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Map of Lava Flow (Gunung Api)
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IntermediateBoat entry

Lava Flow (Gunung Api)

Maluku, Indonesia
Open Water suggested3–30 m (10–98 ft) depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Lava Flow (Gunung Api) at a glance

Lava Flow (Gunung Api) is an intermediate boat dive site in Maluku, Indonesia with depths of 3–30 m (10–98 ft). Typically most favorable Oct · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Reef octopus, Mandarinfish, and Hawksbill turtle. Recent reports put the water around 29°C (84°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Favorable window now· until 19:00 · sunset 18:11

Forecast for this hour · 15:00 · run 1 h ago
0.1 m (0.5 ft)waves — under half a meter expected (waves — under a foot expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 29°C · seasonal avg 29°C ( · Forecast 84°F · seasonal avg 84°F)

Site hazards: Mild to moderate current, boat traffic, occasional surge near the shallows

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Mon15:00–19:00 favorable

0.2 m waves · 5 kn wind (0.5 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Tue6:00–19:00 favorable

0.1 m waves · 6 kn wind (0.5 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Wed6:00–19:00 favorable

0.2 m waves · 8 kn wind (0.5 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Thu6:00–19:00 favorable

0.2 m waves · 7 kn wind (0.6 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Fri6:00–19:00 favorable

0.2 m waves · 8 kn wind (0.6 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Sat6:00–19:00 favorable

0.2 m waves · 5 kn wind (0.6 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Sun6:00–19:00 favorable

0.1 m waves · 3 kn wind (0.5 ft waves · 3 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 5:35 · Sunrise 5:57 · Sunset 18:11 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 7.0 km from site · updated 26 Oct, 14:21 GMT+9

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Lava Flow (Gunung Api)

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Mandarinfish, Anthias, Staghorn and table Acropora coral
Best time: September to November (Banda Sea liveaboard season); dusk for mandarinfish

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. January, 96% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.2 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  2. February, 85% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (85°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.8 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  3. March, 95% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 0.5 m (1.7 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  4. April, 97% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 0.6 m (1.9 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  5. May, 82% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (85°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.4 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  6. June, 76% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 28°C (83°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.7 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  7. July, 61% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (4.0 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  8. August, 65% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (4.0 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  9. September, 87% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.2 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  10. October, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (84°F), waves have typically been 0.6 m (1.8 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots, historically most favorable
  11. November, 97% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 0.4 m (1.3 ft), wind has typically been 9 knots
  12. December, 94% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.2 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots

October has typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

A signature Banda dive on the north flank of the Gunung Api volcano, where a 1988 lava flow ran into the sea and was rapidly recolonised by hard coral. The result is one of the densest, fastest-growing Acropora reefs in Indonesia, draped over black volcanic substrate from the shallows down a sloping reef. It is one of the most reliable sites in the region for mandarinfish at dusk.

boatreefshore

Mild to moderate current, boat traffic, occasional surge near the shallows

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