BINTANAH - Bali

Bintanah isn’t one of those sprawling wrecks you can spend an hour on. This tugboat, lost back in ’92 after a towing mishap, sits upright, broken into two main sections at a comfortable 12 metres. It’s pretty heavily colonised now, which we love; the metal has completely disappeared under a thick carpet of soft corals, sponges, and gorgonians. Look closely, and you’ll spot nudibranchs, often some of the flashier chromodorid species, tucked into the crevices. We’ve found pygmy seahorses here a few times, clinging to the gorgonian fans, but you need a sharp eye and a patient guide. The intact propeller is a particular favourite of ours, usually surrounded by schools of glassfish shimmering in the ambient light. It’s a gentle dive, perfect for photographers or those looking to hone their buoyancy without worrying about deep deco limits. Even though it's classified as a dangerous wreck, it’s mostly just a low-lying structure now, more reef than hazard.

Location
Bali, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-7.093333, 112.663890
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
12m

Wreck History - BINTANAH

Year Sunk
1992
Vessel Type
tugboat
Cause
unknown

The Bintanah was a hardworking tugboat whose career ended in a sudden and dramatic fashion on December 8, 1992. The tug was engaged in the powerful and dangerous task of towing the massive tanker 'Rantau/Permina 1007' when the towline parted under the immense strain. The instantaneous release of tension caused the small but mighty tug to become unstable, and it quickly capsized and sank beneath the waves. It was a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of the sea and the risks involved in maritime work.

Resting in just 12 meters of water, the Bintanah is now one of Bali's most accessible and enjoyable wreck dives. Its shallow depth and typically calm conditions make it perfect for novice divers, photographers, and those on a second dive of the day. The tug sits upright on the sandy bottom and is fully intact, allowing divers to easily explore its wheelhouse, deck, and propeller. Despite its relatively recent sinking, it has been thoroughly colonized by marine life, with vibrant corals growing on its surfaces and schools of reef fish, frogfish, and nudibranchs making it their home.

Marine Protected Area: PKK-003 Bangkalan

Best Time to Dive in Bali

The warmest water temperatures in Bali occur in December, averaging 30.9°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 29.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 30.1°C
  • February: 29.7°C
  • March: 30.1°C
  • April: 30.7°C
  • May: 30.6°C
  • June: 30.2°C
  • July: 29.4°C
  • August: 29.1°C
  • September: 29.3°C
  • October: 30.1°C
  • November: 30.9°C
  • December: 30.9°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Bali

Nearest Dive Centres to BINTANAH

Marine Life in Bali

Home to 528 recorded species including 359 reef fish, 73 hard corals, 42 sharks & rays, 12 other, 12 sea snails & nudibranchs, 11 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for BINTANAH

Based on average water temperature of 30.1°C, currents 3 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories