Sunset Reef - Lombok & Gili Islands

The Veronica L wreck is a Grenada classic, a solid shallow dive that always delivers. She’s a 30-metre cargo vessel, sitting upright at 17 metres, perfect for an extended rummage. We love how much life has moved in since she was repositioned in 2006; it’s a proper artificial reef now. You’ll find the deck bristling with sponges and soft corals, and the cargo holds are open, so it's easy to poke around inside. Look for the clouds of chromis and grunts hanging over the structure, often so dense they dim the light. On the deck and hull, we’ve spotted frogfish camouflaged against the growth, and those tiny seahorses can be surprisingly cooperative if you move slowly. Visibility usually hovers around 15-20 metres, and currents are mild, making it an excellent spot for newer wreck divers or photographers wanting a relaxed pace. It’s also one of our favourite night dives. The wreck transforms completely under a torch beam, with basket stars unfurling and reef scorpionfish emerging from their daytime hideouts.

Location
Lombok & Gili Islands, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-8.355700, 116.027700
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: KK Pulau Gili Air, Gili Meno, dan Gili Trawangan

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 Sunset Reef

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 Sunset Reef

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 typical depth range for diving at Sunset Reef?
Diving at Sunset Reef typically involves exploring a sloping hard coral slope from 8m to 18m. Beyond 18m, the site transitions into sandy areas with scattered bommies. The maximum depth for this dive site is 19m.
What kind of marine life and underwater features can divers expect to see at Sunset Reef?
Divers at Sunset Reef can expect to encounter a beautiful sloping hard coral slope and numerous bommies that serve as active cleaning stations. In the sandy areas, you might spot white tip reef sharks, with juveniles often found sheltering under the bommies. The site is also teeming with a wide variety of reef fish, frequently observed utilizing these cleaning stations.
How challenging is the Sunset Reef dive site, and is it suitable for beginner divers?
Sunset Reef is classified as an intermediate dive site. While it offers a rewarding experience, its conditions or features might be more challenging than those typically recommended for absolute beginner divers. Divers should have appropriate certification and experience for intermediate-level dives.
What is the best time of day or year to dive Sunset Reef for optimal conditions and marine encounters?
The provided data does not specify the best time of day or year to dive Sunset Reef for optimal conditions or marine encounters. For general information on seasonal diving, please refer to our When to Dive guide.
What scuba diving certifications are typically required to dive at Sunset Reef?
While specific certification requirements are not detailed in the provided information, given that Sunset Reef is an intermediate dive site, divers typically need at least an Open Water Diver certification with some experience, or an Advanced Open Water Diver certification. It's always best to check with a local dive operator for their specific requirements.
What are the usual current conditions and visibility like at Sunset Reef?
Divers at Sunset Reef can generally expect excellent visibility, averaging around 20m. However, the provided data does not include specific information regarding the usual current conditions at this dive site.