
O
14
N
23
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
136 Sightings
J
4
F
3
M
11
A
10
M
6
J
12
J
21
A
10
S
29
O
9
N
17
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler

Crab
135 Sightings
J
1
F
11
M
10
A
10
M
8
J
5
J
17
A
10
S
14
O
22
N
26
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7

iStock-atese

Pygmy Seahorse
132 Sightings
J
2
F
9
M
9
A
12
M
7
J
7
J
15
A
17
S
19
O
10
N
23
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
123 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
5
A
14
M
7
J
6
J
14
A
14
S
18
O
11
N
29
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
119 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
6
A
12
M
0
J
13
J
14
A
6
S
20
O
11
N
29
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
117 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
9
A
11
M
4
J
9
J
24
A
8
S
15
O
8
N
25
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
114 Sightings
J
2
F
3
M
5
A
9
M
4
J
8
J
18
A
10
S
11
O
14
N
27
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
114 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
3
A
11
M
6
J
9
J
14
A
12
S
27
O
11
N
15
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 120

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Cuttlefish
103 Sightings
J
4
F
7
M
3
A
6
M
8
J
7
J
7
A
11
S
8
O
19
N
15
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
100 Sightings
J
4
F
2
M
4
A
12
M
6
J
10
J
10
A
6
S
8
O
9
N
24
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
100 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
7
A
10
M
6
J
8
J
15
A
8
S
10
O
7
N
25
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 50

istock-atese

Frogfish
99 Sightings
J
4
F
11
M
3
A
6
M
6
J
6
J
22
A
10
S
14
O
9
N
6
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
98 Sightings
J
2
F
2
M
6
A
14
M
3
J
6
J
17
A
6
S
16
O
7
N
14
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Soldierfish
97 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
6
A
13
M
1
J
8
J
21
A
8
S
14
O
1
N
22
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
91 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
7
A
8
M
3
J
11
J
15
A
9
S
4
O
3
N
29
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

iStock-Christian von Mach

Pipefish
87 Sightings
J
1
F
3
M
7
A
7
M
5
J
3
J
22
A
6
S
14
O
5
N
12
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
63 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
3
A
10
M
2
J
6
J
8
A
3
S
11
O
6
N
11
D
1
iStock-atese

Ribbon Moray Eel (Ghost Eel)
63 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
3
A
7
M
5
J
6
J
7
A
5
S
10
O
8
N
6
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs

Porcupinefish
55 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
4
A
9
M
1
J
2
J
7
A
2
S
9
O
5
N
14
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 30

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Stonefish
53 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
4
A
2
M
1
J
5
J
9
A
2
S
10
O
2
N
16
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

Snapper
51 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
0
A
4
M
3
J
7
J
12
A
3
S
5
O
3
N
9
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
47 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
2
A
6
M
2
J
5
J
12
A
2
S
4
O
3
N
10
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp

Jackfish
44 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
4
A
7
M
1
J
8
J
4
A
0
S
4
O
5
N
10
D
1
iStock-June Jacobsen

Whitetip Reef Shark
42 Sightings
J
2
F
6
M
0
A
5
M
0
J
3
J
4
A
6
S
5
O
3
N
5
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Squirrelfish
35 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
3
M
2
J
7
J
5
A
4
S
4
O
1
N
6
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 6

Peter-Schinck-SSI

Ghost Pipefishes
30 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
1
M
1
J
0
J
5
A
0
S
7
O
10
N
3
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Spiny Lobster
29 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
4
A
3
M
0
J
1
J
5
A
0
S
2
O
3
N
9
D
2
SSI-Peter-Schinck

Leaf Scorpionfish
27 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
2
M
6
J
1
J
3
A
1
S
2
O
1
N
8
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

k

Cornetfish
26 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
3
M
2
J
1
J
7
A
2
S
5
O
3
N
3
D
0
Alamy-WaterFrame

Common Seahorse
25 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
1
A
2
M
3
J
0
J
7
A
4
S
2
O
3
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j

Sand Eel
24 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
13
A
2
S
1
O
0
N
6
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder

Garfish
21 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
1
J
0
J
8
A
1
S
1
O
0
N
6
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 15

Shutterstock-Al McGlashan

Tuna
17 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
1
A
4
M
0
J
3
J
1
A
1
S
1
O
3
N
2
D
0

The best Months to dive in Bangka Island

You can dive around Bangka Island all year round but the conditions do vary. March through to June is the dry season, therefore, visibility is at its peak during these months. From November to December the rainy season ensues and July through to October the winds pick up, with both periods having lower visibility.

