BUNGALU

Protected Area

Pulau Maratua-Karang Muaras

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including manta rays, mobula rays (devil rays), orcas, sea turtles and sperm whales - BUNGALU offers some of Derawan Islands's richest wreck diving.

Marine lifeManta Rays, Mobula Rays (Devil Rays), Orcas, Sea Turtles and Sperm Whales · 118+ species recorded

CharacterWreck dive

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Bungalu offers a proper wreck dive, not just a pile of scattered debris. What we love about it is the sheer intactness of the motor vessel, especially for a wreck that’s been down a while. You can penetrate some sections, if you’re comfortable and properly trained, swimming through the hull where the light filters in through portholes, illuminating schools of glassfish. It’s got that slightly spooky, ‘shipwrecked’ feel that we often look for. The wreck sits in clear, calm water, making it accessible for newer wreck divers or those wanting to hone their buoyancy in a more controlled environment. Look closely in the nooks and crannies for resident scorpionfish and lionfish, perfectly camouflaged against the encrusted metal. Our tip: go early to catch the best light for photography, and keep an eye out for larger pelagics cruising past in the blue, sometimes drawn in by the structure. It’s a compelling piece of history, now a thriving artificial reef.

Safety Notes

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Today06:0318:1312h 10m daylightGolden hour 17:45

BUNGALU Wreck History

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

grounding

The BUNGALU is less of a dive site and more of a picturesque landmark in the stunning Derawan Archipelago of Indonesia. This motor vessel rests at a depth of zero meters, meaning it is aground on a reef or beach, fully exposed to the elements. The story of how this local vessel met its end is unclear, but it most likely fell victim to a navigational error or a storm, running aground and becoming permanently stranded. Over time, the tropical sun and saltwater have weathered its structure, creating a hauntingly beautiful scene against the backdrop of turquoise water and white sand beaches. While not a traditional scuba dive, the BUNGALU offers fantastic opportunities for snorkelers and photographers to explore a shipwreck in a completely different light, observing how nature both dismantles and reclaims a man-made object at the boundary of land and sea.