Baung Penyu Bay / Turtle Neck / The Wall - Lombok & Gili Islands

Baung Penyu, or Turtle Neck as some call it, is a real favourite of ours for a relaxed drift. You drop in near the wall, a sheer drop that starts at around three metres and plunges past our maximum depth, disappearing into the blue. We love gliding along here, the wall itself is busy with little cracks and overhangs, perfect for spotting a lurking spotted hawkfish or a tiny cowry. The occasional green turtle or olive ridley cruises by, unbothered. As you drift, the wall transitions into a gentle slope of sand and rubble, dotted with coral heads. This is where we often find blue-spotted stingrays half-buried in the sand, and we’ve seen some impressive cuttlefish here too, changing colours right before your eyes. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs on the smaller coral patches. The dive typically finishes in a shallower, sandy lagoon, a lovely spot for a safety stop among soft corals and seagrass, where you might even catch a glimpse of a leatherback. Visibility averages around 15 metres, so you get a nice sense of space without feeling lost. It’s a pretty easy drift, making it suitable for newer divers looking for a mellow wall experience with plenty to see.

Location
Lombok & Gili Islands, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-8.528900, 115.513900
Type
wall

Marine Protected Area: KK Karangasem

Best Time to Dive in Lombok & Gili Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Lombok & Gili Islands occur in December, averaging 30.1°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 28.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 29.6°C
  • February: 29.3°C
  • March: 29.6°C
  • April: 30.1°C
  • May: 29.9°C
  • June: 29.2°C
  • July: 28.5°C
  • August: 28.3°C
  • September: 28.6°C
  • October: 29.3°C
  • November: 30.1°C
  • December: 30.1°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Lombok & Gili Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to Baung Penyu Bay / Turtle Neck / The Wall

Marine Life in Lombok & Gili Islands

Home to 258 recorded species including 153 reef fish, 44 sharks & rays, 37 hard corals, 10 seagrass & algae, 4 other, 3 clams & mussels.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Baung Penyu Bay / Turtle Neck / The Wall

Based on average water temperature of 29.4°C, currents 23 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum depth at Baung Penyu Bay / Turtle Neck / The Wall dive site?
The maximum depth for diving at Baung Penyu Bay / Turtle Neck / The Wall is 18 meters. While the impressive wall structure itself rises from a depth of 25 meters, the typical dive profile for this site keeps divers within the 18-meter limit, concluding in a blue lagoon bay at 5 meters.
What kind of marine life and corals can divers expect to see at Baung Penyu Bay / Turtle Neck / The Wall?
Divers exploring Baung Penyu Bay / Turtle Neck / The Wall can anticipate a rich variety of marine life. The site is a perfect habitat for sea floor predators including cuttlefish, octopus, blue ribbon eel, moray eel, and devil fish. You'll also discover smaller fascinating creatures like nudibranchs, shrimp, and crab amidst the coral reef and soft coral formations. For more information on marine species, visit our wildlife database.
How difficult is the Baung Penyu Bay / Turtle Neck / The Wall dive site for divers?
The Baung Penyu Bay / Turtle Neck / The Wall dive site is considered to be of intermediate difficulty. This rating suggests that divers should have some experience beyond entry-level certification to comfortably enjoy the site's features, such as the wall dive profile and potential conditions.
What is the best time of year to dive at Baung Penyu Bay / Turtle Neck / The Wall?
Information regarding the best time of year to dive specifically at Baung Penyu Bay / Turtle Neck / The Wall is not available in the provided data. However, you can often find general seasonal guidance for the Lombok & Gili Islands region on our When to Dive page.
What diving certifications are required to dive at Baung Penyu Bay / Turtle Neck / The Wall?
The specific diving certifications required to dive at Baung Penyu Bay / Turtle Neck / The Wall are not detailed in the provided information. Given its intermediate difficulty and maximum depth of 18 meters, an Open Water Diver certification is typically a minimum, though an Advanced Open Water Diver certification or equivalent is often recommended for more comfort and experience with wall diving. Always check with your local dive operator for their specific requirements.
What are the typical current conditions at Baung Penyu Bay / Turtle Neck / The Wall dive site?
The provided data does not specify the typical current conditions at the Baung Penyu Bay / Turtle Neck / The Wall dive site. Current conditions can vary greatly and are often influenced by tides and moon phases in the Lombok & Gili Islands region. It's always best to consult with your dive guide or local dive center for real-time updates on currents before your dive.