Dive Sites

Coral Eye Resort Bangka, 95375 Manado

Sipi (★4.2)

You don’t have to go to Lembeh for some excellent muck diving, you can find it at the Sipi dive site. A sandy bottom slope that begins at 3-4 meters and goes down 25 meters, is waiting for divers that love macro life.
Coral Eye Resort Bangka, 95375 Manado

Sempini 2 (★4.1)

This dive site is particularly interesting for macro lovers. The dive starts on a sandy bottom at 3 meters where you slowly descend down to 25 meters.
Coral Eye Resort Bangka, 95375 Manado

Batu Mandi (★4.4)

Starting from a depth of 3 meters, you descend slowly, surrounded by corals, until you reach a wall that goes down to 30 meters. Suitable for diving and snorkeling.
Coral Eye Resort Bangka, 95375 Manado

Sahaung (★4.4)

Sahaung is one of the most famous dive sites in the area. You dive between two beautiful pinnacles and will find yourself surrounded by colorful corals and sea fans.
Coral Eye Resort Bangka, 95375 Manado

Busa Bora Kampung (★4.3)

Busa Bora Kampung is characterized by a nice and healthy coral garden from 3 meter until 18 meter. When you go deeper you reach the sandy bottom which is home to a multitude of critters.
Coral Eye Resort Bangka, 95375 Manado

Sahaung 1 (★4.5)

Sahaung is the most famous dive site in the area. You dive between two beautiful pinnacles and find yourself surrounded by colorful corals and sea fans.
Coral Eye Resort Bangka, 95375 Manado

Sahaung 2 (★4.5)

Sahaung is the most famous dive site in the area. You dive between two beautiful pinnacles and find yourself surrounded by colorful corals and sea fans.
Coral Eye Resort Bangka, 95375 Manado

Busa Bora Barat (★4.3)

This site is characterized by a coral garden that extends from 3 meters to meet the sandy bottom at 30 meters. Particularly interesting are three coral blocks full of life.
Coral Eye Resort Bangka, 95375 Manado

Coral Eye House Reef (★4.5)

Coral Eye house reef is a dive site suitable for all levels of divers. A beautiful coral garden stretches form 1 meters to the sandy bottom at 13 meters.
Coral Eye Resort Bangka, 95375 Manado

Batu Tiga (★4.3)

This dive develops around 3 pinnacles (Batu Tiga means 3 rocks / pinnacles). Starting from the first pinnacle at 5 meters, you slowly descend until you meet the second, about 20 meters deep and the third with the base at about 30 meters.
Coral Eye Resort Bangka, 95375 Manado

Tanjung Harus (★4.8)

Tanjung Harus is located north of Talisei Island. Starting from a depth of 5 meters/15 ft, you proceed until you reach the entrance of the large cavern at around 60ft/20 meters.Diving characterized by experienced divers due to strong currents.
Mares

Busabora 1 (★4.4)

One of several dive sites off the small town of Sabora on Bangka Island. Reef slowly sloping to 20 or more meters with many coral blocks on a sandy bottom and schools of fish.
Scubapro

Batu Angus (★4.3)

Batu Gosoh is characterized by a series of submerged pinnacles that rise from 60 meters up to 3 meters. Starting from the internal lagoon, we proceed in the direction of the pinnacles.Black coral branches and caves characterize this site.Dive suitable for experienced divers as the current can be very strong
Mares

Batu Gosoh 1 (★4.5)

Batu Gosoh is characterized by a series of submerged pinnacles that rise from 60 meters up to 3 meters. Starting from the internal lagoon, we proceed in the direction of the pinnacles.Dive suitable for experienced divers as the current can be very strong.