How deep is Lava Flow (Gunung Api)?

Lava Flow (Gunung Api) ranges from 3 to 30 metres deep (10–98 feet). It is a saltwater site rated as intermediate difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is Lava Flow (Gunung Api) a shore dive or a boat dive?

Lava Flow (Gunung Api) is a boat dive — access is by boat rather than from shore. The entry is recorded as a giant-stride entry. The entry area is recorded as moderately exposed to surge. No facilities are recorded at the site, and cell service is recorded as good. Entry details and parking notes, where known, are listed in the access section of this page.

Can beginners dive Lava Flow (Gunung Api)?

Lava Flow (Gunung Api) is rated as intermediate difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 3 to 30 metres (10–98 feet). Access is by boat, with the entry recorded as a giant-stride entry. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

What will I see at Lava Flow (Gunung Api)?

Divers at Lava Flow (Gunung Api) in Indonesia commonly report sightings of Reef octopus, Mandarinfish, Hawksbill turtle, Anthias, and Staghorn and table Acropora coral. Mandarinfish, Anthias, and Staghorn and table Acropora coral are recorded as common sightings, while Reef octopus and Hawksbill turtle are reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

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IntermediateBoat entry

Lava Flow (Gunung Api)

Maluku, Indonesia

Open Water suggested3–30 m depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit 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 27°C (80°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 13h ago

1.0 mwaves — about a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 27°C · seasonal avg 27°C

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

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Sat

Sat7:00–19:00

Sun7:00–19:00

Mon7:00–19:00

Tue7:00–19:00

Wed12:00–19:00

Thu7:00–19:00

Fri—

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:54 · Sunrise 6:14 · Sunset 18:18

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 7.0 km from site · graded 13h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

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.

Jan96%30°C0.7 m
Feb85%29°C0.9 m
Mar95%30°C0.5 m
Apr97%30°C0.6 m
May82%29°C1.0 m
Jun76%28°C1.1 m
Jul61%27°C1.2 m
Aug65%27°C1.2 m
Sep87%27°C1.0 m
Oct100%29°C0.6 m
Nov97%30°C0.4 m
Dec94%30°C0.7 m

October hastypically 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

Fills & rentals nearby

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

Naira Dive19.7 km
nairadive.com
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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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