BUNGA LAWAS - Sipadan

Bunga Lawas sits a little shy of the main Sipadan wall, a curious contrast to the usual reef dives here. It’s a small motor vessel, down around 30 metres, so this isn't one for your first open water dives. We love it because it offers a different kind of dive on an island famed for its pelagics. The wreck itself is relatively intact, a nice size to properly explore without feeling rushed. You can swim through the holds, watch the light filter down into the engine room. What really makes Bunga Lawas special for us, though, is the life that has embraced it. We've seen schools of snapper circling the superstructure, a resident barracuda or two peering out from the shadows, and often a turtle resting on the deck. It’s a quiet dive, often less crowded than the wall, giving you time to appreciate the rust and the growth, the way the metal has become part of the reef. Our advice? Go in the morning. The light penetration is gorgeous, turning the interior a soft blue-green. It’s a calm, contemplative dive, perfect for wreck enthusiasts who also appreciate a bit of peace and quiet.

Location
Sipadan, Malaysia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
6.832333, 116.269500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
50m

Wreck History - BUNGA LAWAS

Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

The BUNGA LAWAS rests in the deep blue off the legendary island of Sipadan, a destination more famous for its sheer coral walls and pelagic life than its wrecks. This mysterious motor vessel, likely a Malaysian cargo ship based on its "Bunga" prefix, sits at a challenging depth of 50 meters. Its history remains obscure, with no public records detailing its purpose or the cause of its demise. Its position in the deep suggests it may have foundered unexpectedly, sinking quickly to its final resting place far from the bustling shipping lanes.

A dive on the BUNGA LAWAS is a serious undertaking, reserved for experienced technical divers with the proper training and equipment for deep, decompression diving. Descending into the abyss, the wreck materializes out of the gloom, an intact and silent silhouette. Unlike the shallower, coral-encrusted wrecks of the region, the BUNGA LAWAS is a more haunting and stark sight. The limited bottom time at this depth means exploration must be focused and efficient. Divers can expect to see the ship's main structures, such as the bridge and cargo holds, and may encounter deep-water marine life that shuns the brighter reefs above. It offers a rare and challenging alternative to Sipadan's famous wall dives.

Best Time to Dive in Sipadan

The warmest water temperatures in Sipadan occur in August, averaging 30.6°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 28.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.5°C
  • February: 28.3°C
  • March: 28.9°C
  • April: 29.7°C
  • May: 30.3°C
  • June: 30.3°C
  • July: 30.2°C
  • August: 30.6°C
  • September: 30.5°C
  • October: 30.4°C
  • November: 30.0°C
  • December: 29.3°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Sipadan

Nearest Dive Centres to BUNGA LAWAS

Marine Life in Sipadan

Home to 147 recorded species including 111 reef fish, 11 sea snails & nudibranchs, 9 sharks & rays, 5 seagrass & algae, 4 other, 4 hard corals.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for BUNGA LAWAS

Based on average water temperature of 29.7°C, currents 12 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