Planning a trip?
Hotels, dive operators, gear, and how to get here are on the Bunaken location page.
Overview
Mainland side mark in the middle of the Lembeh Strait, just north of Tandu Rusa village. The dive starts shallow on a soft coral encrusted wall that drops to about 15 m, then transitions to a rubble and sand slope feeding a broad field of large soft corals from 20 m down. The site earned its name because divers' exhaust bubbles dislodge nudibranchs from the wall above, sending tiny slugs raining down through the water column. It is also the most reliable spot in the strait for the Lembeh seadragon, Pontoh's pygmy seahorse, harlequin shrimp, rhinopias scorpionfish, wonderpus and blue ringed octopus, and ornate ghost pipefish. Currents are typically calm.
Briefing note
Classic muck and critter site. Bring a focus light, a pointer, and a macro lens (60 to 105 mm). Buoyancy discipline is essential: the sand below the wall holds seadragons and pygmy pipehorses that one careless fin kick can bury. The wall itself is decorated with delicate soft corals and crinoids that should never be touched. Best diving in dry season (March through October) when visibility improves, though macro life is rich year round.
What you'll see
9 species curated- year-roundLembeh seadragon
- year-roundPontoh's pygmy seahorse
- year-roundHarlequin shrimp
- seasonalRhinopias scorpionfishPeak: Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov
- seasonalWonderpus octopusPeak: Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct
- rareBlue ringed octopus
- year-roundOrnate ghost pipefish
- year-roundChromodoris nudibranchs
- year-roundFlamboyant cuttlefish
Conditions
| Month | Water | Visibility | Current |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28–29 °C | 5–12 m | mild |
| Feb | 28–29 °C | 5–12 m | mild |
| Mar | 27–29 °C | 8–15 m | mild |
| Apr | 27–29 °C | 10–18 m | mild |
| May | 27–29 °C | 10–18 m | mild |
| Jun | 26–28 °C | 10–18 m | mild |
| Jul | 25–27 °C | 8–15 m | mild |
| Aug | 25–27 °C | 8–15 m | mild |
| Sep | 25–27 °C | 10–18 m | mild |
| Oct | 26–28 °C | 12–20 m | mild |
| Nov | 27–29 °C | 12–20 m | mild |
| Dec | 28–29 °C | 8–15 m | mild |
Season calendar
Peak season highlighted · current month outlined
Next step
Book your trip to Bunaken
Hotels, liveaboards, dive operators, gear recommendations, and travel logistics for the whole region.
Plan your trip →Some links earn us a commission. Learn more