Tulamben Drop-Off - Lombok & Gili Islands

Bilhifeyshi, or "Hook Box," offers a good wall dive in Vaavu. We typically drop onto a wall that steps down to around 31 meters, with some nice overhangs forming little ledges. It’s mostly hard corals here, but you'll find pockets of soft corals mixed in, adding some good colour. Keep an eye out for white-tip reef sharks cruising the deeper sections, and we've often spotted grey reef sharks too, along with the occasional hawksbill turtle gliding past. Schools of fusiliers are usually around, and sometimes you'll catch a glimpse of dogtooth tuna darting by. Visibility usually sits around 25 meters, making it a solid choice for divers who enjoy drifting along a reef edge, keeping an eye out for pelagics.

Location
Lombok & Gili Islands, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-8.278600, 115.596500
Type
reef

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 Tulamben Drop-Off

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 Tulamben Drop-Off

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

How deep is the Tulamben Drop-Off dive site, and what are the typical diving depths?
The Tulamben Drop-Off dive site has a stated maximum depth of 22 meters. However, the description notes that divers often stay at depths up to 30 meters where the reef is very nice, offering exploration into deeper waters.
What kind of marine life and coral formations can divers expect to see at the Tulamben Drop-Off?
Divers at Tulamben Drop-Off can expect to see a very nice reef well covered with soft coral. The site boasts a wide variety of coral fish, ranging from macro to pelagic species. You might also encounter sharks in the deep water, turtles, and schools of jack fish and yellow fin reef fish, making it a vibrant marine life experience.
Is the Tulamben Drop-Off considered a difficult dive site, or is it suitable for beginner divers?
The Tulamben Drop-Off is classified as an intermediate difficulty dive site. While it offers a rewarding experience, it may not be ideal for absolute beginner divers due to its characteristics, such as a wall descending into deep water. Divers should have appropriate experience for intermediate sites.
When is the best time of year to dive the Tulamben Drop-Off for optimal conditions and visibility?
Information regarding the best time of year to dive the Tulamben Drop-Off for optimal conditions and visibility is not available in the provided data. For general guidance on dive seasons, you can check our When to Dive section.
What dive certifications are recommended or required to explore the Tulamben Drop-Off?
The provided data does not specify any recommended or required dive certifications for exploring the Tulamben Drop-Off. However, given its intermediate difficulty, divers should possess certifications appropriate for such sites.
What are the typical current and visibility conditions experienced at the Tulamben Drop-Off dive site?
At the Tulamben Drop-Off dive site, divers can expect an average visibility of 15 meters. The provided data does not contain specific information regarding typical current conditions at this site.