Palapa - Bali

Rutaki Passage on Rarotonga isn't your average drift dive. It's more like descending into a blue canyon, with those narrow, vertical walls dropping straight down from just below the surface. We love the feeling of being swallowed by the reef here. Visibility averages around 22 metres, but inside the passage itself, it can drop to 10 or 15 metres, which just adds to the atmosphere – a little spooky, in the best way. Keep an eye out for the resident moray eels peeking from crevices; we often spot undulated morays here. At the passage entrance, large schools of manini and threadfin gather, a silvery, pulsing cloud. If you're lucky, and we often have been, you'll see whitetip reef sharks patrolling, or an eagle ray glide by in the deeper sections. This dive is best suited for those comfortable with a bit of current and who appreciate a dramatic, topographical experience rather than just endless corals. It’s an exciting dive that feels very much like exploring the island's true foundations.

Location
Bali, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-7.687400, 113.831600
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: TAMAN WISATA PERAIRAN PASIR PUTIH KABUPATEN SITUBONDO

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 Palapa

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 Palapa

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