Dive Sites of Bangka Island
Sahaung is a very well thought of Bangka scuba diving site and for very good reason. The huge underwater pinnacles that jut out into the air form giant steps underwater. This is a drift dive that requires a negatively buoyant entry, as waves can be present at the surface at drop off and pick up points. As you descend down the pinnacle you will marvel at the proliferation of orange soft corals, sponges and sea fans.
At the same time swarming all around you are snappers, surgeon fish, fusiliers and trigger fish. Fish soup! If you are not sufficiently enthralled by this, then the site may also throw in pygmy seahorses, moray eels, schools of glassfish and perhaps an eagle ray or two might put in a guest appearance. "Breathtaking" and "awesome" are oft-used words on the boat after this Bangka dive.
Batu Mandi is just off Sulawesi mainland and consists of a large rock jutting out of the surface, forming a steep slope. As you work your way along the wall here you will see no shortage of pretty macro life including ornate ghost pipefish, lots of nudibranchs and if you are lucky some gorgeous mantis shrimps.
In addition to the abundant macro life, another major feature here are the colossal sea fans at around 20 m and on top of the reef a series of sea fans in hues of pink and red. At Batu Mandi there is no great variation in depth so it diving here normally takes the form of a nice and easy shallow dive.
Bangka Diving Reef Basics: Pinnacles and wall diving
Depth: 5 - 35m
Visibility: 10 - 30m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface Conditions: Can be rough
Water Temperature: 26 - 30°C
Experience Level: Intermediate - advanced
Diving Season: August - June
PADI Course Compatibility: Great for Underwater Naturalist and Fish ID
Distance: ~40 km north of Manado Bay (1¾ hours)
Access: Manado diving resorts and liveaboards
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