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Two scuba divers explore a vibrant coral reef underwater, surrounded by marine life and bubbles.
📷 Emre Kocdemir · Pexels

Alung banua

3.6 — based on 19 community signals
4.2 12 species 26 contributors

Alung banua is a year-round Indonesian dive site with 12 documented species observations and active community video coverage.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
BleachingRiskShore entryFamily-friendlyPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round

Top operators here

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Map

This spot Operators POIs Airport Nearby spots
Alung banua location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
4.1 kn
Wave
0.2 m
Water
29.1°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NNW (26%)
Now: SE (135°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.78m

Next: Low at 04:00 (+0.22m)

+1.4 m0 m-0.3 m
▼ 04:00 · +0.22m ▲ 09:00 · +0.53m ▼ 14:00 · +0.22m ▲ 21:00 · +0.91m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV9.2 · very high Air PM2.539 · sensitive 05:31 17:38
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 10.2 0.24 9 0mm
09-20 11.4 0.14 9 0mm
09-21 11 0.14 9 0mm
09-22 11.1 0.18 9 0mm
09-23 10.5 0.18 9 0mm
09-24 11.6 0.16 9 0mm
09-25 10.2 0.12 9 0mm
⚠ Coral bleaching: Watch — favorable conditions

About this spot

Alung banua sits off Indonesia's coast as an accessible dive destination open to visitors throughout the year. The site has attracted enough diver interest to generate a small but growing library of community videos and species documentation, making it a spot worth exploring if you're in the region. The reef here supports diverse marine life, with 12 distinct species observations logged by divers. This data suggests a functioning ecosystem with reasonable biodiversity, though conditions vary seasonally like most Indonesian reefs. The site currently sits outside marine protected areas, so standard Indonesian diving regulations and local guide requirements apply. Water conditions and depth details remain sparse in available records, so your best move is checking with local operators or recent trip reports before booking. Coral bleaching is on the watch list for this region, which means conditions could shift. Community videos offer the clearest window into what to expect when you get in the water—definitely worth reviewing before your dive.

📖 Guide: Diving in Indonesia: 323 Sites, Mantas to Micro-critters

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type C/F · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 12197km · ~2805kg · €50

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 54/100
  • Visa: Visa on arrival · 30 days max
  • Flight: 12h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 12h east · 8 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Alung banua?

The site is divable year-round, though Indonesian reefs generally see best visibility and calmest conditions during dry seasons (May–September in most areas). Check recent local reports for current conditions before you book.

What depth and difficulty level is this dive?

Specific depth and difficulty data aren't documented in available records. Contact local dive operators or review community videos to confirm what to expect and whether it suits your experience level.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species observations are logged at Alung banua, indicating a healthy diversity of reef creatures. Exact species and encounter frequency vary with season and current conditions—community videos give the best real-world snapshot of what's actually there.

Do I need permits or certifications to dive here?

Alung banua is not within a marine protected area, so standard Indonesian diving rules apply. You'll typically need a guide and proof of certification. Check with local operators on current requirements and any regional restrictions.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Panorama Dive Center

1.6 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

52 records · 48 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Phyllidiopsis xishaensis

Gastropoda · Phyllidiidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Sept 2018
×1records
Depth:
4–17 m

Phyllidia elegans

Gastropoda · Phyllidiidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Sept 2018
×1records
Depth:
2 m

Tambja gabrielae

Gastropoda · Polyceridae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Sept 2018
×1records
Depth:
12 m

Coryphellina exoptata

Gastropoda · Flabellinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Sept 2018
×1records
Depth:
2–12 m

Asteronotus mimeticus

Gastropoda · Discodorididae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Sept 2018
×1records
Depth:
3–12 m

Phyllidiella annulata

Gastropoda · Phyllidiidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Sept 2018
×1records
Depth:
10 m

Phyllodesmium longicirrum

Gastropoda · Myrrhinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Sept 2018
×1records
Depth:
25 m

Chromodoris lochi

Gastropoda · Chromodorididae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Sept 2018
×1records
Depth:
4–20 m

Caloria indica

Gastropoda · Facelinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Sept 2018
×1records
Depth:
5–13 m

Halgerda batangas

Gastropoda · Discodorididae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Sept 2018
×1records
Depth:
6–19 m

Phyllidia varicosa

Gastropoda · Phyllidiidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Sept 2018
×1records
Depth:
2–20 m

Chromodoris annae

Gastropoda · Chromodorididae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Sept 2017
×2records
Depth:
2–12 m

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Alung Banua: Beneath the Waves of Bunaken #scubadiving #northsulawesi

Scuba Diving and Dogs
💬 3 top comments
  • Beautiful place!

    @BryanHolzer · 👍 1
  • The sharks must have heard him 😢

    @Wheels131326 · 👍 0
  • Nice crocodilefish.

    @mark_falke · 👍 0

Alung Banua, Bunaken Island, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Wide Angle Adventure

Diving Alung Banua Wall on Bunaken Island, Indonesia

Scubabeat
💬 3 top comments
  • Was an absolute blast to shoot this video. 🤩 hope you like it. Love to hear your feedback in the comments below. Also please subscribe to my channel! 👍 Your support helps me to do more videos like this.

    @Scubabeat · 👍 0
  • That's some really cool underwater filming! Happy I found you after you found me, lol :) subbed too!

    @exploringthetributaries643 · 👍 1
  • How many life live under the sea and how different! Your videos are great. And I love turtles!!!

    @andreadistefanoMS · 👍 1
wind peaks Dec-Apr-Feb, calmest Jul-Aug-Jun, dry Jul-Oct.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Aug (100/100) Worst: Feb (0/100) Now: Sep (82/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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